About

Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center is a non-profit educational organic farm located on conserved land along the Connecticut River in East Thetford, VT. Our farm consists of over 40 acres and, as well as growing organic produce, is home to a bustling farmstand, café, commercial kitchen, and Education Center. We are dedicated to agricultural scientific research in the public interest, and to providing agricultural education and training to children, parents, educators, farmers, consumers, students and other members of the public.

Over the 20 years of our existence, the Farm’s practices have evolved to incorporate regenerative organic farming, and the Farm’s purpose and activities have evolved to include a thriving education program and opportunities for community engagement. Cedar Circle Farm operates as an organic farm with a social mission, and we prioritize involving members of our community as we develop and share practices that promote regenerative agriculture, good health, and a resource-rich environment.

Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center is dedicated to agricultural scientific research in the public interest and providing agricultural education and training to children, parents, educators, farmers, consumers, students and other members of the public to promote organic, regenerative farming and the transition to a localized food economy, including by producing healthy, organic food for the local economy in a way that enhances resources for future generations.

Prior to 2000 Cedar Circle Farm was owned and operated by Robert and Marilyn Stone. Over their approximate 22-year tenure the farm’s main focus was growing annuals and perennials as bedding plants and operating a pick your own strawberry patch, blueberry patch and pumpkin patch. The Stones sold the development rights on the farm to the Vermont Land Trust in 1990. Prior to the Stones’ ownership Cedar Circle Farm had been a horse farm and a dairy farm.

When Will Allen and Kate Duesterberg became the proprietors, they kept the essence of the Stone’s business while transitioning the farm to organic growing practices. Their goal was to become a farm and education center. They envisioned the farm as a place raise public awareness about the benefits of local organic agriculture and to research and experiment with new organic growing practices.

TIMELINE

​1500 B.C.: Hunter-gathers migrate into the Upper Valley

1500s: Native American inhabitants establish permanent agriculture practices along the Connecticut River. Read our land acknowledgment and about the Abenaki Nation’s historical presence on this land here.

1855-1978: The land passes through the hands of 7 different landowners

1979: Robert and Marilyn Stone purchase the property and bestow the name Cedar Circle Farm

1990: The Stones sell the development rights of the farm to the Vermont Land Trust

2000: Will Allen and Kate Duesterberg purchase the farm and it becomes Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center

2001: The first growing season as we begin to transition the farm to organic practices

2004: We receive organic certification through NOFA-VT and start our Community Supported Agriculture Program

2005: The Hello Café is built to the boon of maple latte lovers everywhere

2011: A brand new commercial kitchen allows us to offer seasonal prepared foods

2013: We prepare bouquets for our very first wedding client and thus begins our wedding flower business

2015: The first season for our Homeschool and Little Farmers program

2016: The first year of summer camp for 6 to 11 year olds and the founding of our Research and Development department

2019: We purchase Sunny Fields blueberry patch after 30+ years of leasing

2020: The farm officially becomes a non-profit organization in order to expand our education and research offerings