Cultivating Community: Reflections from Our First Reimagined Pickin’ Time
Just like plants need to be nurtured to grow, so does community. And on a sun-drenched evening at the farm last weekend, we gathered—neighbors, friends, families, and strangers—to do just that at our first, in a series of four, reimagined Pickin’ Time: Bluegrass, Brews, & Bites events!
What started as a simple idea—replicating last year’s successful fundraising event—quickly grew into something deeper. As we began planning this season’s events, it became clear that what we need right now isn’t just a good time (though that’s certainly welcome), but meaningful connection. We all need space to breathe, to celebrate, and to remember that we’re part of something larger than ourselves.
So, within that same spirit, we asked ourselves: How can we create more moments of joy? More room to be together—not just as guests, but as co-creators of a thriving, resilient farm community.
From that question, this summer’s Pickin’ Time series quickly took shape. Set between the summer solstice in June and the fall equinox in September, the series invites us to embrace the beauty and complexity of growth—not just in our fields, but in our lives, and our larger global community. The promise of a harvest is never guaranteed—with so many variables at play, and Mother Nature always keeping us on our toes. But as farmers, we’re conditioned to hold on to hope, staying grounded in our deep knowledge, commitment to research, and the ingenuity that moves us forward. With each turning season, we continue with the belief that what we sow, we strive to reap—and we encourage you to do the same.
At our kickoff event, nearly 200 people joined us to celebrate the first official days of summer with organic food, lovingly prepared by our Farm Kitchen team. We got our hands dirty in our PYO strawberry fields, shared laughter around picnic tables, and moved to the rhythm of live bluegrass music from the incredible Reckless Breakfast. The air buzzed with something special—not just music or conversation, but a shared sense of belonging.
As the sun sets on our first pick-your-own crop (strawberries!) of the season, we want to say thank you. Thank you for showing up, for sharing your energy, and for being part of this vision. We hope you’ll join us again for the next Pickin’ Time events throughout the summer. Bring a friend, bring your appetite, and bring your heart.
Each gathering offers something new to discover, taste, and celebrate—always rooted in the land, and always centered around community.
- Pickin’ Time: Blueberries – Saturday, July 12
- Pickin’ Time: Flowers – Saturday, August 16
- Pickin’ Time: Pumpkins – Saturday, September 20
We’re deeply grateful to our sponsors—Pure Solutions, Retail Control Systems, Mudge & Greely Architects, and beverage partner Cole Flannery and the Half-Step crew—who help make events like this possible. As a nonprofit organization, we depend on the generosity of others to help fulfill our mission: promoting organic, regenerative farming and a thriving local food economy through education, research, and hands-on experiences.
If you’re feeling inspired by this season of growth and connection, we invite you to make a tax-deductible contribution in support of our work. Whether big or small, every gift helps cultivate the ecosystem we all want to grow in. It takes a team of people to make this magic happen, and we’re always looking for more helping hands and farm champions.
Want to volunteer or sponsor an event? We need you! Reach out to Tracey Saunders, Development Director, at tracey@cedarcirclefarm.org or (802) 785-4737, to learn how you can get involved!
All images below provided by Emma Cottage Photography.
