Norah Lake started Sweetland Farm in 2012 because she was inspired to offer Upper Valley residents an opportunity to engage with a local farm in a convenient, educational, and meaningful way. Norah grew up with a strong land ethic instilled in her by her nature-loving parents, and spent countless hours working in the family’s gardens and pastures.
While she was a student at Dartmouth College, Norah explored the complex world of sustainability through the Environmental Studies Department. She was also intimately involved in student-led projects at the college’s organic farm, helping to start the first Dartmouth Farm CSA, researching the possibilities of partnering the dining halls with local food producers, and guiding many fellow students through their first introduction to an agrarian landscape.
After graduating in 2006 Norah became a partner at Sunrise Farm in Hartford, VT where she worked for 5 years and gained a crucial farm-management skills. In 2012, after living in the Upper Valley for 10 years, she and her husband Chris were honored to purchase the newly conserved Sweetland Farm from the Vermont Land Trust and to begin growing great food for the community.
Now, more than 15 years in, Sweetland has become known for bountiful CSA shares, a full-diet farm stand, and a commitment to sustainability. Whether visitors to our farm are stopping by to see our pasture-raised animals, snipping herbs and flowers after picking up their vegetable and fruit share, enjoying one of our fun farm events, or learning about our 90 in 10 Carbon Emissions Pledge and Leopold Conservation Award, there is lots to see and experience at Sweetland. We are very proud to be the active stewards of this beautiful farm land, and to be passing these important skills and values on to the next generation.
Willing Hands recovers fresh food from farms, grocery stores, restaurants and wholesalers, and delivers it year-round, for free, to 80 social service organizations across the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. We’re proud to partner with Willing Hands on their Share-a-Share program, which uses 100% of your donation to purchase a CSA at Sweetland, and also to provide surplus veggies and fruit from our fields and farm store.
Vermont Bike & Brew showcases the best craft breweries, general stores, and farm stands in Vermont – all from the seat of an eBike. Explore quiet roads, ride through covered bridges, and enjoy tasty local bites. This route is tried and true, with some of the best cycling roads in Vermont. Hop onto an E-Bike and try it for yourself!
The Farm Stand tour, which begins and ends at Sweetland Farm, is a delightful pedaling picnic with riverside views and vibrant local farms. We’re proud to be on Vermont Bike & Brew’s local route and to offer locally-sourced snack baskets to Vermont Bike & Brew’s customers, straight from our farm store!
We participate in the NOFA-VT Farm Share Program! The Farm Share Program provides fresh, local foods to Vermonters in need of financial assistance via reduced-price CSA shares. This program ensures that farmers (that’s us!) are paid in full. If you or someone you know would like one of our CSAs but are struggling to afford it, the Farm Share program might be able to help! NOFA-VT typically subsidizes 50% of your share cost, up to $350 off. Applications are open February 1st through February 28th. Apply today at nofavt.org/farmshare.