At Kiss the Cow Farm in Barnard, Lisa and Randy Robar have built a life centered around hard work, sustainability, and a love for real food. The couple shares how it all began with a cow named Sophie living in their garage, and how their farmstead eventually grew into an organic dairy, ice cream business, and farm store. Learn more about Kiss the Cow Farm at kissthecowfarm.com happyvermont.com…
Liz Bleakley traded her career in medicine for a new adventure: becoming an artisan cheesemaker in Windsor, Vermont. In this episode of Happy Vermont, Liz shares how she left her busy job as a physician assistant in Atlanta and, together with her family, moved to a small Vermont town, where she discovered a passion for making cheese. Liz also talks about what resilience means and the power of…
Sheena Brown is a fourth-generation dairy farmer at Skyline Holsteins in Derby. Her great-grandfather bought this farm 81 years ago. As a child, she spent her days bottle-feeding lambs, walking a pet pig down the road, and following her father through the barn, convinced this was exactly where she belonged. Then, when she was in middle school, the family sold the dairy herd. The barn went quiet,…
In this episode of Happy Vermont, host Erica Houskeeper explores the story of the common loon's recovery in Vermont. Inspired by a personal encounter with a loon call after her brother’s passing on Sherman Reservoir, Erica meets experts Eric Hanson and Eloise Girard of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies to talk about the conservation successes and ongoing challenges facing these iconic birds. Tune…
Sandy Lincoln owns The Bookery in Rochester, a cozy small-town shop that focuses on antiquarian and used books. It's also a place where visitors can slow down, browse, and feel at home. With resident cats, quirky displays, and a friendly atmosphere, The Bookery is just as much about community as it is about books. facebook.com/thebookeryvt happyvermont.com Book Fair Details
The Seven Stars Arts Center is one of those rare places that blends history, community, reinvention, and a touch of quirkiness. What began as a Baptist church later became a grange hall, then a garage, and eventually a healing arts center. Now the building is an education and performing arts venue run by volunteers. Located a few doors from the Sharon Post Office on Route 14, the building still…
Maple sugaring in Vermont is a tradition built on hard work, risk, and reward. When it comes to sugaring, the days are long, but the season is short. At Judd's Wayeeses Farms in Morgan, fourth generation Vermonter Jim Judd and his wife Donna Young have spent years perfecting their craft. “People look at our place, and what they don’t always consider is that I’ve been doing this for 50 years. This…
There’s a lot to love about Vermont general stores. This episode includes an interview with Ben Doyle, the president of the Preservation Trust of Vermont in Montpelier. The organization has helped many Vermont towns save or reopen general stores. I also chat with Dan and Alison Singleton of Singleton’s Store in Cavendish, which opened 80 years ago. https://happyvermont.com…
This holiday season, windows on Brattleboro's Main Street and beyond are being decorated for the inaugural Festival of Miniatures. Festival organizer Melany Kahn talks about the event and the town she loves. She also shares insight into Brattleboro's strengths and challenges, and why local art matters. www.brattleboro.com happyvermont.com