Farming Together

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

The world is changing rapidly. Some of that change is good. Some, not so good.

One of the changes I worry about in Vermont and across the country is the decline in family-based agriculture. Today, only about 2% of Americans are engaged in farming, and many rural communities are seeing declines in their population. That’s not good.

Today, the Bernie Buzz features a story about a Vermont couple, Walter and Margaret Gladstone, and what their farm in Bradford, Vermont means to them, their family, and their community. 

Walter and Margaret Gladstone were married in 1987. One year later, they established their farm in Bradford where they would raise their family, milk cows, and steward the land for nearly 40 years now. As the story goes, they named their farm for both their home states. With Walter coming from New York and Margaret from Vermont, they decided “Newmont Farm” was where they would call home.

They are still at it today, along with their kids, grandchildren, some thirty full-timers, and seasonal pumpkin pickers. Together they do the 4:00 am wakeups, milking, caring for the cows, managing the equipment, tending the land, and everything else that goes into making their farm run day-in and day-out.

If that wasn’t enough, Walter and Margaret are also dedicated to helping our communities – especially the next generation – stay connected with and learn more about agriculture and dairy farming. Every summer on Open Farm Day, Newmont welcomes hundreds of Vermonters for free food, tours, and discussion about the work, the animals, and the land.

The Bernie Buzz got the chance to visit Newmont Farm, meet Walter, Margaret, and their team, and hear more of their story. I hope you will take a moment to watch the video above and hear what they had to say.

Sincerely,