2024 Northeast Forest Farming Conference

EVENT IS SOLD OUT! PLEASE EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS@SMOKEYHOUSE.ORG TO JOIN THE WAITLIST. 

Join us for our inaugural Northeast Forest Farming Conference hosted at Smokey House Center in Danby, VT this summer! This will be a weekend chock-full of opportunities to learn about all aspects of forest farming. Topics will include forest botanical plant ecology, site selection, production and stewardship models, medicinal uses, business planning, propagation techniques, and so much more. We’ll have a wonderful line up of experienced folks hosting field-based and indoor workshops across Smokey House’s 5,000 acre mosaic of forest and farmland. There’ll be good food, live music, and so much more to enjoy. Come learn, share your knowledge, and meet the diverse group of people working to grow opportunities around forest farming and forest botanical plants in the region!

Where:

Smokey House Center

426 Danby Mountain Road

Danby, Vermont

Schedule Summary:

Friday: Evening welcome with dinner and conference kick-off event.

Saturday: Full day of forest farming workshops and events. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided. Live music in the evening!

Sunday: Breakfast and closing ceremony with “Future of Forest Farming in the Northeast Strategy Session” in the morning.

Click here for a full schedule. 

Cost:

Friday & Saturday (Friday evening dinner, full day and meals Saturday, breakfast and strategic planning session Sunday morning)     

• $85 full cost
• $45 cost-assisted price*

Saturday Only (Full day of events plus breakfast, lunch, and dinner)    

• $55 full cost
• $30 cost-assisted price* 

 

*Cost-assisted pricing is for students, BIPOC farmers, and low-income folks who wish to attend the conference but experience the full cost as a barrier. If further financial support is needed please reach out to walker@smokeyhouse.org.

Camping Information:

Space for tent camping is available on both nights at no additional cost at Smokey House Center. Attendees are welcome to bring their camping gear. Please note: there are no showers, kitchen facilities, or electricity available, but campers will have access to restrooms and drinking water.

Nearby Lodging Options:

1. Aerie Inn of Vermont (15 minutes away) Address: 158 Bowen Hill Road East Dorset, VT Phone: 802-362-1208 Cost: Approximately $273-$285 for the weekend Mention Smokey House Center when booking. 
2. Hampton Inn (27 minutes away) Address: 47 Farrell Road, Rutland, VT Features: Free breakfast, indoor pool, and fitness center Phone: 802-773-9066 Cost: Approximately $348 for the weekend plus tax (minimum two-night requirement) Mention Smokey House Center when booking or use code SHC when booking online through this special rate link. 

Other Local Lodging Options:

• Dorset Inn (15 minutes away)
• Barrows House (15 minutes away)
• Palmer House (25 minutes away)
• Aspen at Manchester (25 minutes away)
• Options on Airbnb and many more
• Search hotels in Manchester and/or Rutland, Vermont, for the full listing of hotels within 35 minutes of Smokey House Center.

This conference is made possible by support from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LNE21-423.