Starting a dream farm from scratch carrying on long family and Vermont traditions to bring you delightfully sweet, all natural, handcrafted maple & birch syrup/products. We are so happy to connect with customers and share our product with you and your family. We are a small, single family operated business in the hill
We are a husband, wife, and four young children taking on the challenge of diversified farming in the Green Mountain State. As we were raised in the agricultural community, it was only a matter of time before we picked up our farming roots and planted them into our own soils. Our property is your definition of "fixer-upper" and "a work in progress." Our farm is managed year around naturally and sustainably to ensure healthy production for generations to come.
We raise our meat animals (beef, pigs, lamb, and poultry) out on pastures. They spend their days consuming grass and roaming the land thoroughly enjoying life to the fullest during each season.
Tapping maple trees for their sap and creating a heavenly tasting maple syrup has been in Trent's family dating back generations. It is something he was always passionate about and always had a dream of pursuing. In 2018, we finally boiled our own maple from our own maple trees. After purchasing the farm in 2014 it was something we were working and saving towards. We love being able to share our traditional wood-fired maple with everyone around the country.
Maybe it was our childhoods, maybe it's our personalities, either way we both agreed there was really something to be said about the work of a farmer. It is all physically, mentally, and socially challenging but we love it anyway. We love being able to care for our animals, we love being able to teach our children (Sophia, Kennett, Bradley & Levi) the importance of soil quality and taking care of the earth while loving the responsibility, lessons, and joy that comes with all things farming.
Your purchase directly impacts our family and our business and we can't thank you enough. We pride ourselves in the quality of our products and hope you can taste the difference!
Trent Roleau, 34, grew up in the town next to Bristol. His parents always had draft horses, beef cows, and pigs, as well as producing maple syrup. Trent graduated high school and pursued a degree from Vermont Technical College in Dairy Farm Management in 2009, and a degree in Diversified Agriculture in 2011. Upon graduation Trent went into carpentry because it made him a better living, but farming was always his dream. Trent and Abby were married in 2012, they were waiting for the opportunity to buy their own land. Trent still works carpentry full-time to support the family and the farm - but dreams of the day he can stay home and focus his energy and time on their farm.
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Time of Year: Sugaring Season
Favorite Hobby: Playing Basketball
Favorite Quote: Work Smarter, Not Harder
Abby Roleau (Scholten), 31, grew up on a dairy farm in Weybridge and Shoreham, Vermont. Along with milking cows, her family raised their own beef, occasional pigs, chickens (layers and meat), and they started making cheese when Abby was in high school. Abby is a 2+2 graduate getting her degree in Dairy Farm Management from Vermont Technical College in 2011, and then her Community Development and Applied Economics degree with a minor in Animal Science from the University of Vermont in 2013. Like Trent, it was always Abby's dream to farm on her own. Upon graduation from UVM Abby and Trent were building up their business plan to buy The Gateway Farm through Vermont Land Trust. In September 2017 Abby left her off-farm job to be full time at home with their three children and to focus her attention on farm duties.
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Time of Year: Summer
Favorite Hobby: Photography
Favorite Quote: "Let all that you do be done in Love."
1 Corinthians 16:14
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