Producer: Small Axe Farm
Location: Barnet, VT
Found at the Littleton Co-op: Organic produce
Website: smallaxefarm.com
Small Axe Farm could be called the antithesis of big corporate farming not just because of their local farm status; their grounded, small-scale community approach reaches throughout their operations, philosophies, and even the farm design itself. Farm owners Heidi Choate and Evan Perkins own 45 acres of land, but conscientiously decided to only farm on one acre. Not only is that number far below the average farm acreage, but their chosen acre sits on a steep hill. The rest of their land remains forested and wild. Both decisions reflect their desire to work with the land, rather than tear against it. It also led to Small Axe being an off-grid, no-till farm and house. No till farming is a strategy to limit soil erosion, capture carbon in the soil to mitigate climate change, use less soil inputs, and use less petroleum-powered farm equipment. Evan, Heidi, and their crew have optimized their operations so that their small growing area doesn’t further limit their production. According to Perkins, they prioritize growing “high rotation crops,” and are able to turn over and replant a garden bed within one hour.
While farming is their primary occupation, Heidi and Evan make sure to model for their son, Rowan, their employees, and other farmers that it doesn’t have to be all-consuming. In the winter you will often find the family on a lake in Vermont wild ice skating. Coverage of their balanced farm and active life has amassed Small Axe Farm a substantial social media following and coverage in Seven Days Vermont.
Status of product availability at the Littleton Co-op, and labeling of producers (such as local, Black-Owned Business, NH-made, etc) and product status or ingredients (gluten-free, vegan, etc) is based on available information at time of publication. The food world is an ever-changing landscape and information presented here may not reflect the most up-to-date information available.
