Pasture based sheep hill farm in Southern Vermont
Vermont
Our farm is a 207 acre pasture based sheep farm located on a the side of an southeast facing ridge in southern Vermont over looking the Connecticut River Valley. We primarily raise sheep for meat and wool. In addition to our 150 sheep we have a sugar bush where we produce Maple Syrup . We bought the disused dairy farm that had been hayed in an extractive manner for the last 30 years in 2019. The 80 acres of fields have been run down and we are attempting to bring them back through rotational grazing, targeted management and focused invasive species control. We manage our livestock with the use of Border Collies for herding and Livestock Guardian Dogs for guarding the flock. We regularly provide educational opportunities on the role of sheep dogs. Our hope is to increase plant species diversity in our pastures, provide habitat for wildlife in our woods and fields and coexist with the natural world around us.
Future Farmers
We would be happy to host a Future Farmer. During the June-August time frame there will be a lot to learn about rotational grazing, invasive species management, sheep care and the role of dogs in management.
We are currently working to push back invasive and nuisance species of plant life. We have a back ground in invasive species management using sheep and goats. When we host during the Spring, Summer and Fall we hope that WWOOFers would work in concert with our animals to help eradicate or control species such as buckthorn, thistle, bedstraw, multi-flora rose, bittersweet and help us regain the field edges that have been taken over. This will involve using both hand and power tools to cut and trim and/or dig up woody plants and plants that are poisonous to the animals. We will also do selective reseeding. This will allow grasses and other pasture species to gain sunlight and an edge on the invasives. Work may involve helping to move temporary fencing to manage rotational grazing of animals that is benefiting the regeneration of the soils and control of the invasives. There will be opportunities to learn about sheep care (we do biweekly health checks) use of herding dogs in herd management and how to use targeted grazing and browsing to transform "weeds" into healthy vibrant pasture. Ideally we would like at least two wwoofers at a time to make the work go easily. In the Fall of 2023, the WWOOFERs embarked on a really exciting project using parts of invasive and nuisance plants to hand dye yarn from our sheep. We will continue this project next year. It has been a big hit.
Except during lambing we generally start at 8 am and wwoofers would work until about noon or 1 pm. Work will be outdoors even in less than perfect weather. The afternoons and evenings are available for hiking, swimming and local sight seeing in Southern Vermont.
We have an apartment available for Wwoofers. There is a kitchen, bathroom and a few bedrooms. It is expected that Woofers would share the space with other Wwoofers. And we may ask if you are comfortable sharing a room. Other activities may also occur in the common space depending on the season. Wwoofers are generally on their own for meals with a fully stocked kitchen varied according to wwoofer dietary preferences. We do try to have a few communal meals during each wwoofer's stay.
On site we have the owners (my husband and me). I have been sheep farming for more than 15 years and started my journey using sheep and goats to manage invasive species on an Audubon society property. My husband works full time off farm but maintains the equipment and does various other things around the farm. We have a full time worker who has worked in a variety of settings (dairy sheep, multi species) and loves to share his knowledge with people. We have a part time staff person (former wwoofer who can't seem to stay away :) ) Both are interested and learning about the crafts associated with farming. We have a seasonal employee who manages the sugar bush and sugar house (operates Feb-early April usually depending on weather).
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Learning opportunities
Sheep or goat farming
Traditional crafts
Mechanics / tools / technology
Methods or systems
Holistic management
Regenerative agriculture
Rotational grazing
Mentoring opportunities
Woman-operated
Host type
Production farm
83.8
Hectares
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207
Acres
Elizabeth
Member since 2023
Languages spoken:
English
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
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Sat
Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 1 day
Vermont
We are pretty isolated and strongly recommend that you have your own transportation. It might be possible to pick someone up in Brattleboro, VT or Bellows Falls, VT (train and bus) but there is no access to services or the sites to see.
Reviews
Margery
United States
•
April 2026
I immensely enjoyed by time at this farm and working with the team. I arrived at the very peak of lambing season, which I wanted, and immediately jumped into action in whatever capacity was needed. This included feeding and moving ewes and lambs, keeping a watchful eye, grooming, and mucking. While everyone was very busy, Liz still was always on top of things and kept everyone of top of work to be done and special concerns of the day. I felt included in all ways but never overworked. Liz and her team always freely shared of their knowledge and after my two weeks I felt like I completed Sheep 101. And who doesn't love lambs--dozens and dozens of them! The accommodation in an old farm house shared by the WWOOFers was very nice and the farm is located about 10 miles from Brattleboro, a cool town with a back to earth and hippie vibe. I would def recommend a stay at this farm!
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Reply from Elizabeth
Thanks so much for all your hard work!!! We really appreciated it.
Denelis
United States
•
April 2026
Where to begin.. Nothing short of life changing. I learned so much every single day with Liz. I didn't know what to expect and every single day something new and beautiful and insane happened. Ben & Arlen made the experience unforgettable, they are so kind and amazing teachers. I couldn't believe what I witnessed and what I was capable of by the end of my 2 weeks. I will miss Cecelia, Kit, Kat, Brownknee, Wilhelmina, Stompii, Frosty, and all the other silly ewes and lambs.
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Reply from Elizabeth
On behalf of all those lambs and ewes, I will say they all want you back. It was great to have you.
Kathleen
United States
•
March 2026
My first time WWOOFing experience could not have been more enjoyable. Everyone was so eager to teach and generous with their time even at the height of lambing season. This place is so special, filled with kind people who genuinely love this farm. The rolling pasture and sugar maples for tapping sap into the sugar house makes this a VT dream to explore farming life.
Experiencing the birth of the lambs was enlightened and learning from Al how the equipment in the sugar house helps the natural process of sap flow into delicious maple syrup was amazing.
Working hard didn’t seem like hard work because the people there believe in this place and that belief is contagious.
I am so grateful to Liz, Al, Arlen & Ben for their kindness, hospitality and willingness to teach.
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Reply from Elizabeth
It was great to have you! So glad you came by for Open House!
Kristen
United States
•
October 2025
I came to Liz and this farm contemplating a second career. I had zero agricultural experience beyond a "Visit the Farm" day here or there. I needed to have practical experience with "every day" life on a farm. Liz so kindly took my inexperienced self and showed me the ropes around the farm. Her team was generous with their time, their knowledge, and their social-time. By the time I'd left, I had experienced everyday tasks, set up and some sales at a farmer's market, daily chores, and set and support for Morse Brook Farm's Open Farm Day.
I highly recommend Liz and the whole team for anyone who is looking for a supported and grounded sheep experience.
Also all 9 dogs are absolutely amazing!
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Arlen
United States
•
April 2025
I had the pleasure of experiencing this farm during the height of the lambing season. While the rolling hills surrounding the barn saw touches of snow, varying levels of rain, and a few stunning blue sky days, I spent most of my time dry and warm (still wearing layers of course), working in the barn alongside Liz and her outstanding team as they brought dozens and dozens of lambs into the world. From the regular chores, such as feeding and mucking, to witnessing the miraculous beauty of life (and death), my time working on Morse Brook Farm during lambing season was remarkable. The team’s openness to my curiosity and questions rewarded me with novel experiences that taught me things I never thought I'd have the chance to learn. Lambing season is not for the faint of heart, but if you are brave enough to bear witness to all life on a farm has to offer, work here is sure to be a beautiful and life-changing experience.
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Reply from Elizabeth
It was wonderful to have you join us during lambing. You brought all kinds of good energy and great curiosity to the farm. Thank you for your visit. And come see us again sometime.
Giordana
United States
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September 2024
I had an amazing time at this farm! Liz is a wonderful host and was so kind and caring! The farm itself is so beautiful, with rolling hills and surrounded by nature! Liz taught me all about how they work around nature and not against it to create a sustainable farm! Working with and around all the animals around the farm was so fun! I learned a ton about sustainable grazing and how to keep the animals and land as healthy and happy as possible. Liz and her brother Fred are so helpful and so fun to be around! I sadly had to leave early due to a family health emergency, but would love to go back!
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