Atkins Field at Cooper Brook

Atkins Field Hardwick VT

Atkins Field: Former Woodbury Granite Co. Shed
Roger Allbee (Sec. of Agriculture), Andrew Meyer (Vermont Soy), Anson Tebbetts (Deputy Sec. of Agriculture), Tom Stearns (High Mowing Seeds) & Steve Patterson (Northern VT Development Assoc.)

The CAE is moving towards a sustainable agricultural educational and resource center in Hardwick and has identified the site of the former Woodbury Granite Company (locally known as Atkins Field) consisting of 15.2 acres and 3 granite era buildings as an ideal venue.

Recent Updates:

May 2011

Hardwick Farmers' Market
Every Friday, 3pm to 6pm from May to October

SpringFest and Sustainable Living & Agriculture Fair
Saturday, May 28th, 1pm to 4pm

April 2011

Atkins Field Survey Graph
Atkins Field Results_pdf
 

History:

In 2007, the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) purchased Atkins Field at Cooper Brook, located in the village of Hardwick, Vermont. At the turn of the century, the site was once home to the flourishing, world-renowned Woodbury Granite Company and to this day, you can still find remnants of hewn granite scattered around the property.

 

Our Vision:

Our vision for Atkins Field at Cooper Brook, is to build an agricultural center that encourages and inspires community members to engage in the local food system as well as to increase agricultural capacity in the immediate area, with the result being a strengthening of our community, local economy and food security.

To that end, we held a community visioning forum in the spring of 2009 so that we could engage and gather ideas from those stakeholders most likely to benefit from the property's development. Possible uses included: community gardens; indoor year-round farmers' market; nature trails; community space for workshops, food preservation and cooking classes; outdoor art displays; skate park; music amphitheater; outdoor classrooms.

Since that initial outreach, we've continued to take stock of community input, most recently with a survey, so that as we pursue resources for development, we are thoughtful and far sighted in our vision.

Atkins Field Granite shed

Our Goals:

2010-2011

  • Assess integrity and rehabilitation needs of existing structures; evaluate cost of maintaining and renovating
  • Determine and clean up the agricultural zones, including logging, stumping and leveling
  • Clean up, repair and maintain the property and its buildings, particularly the Granite Shed.
  • Develop framework for community input and identify community partnerships to develop the site
  • Create conceptual development budget and funding strategy for capital improvements and development
2012-2013
  • Continue to gather community and stakeholder input
  • Establish community partnerships
  • Continue to raise funds
  • Embark on first phase of construction which includes finalizing conceptual design, construction plans and more
                                                                                                                  

Atkins Field Work Day 2009          pete johnson and andrew meyer repairing roof of Granite Shed     Atkins Field Work Day     Atkins Field Granite Shed _ Interior  

 


e-newsletter sign up

facebooktwitter logo

visit our blog

support the CAE