The Atkins Field Project: The Hardwick Intervale

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 Center is creating 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.

Inspired by the Burlington Intervale, the Center has partnered with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, the Vermont Land Trust, and private donors to acquire the property. Vermont Housing Conservation Board and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets will hold a conservation easement on the property. Acquisition of this property will protect 4.4 acres of bottomland identified by the Northern Rivers Land Trust as a valuable natural and ecological resource.

The Center is considering the engagement of an interdisciplinary team of students, academic faculty and others over a year (or two) to work with the Center to design the Atkins Field physical and programmatic “build-out” The Center sets the parameters and the team works it through with a design charrette (refers to any collaborative session in which a group of designers drafts a solution to a design problem) and a final report with plans presented to the broader community.

Through education, demonstration and research, the Hardwick Sustainable Agriculture Center at Atkins Field will support individuals, businesses, non-profits and educational entities in engaging in agriculture-based initiatives.