Cobb Hill Winter Woods

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By Karyn Stack

Some might think that not much goes on in the woods during the cold and quiet winter months, here in Vermont, but to the contrary.   I just got back from a walk with my trusted dog Gillie, after having seen some new, neatly piled mushroom logs that my husband Bill and the other Shiitake Stooges cut in preparation for the Spring Inoculation Party.  Ten minutes prior, I noticed small deer tracks on the Snowshoe trail I had cut weeks ago above the Sheep Pasture and use most days.  Makes me smile to think that I have made winter walking a bit easier for the young four-leggeds.

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Earlier in the week, I caught a glimpse of and heard, one of my old forest friends, the grand Pileated Woodpecker.  Days before that, I was treated to a Barred Owl conversation, between two who were hooting from a distance. 

More than a month ago, while cruising along in my Snowshoes, I spooked up what I believe was a Grouse.  I also regularly see remnants from a squirrel/chipmunk meal, scattered across the snow.

I like the independence of snowshoeing. Really, I can roam anywhere in our woods to create a trail, making it a bit easier the next time I venture out.

Sometimes I walk with friends or run into others while I wander, but many days it’s just Gillie and me.  She’s great company and spending more time in our woods, I have come to feel very comfortable and at home out there. 

Hartland 4H at Tunbridge Fair

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The 4H kids had a great time.

 It was a long fair 5 days and they worked hard and had many wonderful moments. We had many first place winners including fall calf, spring calf, 2 year old cow, fall yearling, spring yearling, best 2 sisters, best 3 sisters, vegetables and jam. in 2nd place we had dam daughter, spring yearling Holstein, summer yearling, fall.yearling and 2yr old cow. Maeve got first place in showmanship in her age group and 3rd out of 91 kids.overall. Kate had best in show for her blueberry jam. In a few cow classes the cows took all the 5 top spots. Valerie, our stylish fall calf was reserve jr. Champion. 

2017 Cobb Hill Open House A Big Success!

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We held our third Cobb Hill Open House on Sunday, June 25th from 1-4 PM

There were tours, yummy tastings of farm-made cheese and conversation.  We had a great turn-out of visitors from all over the east coast.  The 4-H club had presentations and an information table, there were farm tours, a house tour, and general site tours including the wood-fired oven and the shiitake mushroom area.  We even had a lemonade stand.  Thank you to all who visited.  If you missed it, we will have another next year, or contact us to set up a visit.

After the event, Cobb Hill members enjoyed yummy pizza from the brick pizza oven.  

On-Going Activities included:

  • Light refreshments and chatting on the Common House porch
  • Horse-powered farming demonstration
  • Farm tours
  • Self-guided hike and tours
  • Tours of the shiitake mushroom growing yard, see our new bread oven, central wood-burning heating system, and Cobb Hill Cheese operation.

Cobb Hill Cheese Wins Another Award!→

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Cheese lovers rejoice! Cheese Madness is coming to Wild Oats February 24-April 8. This exciting culinary event will pit eight local cheeses against each other to see who will win over customers’ palates to become the 2017 champion!

On Fridays and Saturdays during the competition, customers can sample two cheeses and vote for their favorite. The winning cheese will be announced the following Monday, will be on sale that week and will go on to compete in the semi-finals.

In addition, each week you vote, you’ll be eligible for the weekly giveaway of a fruit and cheese basket that will include the winning cheese.

Week 1: Ascutney Mountain (Cobb Hill Cheese, Hartland, Vt.) vs. Alpha Tolman (Jasper Hill Farm, Greensboro Bend, Vt.)
WINNER: ASCUTNEY MOUNTAIN

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The Hartland Cattle Club wins the 4-H Dairy Herdsmanship Award!

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From the Vermont Standard: Ten 4-Hers, accompanied by Kerry Gawalt, their leader, as well as their parents took 16 cows to show in the Cornish Fair. The Hartland Cattle Club won the 4-H Dairy Herdsmanship Award!!! This is given to a group for working well together, being good ambassadors to the public by teaching them about cows and farming, and for keeping their barn and animals clean and presentable. Back row, from left, Alex Gray, Gawalt, Emily Surrell, Mary Scherer and Stephen Scherer. Front row, Maeve Leslie-Gawalt, Delia Morgan, Silvia Hale, John Scherer and Kate Wehmeyer. Not pictured, Cody Comstock.