The Campaign to Protect Goulet Farm

Summer 2025 Newsletter

South Hero’s working farms play a powerful role in making our community so special: We have Allenholm Farm, the state’s oldest commercial apple orchard; and Snow Farm Vineyard, Vermont’s oldest commercial vineyard and grape winery. Islandacres Farm at the center of the village has been here for generations, as has Hackett’s Orchard on South Street. We also have new generations of farmers at historic farms like Sawyer Bay, home of Health Hero Farm, and Landon Farm, home of Pigasus Meats.

What do these farms have in common? They’ve all been conserved, permanently protecting the land for agriculture. Conservation helps keep farmers working on their lands, in our community, and supporting our local food system. This is possible thanks to your support.

We now have another exciting opportunity to support a working family farm in South Hero: the Goulet Farm.

photo credit: Rob Swanson

Guy and Lori Goulet, and Guy’s stepson Brad Isham are the third and fourth generations farming this land, which was bought by Guy’s grandfather in the late 1940s. Building on the work of his parents (Guy Sr. and Brenda) and his grandparents, Guy, Lori, and Brad have built a thriving farm business known for their premium hay.

The Goulets also care deeply about supporting the local community through food. In 2015, they opened a small farmstand on Route 2. After a year or two of operating out of a covered tent, Guy built a small shed, which was then expanded a few years later. Now in its tenth year, both the farmstand and market garden have grown exponentially, and are a key part of the local food system.

On a recent visit to the farm, customers were already pulling into the driveway before the stand opened. Visitors were greeted by Willow (the Goulets’ friendly dog) and picked up strawberries and freshly baked biscuits. One local checked on the progress of the sweet corn - the Goulets grow over a dozen varieties - while visitors to the Islands asked for directions. Lori estimates they serve at least 100 people daily, many of whom have become repeat customers. The Goulets are the only commercial vegetable farmers in South Hero, and as their market garden has grown - it’s now over 15 acres - they’re able to provide a wide range of fruits and vegetables, supplemented with products from other local producers. They also sell fresh-baked pies and breads from Guy’s mother Brenda, who lives on the property.

In 2020, this vibrant farm business was suddenly at risk when a large part of the Goulet’s land base went on the market. Ninety acres that had been leased and hayed by the Goulets went up for sale, potentially to be subdivided and developed. This land is critical to the Goulet Farm’s viability. Thankfully, their neighbors stepped in to help, purchasing the land and promising the Goulets that they’d do everything they could to keep the land part of the Goulet Farm.

South Hero Land Trust began working with the Goulets and Swansons in 2022. Kathleen Swanson was one of the founders of SHLT, and understands how farmland conservation has been an important tool for keeping farms in the community. SHLT reached out to Vermont Land Trust, which will hold the conservation easement, and began fundraising.

One of the 10 unique Roy Newton prints available in the raffle.

Today, we are working together with the Goulet and Swanson families to protect 195 acres of land with a conservation easement, securing a critical landbase for the Goulet Farm long into the future.

We are currently in the middle of raising funds to complete the project, including bringing in federal and state farmland conservation grants. A few local donors have also helped move this project forward, including one generous donor which has offered to match gifts of $20,000 and above! As of June, we are currently working to raise the final $50,000 needed to successfully complete the project by the end of August.

We are also thrilled to announce that local artist Roy Newton has generously donated 10 original works of art to support the project.

All gifts $500 and above are eligible to win one of these stunning landscapes via a raffle held at the end of the campaign.

For more information about the campaign to conserve Goulet Farm and make your donation, please go to shlt.org/goulet