There’s nothing quite as summery as the taste of a just-picked blueberry. July marks the start of blueberry season and there are tons of pick-your-own options across the state, including five acres of bushes to choose from at Sweet Roots Farm in Charlotte.

Sweet Roots is aptly named – the farm is located at the former Charlotte Berry Farm. Jane and Dan MacLean started their operation in 2021 with the help of the Intervale Center and the Vermont Land Trust. The Intervale Center’s Farm Business Planning team worked with Jane and Dan on creating a business plan, marketing strategy, and overall viability for their farm and farmstand.

In addition to being a resource for business planning, Jane explains that the team helped her and Dan approach resources such as funding and forging connections with other farmers, which led to the “incredible relationship building” that is key for producers to feel supported.

While Sweet Roots is a new farm business, Jane explains that operating the former Charlotte Berry Farm has been different from starting completely anew. “The infrastructure is there,” she says, pointing out that the farm’s blueberry bushes are 40 years old. The history of the land has helped to create community around Sweet Roots. “People that grew up picking blueberries here are coming back with their kids or even their grandkids.”

Sweet Roots was just recently certified organic for their vegetables, herbs, and flowers and berries are on their way to be certified next year. Blueberries are available in their farm stand as well as through an accessible pick-your-own CSA in which participants pick for no cost and split their haul with the farm.

“We wanted to make berries more accessible,” Jane says, “We think of them as such a luxury but everyone should be able to enjoy them.”

Blueberry season is here – be sure to pick some up at Sweet Roots this month!

Taste the Sweet Roots of Sweet Roots Farm!