Sustainability

We take sustainability seriously and Farmhouse Inn is proud to be recognized for our eco-friendly practices and our sustainability efforts:

Green Hotel in the Green Mountain State

Solar Powered weddings and lodging

Tripadvisor Gold-Level GreenLeader

Vermont Fresh Network Gold Barn Award

Our commitment to sustainability starts by producing as much as possible on site and seeking out local providers for those items that we need to purchase as illustrated in the attached graphic.

Solar Power - Our on-site solar panels generate 100% of the electric needs for the inn and barn events!

Indoor lighting is provided by low-energy LED bulbs and outdoor lighting fixtures are solar powered. Water for hydronic heating and domestic use is heated by a new high-efficiency propane boiler. Electric appliances are EnergyStar certified and our dishwasher cleans and sanitizes within a five-minute cycle. Our three-phase pressure-controlled well pump limits power requirements to the minimum necessary. We use an electric cart for farm chores and transporting celebration guests with mobility challenges.

Even on our busiest times, inn waste has been reduced to rarely more than one garbage bag per week and often one bag every two weeks. Kitchen scraps and table leftovers are brought to the compost pile to be enjoyed by the hens until we use the compost to mulch our kitchen garden. All inn and event trash is sorted to separate recyclables and returnable bottles. Disposable tableware is not allowed during events. Most celebration flowers are donated for reuse at local assisted living facilities.

Our organic-certified three-acre hay crop is harvested twice each season to be shared by Yuma, our horse, and Bella and Jelly, the nearby cows that provide a portion of our milk. Our garden is pesticide-free and our bees are never subjected to chemical treatments.

Locally prepared bath products are provided in bulk dispensers with no individual packaging. We shop with reusable fabric shopping bags and mesh produce bags. Refrigerated food is plated and protected with reusable covers rather than plastic wrap.

We crafted our dining table, kitchen utility table, and celebration bar using wood salvaged on the property from an 1865 former grain barn.