Our Story
Overstory Farm prioritizes regenerative agriculture, preserving what is here and growing food that suits this land and community, alike.
Our Vermont farm was founded in the forest, wild-harvesting fiddleheads among the 14 acres we are privileged to care-take in Chittenden, Vermont. Spending hours among the trees sparked a deep reverence for our woodlands and a new joy for farming.
Hi, I’m glad you’re here!
I’m Denise — owner, farmer, steward, and the hands-on doer that compassionately tends to Overstory Farm.
My curiosity for forest foods began while living in Telluride, Colorado foraging Bolete and Chanterelle mushrooms in the high altitude mountains. I quickly discovered an affinity for the wild’s depth of flavor — it is unparalleled!
Two decades later, after moving to Vermont, I re-ignited this passion exploring the Green Mountains, wild-harvesting fiddleheads, ramps and Chaga.
With a growing devotion for locally grown food, coupled with a lifetime of environmental stewardship, I listened-in to embrace a new beginning.
As a first-generation, second career farmer, education has been a priority. I spent much of my first years learning how to incorporate trees and perennial crops into farming as a resilient agricultural practice.
In 2023, I took a leap and was accepted into NOFA-VT’s Farm Beginnings program. I was fortunate to learn under some of Vermont’s best farming mentors and Overstory Farm began to blossom. I am continually humbled by all there is to learn about forest farming, mushrooms, soil health, wild ecosystems, conservation, and more.
Today, Overstory Farm evolves with each season as we continue to layer agroforestry and perennial practices into a harmonious farm that protects a small piece of Vermont. In addition to my 2 hands, I rely on my loving family’s support with 6 extra hands to help haul, mulch, weed or just about anything that comes up during growing season.
Overstory Farm seeks to contribute to a greater environmental shift, prioritizing a reverence for nature and a direct connection to where our food comes from.
Farming &
Stewarding Land
We prioritize organic and regenerative farming, protecting the wild ecosystems that surrounds our farm. Our Vermont farm is woman-owned and nature-powered.
Overstory Farm resides in the beautiful Green Mountains of south-central Vermont at an altitude of 1,200 feet above sea level. Seven acres of the farm are forestland offering cooler micro-climates that typically retain moisture year-round with a stand of rich mature hardwoods and younger hardwoods that have developed over the last 30-50 years.
The other half of our homestead gives way to sunny, sloped fields with long days of southern exposure. Pollinators thrive in this habitat and the soil is rich with nutrients. The water in our hillsides are abundant, running south, eventually emptying into the Otter Creek which flows north into Lake Champlain.
This is the perfect place to harness the power of nature to grow food.
Overstory Farm was founded on agroforestry principles, forest farming in and among the trees as a climate-resilient agricultural practice.
Trees provide natural shade, creating ideal conditions for growing mushrooms. Our woodlands also provide the logs for our mushroom cultivation.
Additional practices include no-till methods in our fields to protect soil while establishing perennial crops. We partner with conservation specialists to implement long-term practices to improve air, water, and soil quality while also aiding biodiversity for wildlife habitats.
We are in the process of establishing new fruits and vegetables each year, please stay in touch to learn about what’s new.