Emily Virzi & Rose Thackeray Pivot From Italy to Vermont to Union Brook

“I think a lot of people seek out farm and food jobs because they're looking for something profound and they don't even know what it's going to be until they get there.”—Rose 

“Every year on the farm is so different. It really is. It feels every year we have different bandwidth for different things and we're improving all the time and making more bandwidth in some areas and losing it in other areas.”—Emily

Emily and Rose both grew up in the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts. Their paths crossed in 2015 while working at Maple Wind Farm in Huntington, VT. Rose and Emily have been a team ever since that first summer and have dedicated their life to creating community around nutritious and delicious food starting a small poultry operation together in 2017. The purchase of Union Brook Farm was the culminating event that allowed Emily and Rose to begin advancing their pursuit of those dreams.

They are now in their 5th season of farming pasture raised broilers, layer hens + sheep with pigs in the forest. They also offer a farm stay through Airbnb should you want to come experience first hand their version of paradise!

Union Brook Farm email

Union Brook Farm web site

Union Brook Farm Instagram

New England Grazing Network web site

Vermont Grass Farmers Association web site

NOFA Vermont web site

Intervale Center Farm Business Program

WWOOF web site

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The Choosing to Farm podcast is all about telling origin stories, learning from the journeys, and creating connection among first-and returning-generation livestock farmers and ranchers across the US and the world.  After nearly 30 years working professionally in agriculture as well as being a returning-generation farmer myself, I’m here to share stories, tips and resources to help livestock farmers and ranchers heal our relationship with success.  Want to help? Like, share or review this episode! Want to help even more? Join our Patreon to support the show or even buy me a cup of coffee at the Choosing to Farm web site!