In late summer, when we were still rebuilding after July’s flooding event, the WFM produce team, led by our new produce manager at our Woodstock store, Bill Fielding, took advantage of the “downtime” by visiting some of our local growers. Bill, who came on board just prior to the flood, was already familiar with our local farming community through his work as produce manager at the South Royalton Market. But he was anxious to get out in the field (literally) with his WFM produce cohorts to see how our farmers were faring after the flood and to learn more about their farms and farming practices.

Thankfully, RJ Weyant, longtime WFM produce associate and talented photographer, was part of the expedition team! In a series of Fall Harvest Spotlights, we’re sharing with you where they went and what they saw! Next up is …

Hurricane Flats Farm

South Royalton, Vt

Hurricane Flats Farm is a certified organic vegetable and popcorn farm located on 37 acres along the White River in South Royalton, Vermont. Owners and farmers Ashley Loehr and Antoine Guerlain purchased the farm in 2022 after moving to the area from Hudson, New York, where they ran a farm and bakery. The farm is certified organic by Vermont Organic Farmers and the Real Organic Project. They use farming practices that support healthy soil, including cover cropping, mineral balancing, and biological pest- and weed-management systems.

Below, Ashley and her daughter show Bill and the team around the farm, including a stop at the river that was still running high in mid August: