The first Monday of each month is Member Monday where we feature member photos or a video on our Instagram and Facebook pages. Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) is proud of our members, and we take great pleasure in highlighting their operations and the awesome work they are conducting in sustainable farming, animal husbandry, artisanal production, and homesteading.
The Gateway Farm
The Gateway Farm is a small, single-family operation in the hills of Bristol, Vermont specializing in maple and birch products, along with grassfed meats and poultry.
Two Farm Kids Fell in Love…
Abigail and Trent Roleu were two farm kids who fell in love. Now the husband-and-wife duo, and their four young children, are taking on the challenge of diversified farming in the Green Mountain State. Raised in the agricultural community, it was only a matter of time before Trent and Abigail took their farming roots and planted them into their own soils. They define the property as the definition of a “fixer-upper” and “a work in progress.” The family makes sure the farm is managed year around naturally, and sustainably, to ensure healthy production for generations to come.
Diversified Farming….
Tapping maple trees for their sap and creating a heavenly tasting maple syrup has been in Trent’s family dating back generations. It is something he was always passionate about and always had a dream of pursuing. In 2018, the couple boiled their own maple sap from their own maple trees, and now share traditional wood-fired maple with everyone around the country. It takes about 40 gallons of raw sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup! Birch season comes after maple season. Birch syrup is a unique delicacy syrup used mainly in cooking and baking. It’s nutty savory flavor from a high mineral content adds to any dish. More frequently used with meat and fish, in dressings, for baking and cooking, and over ice cream. It takes 100 gallons of birch sap for 1 gallon of birch syrup!
The Roleus raise meat animals (beef, pigs, lamb, and poultry) on pastures, making sure they spend their days consuming grass and roaming the land thoroughly enjoying life to the fullest.
A True Passion…
The Roleus say maybe it was their childhoods, maybe it’s their personalities; either way they both agreed there was really something to be said about the work of a farmer. They say the love the mental, physical and social challenges, and love being able to care for their animals, while teaching their children the importance of taking care of the earth.
Visit The Gateway Farm Online
Website: The Gateway Farm – Pure Vermont Maple Syrup & Birch Syrup, Vermont Made
Facebook: facebook/thegatewayfarm
Instagram: @thegatewayfarm
Thank you to all of our wonderful members! We are membership-based and couldn’t do the work we do without you! Learn more about membership here.
If you’re a member and would like to share your photos/videos with our readers/followers, email [email protected] for more details.
YOUR FUND AT WORK
Services provided by FTCLDF go beyond legal representation for members in court cases.
Educational and policy work also provide an avenue for FTCLDF to build grassroots activism to create the most favorable regulatory climate possible. In addition to advising on bill language, FTCLDF supports favorable legislation via action alerts and social media outreach.
You can protect access to real foods from small farms by becoming a member or donating today.