The 13th Annual Tour de Farms has been rescheduled to Saturday, September 18, 2021 in Vergennes, VT.

We will not be hosting the Tour in 2020 due to COVID-19.

ACORN’s board has made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Tour de Farms scheduled for September 19th. We don't see a path forward that will allow us to hold a large group event, raise additional sponsorship money, ensure the health of riders and the farms and vendors--and raise enough proceeds to fund our other programs. Making a profit as a non-profit is an oxymoron. While we need to cover our expenses and make additional money, the whole point is not to “make a profit” in the typical sense. The point is to earn enough money to continue our good work.

You committed early to participate in the ride, and we thank you for that. We’re offering riders three options for entry fees:

Defer your entry to next year. The anticipated date is Saturday, September 18, 2021.
Donate your entry directly to ACORN. The Tour de Farms typically raises $10,000 each year and is the organization’s largest fundraising event. (More on that below.)
Request a full refund, less credit card service fees.

If you purchased a jersey or t-shirt, we will issue a full refund for merchandise regardless of what option you request for the entry fee.

ACTIONS YOU NEED TO TAKE:

Reply to this email and indicate which option (defer, donate, refund) you prefer.

If we don’t hear from you by June 5th, we’ll assume your intention is to donate your entry to ACORN.

ACORN made some quick adaptations to its business model to support farmers during the pandemic. We created a virtual farmers’ market to connect local eaters with farms and food producers around the Champlain Valley. Orders are placed online and available for curbside pickup at two locations every week. Now that farmers’ markets, restaurants, and stores re-open, farmers will move back to more traditional markets.

ACORN will continue with its mission of providing sustainable sources of food, water, employment, and capital while promoting conservation and a healthy environment. This is done through educational programming, farm-to-school programs that connect cafeterias with farmers, Farmacy/Health Care Shares, and the annual Local Food & Farm Guide.

Although the 2020 tour will not be happening, it would be greatly appreciated if you would consider donating your entry to support the continuation of these important programs. We know that many people have been negatively affected by the pandemic and we can offer a refund if you prefer.

The tentative date for the 2021 tour is Saturday, September 18th. We hope you can ride with us next year.

Mark your calendar! Register early to get the best rate.

This year’s biking farm tour will feature two distances—a 30-mile route and a more relaxed, family-friendly 10-mile distance. You’ll pass through the beautiful pastoral landscape of the Champlain Valley and visit four to eight farms depending on your distance. Each farm stop will host additional food and beverage producers so there’ll be plenty of sustenance along the way. Last year riders sampled everything from maple iced coffee and farm fresh salads to maple glazed ham and Vermont’s famous cheeses! At the end of your journey, spend some time enjoying the food and music at Vergennes’ Eat on the Green event.

Similar to 2019’s route, you’ll pedal over the rolling hills of Vergennes, Ferrisburgh and Charlotte. Vergennes Union High School (VUHS) is the site of the start and finish, convenient to Route 7 and a short drive from Burlington, Vermont. With rider safety in mind the route is traffic controlled at key intersections and supported by local bike mechanics who can fix a flat, or a more serious problem, in a jiffy. Riders depart VUHS starting at 8:30 a.m. and will be sent off in waves.

The Tour is limited to 500 riders. Register early to reserve your spot. The first 350 riders will receive a piece of Bee's Wrap sustainable food storage, a great alternative to plastic wrap.

Check back to see what food and beverages will be offered during this year’s Tour de Farms.

Fundraiser

Did you know the Tour is ACORN's #1 fundraiser?

We set the ticket prices to make the Tour as accessible as possible for everyone and to cover our costs of organizing the event.

Join us in promoting the value of local food throughout the year by making a donation in addition to the base price of the ticket.

It is part of ACORN's mission to encourage the growth of local food to build a stronger local economy and the health of our community, and we can't do it without you.

25% of all pre-registration proceeds go directly to the participating farms.

What to Bring:

A helmet is a mandatory requirement to ride the Tour.
Rear flashing light (strongly recommended).
Please wear BRIGHT CLOTHING for higher visibility on the roads.
A mountain bike or road bike with wide tires is STRONGLY recommended. On the 30-mile route, there is 11 miles of gravel road, which can be rough or soft and slippery.
Cash to purchase foods at farms to take home (there will be a food pick-up van so you won't have to carry items with you), and at the After Party.
Make sure your bike is in good mechanical condition.
A couple of extra layers of clothing so you are ready for the (fabulous but unpredictable) weather.
A water bottle. There will be water available along the route at farm stops designated on map.
A spoon and fork (or a spork!), a cup and a bowl for sampling food. This will help us cut down on waste!
Coolers to bring home vegetables, meat, cheese, and other perishable farm goods that will be on sale at each farm (a Farm Van will transport the goods back to the Vergennes High School so you don't have to worry about carrying them on your bike).
A camera to help us document the day.

The 2021 Route:

Check back for this year’s route, which will be different than the 2019 route. Last year’s main ride was 30 miles long and we also offered a shorter, more kid friendly ride that was 10 miles long.

The terrain includes small hills with some short, steep rises. Mountain bikes or road bikes with wide tires are strongly recommended due to loose gravel. Participants will be sharing the road with cars. While we recommend the Tour for children over 14 years old, children under 14 should be experienced road riders and must be accompanied by an adult as we are sharing the roads with vehicles. A map of the final route will be provided at registration on September 19. Please arrive for registration on September 18 between 9:00 - 10:00 AM for the 30-mile route and 10:00-10:30 AM for the 10 mile route.