Discovering the Unique Connection Between Seeds and Soap at Farm Craft VT
Nestled in the picturesque town of Shelburne, the three-acre farm is adorned with a vibrant field of sunflowers that bloom in late summer, captivating passersby along Route 116. This stunning landscape hints at the farm’s innovative approach to crafting natural body care products. The bright-faced sunflowers not only beautify the scenery but are also integral to the farm’s unique offerings, illustrating the connection between nature and personal care.
Unbeknownst to many, the process of making soap involves a remarkable transformation of simple ingredients. Becca Lindenmeyr, co-owner of Farm Craft, clarifies that bar soap is primarily composed of oils, water, and sodium hydroxide, commonly known as lye. This essential ingredient disappears during the soap-making process, leaving behind no trace. To enhance their products, the couple incorporates various fragrances and dyes, often opting for natural alternatives over synthetic options, ensuring a quality experience for their customers.
The vision behind Farm Craft emerged in 2020 when Becca and her husband Tim decided to create body care and household cleaning products from scratch, emphasizing the use of ingredients sourced from their own farm. They aim to cultivate plants that contribute not only fragrance and color but also functionality, with sunflower oil being the primary ingredient in their soaps and lotions. This commitment to sustainability highlights their dedication to using locally grown resources.
The choice of sunflower oil is significant; it is rich in protective and restorative linoleic acid, a fatty acid that is naturally present in human skin. Additionally, sunflowers are native plants that play a vital role in supporting local pollinators, further enhancing the ecological balance of their farm. This thoughtful selection underscores the Lindenmeyrs’ commitment to both skin health and environmental stewardship.
Visitors to Farm Craft will find a charming self-serve farm shop that overlooks the sunflower field. Inside, the shop is filled with bundles of freshly harvested herbs like lavender and lemon verbena, suspended from the rafters above shelves brimming with a colorful array of products. Each item is meticulously crafted on-site in a workshop adjacent to the Lindenmeyrs’ sustainable home, creating a unique shopping experience that connects customers with the farm’s ethos.
Farm Craft’s products are not only visually stunning but also designed for practical use. For example, their lemon-honey-oat bar soap features an eye-catching blend of cream, honey gold, and blush pink, augmented with specks of oats for texture. Similarly, their lavender-scented dish soap blocks showcase a mesmerizing purple and green swirl. Each piece is a work of art that invites usage rather than mere display, reflecting the philosophy that everyday products should be both beautiful and functional.
Becca and Tim are passionate about creating products that excel in both performance and aesthetic appeal. They have dedicated significant time and resources to ensure that their soaps, lotions, and balms not only protect skin without the use of artificial ingredients but also harness the natural health benefits of plants. Their approach minimizes packaging, aligning with their eco-friendly philosophy, and making a positive impact on the environment.
Local patron Noelle MacKay praises Farm Craft for its wide variety of products ranging from laundry soap to shampoo bars. She appreciates the personal touch Becca provides, especially when she sought advice for her sensitive skin. Becca recommended the laundry soap, which has impressed Noelle with its effectiveness and the absence of harsh chemicals, showcasing the couple’s commitment to quality and customer care.
Calen King, a resident of Hinesburg, has fully embraced Farm Craft’s personal care products for her family of four, transitioning to their soaps, creams, and even shower steamers that release delightful scents like eucalyptus with thyme and pine. Calen shared that sometimes after a long day, the enticing aroma from the shop draws her in, providing a moment of relaxation and a sensory escape from daily stresses.
Earlier this year, the Lindenmeyrs faced unexpected challenges as they had planted an abundance of sunflowers, anticipating a yield of around 60 gallons of oil. This amount was crucial for producing their projected annual output of 6,000 bars of soap and lotions. Unfortunately, local birds, particularly goldfinches, feasted on their crops before they could be harvested. After what they humorously termed “the great goldfinch feast,” they had to source some organic sunflower oil from Ukraine to meet production demands.
Despite this setback, the couple maintains a positive outlook. “We’ve always been stubbornly optimistic,” Becca remarked, while Tim added, “And entrepreneurial.” Their resilience and determination continue to drive their passion for sustainable farming and product development.
Becca and Tim’s journey began in Taos, New Mexico, in the mid-1990s when they established Bluebird Herb Farm, focusing on culinary herbs, flowers, and vegetables. Their shared journey has been a continuous exploration of agriculture and sustainability. Upon returning to Tim’s home state in 2000, they launched Linden L.A.N.D. Group, an ecological landscape design and build company, before moving to Chittenden County with their two daughters to cultivate their vision on a 15-acre former dairy farm.
The COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for reevaluation and creativity, prompting the couple to brainstorm new ideas. Becca had experimented with soapmaking during lockdown and found it to be a beautiful fusion of her interests: chemistry, botany, horticulture, art, and craftsmanship. This passion sparked their desire to create a product line that embodies their dedication to local sourcing and sustainability.
After two years of hard work, Farm Craft projects an impressive $150,000 in annual revenue, primarily generated through online sales, their farm shop, and select local retailers. Bar soap has become a flagship product, representing about half of their sales, with hand-mixed and poured four-ounce bars priced between $8 to $10. Each batch of 40 bars requires four ounces of essential oils, sourced from a remarkable 28 pounds of herbs or flowers. While the Lindenmeyrs are not yet able to grow all the ingredients they need, they are diligently working toward this goal.
The couple believes that Farm Craft stands out as one of the few seed-to-soap operations nationwide, a testament to their expertise in managing a comprehensive production cycle that combines agricultural knowledge, chemistry, and artistic skill. Becca emphasizes, “You really need chemistry and farming and art” to succeed in this unique endeavor.
In addition to their product offerings, Farm Craft provides camping sites, an Airbnb apartment situated above their workshop, and various tours and classes during the growing season. Their Mother’s Day Tea event has garnered particular popularity, reflecting the couple’s desire to connect with the community and share their passion for sustainable practices.
When visitors arrive, Becca takes on the role of an enthusiastic guide and educator. A recent property tour featured the farm’s five beehives nestled under an ancient mulberry tree, highlighting their commitment to sustainability and local ecology.
The Lindenmeyrs bottle the bees’ pure, raw honey for sale while also utilizing beeswax and honey in many of their products, such as soothing face masks. An additional bee-derived ingredient is propolis, a natural antimicrobial substance that bees create by mixing tree sap with their saliva, used to protect their hives from disease. The couple incorporates propolis into their calendula balm and select lotions, showcasing their innovative use of natural ingredients.
The calendula utilized in their products is cultivated in their meticulously designed quarter-acre herb and flower garden, terraced in an amphitheater style. Together with one part-time employee, the Lindenmeyrs nurture 50 diverse plant varieties, which are used in their herbal tea line and the botanical oils, tinctures, and hydrosols featured in their other offerings.
As Becca walks the rows of her garden, she frequently pauses to pick a leaf or flower to share insights with visitors, embodying her philosophy of continuous learning. “I collect knowledge,” she states, demonstrating her commitment to education and the sharing of information about sustainable practices.
Essential ingredients like sage and thyme, known for their natural antibacterial properties, are included in Farm Craft’s deodorant. The morning tea blend features an energizing mix of spearmint, calendula flowers, and rosemary, while lemongrass serves as a vibrant local alternative to lemon. Additionally, rose-scented geranium leaves offer a more potent floral aroma than traditional rose petals, showcasing the couple’s creativity in ingredient selection.
Becca highlighted borage, whose indigo star-shaped flowers are prominently featured in Farm Craft’s logo. The petals are utilized in a calming evening tea blend, whereas the tiny seeds are pressed into oil added to lotions for their high gamma-linolenic acid content, another essential fatty acid. Becca notes that borage is also a favorite among bees, further enhancing the farm’s biodiversity.
Farm Craft employee Tobi Schulman was busy gathering borage and calendula flowers with Evelyn Kass, a camper who was helping out in exchange for her stay. Evelyn, who is traveling across the country in her RV, returned for a second visit after being impressed by Becca’s extensive knowledge during her first tour. “She is just a world of information,” Kass remarked, highlighting Becca’s dedication to educating others about sustainable practices.
Evelyn also expressed admiration for the Lindenmeyrs’ ecological restoration plan, which focuses on increasing biodiversity, eliminating invasive species, and creating wildlife corridors throughout the property. “They’re really trying to create wild spaces and bring back native species and do the right thing,” she said, reinforcing the impact of their sustainable farming practices.
Guests attending organized tours may be fortunate enough to enjoy tea on the stone terrace of the Lindenmeyrs’ home, surrounded by lush meadows and a glass greenhouse that houses the copper still used for producing essential oils and hydrosols. This serene setting enhances the overall farm experience, allowing visitors to connect with nature and the Lindenmeyrs’ sustainable practices.
The couple designed their 2,000-square-foot environmentally sustainable home, with Tim contributing significantly to its construction. The energy-efficient house is superinsulated and generates as much energy from rooftop solar panels as it consumes. Heating needs are met by a pair of heat pumps, with a wood stove serving as a backup. The home features local yellow birch flooring and furnishings crafted from reclaimed swamp white oak, adding a touch of history and sustainability to their living space.
The walls of their home are adorned with 13 exquisite botanical paintings by Tim’s paternal grandfather, serving as cherished family heirlooms that reflect the couple’s artistic and professional journeys. “I designed the house interiors around them,” Becca said, smiling as she shares the story of how these artworks inspired the home’s design.
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