2026 Orleans County Conservation Fair
Celebrating Working Lands & Watershed Stewardship
📍 Orleans County Fairgrounds
278 Roaring Brook Rd, Barton, VT
🕘 Morning programming begins at 9:00 AM
Pick up your pre-ordered plants and stay to enjoy a FREE coffee and a morning of conservation learning, hands-on demonstrations, and community connection.
This is a celebration of working lands, productive buffers, and long-term stewardship across Orleans, Caledonia, and Essex Counties.
🌱 Plant Sale Pick-Up Information
If you placed a pre-order, your plants will be organized and ready for pickup.
Important reminders:
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Pickup must be completed in person (you or a designated friend).
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Bring a vehicle with enough space for your order.
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Please plan to transport plants promptly and plant as soon as possible.
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All sales are final.
We will have plant inventory available for purchase on-site while supplies last.
Conservation Fair Highlights
Tree Planting & Care Demonstrations
Master Gardeners and District Staff will demonstrate proper planting techniques and long-term tree care to help ensure your new plants thrive.
Stream Table & Rainfall Simulator
See how surface water moves across the landscape. Learn how infrastructure affects rivers and how buffers protect soil and waterways.
Productive Buffer Presentation
Learn how multifunctional riparian buffers can stabilize banks, improve habitat, and provide local food and income opportunities.
Soil pH Testing & Heavy Metals Detection
Bring your own soil sample (BYOS) to test pH and screen for heavy metals.
Conservation Equipment Rental
Explore conservation tools and equipment available for rent through OCNRCD.
NRCS Soil Health Trailer
Come see the educational, mobile unit designed to demonstrate the benefits of healthy soil, featuring the rainfall simulator to showcase water infiltration and erosion control on different land uses.
FREE WILLOW STAKES and Willow staking demo workshop
Discover how willow stakes can be used to stabilize vulnerable areas and address site erosion naturally on your own land.
Regional Partners On Site
- Orleans, Essex, and Caledonia Conservation Districts
- Marketing Conservation Cohort farmers sharing their conservation stories
- Green Up Day representatives
- Master Gardners
- 4-H representatives
- FFA Day of plant sales and local small farms
Special Feature: Shiitake Mushroom Workshop (Ticketed)
A hands-on shiitake mushroom inoculation workshop will take place during the event. Participants will learn log selection, inoculation techniques, and mushroom cultivation basics. Attendees with an advanced entry ticket will take home their very own inoculated mushroom log.
Advance registration required. Limited capacity. if we dont get 15 sign ups on line - will you allow walkins?
Purchase a ticket now:
Food & Local Goods
- Kingdom Kreperie on-site with fresh crepes
- Local apple juice available for purchase
- Local compost available for purchase
- Goods by local farms Ledgenear, Sweet Rowen, AJ’s Happy Chick Farm, and Maple Mountain Sugar House
Why Attend?
Whether you’re picking up plants, purchasing remaining inventory, or simply curious about conservation practices, the 2026 Conservation Fair is an opportunity to:
- Learn practical land stewardship skills
- Connect with farmers and conservation professionals
- Explore tools that support healthy soils and clean water
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Celebrate the working landscape in our region
Tentative Schedule
Please note: schedule is subject to change.
8:00 AM – Vendors and food trucks arrive
9:00 AM – Plant pick-up opens / customers arrive
10:00 AM – Shiitake Mushroom Workshop begins (ticketed)
10:00 AM – Willow Staking Demonstration
10:30 AM – Master Gardener Tree Planting Demonstration
11:00 AM – Productive Buffer Presentation
11:30 AM – Rainfall Simulator Demonstration
12:00 PM – Stream Table Presentation
Ongoing throughout the event:
• Conservation equipment display
• Partner booths & demonstrations
1:00 PM – Event concludes
We look forward to welcoming you for a morning of learning, connection, and celebration.
