Happy Vermont

George van Vlaanderen and Kristan Doolan made a decision three decades ago that would completely change their lives: they started a farm. The couple settled on a piece of land in Bakersfield with no driveway, no power, water or buildings. They lived in a yurt for four and a half years on the property. George and Kristan started their operation with four goats and learned as they went, all while starting a family. Today, Does’ Leap Farm is a working dairy producing organic goat cheese. Host Erica Houskeeper talks with George about those challenging early years on the farm, as well as the power of self-reliance, and how he and Kristan built a farm and a good life.doesleap.comhappyvermont.com

In the woods behind the von Trapp Family Lodge is a tiny stone chapel. The chapel was built more than 75 years ago by Werner von Trapp. He was the second son of Capt. Georg von Trapp and his first wife, Agathe Whitehead. In the movie The Sound of Music, Werner is depicted by the character named Kurt. Bob Stafford is a history buff and is the activities director at the von Trapp Family Lodge and resort. Bob grew up in Stowe and first started working for the resort in 1994. In this episode of Happy Vermont, Bob talks about the von Trapp's escape from Austria, why the family came to Vermont, and Werner’s decision to build the stone chapel. www.vontrappresort.com https://happyvermont.com

On Main Street in the southern Vermont town of Jamaica, there’s an old inn that’s been part of the village for more than 200 years. Painted yellow with purple shutters, the Jamaica Haus is run by Benzi Ross, who returned to Vermont after many years out west. Her sister, Tini Hamilton, operates a bakery at the Jamaica Haus called The Skinny Goose. The sisters grew up at Stratton Mountain Resort, where their parents, Emo and Ann Henrich, were beloved in the Stratton community and beyond. Old photographs, artwork and furniture from the early years of Stratton fill the Jamaica Haus. The sisters are embracing their parents legacy while also finding their own way to bring people together in the place they call home.To learn more: www.jamaicahaus.com instagram.com/skinnygoosebakery happyvermont.com

At Kiss the Cow Farm in Barnard, Lisa and Randy Robar have built a life centered around hard work, sustainability, and a love for real food. The couple shares how it all began with a cow named Sophie living in their garage, and how their farmstead eventually grew into an organic dairy, ice cream business, and farm store. Learn more about Kiss the Cow Farm at kissthecowfarm.com happyvermont.com vermontdairy.com

Liz Bleakley traded her career in medicine for a new adventure: becoming an artisan cheesemaker in Windsor, Vermont. In this episode of Happy Vermont, Liz shares how she left her busy job as a physician assistant in Atlanta and, together with her family, moved to a small Vermont town, where she discovered a passion for making cheese. Liz also talks about what resilience means and the power of community. goodhandscreamery.com happyvermont.com This episode was made possible with funding from Vermont Dairy Farmers.