History of the Dakin Family Farm

I sometimes wonder if Timothy Dakin ever thought about what his farm would be like in 200 years when he settled it in the beautiful rolling hills of the Champlain Valley in 1792.

I like to think that he'd be pleased that the same family has owned, operated and loved the farm for the past 40 years, and that we still perform many tasks in time-honored ways he might recognize -- slow smoking meats over smoldering corncobs, and collecting sweet maple sap just before spring arrives.

Today, our children, the third generation of the Cutting family are now on the farm getting accustomed to its sights, smells and activity as the Dakin Children must have 200 years ago. It won't be long before they'll be helping out with sugaring in the spring and selling apples off the front porch each fall as my sister and I did when we were 5 years old. In any case, I hope that they'll come to realize that they are walking in the footsteps of their grandfather and grandmother...

My Father, Sam Cutting III, studied agriculture at the University of Vermont, and spent time as a fighter pilot in the Air Force before returning to Vermont to find Dakin Farm and to settle in with his own young family. Over the years, the farm gradually grew. First came the maple syrup, then the smokehouse and cheese and other Vermont food specialties.

If anyone can be called Vermont's maple syrup expert, it's my dad. He's been collecting and canning Pure Vermont Maple Syrup for nearly four decades. I don't think there's anything he'd rather do more than go out to help with the tapping of the trees or spend time feeding the fires at the sugarhouse where we boil down the sap.

My Mother Joan is originally from Maine, and has kept a good part of her Maine accent even though she's lived in Vermont for the past 35 years. In the old days when Dakin Farm was a mom and pop store, Joan processed all the orders, ran the store and helped out where ever she was needed most. She's still actively involved today, and if you visit the store on weekends, chances are you'll find her behind the counter.

My Sister Susan has turned our second store at Dorset Street (near Barnes & Noble) into a show place. She stops by the farm each morning to pick up fresh products. Her husband, Brad takes care of all of our refrigeration needs including our 14 walk-in coolers.