About Dawn Land Farm
Cultivating food sovereignty through agroecological practices in Vermont
tanamá varas
An agroecologist with over a decade of farming experience, tanamá brings expertise in agroecological farming practices and food justice principles to Dawn Land Farm. Their journey includes managing and teaching at the University of Vermont's student farm, where they've helped cultivate the next generation of sustainable farmers. Through farmer-to-farmer education and community organizing, tanamá actively supports social movements while fostering knowledge exchange among farmers, contributing to a more just and sustainable food system.
Amber Tamm Canty
A nationally recognized farmer and floral designer with a decade of agricultural experience, Amber was honored in Forbes' 30 Under 30 in Food & Drink for their innovative approach to mutual aid and sustainable agriculture. They combine practical farming expertise with specialized knowledge in medicinal herbs, particularly focusing on women's health and wellness. Through their chemical-free farming practices and acclaimed floral design work, Amber creates spaces that nurture both community organizing and ecological education, while championing accessible and sustainable food systems.
Our Farming Practices
On our 86-acre Vermont farm, we integrate traditional ecological knowledge with innovative sustainable methods:
Soil Health
- Cover cropping and crop rotation
- Composting and organic amendments
- Minimal soil disturbance
Biodiversity & Agroforestry
- Polyculture planting systems
- Native pollinator habitats
- Beneficial insect corridors
- Multi-story cropping systems
Water & Climate Resilience
- Water-efficient irrigation
- Drought-resistant varieties
- Rain catchment systems
- Climate-adaptive planning
Our Commitment to Food Sovereignty
As proud members of Rural Vermont, we actively participate in the movement for food sovereignty, connecting our local work to the global network of La Via Campesina. We acknowledge and honor the Abenaki, the ancestral stewards of this land, recognizing that our agricultural practices build upon generations of indigenous wisdom and care for these soils.
Our work is guided by the principles of agroecology, which integrates ecological, social, and cultural dimensions of farming. We make our produce accessible through solidarity CSA shares and direct relationships with community members. By preserving and sharing traditional agricultural knowledge, we honor the wisdom of generations of farmers while adapting to today's challenges. Our farm serves as a hub for education and organizing, hosting workshops, youth programs, and movement gatherings that connect local food justice work to global struggles for agrarian reform and climate justice.
Through our community partnerships and active participation in Vermont's agricultural networks, we work to build connections between rural and urban communities while advocating for policies that support small-scale agroecological farmers and farmworkers. Our practice of solidarity economics reflects our belief that food sovereignty requires both practical alternatives and systemic change.