Agriculture meets the arts

Aug 11, 2015

Vermont agriculture to be showcased in Farm to Ballet

Of all the interests and industries to cross paths, agriculture and ballet probably wouldn’t be at the top of very many lists.

However, a production called Farm to Ballet is doing just that.

Farm to Ballet

The production reinterprets ballet to tell the story of a Vermont farm from Spring to Fall. It begins with geese returning for the Spring and the farmer planning out the farm for the upcoming season.

The production documents planting, irrigating, tending, harvesting, the interactions between the farmer and the livestock and the interactions between farmers and customers.

One of the more unique features of the performances is that they take place on farms across Vermont.

“Now that I’ve seen the dancers, in a farm environment, I realize this is how I’ve always wanted to see ballet,” said Chatch Pregger, a Vermont native and former professional dancer who came up with the idea. “In its grittiness, its reality-on nature’s perfect stage.”

Sam Dixon, the dairy farm manager at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, Vermont said the production is a unique way to educate people about their food.

“It’s not going to recruit farmers to be ballet dancers, but I do think getting people out to a farm will help make that connection between the food they eat and where it comes from,” he said.

Upcoming Performances:

Saturday, August 15^th
Philo Ridge Farm - Charlotte, Vermont.
Doors open at 4pm
Show beings at 6pm

Sunday, August 16^th
Green Mountain College - Poultney, Vermont
Show beings at 6pm

Saturday, August 22^nd
Feast & Field Market – Barnard, Vermont
Doors open at 4pm
Show begins at 6pm

Sunday, August 23^rd
Von Gal Farm – Essex Junction, Vermont
Doors open at 5pm
Show begins at 6pm

Video: Spring weed control in winter wheat with Broadway® Star (pyroxsulam + florasulam)

#CortevaTalks brings you a short update with Cereal Herbicides Category Manager, Alister McRobbie, on how to get the most out of Broadway® Star.

Significant populations of grassweeds, including ryegrass and brome, can threaten winter wheat yields. Spring applications of a contact graminicide, such as Broadway Star from Corteva Agriscience, can clear problem weeds, allowing crops to grow away in the spring.

Broadway Star (pyroxsulam + florasulam) controls ryegrass, sterile brome, wild oats and a range of broad-leaved weeds such as cleavers. It can be applied to winter wheat up until GS32, but the earlier the application is made, the smaller the weed, and the greater the benefit to the crop. Weeds should be actively growing. A good rule of thumb is that if your grass needs cutting, conditions are right to apply Broadway Star.