Hi my name is Tom 

I would love to introduce myself as your new Knotweed manager. 

I am sure that many folks who have been visited by this plant know the basics, but let me start by laying it out. 

Knotweed ends up invading the landscape only gradually at first, then it spreads voraciously to crowd out other species. The mechanism of Knotweed's invasive dominance is called alleleopathy. Alleleopathy describes a plant releasing hormones that stun or disrupt the growth of plants around it. Black walnut is known for this, and even the other walnuts have this quality because of a compound called juglone. 

Alleleopathy is only one of Knotweed's challenging aspects, the other being its ability to reproduce asexually through virtually any piece of its tissue. This means that using a lawnmower or a weed wacker in an attempt to get rid of Knotweed, you're just spreading bits of it everywhere that will resprout easily. 

My technique integrates knowledge about these things, and it is a calm and persistent approach to reclaiming the land that Knotweed has degraded. The work to remove the Knotweed for good is done during Knotweed's growth phase, so please consult with me if you are interested in grappling with the Knotweed on your property this Spring/Summer. 

I don't need tarps and tools to do my work. I will be walking in and through your knotweed patches, carefully removing leaves from the living stems. This process should occur over successive visits, and it eventually incorporates adding mulch and compost to the affected areas, and waiting for the end of the summer to start gathering the remaining Knotweed stalks for a separate compost. 

I hope you will inquire by email if you could use some help with Knotweed this year. I have worked at my skills with Knotweed and I would love to help folks who need to learn how to do it without pesticides or smothering. I am looking for friends in the community and I have other landscaping skills as well. 

Cheers 

Quill Hill Farm is hiring for the 2026 farm season. We are looking for a #1 field hand/ farm worker from May to mid November. Full time or 2 part time positions available.

Duties include day-to-day farm tasks such as transplanting seedlings by hand, greenhouse work, setting up trellising and irrigation, hand weeding, tool weeding, mulch removal, harvesting, trimming/cleaning/ grading and bagging, planting, kitchen work such as pickling, bottling, and labeling. This is a physically demanding job and involves a high pace work environment. Use of your hands is important and must be able to lift 60 lbs, and have reliable transportation. Position involves working efficiently both solo/independently and as part of crew/team during harvest days.

No experience is necessary but the right person is someone who is a quick learner, can multi-task, genuinely enjoys being outdoors, and has a good work ethic/positive can-do spirit. Must love garlic and peppers. We are a family farm with 3 small children who are actively part of the farm on a daily basis.  Pay starts at $17.50 hr and is dependent on experience.

If this sounds like it’s up your alley, please reach out to Laura at (802) 884-4080 or e-mail [email protected] to set up an interview.

Our farm is located 10 minutes from downtown Poultney and we grow 4 acres of certified organic garlic, spicy peppers, and herbs as well as make farm-to-bottle garlic powders and pickles.

My wife and I are searching for 25+ acres of farm-able land with or without house. Ideally looking for an owner finance situation, but open to other possibilities.

    [email protected]

We seek a Farm Manager to lead and participate in the Farm Department of the therapeutic Work Program at Spring Lake Ranch. This role is best suited for an empathetic and collaborative leader who approaches farm operations through an educational and therapeutic lens, integrating agricultural responsibilities with the mission at the forefront of our diversified 65-acre working farm that supports recovery and community engagement. Couples and families are welcome to apply. Housing available.

About Spring Lake Ranch

Spring Lake Ranch (SLR) is a unique therapeutic community and working farm, providing a supportive environment for adults with mental health challenges and co-occurring addiction issues. Located in the Green Mountains of Vermont, SLR has been in operation since 1932 and is entering a dynamic period of growth supported by donors, alumni families, and passionate staff.