Growing soil, raising health, nurturing community
Named after the abundant dogwood bushes that grace our property, Dogwood Farms of Montpelier is more than just a farmâit's a mission-driven response to a deeply personal journey. What began as 42 acres of alfalfa fields in 2010 has blossomed into over 100 acres of regenerative agriculture, all because we believe that the food we eat directly impacts our health.
We're Rob Bergstrom and Denise Kinsey-Bergstrom, and while we both work in technology by day, our hearts and hands are in the soil. Our journey into farming wasn't born from traditionâit was born from necessity and a desire to take control of what goes into our bodies.
When Denise faced stage 4 cancer twice in her twentiesâwith no family historyâwe knew something had to change. Cancer doesn't run in her family, which pointed us to one inevitable conclusion: it had to be something in our food or our environment.
That realization changed everything. We couldn't just accept the conventional food system anymore. We needed to know exactly where our food came from, how it was raised, and what went into the soil that grew it. If we wanted truly clean, nutrient-dense food, we had to grow it ourselves.
That's why every decision we make on this farm is guided by one simple question: "Would we feel safe feeding this to our own family?"
From 42 acres to 100+ acres of regenerative abundance
Denise purchased the initial 42 acres. She and a neighbor farmed alfalfa on the land, establishing the foundation of what would become Dogwood Farms.
Rob and Denise got married and began transforming the farm together. We started expanding the tillable acreage and introduced vegetables and herbs to diversify our cropsâall grown from heritage or organic seeds.
We welcomed our first animals to the farm! We added goats for brush clearing and introduced 40 chickens for eggs and meat. Our chickens are rotationally grazed using a mobile coop, following regenerative practices that benefit the soil and the birds.
We fenced acreage and introduced 9 head of cattle to begin our cow/calf operation. In September, we purchased the neighboring 60 acres, bringing our farm to over 100 acres. We also began construction on our farm store to serve our community directly.
Our farm store opens in time for our first beef processingâoffering freezer beef to our community in summer 2026. We're also adding pigs to our operation for piglets and pork sales, and working toward growing our herd to approximately 50 head of cattle by year's end.
Co-Owner & Farmer
With a background in both technology and education, Rob brings analytical thinking and a passion for teaching to the farm. When asked what we grow at Dogwood Farms, his answer is always the same: "Soil." Because if the soil is healthy, we can grow anything.
Rob works alongside Denise in the daily operations, supporting her vision with rotational grazing management and crop rotation planning. He's passionate about sharing the lessons we've learnedâboth our successes and our stumblesâso others can avoid the same pitfalls.
Owner & Farm Operator
Denise leads all aspects of Dogwood Farms' operationsâfrom managing daily animal care and crop planning to overseeing our regenerative practices. Her journey from technology professional to farm owner was driven by a personal health crisis that changed her perspective on food forever. After beating stage 4 cancer twice in her twenties, she knew that conventional farming practices and processed foods weren't the answer.
With a background in education, Denise is hands-on every dayâmoving chickens to fresh pasture, checking cattle, planning rotations, and making decisions that shape our farm's direction. She's committed to helping others understand the vital connection between soil health, food quality, and human health. She purchased the original 42 acres in 2010, and has been steadily building a woman-owned farm that produces truly clean, nutrient-dense food for our community.
"I'm not just a farmerâI'm an educator, an advocate, and a believer that real food can change lives. I want to share what I've learned so others don't have to face the same health crisis I did."
â Denise Kinsey-Bergstrom
Regenerative practices that heal the land and nourish our community
When people ask what we grow, our answer is always "soil." Healthy soil is the foundation of everything. Through cover cropping, rotational grazing, and composting, we're constantly building soil organic matter and restoring the land's natural fertility.
We use absolutely no synthetic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers on our farm. Ever. Our fields are planted exclusively with heritage or organic seeds, and we rely on natural processes and regenerative practices to manage pests and build fertility.
Our chickens live in a mobile coop that's moved daily to fresh pasture. Our cattle rotate through paddocks, never overgrazing any one area. This mimics natural grazing patterns, improves soil health, and gives our animals the diverse diet they're meant to have.
All of our crops are grown from heritage or organic seedsânever GMO. These time-tested varieties are more nutrient-dense, better adapted to our climate, and help preserve genetic diversity in our food system.
We don't just want to sustain the landâwe want to leave it better than we found it. Every decision is made with the next generation in mind. From building soil carbon to increasing biodiversity, we're actively healing the ecosystem.
Our animals live as nature intendedâoutside on pasture with fresh air, sunshine, and room to express their natural behaviors. No cages, no confinement, no shortcuts. Just respect, care, and gratitude for the role they play.
Current operations and future growth
Rotationally grazed in our mobile coop, our chickens enjoy fresh pasture daily. We currently offer farm-fresh eggs, and will be expanding to offer pasture-raised chicken meat as well.
Eggs Available NowOur goats play an important role in brush clearing and land management. They help us reclaim overgrown areas and turn them back into productive pasture.
Active on FarmOur cow/calf operation produces 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef. We're growing our herd to approximately 50 head by the end of 2026 to meet community demand for clean, local beef.
First Beef Available Summer 2026We'll be adding pigs to our operation in 2026, offering both piglets for other farmers and high-quality pork for our customers. Raised on pasture with respect and care.
Launching 2026Seasonal produce grown from heritage and organic seeds. Our gardens produce nutrient-dense vegetables and aromatic herbs, all grown without any synthetic chemicals.
Seasonal AvailabilityNon-GMO grains grown for both our own use in artisan breads and for sale to the community. Clean, wholesome grains the way they were meant to be.
Seasonal AvailabilityBoth Rob and Denise have backgrounds in education, and we believe strongly in sharing knowledge. Farming isn't easy, and we've made plenty of mistakes along the way. Our goal is to help others avoid those same stumbles.
Whether you're interested in starting your own regenerative farm, want to learn more about where your food comes from, or simply want to understand the connection between soil health and human health, we're here to help.
We offer farm tours, are happy to answer questions, and look forward to building a community of people who care about real food and sustainable agriculture.
When you buy from Dogwood Farms, you're not just getting foodâyou're getting:
We'd love to show you around the farm and share our story in person. Our farm store opens summer 2026, but we're happy to give tours and answer questions anytime.