Richmond Maple and Christmas Tree Farmer Recognized as the 2026 ‘Fantastic Farmer’

A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund continues support for Vermont Agriculture and Heritage

October 30, 2026 | Montpelier, VT - With the changing colors of the state's maple trees comes the certain reality of shorter days, warmer clothes, and holiday meals. This year's Fantastic Farmer makes the most of this reality. Aldrich Tree and Maple Farm brings the bounty of our forest home for the holidays, with a focus on care and stewardship for the land.

Located along Dugway Road close to the Huntington Gorge in Richmond, the farm has been owned and operated by Andy Aldrich and family for over 75 years, passed down from his parents with an eye toward the future. Aldrich farms on 150 acres, growing 4000 Christmas trees, producing maple syrup from a 2700 tap maple sugar bush, and cuts timber for firewood. The Christmas trees are a choose and cut farm, with 10% of the total up for sale each year. While the family participates as needed, Aldrich manages these separate operations by himself.

Nestled in the hills with an active river basin nearby, the various environmental challenges the farm property faces make stewardship and adaptation a must when looking to the future. Because of this commitment to stewardship, heritage and the future of the Aldrich Farm property, Andy Aldrich has been selected as the 2026 Fantastic Farmer. This recognition comes with a $5000 grant from the A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund.

A Vermont 'Fantastic Farmer' recipient is recognized for the way in which they impact our lives, often going unnoticed. Hidden away in remote parts of Vermont and the depths of the local grocery or farm stand; maybe in our lunch, on top of our pancakes or in a slice of cheese on our sandwich, a Vermont farmer has touched our life today. A Vermont 'Fantastic Farmer' must also embrace stewardship of the land, management of resources, education and promotion of Vermont agriculture and farming to the public and fellow farmers.

"I enjoy the intense work of farming. Like all Vermont farmers, my property, Christmas trees, maple sugar bush and all the work to protect them brings me closer to the land I love. It is very much like a child that you want to nurture and grow," said Aldrich. "This award is important for those Vermonters that work hard with challenging resources, weather and sometimes public sentiment. Thank you to the Pizzagalli's."

The 'Fantastic Farmer ' title is one of three annual award programs supported by the A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund. Including the Vermont Barn Painting Project and the High-Quality Milk Awards, the mission of the Fund is to support farmer efforts to grow their business, cultivate, and deliver their products to the consumer, in a way that respects the heritage, culture, and stewardship that our farmers and farming community strive for every day.

In March, The Vermont Dairy Industry Association (VDIA), announced the 2026 Vermont High-Quality Milk Awards. The awards recognize the dairy farmers who produced Vermont's best quality milk in 2025. These farmers were recognized at the annual Vermont Dairy Producers Conference.

These awards were presented to:

Also this summer, nine barns around the state received a fresh coat of paint through the Vermont Barn Painting Project . These barns were painted by their owners, who then received up to an $8,000 micro-grant from the A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund. This program reimburses barn owners for improving and preserving their barns and farm property for future generations and improve their roadside appeal across Vermont, for their local communities, visitors, and tourists.

"The goal of the A. Pizzagalli Family Fund is to support and reward Vermont's hard working agricultural entrepreneurs, maintain the integrity of barns across the state, and preserve Vermont's vistas for visitors and Vermonters alike," said Lisa Pizzagalli. "The Pizzagalli family thanks our farmers for their hard work and looks forward to these programs benefitting more agricultural families in the coming years."

"Our farmers feed our families, care for our land and animals, and strengthen our communities. We are grateful to the A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund for investing in Vermont farmers and our agricultural future," said Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts.

Read more: The Full Story: Andy Aldrich - The 2026 Fantastic Farmer

To nominate or apply for the 2027 Vermont Fantastic Farmer Award, please visit: https://agriculture.vermont.gov/administration/fantastic-farmer-award

To learn more about the Vermont Barn Painting Project, visit: https://agriculture.vermont.gov/administration/vermont-barn-painting