What Leaping Bear Farm does

Leaping Bear Farm is a small, first-generation regenerative farm founded in 2019 by Justin and Vanessa, operating from a newly purchased conserved farmstead at 238 Tattle Street in Reading, Vermont, with prior operations based in Putney. The farm produces certified organic and Real Organic Project-certified pasture-raised chicken and eggs (from a flock of approximately 2,000 laying hens and roughly 4,000 broilers per season), Icelandic lamb, organic microgreens, pasture-raised turkeys (pilot of 100 birds), homemade chicken bone broth, and a pet food topper called Bear's Chicken Mash. Production is grounded in regenerative practices — chickens are moved to fresh pasture daily via mobile coops and housed year-round in a custom Rimol Nor'Easter gothic-tunnel greenhouse — with feed sourced from Green Mountain Feeds in Bethel, VT.

The farm generates revenue through a diversified multi-channel go-to-market that emphasizes direct-to-consumer relationships: a CSA program with eight on-farm pickup dates running June through November, presence at six to seven weekly farmers markets across Vermont (West River, Putney, Ludlow, Woodstock, Brattleboro Winter), an Eat From Farms online store with on-farm or market pickup, and wholesale accounts with regional food co-ops (Putney Food Co-op, Monadnock Co-op in Keene, NH), farm stores (Walker Farm), and restaurants (Putney Diner, Wild Carrot Farm). Pricing is primarily unit-based per product, with CSA subscriptions and case discounts on bone broth as the main volume-pricing mechanisms. The NOFA-VT Farm Share Program subsidizes up to 50% (capped at $350) of CSA share cost for qualifying Vermont residents, expanding access to price-sensitive customers.

The farm is privately held and bootstrapped, having grown from leased operations at Sun Hill Farm and High Meadows Farm to owned-property status in October 2025 through a Vermont Housing Conservation Board transaction with conservation easements co-held by Upper Valley Land Trust. It received a $10,000 Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program grant in 2023 and a Vermont Working Lands Business Enhancement Grant in 2025 to fund a wash/pack facility. The business serves health-conscious Vermont and New England families, conscientious local-food community members, and a secondary segment of regional restaurants and retailers seeking certified organic, transparent-source proteins and microgreens.

Name

Leaping Bear Farm

Legal name

Leaping Bear Farm

Website

https://leapingbearfarm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Leaping Bear Farm is a first-generation regenerative Vermont farm producing certified organic pasture-raised chicken, eggs, lamb, microgreens, and bone broth for direct-to-consumer CSA members, farmers markets, and regional co-ops and restaurants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Organic Pasture-Raised Poultry and Eggs

NAICS

Poultry and Egg Production (1123), Broilers and Other Meat Type Chicken Production (112320), Sheep and Goat Farming (1124)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Game Bird Farming (Quail, Pheasant, Partridge) (AFAEAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Organic/Regenerative Sheep & Goat Production (AFAEAFAI), Farmers’ Markets & Farm Stands (Fresh Food) (CRAHAHAE)

Keywords

• Pasture-raised poultry
• Organic farm products
• Regenerative agriculture
• CSA farm shares
• Organic microgreens

Headquarters

HQ city

Putney

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Pasture-Raised Chicken Sales: Real organic, certified pasture-raised whole chickens and chicken parts sold fresh (never frozen). Chickens are processed with help from Maple Wind Farm. First batch ready early June, with approximately 8 total processing dates per season.
2. Farm Fresh Eggs: Certified organic, pasture-raised eggs from a laying flock of approximately 2,000 hens. Eggs sold year-round at farmers markets, retail locations, and direct.
3. Organic Microgreens: Nutrient-dense organic microgreens including Peashoots, Purple Radish, Sunflowers, Broccoli, and Mustard. Grown year-round in basement during winter, sold at markets and to food shelves.
4. Chicken Bone Broth: Homemade bone broth made from pasture-raised chickens. Sold in quart bottles, with case discount pricing (12 quarts for $100, regularly $120).
5. Lamb Shares and Meat: Pasture-raised Icelandic lamb sold as half or whole lamb shares, featuring shanks, roasts, chops, and ground lamb. Also sells raw wool. Ram lambs processed end of November.
6. CSA Memberships: Community Supported Agriculture program offering 8 on-farm pickup dates (June through November, 3 weeks apart) providing chicken, eggs, and/or microgreens. Starting June 9th. CSA shares help fund upfront production costs.
7. Turkey Sales: Pasture-raised organic turkeys available for Thanksgiving, with 100 birds produced in pilot year. Deposits taken for pre-orders.
8. Pet Food Topper: Bear's Chicken Mash - chicken pet food topper made from pasture-raised chicken products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Leaping Bear Farm produces and sells certified organic, pasture-raised chicken, eggs, lamb, microgreens, bone broth, and seasonal turkeys from its regenerative farm in Reading, Vermont. Sales are executed through CSA shares, an online storefront, multiple farmers markets, and a small set of regional retail and restaurant partners. The farm is differentiated by Real Organic Project certification, daily pasture rotation, and direct community engagement.

Product overview

Leaping Bear Farm is a small-scale regenerative farm offering a diversified portfolio of certified organic, pasture raised products. The core offerings include Real Organic Project-certified pasture raised chicken and eggs (from a flock of approximately 2,000 hens), pasture raised lamb from Icelandic sheep (sold as whole or half shares), and nutrient-dense organic microgreens. The farm also produces value-added products including homemade chicken bone broth and a pet food topper (Bear's Chicken Mash). Seasonal offerings include pasture raised turkeys for Thanksgiving. The farm operates a subscription-based Chicken CSA with 8 seasonal pickup dates, allowing customers to invest directly in the farm's production while receiving regular deliveries of chicken, eggs, and microgreens. Products are sold through farmers markets, retail partners (including co-ops and farm stands), restaurants, and direct-to-consumer online ordering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pasture Raised Chicken Certified Real Organic, pasture-raised whole chickens and chicken parts sold fresh, never frozen, to consumers at farmers markets, via the online store, and through local restaurants and co-ops. Birds are moved to fresh pasture daily and fed certified organic feed.
• Pasture Raised Eggs Certified organic, pasture-raised eggs from a flock of approximately 2,000 laying hens that graze on fresh pasture daily, sold year-round to consumers and local retailers.
• Pasture Raised Lamb Pasture-raised Icelandic lamb sold as whole or half shares, with cuts including shanks, roasts, chops, and ground lamb. A smaller breed selected for flavor and tenderness.
• Organic Microgreens Nutrient-dense organic microgreens including Peashoots, Purple Radish, Sunflowers, Broccoli, and Mustard, grown year-round in the farm's basement production space and sold at farmers markets, online, and donated to food shelves.
• Chicken Bone Broth Homemade chicken bone broth made from certified Real Organic, pasture-raised chickens, sold in quart bottles with a volume discount for cases of 12.
• Bear's Chicken Mash (Pet Food Topper) Pet food topper made from pasture-raised chicken, marketed as a premium alternative for pet owners.
• Chicken CSA Shares Community Supported Agriculture subscription offering 8 on-farm pickup dates (June 9 through November 3, ~3 weeks apart) at 238 Tattle Street, Reading, VT. Members receive chicken, eggs, and/or microgreens; NOFA-VT subsidies available up to 50% off or $350 for qualifying Vermont residents.
• Pasture Raised Turkeys Pasture-raised, Real Organic Project certified Thanksgiving turkeys sold by pre-order deposit, with approximately 100 birds produced in the pilot year.

Quantifiable outcome

• Pasture-raised chickens processed fresh, never frozen, available starting first week of June through 8 processing dates
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VT Housing Conservation BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHolds conservation easement on the Reading, VT property ensuring land will continue to be protected and farmed in perpetuity rather than becoming estate development. Made the conserved farm purchase possible for first-generation farmers.
• Upper Valley Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-holds conservation easement on Reading, VT property with VT Housing Conservation Board, ensuring long-term agricultural preservation.
• NOFA-VT (Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipates in Farm Share Program providing reduced-price CSA shares to Vermonters with financial need. NOFA-VT subsidizes up to 50% of share cost (up to $350 off). Program ensures farmers are paid in full.
• Green Mountain FeedscoreOthersLocally owned family business located in Bethel, Vermont providing the main source of organic feed for the farm's chickens.
• Maple Wind FarmminorOthersAssists with chicken processing, helping process the first batch of pasture-raised Real Organic chicken.
• Rimol GreenhouseminorOthersDesigned and installed the Nor'Easter winter housing structure for the laying flock. Chosen for bolt-through construction quality and steep gothic tunnel pitch suitable for Vermont alpine weather conditions at 1700ft elevation.
• Candos ShearingminorOthersProfessional shearing service that handles the annual shearing of the Icelandic sheep flock.
• Kindhorn FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSource of additional Icelandic ewes for flock expansion. Farm purchased four ewes (including three lambs) from Kindhorn Farm to grow the flock.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture: New York regenerative farm raising pasture-raised poultry, eggs, and vegetables with direct restaurant and farmer market sales. Comparable in regenerative practices, certified-organic positioning, and chef/restaurant customer base.
• Polyface Farm: Iconic Virginia-based regenerative farm operating daily pasture rotation across poultry, cattle, and pigs with direct-to-consumer and CSA sales. Closest national analog for Leaping Bear's rotational grazing, multi-species, subscription-based model.
• Maple Wind Farm: Vermont regenerative farm raising pasture-based poultry, pork, and beef with on-site processing. Comparable in scale, regenerative philosophy, and Vermont/Northeast direct-to-consumer distribution — and currently Leaping Bear's processing partner.
• Sun Hill Farm: Original Vermont collaboration partner where Leaping Bear founders began in 2019. Comparable small-scale organic pasture-raised poultry and CSA operation.
• High Meadows Farm: Vermont's oldest organic farm where Leaping Bear leased land for three seasons. Directly comparable in certified-organic, mixed-livestock, Vermont CSA/market business model.
• Jubilee Farm: Pasture-raised, certified organic chicken and egg operation in New England serving farmers markets, CSA, and wholesale. Closest regional direct peer in flock size, product mix, and multi-channel Vermont/Massachusetts-style distribution.

Emerging players

• Farmhand Farms: Small-batch Vermont pastured-egg and poultry operation with similar CSA and farmers market model. Direct emerging peer in flock size, product mix, and Vermont distribution footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Mary's Organic Chicken: Large-scale organic and pasture-raised chicken brand with national grocery distribution. Represents the mainstream organic poultry competitor Leaping Bear avoids by staying local and direct-to-consumer.
• Pasture Bird: Nationally scaled pastured-poultry brand shipping regenerative chicken nationwide via DTC. Demonstrates the growth ceiling available if Leaping Bear expanded beyond Vermont, but operates at vastly greater scale with centralized processing.

Others

• NOFA-VT (Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont): Nonprofit partner that subsidizes Leaping Bear's CSA shares through the Farm Share Program. Relevant as ecosystem enabler for accessibility-driven customer acquisition rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/leapingbearfarm
• Instagraminstagram.com/leapingbearfarm/?hl=en

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Leaping Bear Farm