6/17/18: Dan and Ann Sivori did not intend to become peony farmers. Dan is a former Connecticut State Trooper and Ann worked with the FBI for three decades. After searching for the right home in Vermont for 8 years, they heard about the scenic spot in Northfield while they were living in Austria. The former Connecticut natives jumped at the chance to restore the overgrown fields and bring new life to this historic place.
Bill Countryman developed a passion for peonies in his seventies and opened the Countryman Peony Farm to visitors in the early '90's. Dan and Ann bought the farm in 2013 and began welcoming the public back to this favorite flower spot in 2016. They estimate there are about 4,000 peonies scattered across their fields and about 600 different varieties. The two of them spend the month of June zipping around the property in golf carts, welcoming visitors aboard the "Peony Express" and digging up peonies for customers. Eva visited the couple last Sunday to enjoy the blooms, views and to meet some flower fans.
Visits to the farm are free and it is open to the public Thursday through Sunday from 10am-5pm during the month of June. The couple live on the property so don't go knocking outside of their business hours. The end of June is peak bloom time.
Music:
Eveningland, "Finding Me"
Dan Lebowitz, "Blue Creek Trail"
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, "Waltz of the Flowers"
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