Aerial view of 1st Republic Ranch

Brookfield, Vermont · Veteran-led

Learn. Gather.
Build. Stay.

A working Vermont destination for practical classes, concerts, private functions, land-based experiences, and future cabin stays.

1st Republic Ranch

A Fort Aldrich program on the land

A place that grows more useful—and more welcoming—with every season.

1st Republic Ranch turns the work of restoring and developing the Brookfield property into practical education, veteran fellowship, community events, agricultural craft, and eventually an exceptional place to stay.

Class catalog

What do you want to learn?

Upcoming at the ranch

Classes, concerts, gatherings, and days worth remembering.

The shared calendar can include workshops, volunteer days, public events, concerts, tastings, and seasonal celebrations. Open listings connect to the appropriate Fort Aldrich Google Form.

The long view

One landscape. Many reasons to return.

The ranch will develop in phases, with each project supporting education, hospitality, agriculture, and the Fort Aldrich mission.

Build

Cabins & tiny homes

Hands-on building programs that create beautiful, lasting places for participants and future guests.

Restore

The orchard

Bring the property’s orchard back into production through pruning, planting, grafting, harvesting, and cider-making.

Cultivate

Vineyard & apiary

Develop grapes and raise honey bees as working agricultural systems, teaching platforms, and sources of distinctive ranch products.

Make

Beer, cider, mead & wine

Future workshops led by experienced makers, connecting agricultural ingredients to fermentation, craft, and hospitality.

Gather in Brookfield

Functions, concerts, and events with the land as the backdrop.

The ranch can grow into a setting for community gatherings, veteran events, private functions, concerts, seasonal celebrations, educational demonstrations, and partner programs.

Plan an event
The future cabin landscape at 1st Republic Ranch

Future ranch stays

High-end cabins, grounded in the character of the land.

Over time, tiny homes and cabins built through the ranch program can become thoughtful accommodations for guests, program participants, instructors, and special-event weekends.

  • Distinctive cabins built and finished with care
  • Access to trails, orchard, vineyard, and ranch programming
  • Seasonal packages around classes, concerts, and tastings
  • A stay that directly supports the Fort Aldrich mission
Future development phaseJoin the stay-interest list →

How it works

One application. The right class and date.

01

Choose

Browse the catalog and select a scheduled class or submit a general interest application.

02

Apply

Complete the Fort Aldrich Google Form with your contact, experience, accommodations, and availability.

03

Get assigned

The program team reviews the application and assigns the participant to an available session.

04

Show up

Confirmed participants receive the date, packing list, safety information, and instructor details.

Share what you know

Experienced hands make strong instructors.

Carpenters, foresters, electricians, plumbers, solar installers, equipment operators, builders, and experienced craftspeople can propose or lead a class. Fort Aldrich coordinates the site, applicants, dates, and participant communication.

Propose a class

Start here

Learn, teach, gather, volunteer, or stay.

Fort Aldrich uses Google Forms for intake so every response enters the same program database. Select the path that fits you.

Contact Fort Aldrich

Questions about the ranch?

Use the Fort Aldrich contact form for classes, events, partnerships, volunteering, and general questions.

Brookfield, VermontContact form coming soon