Organic Farmer, Dave Hartshorn

Dave Hartshorn is a fifth-generation steward of land and maple, carrying on his family’s sugaring tradition while pioneering organic farming in the Mad River Valley.

His farming journey began in childhood on his family’s dairy farm, but it was a handful of pumpkin seeds tossed into a compost pile—later sprouting into a bumper crop—that sparked his passion for growing. Those pumpkins helped finance his college education and set him on the path that would shape his life.

Over 30 years ago, Dave became the first farmer in the Mad River Valley to be certified organic, guided by a simple philosophy: put back into the land what you take out. His regenerative approach set a new standard for soil health and sustainability in the region.

For more than 25 years, he was the founding farmer at the Waitsfield Farmers’ Market and continues to sell seven days a week from the farm stand, as well as to a small handful of local stores. Dave also co-founded Green Mountain Harvest Hydroponic, Vermont’s year-round greenhouse supplying pesticide-free lettuce, basil, and watercress.

His work has earned recognition including:

  • 2009 Conservation Farm of the Year, Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District

  • Best Produce from the American Institute of Wine & Food

  • Best in Show, Maple Syrup from the Vermont Farm Show

Whether in the greenhouse, the fields, or the sugarhouse, Dave’s dedication to quality, sustainability, and community has made Hartshorn Farm a beloved local staple.

Who’s Amy (Todisco) Hartshorn?
From the Upper East Side of NYC to Hartshorn Organic Farm

Dave’s wife, Amy.

Amy (Todisco) Hartshorn is the creative force and educational heartbeat of Hartshorn Farm—a lifelong organic gardener, clean-living truth-teller, early pioneer in exposing hidden toxins, and the founder of Green Living Now and The Elegant Rebellion, where she teaches women how to detox their homes, nourish their bodies, and take back their health—without overwhelm.

Her journey began long before moving to Vermont.

At sixteen, she worked in a health food store.
In the early ’90s, she became one of the first women publicly challenging toxic household products, launching a town-wide Earth Day event and co-founding the Marblehead Cancer Prevention Project.

She later became the founding Executive Director of the Household Toxins Institute, created with the founder of Seventh Generation, and served as the tech editor for Green Living for Dummies. She even got a call from Oprah’s producer about being on the show.

Amy’s work has been featured on HGTV, Vermont Public Radio & TV, Rachel Ray Everyday Magazine, WCAX, and dozens of podcasts and summits. She currently hosts the Green Living Now Podcast and is preparing for her upcoming TEDx talk.

At the farm, Amy blends her passions for real food, storytelling, sustainable living, and community education. She has led hundreds of people through her popular farm tours over the past 8 years, as well as workshops, and events—helping visitors understand not only how food is grown, but how the choices we make in our kitchens and homes shape our health and the planet.

Whether she’s welcoming guests at the stand, guiding a farm tour, creating nourishing recipes, or teaching online, Amy brings warmth, humor, and decades of hard-earned wisdom to everything she does. Her mission is simple: help people live healthier, more empowered, more connected lives—one real-world step at a time.

“What if the products in your home were quietly undermining your health? My journey began with that unsettling question—and now, I help people find answers that transform their lives.”
— Amy (Todisco) Hartshorn

Her Journey

Growing up on the upper east side of New York City, her path to green living began early, working at a health food store at 16. The turning point came during her pregnancy when she discovered a book about toxins in everyday products—revealing how much our environment impacts health. This realization set her on a 30+ year mission to empower others to live cleaner, healthier lives. Through hands-on experience, consulting, teaching and now expert-led courses and the upcoming Green Living Now podcast, she’s here to help you make sustainable changes that last.

Experience & Impact

With over three decades dedicated to green living, her journey includes serving as the technical editor for the Green Living for Dummies book, founding the Household Toxins Institute with Seventh Generation, and consulting with clients like a Phish band member. Her work has been featured on HGTV, and she even had an almost-Oprah moment when one of her producers reached out. She regularly shares useable information via podcast and written interviews, as well as videos and posts on social media. These experiences allow her to bring practical, proven solutions for a healthier, toxin-free lifestyle. 

Personal Insights

Amy’s connection to nature began with summers on Martha’s Vineyard, Long Island and the New Jersey shore, and skiing in Vermont, which sparked a lifelong love of the environment. 

For the past 16 years, she’s lived on the organic farm with Dave, where they enjoy cooking from scratch, family time, and their two dogs, Charlie and Leila. She’s passionate about reading, learning, traveling, and inspiring others to make a difference.

To read the rest of her story, check out her Green Living website.

Grab Amy’s free gift—her eBook, Hidden Dangers: A Guide to the Most Toxic Chemicals Lurking in Your Home

free download