Smoke from the Sugar House: Stories One of Vermont's Oldest Working Family Farms

Smoke from the Sugar House is a heartfelt collection of 31 true stories from one of Vermont's oldest working family farms. Through humor, nostalgia, and firsthand memories, fifth-generation farmer Michael Isham shares the people, traditions, and everyday moments that shaped generations of life on the farm. From gathering maple sap and making hay to mischievous childhood adventures, memorable neighbors, hardworking family members, and the changing seasons of rural Vermont, each story offers a glimpse into a way of life that is quickly disappearing. Rich with local history, the book captures not only the work of farming but also the friendships, laughter, and values that have been passed from one generation to the next. More than a memoir, Smoke from the Sugar House is an invitation to step inside an old Vermont barn, walk the fields, smell the maple steam rising from the sugarhouse, and experience the enduring spirit of a family farm that has weathered centuries of change. Whether you grew up on a farm or simply appreciate New England's rural heritage, these stories will leave you smiling, reminiscing, and grateful for the traditions that continue to shape Vermont.