SKY FARM
325 Whitney Road | Sharon VT
$1,695,000
Property Overview
Welcome to "Sky Farm," aptly named in historical archives for its unique location at the crest of the hill. The original brick farmhouse, built in 1860, served as a working farm for many years. This quintessential Vermont farmhouse exudes tremendous character and historical charm while offering modern amenities from recent renovations. Lovingly cared for over the years, it now presents a unique opportunity to own a slice of heaven in the Vermont hills.
Sky Farm is inviting from the moment you pull into the driveway at the end of a dirt road. The home is framed with extensive gardens and landscaping, showcasing vibrant colors throughout the seasons. Even in winter, the red brick and yellow clapboards provide a colorful foreground against the white snow. A 2005 addition introduced an attached two-car garage, mudroom, and covered porch—an ideal spot to sip morning coffee while admiring the gardens. This addition also includes a convenient main floor primary suite and a sun-filled, vaulted ceiling living room with radiant heat for consistent winter warmth.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, featuring an oversized island, granite counters, a bar area, and a chef's dream six-burner gas range with a griddle. A gas Jotul stove adds ambiance, and light pours into the space from all directions. Adjacent to the kitchen is a formal dining area for gatherings. A main floor 3/4 bath and private office space make the home flexible for overflow guests if needed. The formal living room, encompassing the entire western end of the home and featuring a second Jotul gas stove, is perfect for entertaining. The house is equipped with mini splits for summer comfort, a whole-house generator that provides peace of mind, and EC Fiber internet for those that need to work from home.
The true pièce de résistance is the oversized screen porch, designed to accommodate a table, chairs, and a couch. This space offers long-range mountain views and is the ultimate place to relax, dine al fresco, chat with friends, enjoy a glass of wine, take a nap, and appreciate the changing seasons. From all angles you can admire the natural beauty and wildlife that the property has to offer. Adorned with brick and the original stone threshold, this space could grace the cover of a magazine.
Upstairs, you'll find three bedrooms, a full bath, as well as unusually large closets for the age of the home. Nooks and charming features abound everywhere you look, making Sky Farm a truly enchanting and special place to call home.
The Barn
Horse and animal enthusiasts will be thrilled with the timber frame barn built in 2001. The main barn measures 48x36, complemented by an attached 36x36 carriage barn and a tractor bay. Inside, you'll find six 12x12 stalls with rubber mats and a heated tack room. The aisle, made of poured concrete, is wide enough for a tractor to pass through. The entire structure is topped by a spacious hay loft. Trailer access is made easy via a lower field road. A large grass riding ring is located in the upper field. For those seeking additional riding opportunities locally, the property is located near the Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA), which offers competitive and recreational events drawing some of the best equestrians in the country, GMHA is also committed to education, offering a variety of clinics and camps for adults and young riders.
The pasture features three large turnouts with split rail and electric fencing. Both the turnouts and the barn are equipped with frost-free hydrants and there is electricity to each stall and turnout. Adjacent to the barn, there's also a poured concrete manure pit for convenience.
The carriage barn offers versatile use: it can store antiques, host barn parties, serve as a play area, or be transformed into a workshop, to name a few. This structure will delight horse lovers and anyone who appreciates the charm of a classic Vermont barn overlooking open fields and scenic views. What's not to like?
The Property
One of the standout features of this property is its expansive 96 acres of land. Beyond the homesite and barn, the property extends to encompass miles of pristine carriage trails, accessible year-round. These trails, cleverly named and well-marked, begin right behind the house and barn with routes like Apple or Deer Run, offering various loops that traverse the entire property.
As you explore, you'll encounter an abundance of wildlife, meandering old stone walls, and a healthy forest of trees. In the summer, the trails are perfect for horseback riding, biking, and hiking. Come winter, they transform into a haven for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing enthusiasts.
Not far from the homesite, the trails lead to breathtaking mountain views, especially stunning during peak foliage season when the landscape is painted in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. The owners have meticulously maintained the forest's health with the assistance of a local forester and USDA grants. An added benefit for the homeowner is that the bulk of the land is enrolled in the Vermont Current Use Program. This tax-incentive program allows landowners to receive lower property tax rates in exchange for preserving their forests and agricultural lands from development. Additionally, historical records of the farm mention a former sugar house. For those interested in tapping the maple grove and building a new sugar house on the property, it could be an exciting and fun opportunity.
A wildlife pond, filled with koi, enhances the serenity of the property’s surroundings. Venture down to feed the fish or sit quietly and watch the occasional eagle soar overhead. Reeds swaying in the wind offer the perfect perch for other birds and butterflies to take a quick pause.
It's rare to find a property with so many wonderful outdoor offerings; whether you enjoy a leisurely horseback ride or simply love being out in the woods and nature, this spot is truly one-of-a-kind.
Summary Details
Original Farmhouse Built in 1860 | Addition Constructed in 2005
4 Bedrooms + 3 Baths (Main Level Bedroom Suite)
3,042 Finished SQ.FT. (approximate)
Taxes (2023): $12,893.66
Attached 2-Car Garage
Heat/Cooling: Radiant, Baseboard Hot Water & Mini Splits | (2) Jotul Gas Stoves
Fuel: Propane & Electric
Foundation: Concrete & Stone | Siding: Clapboard | Roof: Standing Seam
Private Water & Septic
EC Fiber Internet & Tasco Alarm System
Whole House Generator
96.6 Acres w/Extensive Trail Network
Timber Frame Barn (2001) w/Six 12x12 Stalls, Heated Tack Room, Three Turnouts, Hay Loft
Koi Pond
Gardens, Fruit Trees & Mature Landscaping
About The Area
Sharon offers a truly wonderful living experience and community. This vibrant small community provides essential amenities such as Maplefield’s General Store, a post office, and a public library. Sharon is home to the highly regraded Sharon Academy, a state-approved, independent day school for kids grades 7-12. The local geography features ridge tops and steep valleys along the White River tributary brooks, and nearly 2,000 acres of prime wildlife habitat in conservation land and state forests. Anglers from across New England are drawn to the White River, which offers refreshing summer runs through the current or peaceful dips in its quiet pools. Conveniently located for commuting to employment opportunities in the Upper Valley towns of Lebanon and Hanover, Sharon is easily accessible via Exit 2 on Interstate 89 and State Routes 14 or 132.
The nearby town of South Royalton is home to The Vermont Law School, the state’s only law school, attracting students from around the world, creating a diverse, multicultural community. The picturesque village of South Royalton, featured in the opening scene of the popular TV show "Gilmore Girls," is a sight to behold from the hill above the green. Dining options such as Worthy Burger, Carlita's Cantina, and Cross Roads Pub provide delicious meals that can be enjoyed on the green while listening to live music play on summer evenings. The South Royalton Coop offers convenient grocery shopping with fresh local produce, meats, and more. First Branch Coffee is perfect for meeting friends over a cup of coffee. The surrounding landscapes are breathtaking, especially from Kent’s Ledge during foliage season or along the White River.