Vermont New Farmer Network

Farming for our Future


 “We have some experience and the eagerness to farm-- and really need to know the next steps”

 -- Vermont beginning farmer

 

The Vermont New Farmer Network increases the capacity of agricultural resource providers to meet the needs of new farmers.  Beginning farmers are being linked with the resources they need. Joint workshops are used to educate organizations about beginning farmer needs. New farmers are increasing their access to available resources.

 

Resource Guide for Vermont’s New and Aspiring Farmers -see information

 

Workshops

Greenhouses and Season Extension for Beginning Farmers, November 10, 2007

 

New Farm Network Collaboration

Vermont’s New Farmer Network will focus on offering skill-based learning that will enhance access to services and increase the opportunities for success for new and transitioning farmers.  Together, Network members plan to conduct a series of learning opportunities for organizational staff, as well as beginning farmers on:

 

  • Access to Land and alternative forms of land tenure,
  • Access to Skills and  Production Information,
  • Access to Finances and Credit, and
  • Access to Markets.

 

Who Are New Farmers?
New farmers are a diverse group. Programs and services need to understand these differences and be clear about which type(s) of new farmers they are targeting.

New farmers include:

  • recruits (people with an aptitude or interest in farming that have not considered it as a career option);
  • explorers (those actively researching farming as a career option);
  • aspiring farmers (committed to becoming farmers but haven’t started commercially); startup farmers (in their first few years of commercial production);
  • re-strategizing farmers (in their first few years and now reassessing their operation); and
  • establishing farmers (stabilizing their production and marketing).

 

The Network utilizes experienced farmers and Network members to conduct practical, skill-based workshops and to serve as mentors. At the same time, we are researching the challenges for New Farmers in gaining access to land, financing, markets, and skills.

 

The New Farm Network’s goal is to strengthen collaboration and communication among people and organizations that serve new farmers. Several organizations have partnered to expand and coordinate existing programs that serve new and beginning farmers.
 
Background
Vermont, like the nation, has been gradually changing from a rural to a suburban and urban society. Only small percentage of today’s population is engaged in farming and according to the agricultural census the average age of our farmers now stands at 52 years. Yet, roughly 6,000 farms remain in Vermont, encompassing almost 1.3 million acres of land. Farming continues to play an essential role in rural economic development, food security, and the maintenance of open space for tourism, wildlife habitat and recreation. To assure a bright future for agriculture in the state, it is critical that efforts are made to encourage new entrants to farming and to help them succeed.


A career in farming is attractive to many young people as well as to people seeking a change of professions. Anecdotal evidence suggests there is an ample pool of people willing and eager to enter into farming if they can overcome the initial obstacles, which include: access to financial capital, access to land, access to markets and access to technical assistance.


Priorities for Action

Vermont’s New Farm Network is an open coalition of farmers and agricultural organizations. Organizational members include: Farm Service Agency, Intervale Foundation, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT), UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture, UVM Extension, Vermont Land Trust, Vermont Farm Bureau and Yankee Farm Credit.

Priority actions identified included; (a) Coordination of new farmer programs and information, (b) low interest loans and grants for new farmers,   (c) on-going business training sessions for new farmers, (d) hands-on new farmer practical skills courses,

(e) examination of land conservation policy as it relates to new farmers.

 
For More Information   Contact Deb Heleba at (802) 656-0233, or Debra.Heleba@uvm.edu.



Resource Guide for Vermont’s New and Aspiring Farmers
Download Resource Guide for Vermont's New and Aspiring Farmers

This guide is an effort among a number of organizations to better serve new and beginning farmers.
It is available in the .pdf file format and you will need the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader to read it. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader at:  http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

If you are having trouble downloading the guide or prefer a print version, they are available for $5 from:

The University of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture
63 Carrigan Dr.
Burlington, VT 05405
Phone: 802-656-5459
Email: sustainable.agriculture@uvm.edu
Website: www.uvm.edu/sustainableagriculture

Table Of Contents
Section 1:Addressing Obstacles New Farmers May Face
         Access to Capital
         Access to Production Knowledge, Skills and Technical Assistance
         Access to Land
         Access to Markets
Section 2: Organizations That Help New Farmers
Section 3: Farm Credit Availability


Questions and or feedback regarding the guide should be directed to:

UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture at (802) 656-5459, sustainable.agriculture@uvm.edu

The Vermont New Farmer Network would like to thank the following organizations for their assistance in creating this guide: USDA Farm Service Agency, Vermont Community Foundation University of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture, USDA Risk Management Agency, and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets for hosting the guide's website.