This section of our website is devoted to nurturing connections among beginning farmers, and more generally between new farmers and more experienced producers, agricultural service providers, land owners, funders, and others.
Start by signing up for the New Farmer Email list. Our sign-up form lets you tell us what topics you're interested in so that we can be sure that you know about learning opportunities and resources related to those topics without cluttering your inbox. Our emails will notify you about workshops, webinars, farm tours, learning circles and other ways you can connect with people who share your interests. You don't have to be a new farmer to sign up. We welcome service providers and established farmers to join as well.
Browse farm, land and emmployment opportunties at our Vermont Agriculture Land Access Database (LAD).
Several agricultural and farming organizations now host classified sections on their websites to help farmers post and search for items for sale, barter and trade, as well as educationa, employment and business opportunities.
You'll finding listings of funding opportunities in our Grant and Loan Opportunities section. Listings include posting dates and deadlines.
NOFA Vermont’s Apprentice and Willing Worker Website Do you want to work on a farm? The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont offers a recently-updated online matchmaking service for farms and apprentices. Create an account at http://nofavt.org/programs/apprentice-farm-worker to begin. Both farmers looking for help and apprentices or workers looking for farms can create their own profiles, search listings, and get the contact information they need to find the right match. We recommend that farmers and workers meet in person to discuss their goals and expectations for the season before making final decisions.
University of Vermont Certificate in Sustainable Farming. The University of Vermont, in partnership with the Intervale Center, has created a five-month intensive program for aspiring farmers and food systems advocates that provides a hands-on, entrepreneurial approach to sustainable farming (May 31-November 4, 2011). This full-time program offers participants the unique opportunity to manage their own growing site, take classes from professors and farmers and rotate as workers and learners between successful, diverse farms at the Intervale Center in Burlington, Vermont. This program will provide an intense, supportive experience where participates leave with a Certificate in Sustainable Farming, a deeper understanding of agricultural management and small-scale farming, and the entrepreneurial skills to start their own operation. Visit http://learn.uvm.edu/sustainability/farmer-apprentice-program/ for more information or to apply. Contact Reese Baker, Program Coordinator with any questions: rcbaker@uvm.edu or 802-656-8657
Read and post to the UVM Extension New Farmer Project Blog. We have a rotating slate of bloggers who write on a variety of topics and bring diverse interest and expertise to our blog. We invite you to ask questions and share your perpsective.
The New Farmer Project is also on Facebook and Twitter. Use the links below.