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The
Center for Sustainable Agriculture was established in 1994 as a unit
within the University
of Vermont
to integrate university and community expertise to promote sustainable
farming systems throughout Vermont and the
region. We operate as an integral part of University
of Vermont Extension
, collaborating with faculty and staff throughout the state. Our
programs always involve farmers, the University, and other
organizations.
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Center
Programs
This index gives a brief description of the programs at
the Center. For more information on any program, please click on
its title.
Land Link Vermont: Keeping Land
in Farming
Many people want to
farm in Vermont
, but finding a place to do it can be challenging. Land Link Vermont
, coordinated by Deb Heleba, addresses the obstacles farmers face in
securing and transferring land. The program manages a matching service
that connects new-entry and transitioning farmers with retiring farmers
and non-farming landowners. Land Link also offers workshops,
publications, and consultations that provide information about farmland
tenure options, inter-generational transfer of farms, and farm
management.
Leadership
Development: Enhancing Involvement in Sustainable Agriculture
The Center offers
professional development opportunities that increase sustainable
agriculture understanding and skills of personnel within Extension and
other organizations. Funded largely by USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture
Research and Education (SARE) program, the Center works with farmers
and agricultural service providers to plan and deliver conferences,
workshops, farm tours and publications throughout the Northeast.
New Farmer Network:
Improving Service to Beginning and Aspiring Farmers
To assure a bright
future for agriculture in Vermont , it is critical
that we address the special needs of beginning farmers. The Center is a
founding member of the Vermont New Farmer Network, which helps new
farmers succeed by enhancing their access to land, capital, markets and
production skills. The Center facilitates collaboration among the
Network's members, and guides new farmers to the resources they need .
Pasture Network Program:
Promoting Grazing for Sustainable Livestock Farming
Management-intensive
grazing is a practice that can help farmers minimize production costs
while protecting water quality, soil fertility, animal health, and the
farm family’s quality of life. The Vermont Pasture Network Program is a
partnership among the Center, the Vermont Grass Farmers’ Association,
and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Rachel Gilker and
Jenn Colby coordinate the program and facilitate the exchange of
technical information through newsletters, on-farm pasture walks and
demonstrations, and the annual Vermont Grazing Conference.
Planning for
Alternative Enterprises: Enhancing Farm Viability
Alternatives to
production of commodities like wholesale apples or fluid milk are
increasingly important to Vermont ’s agricultural
future. Allen Matthews helps individual farmers identify new
possibilities for their farm. Working with a team of advisors from
Extension and the larger agricultural community as part of the state’s
Farm Viability Enhancement program, farmers identify goals, implement
plans, and collect the data necessary to assess what they need to do to
successfully diversify their businesses.
Renewable
Energy
The UVM
Center for Sustainable Agriculture and University of Vermont Extension
have partnered with farmers and other organizations to conduct on-farm
research and demonstration aimed at growing and processing oil-seed and
sugar-producing crops for production of biodiesel. Our goal is to
create a model that can be replicated by other small and mid-size farms
across the Northeast.
Small Ruminant
Dairy Project: Diversifying Vermont's Agricultural Base
In collaboration with
the UVM Department of Animal Sciences, the Center provides other
assistance to sheep and goat dairy farmers, many of whom are producing
farmstead cheeses and premium products for which demand is growing.
Carol Delaney coordinates the program, including on-farm research
projects, farm visits and consultations, publications, and technical
workshops aimed at production, marketing and financial management.
Sustainable
Horticulture: Educating about Organic and Ecological Production
The Center
distributes publications and videos developed by Vern Grubinger that
capture the wealth of knowledge held by experienced growers throughout
the Northeast. The Center also supports the Youth Horticulture Project
in southern Vermont, which has a
small organic farm where young people learn about teamwork,
communication, and responsibility by growing and marketing crops.
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