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Center
Programs
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This index gives a brief description of the programs
at the Center. Our programs are collaborative efforts that always involve
farmers, the University, and other organizations. For more information
on any project listed below, please click on the program 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. Gwyneth Harris coordinates
the program and facilitates 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.
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.