Summer 2001

Women in Agriculture Still Need Support
While the total number of farms in the U.S. declined by more than 30,000 between 1992 and 1997, the number of farms owned and operated by women increased by nearly 20,000 during that same period. Since 1978 (when gender was first recorded) the number of female farm owners/operators has increased from 5.2% to 8.6% of total farm ownership.

The demographic, social, and economic factors contributing to this increase of women-owned farms suggest that this growth trend will persist, gaining momentum, in all regions of the country. The profile of these women-owned farms indicates that many are small, diversified and financially at-risk. The most recent Census of Agriculture suggests the following profile of women owner/operators:
-Nearly 70% of these farms are less than 140 acres.
-Close to 80% are reporting sales under $20,000.
-87% are sole proprietorships.
-43% are younger than 55 years of age.
-45% indicate farming is their primary occupation.
-72% are living on the farm.

Typically, these women consider themselves alternative or sustainable farmers, frequently with diversified operations. As often as not, they began their current operations with little or no prior experience. They therefore stand to benefit significantly from increased access to new and existing information on all aspects of business management.

In addition to a growth in young and mid-life women choosing to farm, there is also a tremendous growth in the number of women who are taking on farm management as the result of the death of a spouse. Women frequently outlive their husbands and consequently often inherit the farmland. Many of these women choose to lease out the land for retirement income. Current estimates indicate that women control over 40% of all leased farmland in the United States (NRCS, Social Sciences Institute, 1998) and as the average age of farmers increases, this percentage can also be expected to increase.

How this farmland is used, the management strategy developed and the exit strategy for the eventual transfer of the property will have a tremendous impact on the future of agriculture throughout this country. Clearly the need for agricultural programs targeting women won’t disappear any time soon.

Congratulations to all our Growing Places graduates!!
The end of May saw the completion of Cycle 11 of Growing Places (eleven times...wow!) We had another wonderful group of women, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors!

Our graduates:
• Christa Alexander
• Jane Hulstrunk
• Charlotte McKennon
• Sharon Plumb
• Jeanne Skalka
• Victoria Von Hessert
• Kat Williams

Thanks to all our guest speakers as well! Cycle 12 will begin this fall. Stay tuned!

Save the Date!!
Beginning Farmers of NH, along with Vermont WAgN and Maine WAgN, will be hosting the Northern New England Women in Agriculture Conference on Saturday, November 3rd, 2001, in Jackson, NH. This will be a one-day conference and the planning committee is currently looking for suggestions for both workshop topics and speakers. Do you have an idea for an interesting topic for a panel discussion? Are there people you would like to see speaking to each other on an issue related to women and agriculture? Brainstorm with each other, access your vision and imagination, inventory your skills and your resources and tell us: What can the conference do for you and what can you do for the conference? Please email, call or write Jennifer Mayo, Beginning Farmers of NH, with your suggestions, ideas and comments at bf@cyberportal.net; (603) 527-2093; or 719 N. Main St., Rm. 220, Laconia, NH, 03246.

Change is Bittersweet… In early June, we sadly said goodbye to Maria Erb, Staff Assistant for the past year. Maria, who accepted a position at the UVM School for Natural Resources, contributed immeasurably to the organization and smooth running of the program, not to mention bringing us this wonderful newsletter each quarter. We will certainly miss her, but wish her well in her new adventure!

MEET SOME OF OUR FARMERS! Each month, we profile one of our many, wonderful farmers on our WAgN web page. Here are the farmers we have featured in the past months:

Rosemary Croizet, Berry Creek Farm in Westfield
Rosemary Croizet and her husband, Gerard, began Berry Creek Farm in 1992 as a pick-your-own organic strawberry business. It has since developed into a diversified business selling fruits, vegetables, maple syrup, jam, eggs, honey, pure beeswax candles, and honey cakes. In addition to the farm stand on their property, they have a growing mail order business.

Over the years, both Gerard and Rosemary worked “off the farm” to supplement their farm stand and mail order business. In the Fall of 2000, Rosemary took the big step of quitting her teaching job to home school their two boys and to devote more time to the farm. Rosemary says contacting WAgN was the first thing she did when considering leaving her job. She subsequently took the Growing Places course through WAgN, which gave her the tools to make a smoother transition out of her teaching job and onto the farm.

One of the most important philosophies in life for the Croizets is to be involved in their community. Two years ago, they started a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) selling fruits and vegetables from their gardens. They’re part of the SHARE program, a program co-sponsored by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) and the Vermont Anti-Hunger Corps, that subsidizes a portion of the CSA shares to provide low-income families access to fresh organic fruits and vegetables. They also participated in FEED (Food Education Every Day), a program co-sponsored by NOFA-VT and Shelburne Farms. This pilot program worked with the local Jay-Westfield School to provide teacher workshops and field trips to Berry Creek Farm.

One of the latest endeavors by Rosemary and Gerard is working with the Vermont Food Venture Center to possibly produce and market their honey cakes commercially. The honey cakes are from a Croizet family recipe and are popular items at both their farm stand and in their mail order business. For more information on Berry Creek Farm (farm stand hours or to be put on their mailing list), please call Rosemary or Gerard at (802) 744-2406 or e-mail them at berrycrk@together.net.

Janet Bailey, Fair Winds Farm in Brattleboro
The Bailey’s began their diversified operation of vegetables, eggs, sleigh rides, draft horse workshops and training, piglets, and perennials almost 24 years ago.

While looking for land in 1977, Janet and her husband Jay learned that a Land Trust in Brattleboro was looking for farmers to run a local farm. The only hitch to the arrangement was the owner didn’t want to leave the farm until he passed away. When Janet and Jay made their first visit to the 40-acre farm, it was so overgrown they couldn’t even see it from the driveway. Once through the door, they could hardly walk through the house because of all the clutter. The Baileys sat down with the owner, Claude Tate, learned about the farm’s history (he had run a small 10-cow Jersey operation for many years), his desire to keep the land in production and out of development; and his request to continue living on the farm until his passing. The Baileys left that first meeting with a good feeling about the arrangement, but also knew it would be quite a challenge!

Janet, Jay, and their two daughters moved in not long after. They began that Spring with a one-acre market garden (which has since expanded to two acres) and immediately got involved with the Brattleboro Farmer’s Market. In early 1980, Mr. Tate passed away. Some items had to be sold off the farm to settle the estate, including the tractor. Janet and Jay chose not to buy another tractor, switching to horses instead an interest Jay had been cultivating for quite some time. They have been working and farming with horses ever since.

They continue to sell at the Brattleboro Farmer’s Market, as well as their eggs at the Food Co-op. Sleigh rides, and all the horse workshops and trainings take place at the farm. Today, Fair Winds Farm is thriving. Three years ago, Janet quit her almost full-time job in order to commit more fully to the farmshe and Jay agreed that for the farm to keep growing, it needed them both full-time. Neither have regretted that decision yet. To contact Fair Winds Farm (Janet, Jay, Rebeckah, Erica and Jason) call (802) 257-9067; email fwj2bail@sover.net or visit www.sover.net/~fwj2bail.

SPOTLIGHT ON AN AGENCY: Vermont Food Venture Center
The Vermont Food Venture Center (VFVC), located in Fairfax, Vermont, is a not-for-profit organization started by the Economic Development Council of Vermont offering commercial kitchen space to specialty food businesses. Since opening the doors in 1996, more than 75 businesses have come through VFVC; 35 in the past year alone.

The products of these businesses include cheese spreads, sauces, salsas, maple products, baked goods, dry mixes, and even dog treats! The VFVC is managed and operated by Brian Norder and Andrew Czeck. In addition to coordinating and scheduling the facilities, Brian and Andrew also provide technical assistance to the business owners using the facilities. Assistance is provided for research and development in the formulation and testing of new products, financing, business planning, labeling, marketing and distribution. There is a $75 membership fee, which includes a tour of the facilities, a resource/referral list and enough technical assistance to get to the production phase.

The facility offers several fully equipped kitchens with a commercial range and oven, grills, steamers, a cooler, freezer, vertical steam-jacketed kettles, and a fully-equipped bakery kitchen. The facility is rented on a per-hour basis and is available around the clock. For more information, please contact Brian or Andrew at (802) 849-2000; vfvc@together.net or http://homepages.together.com/~edcnv.food.

NEW ENGLAND WAgN NEWS
Maine WAgN
Maine WAgN’s website is up! Please visit at www.umaine.edu/umext/wagn. Congratulations to Natalie Bragg at Knot-II-Bragg Farm in Wade, ME for sharing her story on public television’s “Made in Maine” in April. Also in April, several WAgN members Dottie Laber, Marianne Cockley, Andrea Salib, Ellie Kenneson, Sue Watson, Beth Haines, Andrea Smith, and Molly Hamel and Donna Lamb met to shake off winter, share lots of news and think collectively about some new directions.

Ellen McAdams and Betsy McDougal hosted the May WAgN meeting at McDougal Orchards in Springvale, ME. Members learned how 3 generations of the Hanson family’s descendents co-operate the orchard, cut flower and PYO farm stand businesses. The farm was recently awarded a grant from the Maine Department of Food, Agriculture and Rural Resources to demonstrate new fresh-cut technology for apples.

Several members met on May 10th and June 25th to discuss forming 3 local chapters north, south and central in Aroostook County . The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 25th, 12-2:00 pm at the USDA Service Center, 99 Fort Fairfield Rd., Presque Isle, ME. Please contact: Audrey Zimmerman at Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community in Houlton 207-532-9313 for more information.

The Daughters of Yarrow, a WAgN study group comprised of 10 members from 5 farms, held a chain saw maintenance workshop in April to set spark plug gaps, sharpen chains, replace gas filters, laugh and have fun. A second class has been scheduled to cover felling trees and chain saw safety practices.

Washington County Agriculture! Maine WAgN’s ANNUAL BUS TOUR is scheduled for September 7-8th. Space is limited; first come, first serve. To register, please send your name, address and $30.00 payable to WAgN and mailed to: WAgN c/o UMCE, 24 Main Street, Lisbon Falls 04252-1505.

Beginner Farmers of NH
As of this writing, hundreds of motorcyclists blissfully blast by our Laconia office, en-route to the Annual Motorcycle Week. There must be a gardener or farmer amongst them! Beginner Farmers (BF) Council member Elizabeth Obelenus and Liz Cooper, Coordinator for the So. NH Resource and Conservation Districts, attended the Growing New Farmers Consortium in Albany, NY in March. The Consortium was sponsored by the New England Small Farm Institute of Massachusetts. The gathering allowed various service providers for agriculture in the Northeast to come together to identify both the needs of new and beginner farmers as well as their own needs for best servicing these farmers. Small and beginner farmers often have limited financial resources and lack knowledge and access to traditional agriculture assistance and networks. NH is fortunate to have Beginner Farmers, a project assisting small farmers.

BF is kicking off a new “farmer to farmer” network in Coos (pronounced Coe-ahss) County, the largest and most northern county in NH. Pat Bacon, originally the sole BF on our list, has been steadily outreaching to others. Each county network identifies training needs and addresses these through topical meetings and farm tours of both large agricultural producers and member’s farms. Welcome Coos!

BF is pleased to announce our sponsorship of the Northern New England Women’s Agricultural Network Conference in the Fall of 2001! We are a new sister program of WAgN and want to spotlight how women are a growing presence in farming in Northern New England.

BF was a participant at the Northeastern Heifer Project’s Strategic Planning gathering in New York City. Two days in NY was certainly a change from growing in NH, but it’s always good to get together with other farmers and Heifer staff. One of the highlights was visiting the oldest continuous Farmer’s Market, located in Union Square, in Manhattan. These special events accompany the day-to-day work of BF. Our search for further funding continues, as does our effort to expand our services. We are taking on two new Americorp volunteers. Members are discovering the benefits of cooperative efforts in sharing labor projects and marketing opportunities. Farm tours this summer with NOFA-NH will help those who are eager to access organic practices. Motorcycle Week marks the last week of Spring. A Happy & Prosperous Summer to our sister WagN members!

Happenings at the Women's Small Business Program
Women’s Small Business Program has Scholarships Available for Fall The WSBP has scholarship funds available for the fall Start-Up class. Whether you are looking to expand your business or get a new business started, Start-Up will give you the tools and the encouragement to achieve your goals. Start-Up is a 15-week course that teaches you to research and write a business plan. Along the way, you develop a greater understanding of marketing, financial management, business operations, and computer literacy. The instructors are experienced women business owners. The classroom environment is supportive and you have the chance to network with local lenders, technical assistance providers, and other business owners. Participants wishing to attend classes can apply for scholarships funds directly through WSBP.

Burlington Public Market Continues to Make Progress
In response to growing concerns and interest in the challenges faced by small-scale farms, a number of citizens, farmers, and agency representatives have been working to develop a more clear and direct route from farmer to consumer, that keeps most of the food dollar on the farm while providing farm-fresh, healthy, high-quality foods and specialty items to the consumer in an easy and affordable way. Hence the idea of the Burlington Public Market was born.

The vision of the Public Market is to create a permanent public space that would allow Vermont farmers, crafters, artists, small business owners, consumers, and residents to conduct local market activities. This will be a year-round establishment that would also include entertainment and educational events. Particularly important to the mission of the Public Market is accessibility to the broadest possible public; affordability to consumers and vendors; sustainability to increase local production of food and crafts; keeping the dollars in Vermont; diversity in the size, type, and mix of businesses and in the products offered; and participation by citizens, vendors, and community groups in the governance of the market.

The Pease Grain Tower on the Waterfront has been identified as a potential site for the market; however, the Burlington Public Market needs your input and support in order to be successful! If you are a farmer, other potential vendor or part of any ag-group, please write a letter of support. They are also looking for input from all other interested parties, including business owners and neighborhood residents. Please contact the Women’s Ag Network at 656-3276 or wagn@zoo.uvm.edu and we will help direct your contribution/suggestions to this very worthwhile endeavor. We look forward to hearing from you!

The North Country Farming Network Wants to Help You Clean Up! NCFN, a program with support from Heifer Project International and WAgN, is a network of 50 farmers and families in Northern Vermont working together to increase their income, nutrition, and quality of life through farming and sharing equipment, tools, and training/education. Eligible members may also receive gifts of high-quality livestock, which they would then donate the offspring to other members, thereby passing on the “gift.” Currently, NCFN is looking for donations of farm and gardening equipment, including beekeeping and poultry raising equipment, fencing, milking or trimming stands, shearing and milk/cheeseroom equipment, hand tools, or any other miscellaneous tools. Your donation may be tax-deductible. To find out more about NCFN or to make a donation, please call Lorraine at (802) 888-3572 or Kym at (802) 644-8024. Free pickup of donations can be arranged.

Now Available! New England Dairy/Meat Goat and Dairy Sheep Directory - Following on the heels of the Vermont Regional Dairy Goat and Sheep Directory, this expanded version of the directory includes producers, service providers, and resources for farming with dairy goats, dairy sheep and meat goats in VT, ME, MA, CT and RI. To order, send a check for $3, payable to UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture, UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture, 590 Main St., Burlington, VT 05405. For questions contact the Center at (802) 656-5459 or susagctr@zoo.uvm.edu.

WAgN Director Awarded New England Extension Consortium Planning Grant
The New England Extension Consortium, comprised of the Cooperative Extension Systems at the land grant colleges in the six New England states, awarded Mary Peabody, WAgN Director and UVM Extension Community Resource/ Economic Development Specialist $9,900 to conduct a cross-state training and instructor development for Growing Places, WAgN’s 6-part course that helps individuals interested in developing an ag-based business to do the planning necessary for success.

The project will be coordinated by Mary and will involve the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s WAgN program, as well as the New Hampshire Beginning Farmer Program. The aim of this project is to continue development and expand instructor training in all three states. In addition, an on-line version of the course will be developed.

Special New Program in Burlington Seeks Volunteers - The Intervale Foundation is pleased to announce the debut of Room to Grow, a program dedicated to combining the dual needs sustainable agriculture and food security in Burlington. Room to Grow utilizes the current resources of the Intervalefood, farms and knowledge, and brings them to community members in need. The program has two key components: first, families participate in a subsidized CSA program, and in return attend several educational workshops throughout the summer. Secondly, the program will be working with local non-profit agencies to provide produce to their clients, who will also attend educational workshops. Currently, Room to Grow has several volunteer opportunities. For more information on the program, or how you can contribute, please call Jennie Davis at (802) 660-0440.

So much information in just one place...check it out!
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA)
Since 1987, ATTRA has provided technical assistance to farmers, Extension agents, market gardeners, agricultural researchers, and other ag professionals on topics pertaining to sustainable farming production practices, alternative crop and livestock enterprises, and innovative marketing. In addition, they have prepared, FREE OF CHARGE, over 150,000 reports on all aspects of sustainable agriculture. Whether you call their toll-free number, (800) 346-9140, and speak with a program specialist, or visit their website at www.attra.org, this is a resource you don’t want to miss out on -- they have an incredible amount of information just waiting for you!

SARE Request for Proposals Issued
The Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Education program (SARE) recently released the call for proposals for their grant programs available to Northeast Farmers the Farmer/Grower Grant Program and the Sustainable Farmer Education Grants.
• Farmer/Grower Grant Program: The goal of this program is to develop, refine, and demonstrate new sustainable practices and explore innovative ideas developed by farmers across the region. Any farmer in the Northeast SARE region may apply. You do not need to be farming full-time, but your operation should have an established crop or animal product that you sell on a regular basis. Non-profit farms may apply, but the primary activity of the farm must be to produce and sell food under the kinds of economic constraints that affect commercial growers. The deadline is December 3, 2001.
• Sustainable Farmer Educator Grant Program: Three farmers will be selected serve as Sustainable Farmer Educators. These farmers will be proven experts in their field who have been sharing their experience and knowledge with others through meetings, conferences, workshops and field days; by phone, email and fax. One farmer each in the areas of grazing management for dairy cows, horticultural crops and agronomic crops, will be awarded up to $8,000 for their time and expenses to continue sharing their extensive experience in their field. This is a competitive program, with applications due by September 28, 2001. Awards will be made by the first of November.

For more information on either of these grant programs, or to receive an application, please visit the SARE website at www.sare.org; email to nesare@zoo.uvm.edu, or call the Northeast SARE office at (802) 656-4656.

The Vermont Tourism Data Center (VTDC)
For the past eight years, the Vermont Tourism Data Center has conducted research on the Vermont tourism industry. Research has focused on the Vermont Image, Natural and Cultural Attractions of Vermont, the Vermont Visitor, and Impact of tourism on Vermont’s Economy, Canadian Visitation, Advertising Effectiveness, Impressions of Vermont, Vermont Branding, Lodging Occupancy, and International Visitation. The information presented in these reports has been used to strengthen and improve the tourism industry in Vermont. Individuals from all sectors of the industry, the state Department of Tourism and Marketing, educators, and students alike have used this information to stimulate growth and development, improve marketing, develop business plans, and understand the role of tourism in Vermont. Many members of the Vermont tourism industry have contributed to these studies, making it possible to understand more about the intricacies of the tourism industry.

To share this information with members of the industry and make it more accessible, the Center has created a website which houses all of the Center’s reports, facts, and information. Visit the Vermont Tourism Data Center’s new website http://nature.snr.uvm.edu/vtdc -- to find all of the latest research reports, fact sheets, occupancy data, and publications on tourism in Vermont. All information and reports can be downloaded using Adobe Acrobat.

For further information, contact the Vermont Tourism Data Center, Siri Newman, 219B Aiken Center, Burlington, VT 05405; (802) 656-0623; snewman@nature.snr.uvm.edu.

Chainsaw Safety Around the Home and Farm
Chainsaws have become an increasingly popular tool among homeowners and farmers. For those of you looking to purchase a chainsaw, or have a saw that you do not know how to operate, there are some important guidelines to follow:

Bar length - One of the first things to consider when purchasing a chainsaw is the length of the bar (the metal piece the chain wraps around). Bar length between 8 and 12 inches is appropriate for light and occasional limbing or cutting very small logs and trees; bar length between 14 and 20 inches works best for more frequent cutting and felling of small trees. Bar length over 20 inches is usually intended for professional logging use and not recommended for consumers.

Gas or electric? The second thing to consider when buying a chainsaw is whether or not an electric or gas saw is best. So, what’s the difference? Electric-powered: Need source of electricity nearby; no fuel required; quieter; starts easily; can be used indoors; costs less; has potential for shock hazard. Gas-powered: Not limited by cord; relatively noisy; intended for outdoor use; available in many engine and guide-bar sizes.

Be a smooth operator! Before operating your saw, read and study the operator’s manual. If you buy a used saw, make sure the operator’s manual is included; if not, write to the manufacturer for a copy. Become familiar with the chainsaw before going out into the woods or beginning projects around the home. It is very important to learn the proper cutting techniques and how to plan a safe escape when cutting.

Dress safely! Clothes should not dangle; wear protective leg chaps and hard-soled boots; a hard hat, ear muffs/plugs and safety goggles/plastic shield to protect your head and face. Light-weight gloves will protect your hands.

Make sure your saw is well-prepared! Properly sharpened chain, clean air filter, good spark plug, correct chain tension, and proper lubrication will make the saw run better, longer and more safely.

Don’t forget the tool kit! Bring a tool kit with you on all projects that includes: chain oil, wrenches, screwdriver, file to sharpen chain, small wire brush, extra spark plugs, rags, supply of fuel and a first aid kit.

These are just a few of the many things to keep in mind when running a chainsaw. Please avoid a potentially harmful situation by educating yourself on the safe and appropriate use of your chainsaw thanks!

WAgN
Women's Agricultural Network
590 Main St., UVM
Burlington, VT  05405
(802) 656-3276
or wagn@zoo.uvm.edu

University of Vermont Extension and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, notional orgin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.