For generations, dairy products and maple syrup have been the pillars of Vermont’s agricultural industry. However, changing markets and environmental conditions have threatened how Vermont farms operate. As farmers work to maintain the vitality and sustainability of their farms and businesses, many are adopting new and alternative crops such as hemp, soybeans, dry beans, and specialty grains, diversifying the state’s agricultural economy. 

Vermont farmers have long been problem-solvers. Innovation isn’t just a response to adversity; it’s a way of life. 

The University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program (NWCS) developed AgConnect to foster and guide this innovation. For yearsm, Professor Heather Darby, a UVM Extension agronomist and soil health specialist and the NWCS leader, has witnessed Vermont farmers’ constant innovation and in-the-field experimental design. Many other top agricultural universities already have on-farm research networks and related resources. Dr. Darby recognized that Vermont farmers could benefit from an online platform where they could suggest and join experiments, easily enter experiment data, and access results shared by other farmers. She began developing AgConnect to serve Vermont’s unique agricultural landscape.