University of Vermont Extension
Farmers face increasing challenges from the economy and the climate. They make decisions daily that impact their farms’ viability and the environment, and they have many questions. Farmers seek locally generated, science-based data on everything from seed selection to new technology.

What is AgConnect?

On-farm research fits the bill, but managing research opportunities, data collection, and results can be prohibitively time-consuming. Vermont’s On-Farm Research Network (OFRN) is creating AgConnect to streamline the process. 

What is AgConnect?

AgConnect is a free, user-friendly online platform that helps farmers and researchers collaborate to answer farmers’ questions. It combines project management, data entry, reporting, and more in one central spot. It also provides access to decades of research to empower farmers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to make decisions informed by local data.

AgConnect is in development and will, at first, serve just Vermont agriculture. However, it is designed to be nimble, widely accessible, and useful regionally and nationally. If you work in another field or state and are interested in AgConnect, please contact us!

Who Can Use AgConnect?

Who’s Creating AgConnect?

UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Team

The UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program (NWCS) aims to provide the best and most relevant cropping information, both research-based and experiential, delivered in the most practical and accessible ways to Vermont farmers and other stakeholders.

The Food Systems Research Institute at UVM

The Food Systems Research Institute (FSRI) at the University of Vermont funds collaborative research that puts people and the planet first, unites disciplines and communities, and explores complex questions about food systems.

GameTheory

GameTheory is a strategy and design company in Burlington, VT, that is helping make AgConnect a reality.

Collaborators

We’re collaborating with farmers and researchers in creating AgConnect. Four times in less than a year, we’ve collected their feedback on design and features, and we’ll continue to do so. 

What are people saying about AgConnect?

“A platform to log in and see local research outcomes is highly appealing.” --Farmer

“Excellent for UVM campus faculty who, unlike Extension staff, don't have much contact with farmers but need them to participate in research.” --Researcher

Stories

UVM Extension Agronomist Heather Darby Promotes Farmer-Led Research Platform at Leahy Institute Pitch Night

Microbots that remove microplastics from water, an initiative to reduce chronic absences in rural...

Creating Vermont's On-Farm Research Network

“What corn variety grows best in my soil type?” “What cover crop would help me meet my...

Additional Information

Data Privacy and Use

We are committed to protecting farmers’ privacy and anonymity and being completely transparent on data use. To ensure AgConnect’s value as a source of locally generated agricultural data, on-farm research results will be part of its database, but identifying information for each farm will be kept private. The team is currently collaborating with farmers and researchers to devise robust, thorough AgConnect data privacy and data use policies.

Funding

AgConnect is based upon work supported by the University of Vermont (UVM) Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships under USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Grant No. 2023-70500-38913. Funding has also come from the Food Systems Research Institute at UVM. We seek additional support to continue the work.

AgConnect Is in Development

Stay tuned for the latest!

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