We research leading-edge practices and new approaches that help farmers and other food system stakeholders who are seeking profitability, incorporating environmentally regenerative practices, and addressing social and community-based food-related needs.
We bring a food systems focus to Vermont agriculture by conducting research, supporting new projects and bringing a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach to the opportunities and challenges facing Vermont growers and agriculture-related businesses.
Areas of Research
Grass Farming & Livestock Production
Soil Health
Improved soil health helps protect water quality, increases profitability, helps sequester carbon, and increases a farm's resiliency to withstand extreme weather events. Healthy soil is the foundation of sustainable farming, and is a primary consideration in our research projects.
Though nearly all of our work is centered around soil health, the projects listed here have a particular soil health component:
- Pasture Management & Water Quality
- Enhancing Research & Education for Grass Farmers
- Increasing ecosystem services and climate change resilience on livestock farms.
- Connecticut River Watershed Assistance (Long Island Sound RCPP)
- Pollinator-Friendly Solar Resources
Recently completed projects:
Food Access & Food Security
Enhancing Food Security in the Northeast through Regional Food Systems
- Understanding Food Security among Resettled Refugee Families
- Extending the Season for Vermont's Resettled Refugee Farmers and Gardeners
Completed research and projects:
Agricultural Water Quality & Quantity
- Dairy Net Zero Project
- Conservation Effects Assessment Program
- Connecticut River Watershed Assistance (Regional Conservation Partnership Program)
- Researching Tile Drainage Systems through Edge of Field Monitoring
- Increasing Ecosystem Services & Climate Change Resilience
- Designing variable-width filter strips on Vermont fields using the AgBufferBuilder ArcGIS tool
- Demonstrating effects of biological and mechanical compaction best management practices on soil properties and water movement
Market Research & Enterprise Viability
- Investigating Vermont Wool as a Material for Building & Other Industrial Uses
- Economic Case Studies of Climate Adaptation Practices
- Milkweed as an Alternative Crop for Climate Adaptation
Recently completed projects
Land Access
We are here to help new and existing farmers find the land they need to sustainably grow crops and raise livestock while achieving financial viability.
Recently completed projects in this area:
- Launch of the newly improved New England Farmland Finder website to improve regional access to farmland
- The New Farmer Project, originally a project of the Center is now a vibrant and active stand-alone program within UVM Extension.
Farming & Climate Change Research
Our current Farming & Climate Change Research projects include:
- Economic Case Studies of Climate Adaptation Practices
- Increasing Ecosystem Services & Climate Change Resilience
- Designing variable-width filter strips on Vermont fields using the AgBufferBuilder ArcGIS tool
- Demonstrating effects of biological and mechanical compaction best management practices on soil properties and water movement
Collaborations with UVM Academic Colleagues
- Novel Tuberous Legume Crops for Vermont (partnership with Plant & Soil Sciences associate professor Eric Bishop-von Wettberg
- Solar-Friendly Grazing Resources (partnership with Gund Institute post-doc researcher Matthew Burke)
- Pollinator-Friendly Solar Resources (partnership with Gund Institute post-doc researcher Matthew Burke)
Social Components of Sustainability
We have a special interest in understanding how community structures and relationships are part of lasting, vibrant farm and food systems. Current and recent work in this area includes:
- The Who Farms? project.
- New American Farmer Project
