VPN's goal is to work cooperatively with farmers, other state and regional organizations, and agency personnel to promote and enhance successful grass-based livestock production throughout Vermont.
Started in 1996, Vermont Pasture Network (VPN) has been a collaboration between the Pasture Program at the UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI), the Vermont Grass Farmers' Association (VGFA), and UVM Extension.
Pasture Network Projects
The Vermont Pasture Network is administered by the Pasture Program at the UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture. A largely grant-funded program, the Pasture Program works with other partners in the network to develop research projects, deliver outreach and education, and provide technical support for individual farmers.
- Vermont Agricultural Resilience in a Changing Climate
- Bedded Pack Manure Management
- Reclaiming Marginal Pasture Land by Teaching Livestock to Become Weed Managers
- Biodiversity and Cattle Well Being
- Using Tillage Radish and Keyline Plowing to Address Pasture Compaction and Carbon Sequestration
- Leadership Participation within the Farm to Plate Network
Past Projects
- Vermont Swine Industry Development
- Energy Savings Through Holistic Planned Grazing and Management
- Improving Horse Pasture: Renovating High Traffic Areas
- Holistic Planned Grazing: A Northeast Professional Development Training Group in partnership with Troy Bishopp the Grass Whisperer. (see the Trampling Paradigms in Vermont and Darts R Us posts on the Pasture Blog for a sense of the project)
- Vermont Community Biomass Project
- Assessing Factors of Success on Grass-Based Farms, Jennifer Colby
Vermont Grazing & Livestock Conference
Each year, 350 farmers and agricultural resource providers from six Northeast states gather at this two-day winter conference devoted to profitability and sustainability for the region's livestock production. The event has traditionally taken place at the family-friendly Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT just off Interstate-91 — who raise animals on pasture, and the service providers that support them. Day One features deep-dive sessions devoted to especially important topics (in recent years ranging from agroforestry and silvopasture to direct marketing, slaughter and butchery, and soil science). Day Two is when keynote speakers present, and we offer a full complement of workshops to address the learning needs of both beginning and experienced farmers. Naturally, we serve grass-based Vermont-grown dairy and meat throughout the event!
UVM Extension Grazing Programming work across three teams throughout Vermont to be the go-to resource for all your grazing needs. Please visit our shared Grazing and Livestock Website for more information.
