Resources
There are a lot of people out there who can help you get to where you want to be. Following are links to a variety of organizations that have programs and services that may be useful to you.
| Vermont Housing & Conservation Board Farm Viability Program | The Vermont Farm Viability Enhancement Program provides farmers with business planning and technical assistance. Developed in collaboration with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, the Farm Viability Program is designed to strengthen the economic position of Vermont agriculture and to complement existing programs in farmland conservation. |
| Intervale Center Success on Farms Program |
Success on Farms (SOF) is a two-year business planning program that helps Vermont farm operations improve their viability. We work one-on-one with selected farmers throughout the state, providing specialized support and business planning assistance to help farmers expand their markets, increase revenues, and achieve other goals that are critical to keeping them in farming (for example, taking a vacation). The program seeks to enhance not just the profitability of the farms, but also their social and environmental sustainability. |
| University of Vermont Extension | Located throughout the state, University of Vermont Extension links you to UVM and provides timely, research-based information and education. We strive to educate individuals and families, strengthen communities, and support agriculture and the environment. The mission of University of Vermont Extension is to improve the quality of life of Vermonters by providing research-based educational programs and practical information concerning Vermont communities, families and homes, farms, businesses, and the natural environment. |
| Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education | SARE Provides Grants and Information to Improve Profitability, Stewardship and Quality of Life. |
| The Center for Sustainable Agriculture | The Center for Sustainable Agriculture was established in 1994 as a unit within the University of Vermont to integrate university and community expertise to promote sustainable farming systems throughout Vermont and the region. We operate as an integral part of University of Vermont Extension, collaborating with faculty and staff throughout the state. Our programs always involve farmers, the University, and other organizations. |
| The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont | NOFA VT is a non-profit association of farmers, gardeners and consumers working to promote an economically viable and ecologically sound Vermont food system for the benefit of current and future generations. |
| VT FEED | Vermont Food Education Every Day (VT FEED) is a Farm-to-School program with a community-based approach in a rural state through a collaboration of three Vermont non-profits: Food Works at Two Rivers, Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, and Shelburne Farms. |
| Women’s Agricultural Network | The Women’s Agricultural Network (WAgN) is a collaborative effort of the University of Vermont Extension System and the United States Department of Agriculture.Through a series of educational, technical assistance, and networking opportunities, WAgN works to increase the number of women owning and operating profitable farms and ag-related businesses, as well as their profile in leadership positions throughout the agricultural sectors of business, government and community. |
| Working Landscapes P.O. Box 233 Williamsburg, MA 01096 (413) 268-0077 berktgrp@ crocker.com Michael Lehan |
Michael Lehan and Jay Healy, founders of Working Landscapes, provide business planning services for the agricultural community. |
| VT Fresh Network | The Vermont Fresh Network builds innovative partnerships among farmers, chefs and consumers to strengthen Vermont’s agriculture. |
| Vermont Downtown Program | The Vermont Downtown Program was established in 1994 to provide technical assistance and training to communities and help them develop skills and strategies for their downtown revitalization efforts. The Program is an affiliate of the National Main Street Center, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which has worked in over 1,400 communities nationwide revitalizing and redeveloping “Main Streets. |
| VT Division for Historic Preservation | The Division for Historic Preservation is the public agency designated to be the advocate for historic and prehistoric properties in Vermont. It is the role of the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation to protect and preserve these links to our collective past. |
| Preservation Trust of Vermont | The Preservation Trust of Vermont is a charitable, nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to initiate, stimulate and assist local and statewide efforts to preserve and use Vermont’s rich collection of historic, architectural cultural and community resources. |
| John Merck Fund | One of John Merck Fund’s initiatives is Vermont Farmland Preservation. The Fund supports projects to preserve and nurture family farming in Vermont, a state in which the late Mr. and Mrs. George W. Merck had an abiding interest. It is becoming increasingly apparent that a successful cropland-protection program is but one ingredient needed to ensure long-term success. Vermont family farmers will need additional assistance to make their farms economically viable and environmentally sustainable over the long term. The Fund is committed to working with interested groups to build a brighter future for the state’s farm community, an integral component of Vermont’s economy and identity. |
| Castanea Foundation | The mission of the Castanea Foundation, Inc. is to conserve and protect agriculturally productive and environmentally significant lands and water resources throughout Vermont and select areas of New York. |
| Rural Vermont | Activates, advocates and educates for living soils, thriving farms, and healthy communities. |
| Vermont Economic Development Authority | Since 1974, Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has made over $1.3 billion in financing commitments to thousands of Vermont businesses and family farmers. |
| Farm Service Agency | The Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers and manages farm commodity, credit, conservation, disaster and loan programs as laid out by Congress through a network of federal, state and county offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of the agricultural industry and to help farmers adjust production to meet demand. Economically, the desired result of these programs is a steady price range for agricultural commodities for both farmers and consumers. |
| USDA Rural Development | Provides consultations, assistance and funding opportunities for, individuals and businesses located in rural communities. |
| VT Council on Rural Development | The Vermont Council on Rural Development helps Vermonters and Vermont communities develop their capacity to create a prosperous and sustainable future through coordination, collaboration, and the effective use of public and private resources. |
| Northeastern Vermont Development Association | Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) serves the 55 municipalities in this northeastern corner of Vermont as the Regional Planning Commission. We assist with regional and municipal land use and Transportation Planning. NVDA also serves the businesses in the Kingdom and encourages sustainable economic growth as the Regional Economic Development Corporation. |
| Highfields Institute | The Highfields Institute is working to develop regenerative food systems through preservation and improvement of Vermont’s agricultural soils, watersheds, and agricultural economies through on-farm composting, organic materials recycling and soil health programs. |
| VT Grass Farmers’ Association | The Vermont Grass Farmers’ Association was founded in 1996 with support from the UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture and USDA-NRCS. The VGFA helps farmers generate wealth from grass-based farming, provides leadership on grazing issues, and vision for the Center’s Vermont Pasture Network Program. |
| Vermont Small-Scale Renewable Energy Incentive Program | This Program provides grants to individuals, businesses, farms, schools, and municipalities for a portion of the cost of installing small-scale solar, wind, and hydropower systems. |
| Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund | Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) funds renewable energy and combined heat and power technologies that generate electricity and are grid-connected. |
| Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund | The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) believes that the State of Vermont can become a center for sustainable development and entrepreneurial innovation. VSJF helps to develop and support growing enterprises and business networks within natural resource based sectors through grant-making and targeted technical assistance. We do this by working with entrepreneurs and consumers to develop both the supply of and demand for goods and services that are sustainable, create quality jobs, and build on Vermont’s entrepreneurial heritage. |
| Vermont Small Business Development Center | VT SBDC’s mission is to strengthen existing business entities and assist start-ups with high-quality, no-cost counseling and affordable training programs. |
| New Hampshire Agricultural Innovation Program | New Hampshire Agricultural Innovation Program (NHAIP) focuses on increasing the business viability of beginning and transitioning small farms in New Hampshire. |
| Vital Communities | Vital Communities works to engage citizens in community life and to foster the long-term balance of cultural, economic, environmental and social well-being in our region. |
| Vermont Agency of Agriculture | VT Agency of Agriculture is a great source of information and direction. The agency is also home to several programs such as the VT Seal of Quality that may be useful to you. |
| Vermont Food Venture Center | The Vermont Food Venture Center (VFVC) is a shared-use kitchen incubator for value-added and specialty food producers who can rent the kitchen on an hourly basis or arrange for co-packing at the facility. Our staff provides a wide array of food and agricultural business consulting services to aspiring entrepreneurs, existing food businesses and organizations looking to promote food businesses as an economic development tool. |
| Vermont Sheep and Goat Association | VSGA’s mission is to support, improve and strengthen the Vermont sheep and goat community and its infrastructure. We invite you to join us in our efforts. |
| Vermont Beef Producers’ Association | Great source of info on the beef industry in Vermont. |
| Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers Assocation | The mission of the VV&BGA is to promote the economic, environmental and social sustainability of vegetable and berry farming in Vermont through education, promotion and communication among growers. |
| Microcredit-NH | MicroCredit-NH works with the self-employed and small businesses that have up to five employees—known as microenterprise owners. We provide access to loans, business training and networking opportunities to develop strong businesses and increase incomes. We are the only statewide provider of both loans and business training. MicroCredit-NH is a program of the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund. |
| Vermont Land Trust | The Vermont Land Trust is a nonprofit organization that works with individuals, organizations, and communities to conserve land for the future of Vermont. A major focus of VLT is to conserve working farms by acquiring the development rights, transferred through a land deed called a conservation easement. |
| New Hampshire Department of Agriculture Division of Agricultural Development | The Division of Agricultural Development works to bring producers and consumers together in the marketplace through promotional initiatives and marketing programs. These efforts include trade show opportunities, events, media and networking to encourage the development of agricultural businesses and strengthen the marketing environment for agricultural products. The division works closely with producer organizations to carry out joint industry promotions, and maintains frequent contact with the news media to help the public better understand the state’s agricultural industry |
| Small & Beginner Farmers of New Hampshire | Beginner Farmers of New Hampshire is a farmer to farmer network with the goals of connecting farmers and the community, sharing ideas and information, and accessing technical assistance and agricultural education. Our collaborative efforts help Small and Beginner Farmers achieve their goals, strengthen their communities, boost the agricultural industry and economy, and improve quality of life in New Hampshire. |
| New Hampshire Made | New Hampshire Made is the official statewide marketing organization whose mission is to increase the awareness of, and demand for, New Hampshire-made products and services through the power of a “New Hampshire’s Own” brand identity program. This program promotes the quality, variety and availability of these products and services statewide. |