Posts by Rachel Carter
Farm Succession Planning in Vermont Shines Light for a New Generation of Farmers “I want to die with my boots on,” a New England farmer stated in a focus group held by the American Farmland Trust and Land For Good, to study U.S. Census of Agriculture data on retiring farmers and future plans for the…
Read MoreRiparian buffers prevent erosion, improve water quality, and build the resiliency of native habitats. Native trees and shrubs intertwine with one another, keeping 350-acres of flood plain intact along the banks of the Winooski River, best known as the Intervale. Located within the city limits of Vermont’s urban metropolis (42,000), Burlington boasts a solid urban…
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Local food is trending, but a regional food vision is what will re-localize our food system and agricultural economy—regional food that can be purchased at the grocery store Farmers and food businesses operate at different scales and sell products to all types of markets. With more than 33 million potential customers in New England and…
Read MoreFood safety planning tips from Vermont for new farmers and a refresher for all Water supply, soil quality, harvesting procedures, and adding livestock are early stage considerations in developing a small farm. Often some of the most appealing in agricultural planning due to the concrete nature of their applications can cause food contamination and other…
Read MoreWhen does it make sense to incorporate pig farming into small scale farm diversification? Meat is hot in Vermont and pig farming is one of the most popular options to diversify small scale farm operations. A component of Vermont’s Farm to Plate Initiative (statewide plan to double local food production and consumption by 2020) has…
Read MoreStrengthening the landowner-farmer relationship with leasing and stewardship. Sustainability, simply stated, is the capacity to endure. But the high cost of land in Vermont, combined with the financial challenges of owning land, are threatening the sustainability of local agriculture. According to Vermont’s Farm to Plate Strategic Plan to strengthen the food system, “Affordable access to…
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Drawing the connection between diversified agriculture, renewable energy, and food production in Vermont Farmers across New England want to diversify operations, lower fuel and feed costs, and be more self-sufficient. Momentum is gaining for raising oilseed crops like sunflowers, canola, and soybeans to make biodiesel for fuel and oilseed meal for livestock feed, in addition…
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Vermont’s Farm to Plate Network offers farmer and producer examples of navigating the regional supply food chain to serve ‘local’ at institutions. School, hospitals, colleges, government agencies, and corporations are demanding food grown and produced in New England. Farmers interested in selling to hospitals, schools, and other organizations are following the food supply chain…
Read MoreVermont Farm to Plate (F2P) Network unifies business, government & non-profits to scale up local food production & consumption by 2020 The Vermont Farm to Plate (F2P) Network is relocalizing food production and distribution in a statewide collaborative effort to rebalance the food system. A network of over 160 organizations encompassing all types and scales…
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