New Farmer Network

Join us for our New Farmer Meet ups.

Vital Communities is participating in a new project of the VT New Farmer Network (VT NFN). This statewide network has received a 3-year grant from the USDA/Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program to strengthen the collaboration among agricultural support services.

Valley Food & Farm will serve as a regional intake hub for services and provide coaching for new farmers seeking technical, business planning, financial, and legal assistance. We will also host curricula offered by VT NFN organizations. These may include:

UVM/WAgN's "Growing Places" and "From the Ground Up"
VT New Farmer Network's "Introduction to Farm Business Management"
Vermont Small Business Development Center's "Building a Sustainable Agricultural Business."

Beginning farmers encompass a wide range of individuals and farm businesses. They include farm apprentices who are learning about different farm operations, start-up operations, and farmers with up to 10 years of experience changing or adding enterprises. Both Vermont and New Hampshire farmers will be eligible for all services.