Farmland Access and Stewardship

John Adams

John.E.AdamsREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
(802) 828-0162

Economic Development Specialist
Vermont Department of Economic Development
accd.vermont.gov/business
1 National Life Drive
Deane C. Davis Building
Montpelier VT, 05620

Carolyn Alves

Caroline.AlvesREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vt.usda.gov
(802) 951-6796 x239

Soil Scientist/GIS Specialist
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
vt.nrcs.usda.gov
1153 South Brownell Road, Ste 35
Williston VT, 05495

Juan Alvez

jalvezREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 656-6116

Pasture Program Technical Coordinator
UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture
uvm.edu/~susagctr
23 Mansfield Avenue
Burlington VT, 05446

I help farmers to take informed decisions about intensive grazing management

Jill Arace

jill.araceREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vacd.org
(802) 496-5162


Vermont Association of Conservation Districts
vacd.org
P.O. Box 566
Waitsfield VT, 05673

Jill has nearly thirty years of non-profit management and sustainable development experience, mostly overseas. She lived and worked in Thailand and Cambodia for eleven years, managing relief and development programs for several organizations, including the American Friends Service Committee and Oxfam. She returned to the US to attend graduate school, where she earned two masters degrees – one in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, and the other in Economics from Boston University. After graduate school, Jill moved to one of her favorite places – Vermont – where she worked for eleven years at the Institute for Sustainable Communities managing civic participation and sustainable development programs in Central and Eastern Europe and Russia, including community-based environmental action planning, school-based conservation education, environmental management training, watershed planning, solid waste management, energy efficiency, sustainable forestry, agricultural production, food security, and grassroots citizen initiatives. After she stopped traveling around the world, Jill began learning more about conservation and community development in Vermont and in the beautiful Mad River Valley, where she lives and facilitates sustainable agriculture initiatives. Jill is particularly interested in supporting local food production and building bridges between different segments of the community. When she's not busy organizing something, you may find Jill digging in her garden, walking the back roads of Vermont, practicing energy healing, or singing in a chorus.

Alexander Arroyo

alexander.s.arroyoREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(619) 417-4470

Owner/Farmer
Fuller Mountain Farm
fullermountainfarm.com
1411 Fuller Mountain Road
North Ferrisburgh VT, 05473

Alex Arroyo of Fuller Mountain Farm in North Ferrisburgh! My retired mother and I are transforming 8 acres of beautiful land into a food forest and dynamic silvopastural system, also growing market herbs and flowers. I'm passionate about ecology and a holistic approach to growing food and raising animals.

Andrew Bahrenburg

andrewREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@ruralvermont.org

Hillary Bailey

hillaryREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@salvationfarms.org


Salvation Farms
salvationfarms.org
PO Box 1174
49 Portland Street
Morrisville VT, 05661

Born and raised in the Granite State, Hillary is thrilled to begin her adventure here in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Hillary has a BA in Post-Colonial Literature and Creative Writing from Keene State College. After college, she spent a year as a disaster relief specialist with AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps, and a second year as the Operations VISTA at the NH Food Bank. Her experiences with these AmeriCorps programs, combined with her upbringing on a small farm in central NH, brought her true passion to the forefront of her mind: the food system. Hillary has spent her professional life working on small farms and with non-profit organizations to build connections between food producers and those who are food insecure. She is excited to get to work here in Vermont, helping Salvation Farms build systems to connect farmers and food producers with the institutions and consumers who struggle with food access. When she is not working, Hillary can be found in her gardens, reading, or wandering around VT with her partner and their dog.

Charlie Baker

cbakerREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@ccrpcvt.org
(802) 846-4490 x17

Executive Director
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission
ccrpcvt.org
110 West Canal Street
Suite 202
Winooski VT, 05404

Michael Bald

choosewiselyvtREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
802-763-8260

Founder
Got Weeds?
choosewiselyvt.wordpress.com
4290 VT Rte 14
Royalton Vermont, 05068

Founder of Got Weeds?, offering non-chemical invasive species control for organic farmers, growers, and landowners. Services include consultations and planning for management of terrestrial invasive species. Control work focuses on rehabilitating sites over the long term, encouraging the return of native species as the exotics are removed. Very much unforeseen was the evolution of the company to specialize in dangerous plants like wild parsnip. But evolution is a good thing, so I go with it. Available to present at workshops and training events, although availability is a lot tighter in the growing season. Live and work out of Royalton, tinkering with the idea of growing herbs on a larger scale.

Donna Barlow Casey

MorelifeinitREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@comcast.net
802-279-4711

Eric Becker

ericREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@cleanyield.com
(802) 526-2525

Chief Investment Officer
Clean Yield Asset Management
16 Beaver Meadow Road
Norwich VT, 05055


Slow Money Vermont
c/o 3 Pitkin Ct.
Suite 301E
Montpelier Vermont, 05602

Isaac Bissell

ISAACREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@VLT.ORG
(802) 262-1219

Reem Bou-Nacklie

rbounackREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 363-5812

Senior at the University of Vermont, majoring in Dietetics, Nutrition and Food Science. Current student intern at the Vermont Food Bank.

Athena Bradley

athenaREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@nerc.org

Projects Manager
Northeast Recycling Council
nerc.org
139 Main St. Ste 401
Brattleboro Vermont, 05301

Dan and Laurie Brooks

waywardgoosefarmREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
607-337-0549

owner
Wayward Goose Farm
waywardgoosefarm.com
1035 VT-153
West Pawlet Vermont, 05775

We are Dan and Laurie Brooks of Wayward Goose Farm which was established in 2011 in West Pawlet, VT. We are a small, grass based, raw milk dairy. We milk 25-30 jersey cows and bottle our fresh milk to sell in our farm store. We were awarded the 2013 VT Sustainable Farm of the Year by NOFA VT and the VT Agency of Ag. All of our practices are non certified organic, with soil health being the cornerstone of our farm. We rotationally graze our herd and feed dry hay through the winter. Originally established to produce milk for a neighboring raw milk cheese maker, we lost our market suddenly when they closed their plant due to in house problems. We are currently selling our high component, high quality raw cheese milk to a commodity buyer while we try to secure a more equitable market, and are in "austerity mode" to save operating expenses. Dan is a fifth generation dairy farmer, having grown up on his family's original farm in South New Berlin, NY. Laurie is an artist and together they have 4 grown children.

Megan Browning

meganbrowningREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com

After several years of experience on production vegetable farms in the Boston area, I moved to VT to complete a year long Education Residency at Shelburne Farms. In this role I taught farm and forest based school programs and summer camps. In February 2015 I was hired by Basin Harbor Club to start and manage a small vegetable farm on their property to supply produce to their on-site restaurants. After moving on from Basin Harbor I took a position as the Winter Conference Coordinator at NOFA-VT, and outside of Winter Conference season I work as the Harvest Manager at Burnt Rock Farm in Huntington, VT. I am also working toward a Master's in Leadership for Sustainability at UVM.

Greta Brunswick

gbrunswickREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@nrpcvt.com
(802) 524-5958

Land Use Planner
Northwest Regional Planning Commission
nrpcvt.com
155 Lake Street
St. Albans VT, 05478

Leonard (Len) Bull

homebullREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@aol.com
(802) 453-7927

Emeritus Professor of Animal Science, NCState University
Vermont Agriculture and Forestry Development Board
vermontworkinglands.com/vafpdb.html
116 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05620

1. Member and Chair, Vt Ag and Forest Products Development Board 2. National Institute for Animal Agriculture (past Chair) 3. Diplomacy Matters, LLC (linking embassies with ag markets) (Vice Chair) 4. Consultant on animal production and agricultural/environmental issues 5. Vermont Farm Bureau (member)

Nicole Burke

goldenwellapiariesREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(201) 314-4636

owner farmer beekeeper
Golden Well Farm
goldenwellapiaries.com
1089 River Road
New Haven Vermont, 05472


Addison County Relocalization Network (ACORN)
acornvt.org
P.O. Box 65
Middlebury VT, 05753

Golden Well Farm & Apiaries is located in New Haven Vermont, just a few miles North of the town of Middlebury. We are part of a larger 175 acre farm, though we are only farming about 2 acres of it mostly for veggie production. We never use chemicals and are currently trying adapt more permaculture and bio-intensive practices. In addition to veggies we also keep bees, and grow flowers and forage for our bees. We offer CSA shares, sell at farmer's markets and to local restaurants and donate to the local food shelf. http://goldenwellapiaries.com/

Pamela Burlingame

pamelaREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vlt.org
802-345-0366


Vermont Land Trust
vlt.org
8 Bailey Avenue
Montpelier VT, 05602

Pam is a VLT Regional Stewardship Manager for southwestern Vermont, where she works with owners of conserved land and also participates in VLT's Farmland Access Program. Homebase and office in Poultney.

Stacy Burnstein

stacyburnsteinREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@comcast.net
(802) 225-1180

Land Access Specialist
Intervale Center
intervale.org
180 Intervale Road
Burlington VT, 05401

Alex Buskey

therangervtREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
802-281-2438

Outreach Coordinator
Alliance for Vermont Communities
alliancevermont.org
168 Monarch Hill Rd
Tunbridge Vermont, 05077

The mission of Alliance for Vermont Communities (AVC) is to protect working farms, forests and communities of central Vermont and to promote responsible development that will sustain the rural heritage and values for present and future generations.

Cat Buxton

catduffybuxtonREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
802-359-3330

Owner. Consultant, Advocate, Teacher
Grow More, Waste Less | Food Systems Consulting, LLC
growmorewasteless.com
135 Star Mountain Road
Sharon VT, 05065

Cat Buxton is a busy cross-pollinator. She’s the founding director of the Vermont Healthy Soils Coalition. A social entrepreneur, she runs Grow More, Waste Less, in Sharon VT, empowering and connecting communities to affect positive change from the ground up. She manages the edible schoolyard at Thetford Elementary School, weaving it into K-6 project based learning, and is a technical guide for community compost systems. She’s the coordinator for Upper Valley Apple Corps and a host of other projects. She loves to talk bugs, soil and plants. She consults and presents about building community resilience, soil health, composting, water catchment, landscape planning, monitoring landscape function and increasing biodiversity.

Genevieve Byrne

gbyrneREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermontlaw.edu


Vermont Law School
166 Chelsea Street
South Royalton VT, 05068

Erica Campbell

erica_campbellREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@sanders.senate.gov

Policy & Outreach Staff - Agriculture, food, rural dev. & transportation
Office of Senator Bernie Sanders
1 Church St, 3rd Floor
Burlington Vermont, 05401

Office on Senator Bernie Sanders--agriculture, nutrition, rural development & transportation policy

Michele Capron

lavenderessentialsofvtREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 323-3590

owner
Lavender Essentials of Vermont
Lavender-Essentials.com
2103 Herrick Road
Derby VERMONT, 05829

Lavender Essentials of Vermont is a unique agritourism destination in Derby, Vermont. It all started with a romantic vision of farming, love and lavender. The lavender came first, then the addition of chamomile and mint spiced up the farm. Sunflowers, herbs, and vegetables were soon to follow. We offer you-pick for most of our crops, allowing guests to interact with farm, appreciating the warm sun and rich earth that plants thrive on. Health and wellness, along with organic farming practices are vital to success and sustainability of Lavender Essentials. Members of the Vermont Walking Trails Network, guests stroll along the paths reading informational placards, while enjoying the spectacular views. The Lavender Labyrinth invites you to walk it's path, and let go of all your negativity, while taking in the positivity the farm has to offer. Whether you come for the lavender, the view, camping or exclusive private experiences, you will be welcomed like family. You are invited to relax, breathe in the air, feel the sun on your face, smell the lavender, taste the mint, and stay awhile.

Annalise Carington

annaliseREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@intervale.org


Intervale Center
intervale.org
180 Intervale Road
Burlington VT, 05401

In partnership with the Intervale Center and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, I work with private landowners in Vermont to plan, implement, and steward habitat restoration projects. Specific to the Intervale Center, I act as a consultant to farmers working on water quality and land management projects on their farms.

Annalise Carington

annalise.caringtonREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vt.nacdnet.net


Vermont Association of Conservation Districts
vacd.org
P.O. Box 566
Waitsfield VT, 05673

I am a recent graduate of Middlebury College working as a Conservation Planner for VACD. Funded through the Lake Champlain RCPP, I write conservation plans, with a focus on water quality, for farms that are conserved or are in the process of being conserved in the South Lake priority watershed. As well, I work with South Lake partners to implement Best Management Practices on farms in the watershed. I love that my work is partnership driven (VLT, VHCB, NRCS, DEC, VAAFM, UVM Ext. and beyond) and I know that strengthening these partnerships will be critical to accomplishing our goals in the state.

Jeff Carter

jeff.carterREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 388-4969 x332

Agronomy Specialist
University of Vermont Extension (Middlebury)
uvm.edu/extension
68 Catamount Park
Suite C
Middlebury VT, 05753

Julia Cavicchi

juliaREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@richearthinstitute.org
(240) 888-0209

Education Director
Rich Earth Institute
richearthinstitute.org
355 Old Ferry Road
Brattleboro Vermont, 05301

I am the Education Director at the Rich Earth Institute, where we reclaim human urine as a sustainable fertilizer for local farms.

Karin Chamberlain

karinREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@cleanyield.com
802-526-2525


Clean Yield Asset Management
16 Beaver Meadow Road
Norwich VT, 05055

Jake Claro

JakeREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vsjf.org
(802) 828-5669

Farm to Plate Program Director
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
vsjf.org
3 Pitkin Court
Suite 301E
Montpelier VT, 05602

Gina Clithero

gina.clitheroREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
802-585-6225


Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
vermontagriculture.com
116 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05620

Gina is an Agriculture Development Specialist at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets. She manages the Vermont Produce Safety Improvement Grant Program and the Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

Cris Coffin

crisREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@landforgood.org
413-695-4653


Land for Good
landforgood.org
39 Central Square, Suite 306
Keene NH, 03431

I'm the Policy Director for Land For Good, an organization working across New England to gain ground for farmers.

Jennifer Colby

jcolbyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 656-0858

Outreach Coordinator
Vermont Grass Farmers Association
vtgrassfarmers.org
327 US Route 302, Suite 2
Barre Vermont, 05641


UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture
uvm.edu/~susagctr
23 Mansfield Avenue
Burlington VT, 05446

Jenn is a diversified meat livestock farmer, competitive barbecuer, UVM Extension professional, and self-described Communitarian. She lives and farms in Central Vermont, and delivers education and outreach to grass-based and livestock farmers statewide. - See more at: http://onpasture.com/2014/06/09/sweet-swine-success-2/#sthash.hdWDxH6C.dpuf

Sarah Coleman

scolemanREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu

Research Assistant
UVM Research on Adaptation to Climate Change (RACC) EPSCoR
uvm.edu/~epscor/new02/?q=node/30
23 Mansfield Avenue
Burlington Vermont, 05401

Abe Collins

abenewsoilREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 782-1883

Founder
Collins Grazing
20 W. Canal Street
#133
Winooski Vermont, 05404

Abe is the founder of Collins Grazing and LandStream, a founding board member of the Soil Carbon Coalition, and a board member of the Grassfed Exchange.

Program Coordinator

infoREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vsjf.org
802-828-5670

Office Manager & Program Coordinator
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
vsjf.org
3 Pitkin Court
Suite 301E
Montpelier VT, 05602

Katy Crumley

katyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@bccdvt.org
(802) 442-2275

District Manager
Bennington County Conservation District
bccdvt.org
310 Main St.
Bennington Vermont, 05201

District Manager for the Bennington County Natural Resources Conservation District

Ollie Cultrara

ollie.cultraraREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov


Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
vermontagriculture.com
116 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05620

Michael Cyr

michaelREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@skinnypancake.com
802-540-0131

Marketing Coordinator
Skinny Pancake BTV
skinnypancake.com
1200 Airport Drive
South Burlington Vermont, 05403


Skinny Pancake
skinnypancake.com
60 Lake Street
Suite 1A
Burlington VT, 05401


Skinny Pancake-Montpelier
skinnypancake.com
89 Main Street
Montpelier VT, 05602


The Chubby Muffin
thechubbymuffin.com
88 Oak Street
Burlington VT, 05401

Sarah Danly

sarahREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vsjf.org
(802) 828-3745

Farm to Plate Network Manager
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
vsjf.org
3 Pitkin Court
Suite 301E
Montpelier VT, 05602

Silene DeCiucies

lccd.agoutreachREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
802-595-2872

Agriculture Outreach Coordinator
Lamoille County Conservation District
lcnrcd.com
109 Professional Drive
Morrisville Vermont, 05661

Silene works for the Lamoille County Conservation District as their liaison for all things Agriculture! She works with farmers on nutrient management planing and accessing financial resources, and provides technical assistance concerning crop and soil health, farm viability, grant seeking, and whatever projects farmers are interested in. She is excited to build up Lamoille County's community involvement in their agricultural landscape and in doing so keep their beautiful small farms thriving and resilient far into the future.

Alexander DePillis

Alex.DePillisREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov


Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
vermontagriculture.com
116 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05620

Alex is the energy specialist with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets

Laura DiPietro

laura.dipietroREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
(802) 828-1289

ARM Deputy Director
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
vermontagriculture.com
116 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05620

Catherine Dimitruk

cdimitrukREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@nrpcvt.com
(802) 524-5958

Executive Director
Northwest Regional Planning Commission
nrpcvt.com
155 Lake Street
St. Albans VT, 05478

Sally Dodge

sallydodgeREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@comcast.net
802 233-2498

Northeast Community Development Manager
Iroquois Valley Farms LLC
iroquoisvalleyfarms.com
355 Lathrop Lane
Manchester Vermont, 05255

Sally serves as Northeast Community Development manager for Iroquois Valley Farms across the Northeastern U.S (New York and New England states),developing economic lease structures, and creating a sustainable farmland succession plan for retiring farmers or exiting landowners. Sally has been instrumental in promoting small, diversified farms in Vermont, and has strengthened the link between small farmers, restaurants, and direct farm sales through farmers' markets and CSAs. She manages her family's farm in Pownal, Vermont, where she promotes organic farming and local foods through active support of her farm tenants. She recently served with Land For Good to publish A Landowners Guide to Leasing Land for Farming. Sally served for many years on the board of the Vermont Land Trust, where she took part in moving the organization toward supporting small diversified farmers and farm acquisition programs. She serves on the board of the Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation, is an owner of The Mountain Goat, an outdoor outfitting store in Manchester, Vermont; and runs the Vermont Lamb Company, an organic sheep operation. She lives in Manchester, Vermont, with her husband, Dale Guldbrandsen, who also works with Iroquois Valley Farms.

Kari Dolan

kari.dolanREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
(802) 490-6113

Program Manager
Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
vtwaterquality.org/erp.htm
1 National Life Drive
Main 2
Montpelier VT, 05620

Maggie Donin

maggieREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vlt.org


Vermont Land Trust
vlt.org
8 Bailey Avenue
Montpelier VT, 05602

Director of Farmland Access Program

Maggie Donin

maggieREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@intervale.org
(802) 660-0440 x116

I am the Beginning Farmer Specialist at the Intervale Center. I run our Farms Program, incubating new farm businesses by offering land, infrastructure and support. I also do new farmer business planning and coaching all over the state through the New Farmer Project.

Chris Doolan

chrisREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@doolan.net

Owner
Doolan Fence
doolanfence.com
2742 Rte 5 South
Barnet Vermont, 05821

Johanna Doren

johannadorenREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermontlaw.edu
(484) 459-2704

Vicky Drew

Vicky.DrewREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vt.usda.gov
(802) 951-6796 x242

State Conservationist
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
vt.nrcs.usda.gov
356 Mountain View Drive
Suite 105
Colchester VT, 05446

NRCS offers technical and financial assistance to farmers and forest landowners for conservation improvements on their land, which includes (but is not limited to) waste storage, silage leachate, grazing management, protecting streams and other waters, hoop houses, irrigation improvements, soil erosion concerns on farm and forest roads and landings.

Kerry Drown

farmerREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@markandkerrysfarm.com
802-461-8214

owner
Mark & Kerry's Farm
markandkerrysfarm.com
1275 Chesley Hill Road
Sheffield Vermont, 05866-0066

Mark & Kerry's Farm is on a mission...as a well-diversified and community-focused farm business this is where nutritious, highest-quality foods are produced in an organic and responsible manner; Where land is used wisely and conserved accordingly; Where food and textile-producing animals are raised using the most natural and humane techniques possible; and where every opportunity is taken to contribute to the community by growing food that is economically attainable by the vast majority of our neighbors. Mark and Kerry are now strangers to farming.. Mark spent his teen-aged years working for relatives' dairy farms while Kerry spent her high school career working on one large dairy farm as an assistant. As an adult, she has owned her own certified organic produce and poultry farm business with a 46 member CSA, spent three years producing thousands of bales of hay as part of her farm business, was the general manager of a large garden center, and most recently has worked for both a certified organic highly intensive Vermont vegetable farm as a farm assistant and mentee, and a local dairy and nationally recognized farmstead cheese producer where she worked as the afternoon milker and has assisted in the cheese making process.

Nicole Duch

compostingvermontREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com


Composting Association of Vermont
compostingvermont.org
481 Kettle Farm Road
Westfield VT, 05874

My passions include growing healthy food & soil, being a good land steward, and walks in the woods. I have worked on a variety of farms, run my own market garden, and do special projects for the Composting Association of Vermont.

Chris Dutton

cduttonREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vtc.edu

Director for the Institute for Applied Agriculture and Food Systems
Vermont Tech
vtc.edu
124 Main Street
Randolph VT, 05061

Katherine Elmer

katewREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vtherbcenter.org
(802) 870-0982

Food Systems Research Specialist
UVM Community Development and Applied Economics (CDAE)
uvm.edu/cdae
146 University Place
Morrill Hall
Burlington VT, 05405

Katherine Elmer, MS grew up in the green hills of Central Vermont and revels in the opportunity to connect with clients around a shared love of place and nature through whole foods nutrition and herbal medicine. She is a clinically-trained community herbalist and faculty member at the University of Vermont focusing on Herbal Medicine, Integrative Health and Food Systems topics. She serves on the UVM Medical Center Program in Integrative Health. She has a Master's in Natural Resources from UVM and has completed clinical training through the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism. She manages medicinal plant gardens on UVM campus and is the faculty advisor for the UVM student Herb Club. She also teaches regular community classes and herb walks in the Burlington area. She is co-founder of the Burlington Herb Clinic (btvherbclinic.com), the RAILYARD Healing Center (raiyardapothecary.com), and an educational organization called Spoonful Herbals (spoonfulherbals.org) which offers a local Herbal CSA share program, a Community Herbalism Apprenticeship, and organizes medicinal plant gleaning events (“Herb Mobs”) on area organic farms and public green spaces.

Suzanne & Rick Enser

raggedorchidfarmREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 234-7230

Proprietor, Farmer, Conservation Biologist
Ragged Orchid Farm VT
9393 VT Route 12
Barnard Vermont, 05031

Ragged Orchid Farm propagates medicinal and culinary herbs, and native plants for pollinator gardens and other conservation projects to enhance biodiversity. We also have a small herd of dairy goats and heritage breed chickens. All plants are organically grown, and all livestock are fed organic feed and have access to graze throughout the day.

Dan Erickson

dericksonREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 656-2630

Erik Esselstyn

erikessREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@comcast.net
(802) 432-8930


Donella Meadows Institute
donellameadows.org
2 Beaver Meadow Road
Norwich VT, 05055

Joshua Faulkner

joshua.faulknerREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
802-656-3495

Farming and Climate Change Program Coordinator
UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture
uvm.edu/~susagctr
23 Mansfield Avenue
Burlington VT, 05446

Farming and Climate Change Program Coordinator

Stephen Fortmann

stevefortmannREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@mac.com
(802) 472-3634

Farmer
Ghost Dog Dairy
ghostdogdairy.com
269 Hunter Lane
Hardwick Vermont, 05843

Goat and garlic farmer

Taylar Foster

taylarfosterREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@yahoo.com
802.586.2882


Pete's Greens
petesgreens.com
266 South Craftsbury Road
Craftsbury VT, 05826

I have been with the Farmland Access and Stewardship Working Group since 2012.

Robert Foster

rfosterREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmavt.net
(802) 388-1137

President
Foster Brothers Farm/Vermont Natural Ag Products
vermontnaturalagproducts.com
297 Lower Foote Street
Middlebury VT, 05753

Producer, recycler, small power producer, soil amendment producer, conservationist, UVM CALS Board, 25x25, Agri-Mark/Cabot Board, Dairy Managment Sustainability Council and Task Force

Nicholas Gambill

ntgambillREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 917-1333

Executive Director
Salvation Suppers
salvationsuppers.org
64 Main Street
Burlington VT, 05401

Mike Ghia

mikeREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@landforgood.org
(603) 357 1600


Land for Good
landforgood.org
39 Central Square, Suite 306
Keene NH, 03431

Roberta Gillott

CrookedMileCheeseREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 748-8796

Cheese Maker/ Owner
Crooked Mile Cheese
CrookedMileCheese.com
4962 Old Country Rd.
Waterford Vermont, 05819

We are a family-run micro-dairy goat farm in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom and our belief is that a delicious cheese will be produced with quality milk from animals that are raised in a healthy and happy environment.

Liz Gleason

lizREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vhcb.org
(802) 828-3370

Program Assistant
Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program
vhcb.org/viability
VT Housing & Conservation Board
58 East State Street
Montpelier VT, 05602

Liz has worked for the Vermont Farm Viability Program since 2010, coordinating business planning, grants, and program evaluation. She has a BA in Political Science and Environmental Studies from Williams College, and fills her free time trail running, baking, and rock climbing.

Ashley Green

ashleyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@nofavt.org
(802)434-3821 x18


Vermont Organic Farmers, LLC
nofavt.org
14 Pleasant Street
PO Box 697
Richmond Vermont, 05477

Dairy & Livestock Certification Specialist

Kimberly Hagen

kimberly.hagenREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 656-3834

Grazing Specialist
UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture
uvm.edu/~susagctr
23 Mansfield Avenue
Burlington VT, 05446

I provide technical assistance to Vermont farmers to transition or improve their grazing practices on their farms.

Mara Hearst

maraREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@rutlandfarmandfood.org
802.233.1661

Farmer Advisor at Rutland Area Farm and Food Link, as of December 5, 2016.

Matthew Hoffman

mdh32REMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@cornell.edu
802-380-7885


New York University
411 Lafayette Street, 5th Floor
New York New York, 10003

I grew up in rural upstate New York and moved to Vermont when I was in college. Throughout my 20s I worked on a variety of different farms, completed the apprenticeship in ecological horticulture at UC Santa Cruz, and farmed for myself for a few years on a rented farm. At 29 I began a graduate program in rural development. While working on my dissertation I fixed up an old farm in southeastern Vermont, but have not yet begun farming there in earnest. For the past two years I have been a visiting faculty member at New York University, where I teach about food systems. This spring I will be a visiting researcher at the Center for Rural Research in Norway. I am eager to settle back in Vermont and to get involved with all the good work that is going on building sustainable food systems here.

Beth Holtzman

beth.holtzmanREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 223-2389

Coordinator
Vermont New Farmer Project (UVM Extension)
uvm.edu/newfarmer
327 US Route 302
Berlin VT, 05641

Coordinator
Women's Agricultural Network (UVM Extension)
uvm.edu/wagn
327 US Route 302
Berlin VT, 05641

I provide outreach, education and technical assistance to aspiring and beginning farmers.

Angela Hooker

valleybrookfarmvtREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 676-4646

Owner
Valley Brook Farm
valleybrookfarmvt.com
64 Hall Rd
Maidstone VT, 05905

We are a small family farm in northern VT. We raise Registered Tunis Sheep, Registered Berkshire pigs, laying hens, broiler chickens, and Turkey's for fall. The guiding principles of our farm are to produce amazing naturally raised meat products at an affordable price, the comfort of all of our animals is always paramount, and to reduce, re-use and make sure that nothing goes to waste from our animals. Along with our delicious meats we also produce sheepskin rugs, skulls for decorative, and teaching purposes, all natural dog treats and a few more. Our livestock is all managed Holistically, as naturally as possible. They are all cage free and raised on pasture. Our garm itself is managed with Holistic Management practices.

Miles Hooper

miles.hooperREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
802-299-6370


Ayers Brook Goat Dairy
vermontcreamery.com
301 Vermont 12 North
Randolph Vermont, 05060

Crop and Operations manager at Ayers Brook Goat Dairy, Randolph Vermont

Nikolaus Horster

nhorsterREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 685-3334

Owner
Shire Beef, LLC
shirebeef.com
646 Reed Rd.
Vershire Vermont, 05079

Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition Inc.

infoREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@champlainvalleyfarmercoalition.com
(802)3884969 ext 348


Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition
champlainvalleyfarmercoalition.com
23 Pond Lane
Suite 300
MIddlebury Vermont, 05753

Faith Ingulsrud

faith.ingulsrudREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
(802) 828-5228

Planning Coordinator
Vermont Department of Economic Development
accd.vermont.gov/business
1 National Life Drive
Deane C. Davis Building
Montpelier VT, 05620

Joy Jackson

jacksonseggsnmoreREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
802-324-3653

Head Egg Collector
Jacksons Eggs N More
346 Jackson Road
Panton Vermont, 05491

We raise healthy and happy chickens that produce delicious eggs! For the past 10 years we have been able to serve the local markets and many families with our eggs as well as fresh produce from our garden! We feed our birds a mix of corn and grain and they get lots of treats from the garden. We deliver locally in Vergennes to your door or feel free to stop by and pick up. We guarantee you will Love our eggs and produce or your Money Back!

Caitlin Jenness

ckjennessREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(603) 620-3713


Citizen Cider
citizencider.com
316 Pine St. Suite 114
Burlington Vermont, 05452

Sylvia Jensen

sylvia.jensenREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
(802) 828-5435

Land Use Planner
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
vermontagriculture.com
116 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05620

Chris Johnson

VermontjobsREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@aol.com
802-453-8324

Sugarmaker
Hidden Mountain Maple
Hiddenmtmaple.com
200 Green Road North
Lincoln Vermont, 05443

BS Forestry UVM Maple Producer NOFA Certified organic since 2015. 7000 taps on single source 450 acre sugarbush surrounded by Bristol Cliffs Federal Wilderness. Member Vermont family Forests.

Ellen Kahler

ellenREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vsjf.org
(802) 828-5320

Executive Director
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
vsjf.org
3 Pitkin Court
Suite 301E
Montpelier VT, 05602

I assist in coordinating the Farm to Plate Network and our organization is responsible for implementing the Farm to Plate Initiative, at the request of the Vermont Legislature. I serve on the Boards of Red Tomato, the Working Lands Enterprise Fund, and the Sustainable Agriculture Council. I am also active in helping other New England states in developing their own food system plans and implementation efforts.

Kim Kayhart

kakayharREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 476-2003

Tara Kelly

taraREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@rutlandfarmandfood.org
(802) 417-1528

Tara Kelly is Executive Director of the Rutland Area Farm and Food Link (RAFFL). Actively involved in community development efforts for nearly 20 years, Tara has a strong commitment to healthy, vibrant communities. In 2005, while working for the Rutland Regional Planning Commission, Tara completed a certificate program at Cornell University called “Growing Home: Community, Food and Agriculture”. This led to her involvement with RAFFL where she blends her passion for vibrant communities and proactive civic engagement.

Maddie Kempner

maddieREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@nofavt.org
(802) 434-4122

Membership & Advocacy Coordinator
NOFA Vermont
nofavt.org
14 Pleasant Street
Richmond VT, 05477

Chris Koliba

ckolibaREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 656-3772

Director of MPA Program
UVM Community Development and Applied Economics (CDAE)
uvm.edu/cdae
146 University Place
Morrill Hall
Burlington VT, 05405

Chris Koliba is a Full Professor in the Community Development and Applied Economics Department at the University of Vermont (UVM) and the Director of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program. He possesses a Ph.D. and an MPA from Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. His research interests include governance networks and complex adaptive systems, infrastructure policy & governance, organizational learning and development, action research methods, and educational policy. His current research program focuses on the development of complex adaptive systems models of food systems, regional planning, watershed governance, and transportation planning, and smart grid energy networks. Chris is the lead author of Governance Network in Public Administration and Public Policy published by CRC Press. He has published articles over 35 articles in such prominent peer reviewed journal. He is the 2011 Marshall E. Dimock Award winner for best lead article in the Public Administration Review. He has served as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on research and program development grants from the National Science Foundation, the United States Department of Transportation, the United States Department of Agriculture, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Vermont Department of Education, the Bonnor Foundation, the Bay Paul Foundation, and the Spencer Foundation. He is chair of the Complexity and Network Studies section of the American Society of Public Administration. Chris teaches courses pertaining to public policy and public affairs, public administration, systems analysis, governance networks, collaborative management, and the intersection of science and society.

David Lane

david.laneREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@yankeeaca.com
(802) 524-2938


Yankee Farm Credit
yankeeaca.com
130 Upper Welden Street
St. Albans VT, 05478

Rich Larson

richardrobertlarsonREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
18026450865

Owner
Larson farm and creamery
LarsonFarmVT.com
661 south street
Wells, vt Vermont, 05774

Larson Farm and Creamery is an organic farm with a herd of 100% grass-fed A2A2 Jersey dairy cows. We direct market all milk as either raw unpasteurized cream-top milk, pasteurized creamtop milk, yogurt and Italian gelato. Products are distributed throughout Vermont and into NH, Ma and NY.

Christine Lazor

cmlazorREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@butterworksfarm.com
802-744-6023


Butterworks Farm
butterworksfarm.com
421 Trumpass Road
Westfield VT, 05874

Nikki Lennart

nikkiREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@intervale.org
802-660-0440 ext 116

Farm Business Specialist
Intervale Center
intervale.org
180 Intervale Road
Burlington VT, 05401

Gil Livingston

gilREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vlt.org
(802) 262-1210

Alison Low

alowREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@nvda.net
(802) 748-5181

Senior Planner
Northeastern Vermont Development Association
nvda.net
36 Eastern Avenue
St. Johnsbury VT, 05819

Grant writing/grant administration. Regional planning in the Northeast Kingdom

Catherine Lowther

cvlowtherREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@verizon.net


Goddard College
goddard.edu
123 Pitkin Road
Plainfield VT, 05667

Goddard College Faculty BA in Sustainability Program Chair Sustainability Team

Kate MacFarland

kdmacfarlandREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@fs.fed.us


USDA National Agroforestry Center
fs.usda.gov/nac
81 Carrigan Road
Burlington Vermont, 05405

Regina Mahony

rmahonyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@ccrpcvt.org
(802) 846-4490


Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission
ccrpcvt.org
110 West Canal Street
Suite 202
Winooski VT, 05404

Travis Marcotte

TravisREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@Intervale.org
(802) 660-0440 x107

Executive Director
Intervale Center
intervale.org
180 Intervale Road
Burlington VT, 05401

Travis brings a breadth of experience and a joy to his work strengthening integrated food systems and running a diverse organization like the Intervale Center. He also enjoys more simple pleasures like cooking and home gardening with his family. Prior to joining the Intervale Center in 2006, Travis worked in agriculture and community economic development in Vermont, Central America and the Caribbean. Travis graduated from the University of Vermont Community Development and Applied Economics program and received his Master’s degree in International Agricultural Development from the University of California, Davis. He grew up on his grandparents’ dairy farm in Charlotte, Vermont and now lives in a farmhouse in Fletcher where he raises chickens, vegetables and pigs with his partner Sue and their sons.

Dave Martin

settlementfarmREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@comcast.net
(802) 899-2104


Settlement Farm
416 Irish Settlement Road
Underhill VT, 05489

Garland Mason

garlandREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@rutlandfarmandfood.org
802-417-7096

I work for the Rutland Area Farm and Food Link heading up the New Farmer Initiative and our Farm-to-School and Institution work.

Lauren Masseria

lauren.masseriaREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov


Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
vermontagriculture.com
116 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05620

Alissa Matthews

alissa.matthewsREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
802-505-1661


Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
vermontagriculture.com
116 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05620

Nathanael Matthiesen

uptheroadfarmREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 490-1470

Co-Owner
Up the Road Farm
uptheroadfarm.com
20 Bullock Rd
Guilford Vermont, 05301

Kate McCarthy

kmccarthyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vnrc.org
(802) 223-2328

Sustainable Communities Program Director
Vermont Natural Resources Council
vnrc.org
9 Bailey Avenue
Montpelier VT, 05602

As a land use planner focused on sustainable communities, I help towns keep space available for farming by a) promoting compact villages and centers and b) promoting good planning, zoning, and other mechanisms for keeping the working lands working. VNRC supports Vermont's Food System by hosting an online Community Planning Toolbox that contains tools to help people with these tasks, providing limited technical support, and advocating for state policy that supports farming and forestry.

Lisa McCrory

lmccrory560REMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
802-234-5524

Co-Owner
Earthwise Farm & Forest
earthwisefarmandforest.com/index.html
341 Macintosh Hill Rd
Randolph Vermont, 05060

Earthwise Farm & Forest is a certified organic, draft-animal powered family farm located in Bethel, Vermont, and operated by Carl Russell and Lisa McCrory. We produce and sell certified organic Raw Milk, poultry (Chicken and Heritage Turkey),Beef, Garlic, vegetables, Flowers, and non-organic (though non-GMO) eggs & Pastured Pork, Pottery, and lumber.

Christine McGowan

christineREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vsjf.org
(802) 828-3840

Forest Products Program Director
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
vsjf.org
3 Pitkin Court
Suite 301E
Montpelier VT, 05602

Christine joined the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund in August 2016 as the Forest Products Program Director. The program is a collaboration between the Jobs Fund, the Northern Forest Center and the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Board with a goal of improving value chain investment opportunities for Vermont’s forest products industry and increasing the value of sustainable forestry in the state. Christine will be working closely with individuals and businesses throughout the supply chain from landowners, foresters, loggers and sawmills to secondary market producers to develop new value chain investment strategies and build a brand for Vermont-grown, sustainably-harvested wood products such as construction material, furniture and modern wood heat products. Christine has 20+ years of experience in journalism, strategic communications and conservation. She lives in Stowe with her husband and their two dogs, one cat and the assorted wildlife species that share their tiny plot of heaven.

Ernesto Mendez

ernesto.mendezREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 656-4280


UVM Department of Plant and Soil Science
uvm.edu/~pss
63 Carrigan Drive
Burlington VT, 05405

Katie Michels

katieREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vhcb.org

Katie Michels

kmichelsREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermontcf.org

Katelyn Mickelson

katelynREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@northwoodscenter.org
(802) 723-6551

Conservation Assistant
NorthWoods Stewardship Center
northwoodscenter.org
154 leadership Drive
East Charleston Vermont, 05833

Michael Middleman

michael.middlemanREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
(802) 828-5362

Water Quality Partner Liaison
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
vermontagriculture.com
116 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05620

Nathaniel Miller

nedsbestbeefREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com

Manager
Ned's Best Beef
nedsbestbeef.com
745 Freeman Rd.
Northfield Vermont, 05663

Writer/farmer/criador.

Jen Miller

jenREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@nofavt.org
802-434-4122


NOFA Vermont
nofavt.org
14 Pleasant Street
Richmond VT, 05477

Jen manages NOFA-VT's Farmer Services Program which provides business planning services, technical assistance, one-on-one farmer mentorships, and educational opportunities for Vermont's organic and sustainable farmers.

Fran Miller

fmillerREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermontlaw.edu
917.741.6244


Vermont Law School
166 Chelsea Street
South Royalton VT, 05068

Senior Legal Fellow, Center for Agriculture & Food Systems, Vermont Law School

Ryan Murphy

ryanREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@lcpcvt.org


Lamoille County Planning Commission
lcpcvt.org
52 Portland Street, 2nd Floor,
P.O. Box 1637
Morrisville VT, 05661

I work for the Lamoille County Planning Commission as a GIS Planner. I'm interested in becoming involved in the Farm to Plate Network to help improve opportunities for Lamoille County food and beverage producers.

Lihlani Nelson

lnelsonREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermontlaw.edu
(802) 831-1063


Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law School
vermontlaw.edu/academics/centers-and-programs/center-for-agriculture-and-food-systems
164 Chelsea St, PO Box 96
South Royalton Vermont, 05068


Center for Agriculture and Food Systems
vermontlaw.edu/cafs
164 Chelsea St.
South Royalton Vermont, 05828

Taylor Newton

tnewtonREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@nrpcvt.com
(802) 524-5958


Northwest Regional Planning Commission
nrpcvt.com
155 Lake Street
St. Albans VT, 05478

I'm a Regional Planner with Northwest Regional Planning Commission. My work focuses on land use and environmental planning.

Ginger Nickerson

gnickersREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 656-5490

Produce Safety Coordinator
UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture
uvm.edu/~susagctr
23 Mansfield Avenue
Burlington VT, 05446

I provide technical assistance, research and outreach to fruit and vegetable growers on on-farm produce safety and GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices). Special interests: making produce safety work for small, diversified farms; the intersection of produce safety, environmental health and sustainable agriculture/food systems; agricultural "waste" management and closed loop systems; farms as ecosystems and the intersection between polycultures, intercropping and pest and disease management under changing environmental conditions.

Alison Nihart

alison.nihartREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
802-656-3831


UVM Extension
uvm.edu/extension
327 US-302
Berlin Vermont, 05641

Sarah Nolin

hurricaneridgefarmREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802)685-4920

Owner
Hurricane Ridge Farm
hurricaneridgefarm.com
4758 Chelsea Rd
Corinth Vermont, 05039

Mariah Noth

mariahREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vhcb.org
(802) 828-1098


Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program
vhcb.org/viability
VT Housing & Conservation Board
58 East State Street
Montpelier VT, 05602

Vermont Farm and Forest Viability Program Outreach & Communications Coordinator

Kelly Nottermann

kellyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vsjf.org
(802) 828-1121


Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
vsjf.org
3 Pitkin Court
Suite 301E
Montpelier VT, 05602

Emily Nummer

emily.nummerREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vacd.org


Vermont Association of Conservation Districts
vacd.org
P.O. Box 566
Waitsfield VT, 05673

Katherine Oaks

katherineoaksREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermontlaw.edu
(610) 608-3896

Global Energy LLM Fellow
Vermont Law School
166 Chelsea Street
South Royalton VT, 05068

Katherine Oaks is the Global Energy LLM Fellow with the Institute for Energy and the Environment at Vermont Law School. As co-leader of the Farm and Energy Initiative, she and staff attorney Genevieve Byrne collaborate to develop dynamic, inclusive, and resilient clean energy systems and policy in agriculture nationwide. Katherine grounds her work in a civics of environmental stewardship, democratic values, and social justice. Katherine most recently hails from Philadelphia, PA where she earned her JD from Villanova Law School after obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Saint Joseph’s University. She spent the last three years at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, representing indigent people charged with crimes. As a public defender she strove to discover, respect, and voice the stories of those people most injured by unjust systems. Ecological thinking shaped Katherine’s approach as a criminal defense lawyer and is central to her vision as an environmental lawyer – to construct systemic change by incorporating local knowledge and perspective – by using not only the power of the law, but also ethnography, community-based research, and democratic values. Katherine is motivated by her belief that healing communities and climate requires the development of clean energy systems locally and globally, governed by policies and practices that reflect the interests of all stakeholders.

Grace Oedel

graceREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@nofavt.org
(678) 437-9210

Executive Director
Northeast Organic Farming Association- Vermont
nofavt.org
14 Pleasant Ave
Richmond Vermont, 05477

Amy Overstreet

amy.overstreetREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vt.usda.gov
(803) 730-2422


USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
vt.nrcs.usda.gov
356 Mountain View Drive
Suite 105
Colchester VT, 05446

Amy Overstreet is a 24 year employee of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and served most of this time in her home state of SC and in January of 2015, transferred to Colchester, VT to serve as our VT NRCS' new Public Affairs Specialist. She served a one year detail to the National Soil Survey Division, NRCS, Washington, DC, in 2015 to lead the agency's International Year of Soils campaign. Amy has a BA in English and Art History from Wofford College, and a MA in Media Arts from the University of South Carolina. She is a former professional ballet dancer and in her free time is involved with VT's Farm to Ballet project as an outreach liaison.

Karen Pettinelli

terrosafarmREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(508) 259-4427

Owner
Terrosafarm
terrosafarm.com
Gilbert rd
Barre Massachusetts, 01005

Farmer

Benneth Phelps

bennethREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@dirtpartners.com
978.290.2220

Director of Farmer Services
Dirt Capital Partners
dirtpartners.com
PO Box 457
Hudson New York, 12534

Benneth joined Dirt Capital Partners in 2016 as the Director of Farmer Services to further develop and refine the company’s approach to investing in land in partnership with farmers, and the company’s organizational culture and infrastructure. Previously, Benneth was Loan and Business Assistance Manager at The Carrot Project, where she spent five years evaluating loan applications and working with farm and food enterprises to plan for business growth. Prior to this she farmed vegetables and small fruit for ten years, in the Connecticut River Valley of Western Massachusetts, working on organic farms with 4-80 acres in production. Benneth has served as a member of the Fund Advisory Committee of PVGrows, currently serves on the Loan Review Committee of The Carrot Project and as a Board Member of the Vermont Grass Farmers Association. She holds an MRP in community and regional planning from the University of Massachusetts, and a BA from Smith College where she studied American Studies and Economics.

Kip Potter

kip.potterREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vt.usda.gov
802-9516796 x238

Obediah Racicot

obediah.racicotREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vt.usda.gov
802-951-6796


USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
vt.nrcs.usda.gov
356 Mountain View Drive
Suite 105
Colchester VT, 05446

Jon Ramsay

jramsayREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vlt.org
(802) 533-7705

Director Farmland Access Program
Vermont Land Trust: Farmland Access
vlt.org
1466 TH #8
Greensboro VT, 05841

Laurie Ristino

lristinoREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermontlaw.edu

Professor Ristino joined the Vermont Law School faculty in 2013. She is the first director of the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, responsible for CAFS vision and direction, including curriculum development, teaching, outreach, and advocacy. Before joining VLS, Professor Ristino was a senior counsel with the Office of the General Counsel, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Washington, D.C. for twenty years. At the USDA, she advised the Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Department on environmental and natural resources legal policy issues. She is an expert on the conservation title of the farm bill, and advised on the implementation of the 2002 and 2008 farm bills, as well as the run-up to the 2013 farm bill.

Will Robb

otherwillREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@yahoo.com
(802) 865-7532


Burlington Food Council
burlingtonfoodcouncil.org

Burlington VT, 05401

Ari Rockland-Miller

ari.rockland-millerREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
802-828-5399

Act 250 Coordinator; Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

Shane Rogers

shane.rogers709REMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
802-828-0404

Charlotte Rosendahl

crosendahlREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@sterlingcollege.edu
8025867711 ext 109

Director, Rian Fried Center for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems
Sterling College
sterlingcollege.edu
16 Sterling Drive
Craftsbury Common Vermont, 05827

Don Ross

drossREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 656-0138


UVM Department of Plant and Soil Science
uvm.edu/~pss
63 Carrigan Drive
Burlington VT, 05405

Marli Rupe

Marli.RupeREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
802-490-6171


Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
vtwaterquality.org/erp.htm
1 National Life Drive
Main 2
Montpelier VT, 05620

Pat Sagui

saguipatREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 744-2345

Director
Composting Association of Vermont
compostingvermont.org
481 Kettle Farm Road
Westfield VT, 05874

Scott Sawyer

scottREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vsjf.org

I edited the Farm to Plate Strategic Plan and wrote many of the sections. And I worked with Vermont Design Works to create the Farm to Plate website.

Rachel Schattman

rachel.schattmanREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 373-1875

owner/manager
Bella Farm, LLC
bellapesto.com
90 Cemetery Rd
Po Box 107
Monkton Vermont, 05469

I'm a PhD student in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at UVM. My work is on climate change and Vermont agriculture, insect pests and fruit (blueberries and raspberries), and food insecurity in Vermont. I work with the Agroecology and Rural Livelihoods Group and the UVM Extension Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

Lynn Ellen Schimoler

LynnEllen.SchimolerREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
802-622-4477


Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
vermontagriculture.com
116 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05620

Lynn Ellen Schimoler manages the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Schimoler has worked in the natural foods industry for over 20 years, working for markets on both coasts. Schimoler has collaborated with the National Cooperatives Grocers to develop retail co-ops in New England, and before coming to the agency, was Director of Purchasing and Merchandising for City Market/Onion River Co-op. Schimoler has expertise in project management, store operations, product development, and human resources. Schimoler has been featured in Natural Foods Merchandiser and Edible Green Mountains. Schimoler serves on the Executive Board of the Real Organic Project, a council member for the Vermont Women's Fund, and a trustee for the Vermont Land Trust. Schimoler has a BA in Dance from Bennington College, and enjoys a part-time Dance Lecturer position at the University of Vermont.

Melissa Schlobohm

MelissaREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vhcb.org
(802) 828-2425

Carrie Scrufari

CarrieScrufariREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermontlaw.edu
443-610-2308


Vermont Law School
166 Chelsea Street
South Royalton VT, 05068

Carrie Scrufari is an LLM Fellow with the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems (CAFS). A native western New Yorker, Carrie earned a BA in English and a BS in English Secondary Education from SUNY Oswego in 2004, graduating Summa Cum Laude. In 2006, Carrie received an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Maryland at College Park and taught eighth grade English before attending law school. She received her JD in 2011, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Maryland Law School. While there, she was a member of the National Trial and Moot Court teams, and served as Editor-in-Chief of the Maryland Law Journal of Race, Religion, Gender, and Class. Carrie comes to Vermont Law School from a clerkship with the New York State Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department in Rochester, NY and the Court of Appeals in Albany, NY. There she developed a passion for food and environmental law.

Patricia Sears

patricia.searsREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@discovernewportvt.com
(802) 323-1056

CEO
NEKTI Consulting
nekticonsulting.com
52 Finnegan Road
Lowell VT, 05847

As Executive Director of Newport City Renaissance Corporation I have developed the Newport. Fresh by Nature. program that has received start-up funds from USDA-RD Rural Business Enterprise Grant. The program connects local farms to downtown restaurants and markets restaurants that include and increase the amount of locally grown and produced ingredients on their menus. The annual Taste of Newport event is a walking tour of downtown Newport visiting the participating restaurants and tasting their menu selections made of seasonally fresh ingredients. Newport. Fresh by Nature. also celebrates Newport's community gardens and promotes the Newport Farmer's Market and Northeast Kingdom Tasting Center. Marketing downtown Newport as a culinary destination for a true farm-to-table experience and job creation are major goals of this program. Green Mountain Farm Direct is a partner in this program.

Gus Seelig

gusREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vhcb.org
(802) 828-3250

Executive Director
Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB)
vhcb.org
58 East State Street
Montpelier VT, 05602

Jaime Silverstein

jaimeREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@nofavt.org


NOFA Vermont
nofavt.org
14 Pleasant Street
Richmond VT, 05477

Vera Simon-Nobes

vsimonnobesREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@shelburnefarms.org
(802) 986 8686

Farm-Based Education Network Coordinator
Shelburne Farms
shelburnefarms.org
1611 Harbor Road
Shelburne VT, 05482

Vera Simon-Nobes works at Shelburne Farms and coordinates program development and communications for the Farm-Based Education Network, a free member network established to strengthen and support the work of educators, farmers, and community leaders providing access and educational experiences on working farms. She supports Vermont’s growing agritourism community through special projects and her work as the Farm to Plate Agritourism Task Force Co-Chair. She lives on a diversified farm in Charlotte, VT.

Stephanie Smith

stephanie.smithREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
802-828-1732


Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
vermontagriculture.com
116 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05620

Denise Smith

denisefnlcREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
802-355-0694

Executive Director
Friends of Northern Lake Champlain
northernlakechamplain.org
6 Fairfield Street
St. Albans Vermont, 05478

Denise grew up in the Eastern Townships of Canada, the Alps of France, and finally landed on the shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont. Her summer adventures led by her father, a structural engineer, centered around seeking structurally fascinating bridges that spanned beautiful bodies of water and lots of camping and mountain activities. Over the course of her professional career Denise has focused on mission driven work that improves the lives of people and the environment. In her current role as the Executive Director for the Friends of Northern Lake Champlain she leads people to explore solutions to the degradation of watersheds and is concerned with the impacts it is having on the local community and economy. The Friends of Northern Lake Champlain’s current projects are focused on reducing the amount of phosphorous in the watershed and engaging the community in a larger conversation about climate resilience and creating a culture of clean water. She lives in St. Albans, Vermont with her husband, Tim and their three children, Mackenzie, Duffy, and Nellie. She still enjoys adventures that involve bridges and water bodies and continues to hike, camp, and ski with her own family and their dog, Iris.

Sam Smith

samREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@intervale.org
(802) 660-0440 x110

Farm Business Specialist
Intervale Center
intervale.org
180 Intervale Road
Burlington VT, 05401

Sam brings a passion for farming and food systems to his work at the Intervale. He grew up in Southern Vermont, went to UVM, and recently received a MBA in Sustainability from Antioch New England. He has worked as both a livestock and vegetable farmer, and been involved in the Vermont agricultural community for over 15 years.

Emily Spiegel

espiegelREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermontlaw.edu


Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law School
vermontlaw.edu/academics/centers-and-programs/center-for-agriculture-and-food-systems
164 Chelsea St, PO Box 96
South Royalton Vermont, 05068


Center for Agriculture and Food Systems
vermontlaw.edu/cafs
164 Chelsea St.
South Royalton Vermont, 05828

Andrea Stander

andrea.standerREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
802-522-3284

Policy Consultant
Rural Vermont
ruralvermont.org
46 East State St
Montpelier VT, 05602

After 5 plus years serving as the Director of Rural Vermont, I retired from that position and now serve as a part-time policy consultant. Rural Vermont was founded in 1985 and is a not-for-profit membership organization that works through public education, grassroots organizing, as well as state and national advocacy to ensure that Vermont-scale farms are economically viable and environmentally sustainable. Rural Vermont is committed to making it possible for Vermonters to feed themselves and their neighbors providing Vermont with a community-based alternative to the industrial food system.

Karen Dillon and Stephen Pite

smp109REMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 279-3300

Co-Owner
Willett's Bend Farms
2664 Rt 12
Berlin
Berlin Vermont, 05602

Filmmakers. Educators. Idealists. Farmers. Moved from Kansas where we ran a magazine dedicated to promoting the sustainable farming in NE Kansas and a small sheep (fiber) operation. Start up goat dairy and larger scale sustainable crop farming here in Central VT with high hopes!

Rebecca Stone

rebeccaREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@communityworkshopllc.com
802-392-8037

Communications Consultant
Vermont Farm to School Network
vermontfarmtoschool.org
1611 Harbor Rd
Shelburne Vermont, 05482

Coordinator
Resilient Vermont Network
resilientvt.org
535 Stone Cutter's Way
Institute for Sustainable Communities
Montpelier VT, 05602

I am Principal of Community Workshop, a small Vermont consulting firm working to help build vibrant, engaged communities. I work with organizations and communities across the country on creative engagement, resilience, placemaking, communications, program development and planning. Current projects and clients include Vermont FEED and the Vermont Farm to School Network, Resilient Vermont Network, Community Resilience Organizations, Bethel University, and the EPA Local Foods for Local Places program. In my free time, I love to get my hands dirty with my two young girls, tending our backyard garden, orchard and chickens. www.communityworkshopllc.com

Jim Sullivan

jsullivanREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@bcrcvt.org

Executive Director
Bennington County Regional Commission
bcrcvt.org
210 South Street
Suite 6
Bennington VT, 05201

Gaye Symington

GsymingtonREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermontcf.org
(802) 388-3355

Executive Director
High Meadows Fund
highmeadowsfund.org
77 College St., Suite 3B
Burlington VT, 05401

The High Meadows Fund, based at the Vermont Community Foundation, promotes vibrant communities and a healthy natural environment in Vermont, while encouraging long term economic vitality. We focus on sustainable agriculture and local food systems; clean and efficient energy; and land use and watershed management consistent with a working landscape and vibrant village centers. We provide grants, sponsor research and convenings, invest a portion of our assets for mission impact, and directly engage in select initiatives. You can find more about us at www.highmeadowsfund.org.

Leah Szafranski

leah_szafranskiREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@fws.gov
802-660-0440 x28

Leah Szafranski works for the the Intervale Center in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Her work focuses on improving water quality and wildlife habitat through the implementation of voluntary conservation projects on private lands. Leah is inspired by the vision of a landscape that supports the long-term health and viability of our farms and our ecosystems side by side. She and her partner have a small diversified farm in Craftsbury.

Claire Tebbs

ctebbsREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@sover.net

Community Planner
Addison County Regional Planning Commission
14 Seminary Street
Middlebury VT, 05753

Rene Thibault

rthibaultREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@newenglanddairy.com
802-673-7057

PR & Communications Specialist
New England Dairy Promotion Board
mustbethemilk.com
The Woolen Mill
20 West Canal St., Suite C13
Winooski Vermont, 05404

Graham Unangst-Rufenacht

grahamREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@ruralvermont.org
802-223-7222


Rural Vermont
ruralvermont.org
46 East State St
Montpelier VT, 05602

Graham Unangst-Rufenacht

graham.rufenachtREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 585-6236

Co-owner
Robinson Hill Beef
RobinsonHillBeef.com
1943 County Rd.
Montpelier Vermont, 05602

Robinson Hill Beef - RobinsonHillBeef.com - is seasonal grass and finished beef farm. It is co-owned by Graham Unangst-Rufenacht and Aaron Guman, and is a part of their larger organization, Walking Onion - WalkingOnion.com (which includes a perennial vegetable and medicinal plant nursery, and a home - farm scale permaculture design / install business). Our primary goals are the biological and regenerative management of land using day paddock and long rest period grazing systems, and agroforestry systems; and the direct local distribution of nutrient dense and healthy beef. We have dreams of have secure long term tenure on the land our animals will live, starting families, and cocreating diverse, agrarian, decentralized, democratic, and socially / economically / racially just communities in the land now called "Vermont".

Hector Vila

vilahector1REMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 989-8025

Owner
Orchard Grass Farm
orchardgrassfarm.com/about
3969 Munger Street
New Haven Vermont, 05472

Orchard Grass Farm raises grass-fed White Dorper Sheep. We are located in New Haven, VT, and on these 47 acres we're trying to make a go of a small, sustainable farm. After working our way into the land for a few years, after some horses (9 years), the land spoke: Take me back to my beginnings, it said. Once a sheep farm, this land has returned to its roots.

Timothy Wall

timREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@smalleywall.com
(310) 467-5699

Three Chimney's Farm is a market garden farm in Charlotte, VT. Started by a couple from Los Angeles who dreamed of farming in Vermont. We grow a wide variety of crops - from annual vegetables to grains, and fruit trees. Our sales and distribution include selling to local restaurants and breweries as well as on an online e-commerce customer base with local delivery options. We're looking for a farm manager to take the reins into 2020 and beyond.

Emily Wanzer

emilyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vsjf.org

Ben Waterman

ben.watermanREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 656-9142

Beginning Farmer and Land Access Program Coordinator
UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture
uvm.edu/~susagctr
23 Mansfield Avenue
Burlington VT, 05446

Heather Wetzstein

heather.wetzsteinREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vt.usda.gov
(802) 951-6796 x223

Resource Conservationist
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
vt.nrcs.usda.gov
356 Mountain View Drive
Suite 105
Colchester VT, 05446

NRCS offers technical and financial assistance to farmers and forest landowners for conservation improvements on their land, which includes (but is not limited to) waste storage, silage leachate, grazing management, protecting streams and other waters, hoop houses, irrigation improvements, soil erosion concerns on farm and forest roads and landings.

Sara Jean Whelan

sjREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@threechimneyfarm.com
(631) 626-4927

Co-Founder
Three Chimney Farm
threechimneyfarm.com
95 Spear St
Charlotte VT, 05445

Lindsay Wieland

lwielandREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@smcvt.edu
(802) 654-3272

Director VT EPSCoR Center for Workforce Development & Diversity (CWDD)
UVM Research on Adaptation to Climate Change (RACC) EPSCoR
uvm.edu/~epscor/new02/?q=node/30
23 Mansfield Avenue
Burlington Vermont, 05401

Website: www.uvm.edu/~cwdd

Adam and Brittany Wilcox

brittanytobinvtREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 768-8770

Co owner
Silver Spring Meats
40 Wilcox Road
Manchester Center Vermont, 05255

Adam is a fifth generation Vermont dairy farmer. He and his wife, Brittany, along with their children, Cooper and Delia, live and work in Manchester. Adam also sells pork and veal to local restaurants, including the Equinox, the Perfect Wife, Bistro Henry's, and more!

Molly Willard

mwillard2REMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vtc.edu
(802) 535-5315

Project Manager for Agricultural Training
Vermont Tech
vtc.edu
124 Main Street
Randolph VT, 05061

owner
Willow Brook Farm
willowbrookfarmvt.com
43 slack street
peacham Vermont, 05873

I grew up and currently live in Peacham, Vermont. I have a Bachelors of Science in Botany and a Masters in Place-Based Education. I work at Vermont Tech as the Market Garden Manager and Agriculture Training Specialist. I'm the director of the Governors Institute: Farms, Food and Your Future.

Jim Wood

Jim.WoodREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vt.usda.gov
(802) 951-6796 x235

Assistant State Conservationist
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
vt.nrcs.usda.gov
356 Mountain View Drive
Suite 105
Colchester VT, 05446

NRCS offers technical and financial assistance to farmers and forest landowners for conservation improvements on their land, which includes (but is not limited to) waste storage, silage leachate, grazing management, protecting streams and other waters, hoop houses, irrigation improvements, soil erosion concerns on farm and forest roads and landings.

Kirsten Workman

kirsten.workmanREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
802-388-4969 x347

Agronomy Outreach Specialist
UVM Extension - Champlain Valley Crop, Soil & Pasture Team
uvm.edu/extension/agriculture/cvcrops
23 Pond Lane, Suite 3
Middlebury Vermont, 05753


Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition
champlainvalleyfarmercoalition.com
23 Pond Lane
Suite 300
MIddlebury Vermont, 05753

Kirsten works with farmers to implement practices to improve crop production and protect water quality. She started her career in Washington state working for the Mason Conservation District and Washington State University Extension. After 10 years of working with West Coast farmers, she joined the UVM Extension staff in 2011, and hopes to provide practical information that farmers value. She helps farmers understand the importance of Nutrient Management and assists them in preparing and implementing comprehensive nutrient management plans, and lately has been working on cover cropping systems for Vermont farms. She also helps farmers access cost-share funding to implement Best Management Practices on their farms. Kirsten manages the Team’s monthly e-newsletter, Facebook page, YouTube channel, and this website. She is also working on a master’s degree in Plant & Soil Science (Agronomy) at University of Vermont. Her research project aims to provide farmers with information about successful cover cropping systems that make the most of their livestock manure while reducing nutrient runoff and increasing soil health. Kirsten lives in the Winooski watershed with her husband, Paul and two young children, Johnny & Ruby. She enjoys exploring her new home state of Vermont with her family and is excited to have access to some prime Vermont farmland, where she is able to raise more (and larger) livestock than she was able to in the temperate rainforest of the Puget Sound. Kirsten is a Certified Crop Adviser.

Karen Yacos

karen.yacosREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmcr.com

Director of Community Outreach
Keurig Green Mountain
keuriggreenmountain.com
33 Coffee Lane
Waterbury VT, 05676

Julia Zehner

julia.zehnerREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vt.usda.gov

Conservation Service Easement Programs Coordinator
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
vt.nrcs.usda.gov
356 Mountain View Drive
Suite 105
Colchester VT, 05446

I manage the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) for NRCS in Vermont. FRPP provides funds up to 50% of conservation easements' fair market value.

Asim Zia

aziaREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 656-4695


UVM Community Development and Applied Economics (CDAE)
uvm.edu/cdae
146 University Place
Morrill Hall
Burlington VT, 05405

charlie taplin

vthick43REMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 249-1532

owner/operator
floating bridge family farm
208 west st.
brookfield Vermont, 05036

over 55 years farming from milking cows for 30 plus years , selling fertilizer, seed and chemicals, teaching Vo-ag, artificial breeder and owner of a organic supply business started in 1992 until 2009 when my wife and I took over her family farm in Brookfield that celebrated 100 years owned by the same family. We now raise grass-fed beef, pork, chicken, eggs, vegetables, and maple syrup on a 134 acre farm. I do organic soil consulting, and alternative health for livestock. We raise 2 acres of potatoes, plus another 4 acres of vegetables tomatoes, peas, beans sweet corn, squash and pumpkins all under organic standards , our milk and meat are all grass fed. I am a 9th generation Taplin in Vermont and my wife is a care-taker for her father and a 6th generation Vermonter.