Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
The Farm Viability Indicators Task Force seeks to aggregate and develop standardized information on the viability of various business models and scales as a way to increase diffusion of best practices and industry benchmarks, diagnose the viability of individual businesses and larger industries as a whole, and provide farms with indicators and tools for more thoroughly assessing and self-examining the viability of new enterprises, current operations, or expansions.
People
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Natalie Bekkouche
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Food Cycle Coalition
Education and Workforce Development
Farm to Institution
Independent Grocers
Food Access
Financing
Research
Energy
Health
Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
Communications and Marketing Community of Practice
Rooted in Vermont®
Food Access PlanningNatalie Bekkouche
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Erica Campbell Office of Senator Bernie Sanders
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Farmland Access and Stewardship
Food Cycle Coalition
Farmland Access
Education and Workforce Development
Aggregation and Distribution
Farm to Institution
Agritourism
Food Access
Financing
Soil and Water
Research
Energy
Career Pathways & Image
Business-Education Partnerships
Labor
Health
Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
Food Access PlanningErica 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
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Mark Cannella University of Vermont Extension (Berlin)
Mark Cannella
mark.cannellaREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 223-2389
Director: Farm Viability and Farm Business Management Specialist
University of Vermont Extension (Berlin)
uvm.edu/extension
327 US Route 302
Berlin VT, 05641
Mark is an Associate Professor with UVM Extension and the director of Agricultural Business Programs.
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Thomas Case
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Education and Workforce Development
Food Access
Farm Viability Indicators Task ForceThomas Case
thomasREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@salvationfarms.org
(802) 338-9096
Thomas Case is the Vermont Commodity Program Director for Salvation Farms. He has also been a full time Organic Vegetable farmer and owner of Arethusa Farm in Burlington's Intervale and The Intervale Food Hub's Packing house supervisor in his previous work.
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Ela Chapin Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Meat Processing
Producer and Processor Association Support
Technical Assistance Coordination
Dairy Professional Development
Farm to Institution
Financing
Slow Money Vermont
Farm Viability Indicators Task ForceEla Chapin
elaREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vhcb.org
(802) 828-2117
Viability Program Director
Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program
vhcb.org/viability
VT Housing & Conservation Board
58 East State Street
Montpelier VT, 05602
Ela Chapin is Director of the Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program, a program of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board that provides business planning and technical assistance to farm, food and forest products businesses. Since 2006, Ela has managed and advanced the quality of program services and provided professional development opportunities to strengthen the network of agricultural service providers in Vermont and beyond. She has a MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University.
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Jake Claro Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Producer and Processor Association Support
Technical Assistance Coordination
Dairy Professional Development
Farmland Access and Stewardship
Agricultural Land Use Planning
Food Cycle Coalition
Farmland Access
Financing
Soil and Water
Research
Energy
Integrated Curriculum & Flexible Pathways
Consumer Education and Marketing
Education and Workforce Development
Aggregation and Distribution
Business-Education Partnerships
Career Pathways & Image
Workforce Needs Assessment and Summit
Tech Task Force
Food Access
Eat Local Campaign
Agritourism
Farm to Institution
Food Retailers
Meat Processing
Slow Money Vermont
Independent Grocers
Labor
Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
Health
Steering Committee
Communications and Marketing Community of Practice
Rooted in Vermont®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
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Ollie Cultrara Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Food Cycle Coalition
Aggregation and Distribution
Financing
Consumer Education and Marketing
Education and Workforce Development
Farmland Access and Stewardship
Energy
Food Access
Health
Research
Agritourism
Business-Education Partnerships
Career Pathways & Image
Communications and Marketing Community of Practice
Farm to Institution
Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
Farmland Access
Food Access Planning
Food Justice
Independent Grocers
Rooted in Vermont®
Slow Money VermontOllie Cultrara
ollie.cultraraREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
vermontagriculture.com
116 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05620
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Sarah Danly Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
Network Groups
Aggregation and Distribution
Consumer Education and Marketing
Education and Workforce Development
Farmland Access and Stewardship
Production and Processing
Energy
Financing
Food Access
Health
Labor
Research
Soil and Water
Farm to Institution
Independent Grocers
Agritourism
Communications and Marketing Community of Practice
Rooted in Vermont®
Career Pathways & Image
Business-Education Partnerships
Food Cycle Coalition
Farmland Access
Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
Slow Money Vermont
Food Access Planning
Steering Committee
Food JusticeSarah 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
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Sam Fuller NOFA Vermont
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Farm Viability Indicators Task ForceSam Fuller
samREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@nofavt.org
(802) 434-4122
Technical Assistance Program Administrator
NOFA Vermont
nofavt.org
14 Pleasant Street
Richmond VT, 05477
Sam Fuller manages NOFA-VT’s Technical Assistance Program, which provides an array of services to commercial farmers ranging from in-depth whole farm business planning and technical production assistance to educational offerings and industry development. His work focuses primarily on sustainable livestock production, meat processing and value chain integration. Prior to joining NOFA-VT in 2008, he managed a number of different agricultural enterprises including a pasture-based livestock operation, a diversified crop farm and a multi-farm producer co-op. Sam graduated from Colorado College with a degree in Anthropology. His focus was on food systems, agricultural economics and migrant labor. His thesis work was on "Localizing Culture - How a New Agricultural Model Could Save the Family Farm".
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Corey Hennessey Orchard Street Business Services
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Food Cycle Coalition
Aggregation and Distribution
Farm to Institution
Consumer Education and Marketing
Food Access
Financing
Research
Business-Education Partnerships
Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
Communications and Marketing Community of Practice
Rooted in Vermont®
Food Access Planning
Slow Money VermontCorey Hennessey
corey.a.hennesseyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
Founder
Orchard Street Business Services
orchardstreetvt.com
East Montpelier Vermont, 05651
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Daniel Keeney Dunc's Mill
Network Groups
Technical Assistance Coordination
Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
Aggregation and DistributionDaniel Keeney
danielREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@hardwickagriculture.org
802-751-9011
Dunc's Mill
duncsmill.com
622 Keyser Hill Road
St. Johnsbury Vermont, 05819
Center for an Agricultural Economy
hardwickagriculture.org
140 Junction Road (PO Box 422)
Hardwick VT, 05843
M.S. and Graduate of UVM's Department of Community Development & Applied Economics Proud Farm Worker 2003, 2009, 2010 Production Assistant & Junior Partner, Dunc's Mill Artisanal Rums 2010-2017 Farm & Food Business Specialist, Center for an Agricultural Economy, 2014-Present
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Katie Michels
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Farmland Access and Stewardship
Food Cycle Coalition
Farmland Access
Education and Workforce Development
Aggregation and Distribution
Farm to Institution
Independent Grocers
Consumer Education and Marketing
Food Access
Financing
Energy
Slow Money Vermont
Farm Viability Indicators Task ForceKatie Michels
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Jen Miller NOFA Vermont
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Producer and Processor Association Support
Technical Assistance Coordination
Farmland Access and Stewardship
Financing
Farm Viability Indicators Task ForceJen 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.
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Mariah Noth Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Farmland Access and Stewardship
Food Cycle Coalition
Farmland Access
Education and Workforce Development
Aggregation and Distribution
Farm to Institution
Independent Grocers
Consumer Education and Marketing
Agritourism
Food Access
Financing
Research
Career Pathways & Image
Business-Education Partnerships
Slow Money Vermont
Health
Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
Communications and Marketing Community of Practice
Rooted in Vermont®
Food Access PlanningMariah Noth
mariahREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vhcb.org
(802) 735-7893
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
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Kelly Nottermann Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Farmland Access and Stewardship
Food Cycle Coalition
Farmland Access
Education and Workforce Development
Aggregation and Distribution
Farm to Institution
Independent Grocers
Consumer Education and Marketing
Agritourism
Food Access
Financing
Research
Energy
Career Pathways & Image
Business-Education Partnerships
Slow Money Vermont
Health
Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
Communications and Marketing Community of Practice
Rooted in Vermont®
Food Access PlanningKelly Nottermann
kellyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vsjf.org
(802) 828-1121
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
vsjf.org
3 Pitkin Court
Suite 301E
Montpelier VT, 05602
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Benneth Phelps Dirt Capital Partners
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Financing
Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
Farmland Access and StewardshipBenneth 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.
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Lydia Pitkin Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Meat Processing
Farmland Access and Stewardship
Food Cycle Coalition
Farmland Access
Education and Workforce Development
Aggregation and Distribution
Farm to Institution
Independent Grocers
Consumer Education and Marketing
Agritourism
Food Access
Financing
Soil and Water
Research
Energy
Career Pathways & Image
Business-Education Partnerships
Labor
Tech Task Force
Slow Money Vermont
Health
Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
Communications and Marketing Community of Practice
Rooted in Vermont®
Steering CommitteeLydia Pitkin
lydiaREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vsjf.org
802-828-5670
Office Manager & Program Coordinator
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
vsjf.org
3 Pitkin Court
Suite 301E
Montpelier VT, 05602
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Jaime Silverstein NOFA Vermont
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Farmland Access and Stewardship
Education and Workforce Development
Aggregation and Distribution
Consumer Education and Marketing
Financing
Business-Education Partnerships
Slow Money Vermont
Farm Viability Indicators Task ForceJaime Silverstein
jaimeREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@nofavt.org
NOFA Vermont
nofavt.org
14 Pleasant Street
Richmond VT, 05477
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Sam Smith Intervale Center
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Farmland Access and Stewardship
Financing
Technical Assistance Coordination
Farm Viability Indicators Task ForceSam 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.
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Kristina Sweet Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Research
Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
Financing
Aggregation and Distribution
Food JusticeKristina Sweet
kristina.sweetREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
(802) 522-7811
Produce Program Manager
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
vermontagriculture.com
116 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05620
Kristina Sweet is the Produce Program Manager at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, where she works with local, regional, and national stakeholders on the development of state produce safety programs and implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule. Her favorite apple is the Macoun.
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Rene Thibault New England Dairy Promotion Board
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Farmland Access and Stewardship
Farmland Access
Education and Workforce Development
Aggregation and Distribution
Farm to Institution
Consumer Education and Marketing
Agritourism
Food Access
Research
Energy
Labor
Health
Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
Communications and Marketing Community of PracticeRene 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
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Kate Turcotte
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Graham Unangst-Rufenacht Rural Vermont
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Farmland Access and Stewardship
Farmland Access
Food Access
Research
Health
Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
Steering Committee
Food JusticeGraham Unangst-Rufenacht
grahamREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@ruralvermont.org
802-223-7222
Rural Vermont
ruralvermont.org
46 East State St
Montpelier VT, 05602
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JJ Vandette Efficiency Vermont
Network Groups
JJ Vandette
jvandetteREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@veic.org
802.540.7915
Efficiency Vermont
efficiencyvermont.com
128 Lakeside Avenue
Suite 401
Burlington VT, 05401
I conduct planning activities related to the agricultural energy efficiency program at Efficiency Vermont.
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Jim Verzino Windham Grows
Network Groups
Production and Processing
Food Cycle Coalition
Education and Workforce Development
Aggregation and Distribution
Agritourism
Financing
Career Pathways & Image
Business-Education Partnerships
Slow Money Vermont
Farm Viability Indicators Task Force
Communications and Marketing Community of PracticeJim Verzino
jimREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@strollingoftheheifers.com
(802) 242-1249
Entrepreneur in Residence
Windham Grows
windhamgrows.org
157 Main St.
Brattleboro Vermont, 05301
I help farm and food entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses as Entrepreneur in Residence at Windham Grows.
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Adam and Brittany Wilcox Silver Spring Meats
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!
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Andy Wood Vermont Agricultural Credit Corporation (VACC)
Andy Wood
awoodREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@veda.org
802-498-8865
Vermont Agricultural Credit Corporation (VACC)
veda.org/financing-options/vermont-agricultural-financing
58 East State Street
Montpelier VT, 05602
