New Farmer Resources

This is a great time to be farming!

There are an abundance of valuable resources available to farmers including business planning assistance, production techniques, marketing ideas, supplier recommendations, and many more. Valley Food & Farm staff are available for one on one advising as well.

New Farmer
Advising

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Valley Food & Farm staff are able help with your specific situation or question. We work with farmers who are in the dreaming/planning stage, just starting out, and/or growing their farm business.

Nancy LaRowe, our Valley Food & Farm Coordinator, is our farmer-in-residence.
Give her a call at 802.291.9100 x106 or email, she is happy to help with:

Individual consultation, focused on making an action plan to start or enhance your farm business
Directing you to resources if you are having trouble figuring out who to call for help in a specific area
Linking you to technical assistance within our New Farmer Network for business planning, production assistance, land access, access to capital, legal concerns, and many other topics.

Resources

Beginning Farmer Websites

Vermont New Farmer Project– University of Vermont website that is a rich source of educational information including webinars, fact sheets, the Land Access Database, Toolsheds on Business Management, Marketing, and Production. A great place to start!
Vermont Agency of Agriculture Resource Guide for Vermont’s New and Aspiring Farmers
UNH Resources for Aspiring Farmers
Beginning Farmers.Org– National website with resources and links to excellent information useful to people starting out in agriculture.
Northeast Beginning Farmer Project– Cornell University site run by a team of educators who care deeply about supporting the success of new farmers.
Missouri Beginning Farmers
Beginning Farmer Resource Network of Maine
Virtual Grange– Online community and hub for beginning farmers, managed by Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture.
Farm Hack
ATTRA: Beginning Farmer
USDA New Farmer Website
University of Wisconsin Small Farmer Resources

USDA Slaughter Facilities

Vermont Livestock, Ferrisburgh, VT
Black River Meats, North Springfield, VT
NEK Processing, St. Johnsbury, VT
PT Farm, North Haverhill, NH
The Royal Butcher, Braintree, VT
The Local Butcher, Center Barnstead, NH

Vermont Inspected & Custom Facilities

Brault’s Slaughterhouse, Troy, VT

Publications

New Hampshire Department of Agriculture Weekly Market Bulletin
Vermont Agency of Agriculture Agriview
Growing for Market
Vermont Local Banquet
Country Folk
On Pasture
Sustainable Vegetable Production from Start-Up to Market– Vern Grubinger
Organic Farmers Business Handbook – Richard Wiswall
The QuickBooks Farm Accounting Cookbook -Mark Wilsdorf

“It’s so amazing to know that there is such a wonderful support network here in the UV to help farmers get on track and stay on track.”

“I cannot overstate how much their programs have contributed to our success. Before purchasing our farm I participated in Vital Communities’ learning collaborative and attended one of their farmer meet-ups. I learned a lot of different techniques and was exposed to many ideas as I visited area farms and learned directly from the farmers and their employees. This also helped me build up a strong network with other local farmers, both new and experienced. I continue to use the connections I made at those events whenever I encounter a problem.

Those connections also allowed me to expand sales. I began selling my pork through another local farm and that is now my second biggest sales outlet for pork.”

Funding for our new farmer advising is made possible in part with a Rural Development Enterprise Grant from USDA Rural Development.

Oppportunities

Farm Worker Learning Collaborative

Educational and social opportunity for future farmers.

Learn More >

Flavors of the Valley

Annual local foods expo.

Learn More >

Valley Food & Farm Guide

Free searchable online guide for farms.

Learn More >

Workplace Markets

Facilitating farm to worksite delivery.

Learn More >

Farm to School Network

Farm to school connections.

Learn More

Farmer Discussion List

Subscribe and communicate with other farmers.

Find Open Local Businesses and Farms. Search the Vital Communities Guide.

Valley Food & Farm News

Mastering Perfect Spinach

When my friend Justin opened a restaurant in Maine, I fixated on his strategy to train kitchen staff: cooks would learn the best one or two ways to pr [...]

Farm Viability a Priority for NH Nonprofits

Farm Viability a Priority for NH Nonprofits Farm and Food Businesses Eligible for Team of Coaches Tailored to Their Needs Organizations from around [...]

Climate and Community Resilience: Lessons from the Soil

Climate and Community Resilience: Lessons from the Soil Spring Community Webinar Series to Unpack What Creating Our Future Looks Like What is good f [...]

Renewable Energy Funding for Farms and Small Businesses

Get the information you need to move forward with a renewable energy or energy efficiency project in Vermont or New Hampshire. Join Ken Yearman, Rural [...]

Canaan Keeps FarmRaisers Alive

Kale. Carrots. Beets. Potatoes. Powerkraut®! These are just a few of the delightful local foods I've received from Root 5 Farm over the past few m [...]

Celebrate Farm to School Month With Our Fall Farm to School Forum

Meet Your Local Farm to School Network! The Upper Valley Farm to School Network invites you to gather in your region to build local connections w [...]

From the State House to the Farm House

Calling all Vermont Farmers! You're invited to the second annual From the State House to the Farmhouse event on Sunday September 22nd from 1-4 pm [...]

Food Hub Forum for Farmers February 6!

Join Vital Communities and Food Connects Wednesday February 6 from 4-6 pm at Piecemeal Pie in White River Junction for a forum to learn about how y [...]

Whole Farm Planning Group

Starting or running a farm business can be all-consuming, with tyranny of the urgent monopolizing your days, leaving little time to think about the bi [...]

2018 Farmer Celebration Mixer

Join us to celebrate the work we did together in 2018! Do your chores early, leave the spreadsheets behind, and come share some beer, crepes, and far [...]

Visit Our Food & Farm Blog

Want more information?

Farmer Discussion List

Calendar

	May 2021
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
						1 Cedar Circle Farmstand Opens Cedar Circle Farmstand Opens Starts: 5:30 pm Ends: May 1, 2021 - 6:30 pm More details... •
2	3 Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 3, 2021 - 11:59 pm Description: A week of virtual events celebrating the value of compots and its support of the environment, people, and the economy. https://www.compostingvermont.org/vors-2021 More details... •	4 Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 4, 2021 - 11:59 pm Description: A week of virtual events celebrating the value of compots and its support of the environment, people, and the economy. https://www.compostingvermont.org/vors-2021 More details... •	5 Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 5, 2021 - 11:59 pm Description: A week of virtual events celebrating the value of compots and its support of the environment, people, and the economy. https://www.compostingvermont.org/vors-2021 More details... •	6 Crossroad Farmstand in Norwich Open for the Season! Crossroad Farmstand in Norwich Open for the Season! Starts: 10:00 am Ends: May 6, 2021 - 12:00 pm Description: https://www.crossroadfarm.com/farm-news-1 More details... Working Together: Cooperative Farming 101 Working Together: Cooperative Farming 101 Starts: 1:00 pm Ends: May 6, 2021 - 3:30 pm Description: Learn about different cooperative farming models, their origins, and how to navigate the interpersonal dynamics of farming together. Link here. More details... Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 6, 2021 - 11:59 pm Description: A week of virtual events celebrating the value of compots and its support of the environment, people, and the economy. https://www.compostingvermont.org/vors-2021 More details... • • •	7 Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 7, 2021 - 11:59 pm Description: A week of virtual events celebrating the value of compots and its support of the environment, people, and the economy. https://www.compostingvermont.org/vors-2021 More details... •	8 Deep Meadow Farmstand Opens Deep Meadow Farmstand Opens Starts: 11:00 am Ends: May 8, 2021 - 5:00 pm Description: In Ascutney. https://deepmeadowfarm.net/ More details... •
9	10	11	12 School Food 101 School Food 101 Starts: 3:00 pm Ends: May 12, 2021 - 4:30 pm Description: Part of the Vermont Farm to School Network Webinar Series for Educators. Link here. More details... #Farm24VT #Farm24VT Starts: 1:30 pm Ends: May 13, 2021 - 5:00 am Description: https://farm24vt.com/ More details... • •	13	14	15
16	17	18 Crisis Management and Communications for Farms Open to Visitors Crisis Management and Communications for Farms Open to Visitors Starts: 7:00 pm Ends: May 18, 2021 - 8:00 pm Description: Farms that are open to the public for direct sales, education, hospitality, entertainment, and recreation may be interested in a series of free online conversations among Northeast producers and Extension agents about what is and is not working for farms inviting visitors during the pandemic. register here. Recordings will be posted on the series webpage, including the recording of the first session, Getting Ready for Pick-Your-Own: Do’s and Don’ts for the Upcoming Season. More details... •	19	20	21	22 https://www.earthwisefarmandforest.com/bookings-checkout/grazing-class-mgmt-intensive-grazing-3 https://www.earthwisefarmandforest.com/bookings-checkout/grazing-class-mgmt-intensive-grazing-3 Starts: 10:00 am Ends: May 22, 2021 - 4:00 pm More details... •
23	24	25 Liability Insurance for Farms Open to Visitors Liability Insurance for Farms Open to Visitors Starts: 12:00 pm Ends: May 25, 2021 - 1:00 pm Description: Farms that are open to the public for direct sales, education, hospitality, entertainment, and recreation may be interested in a series of free online conversations among Northeast producers and Extension agents about what is and is not working for farms inviting visitors during the pandemic. Recordings will be posted on the series webpage. register here More details... •	26 Get to know the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan 2021-2030 Get to know the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan 2021-2030 Starts: 12:00 pm Ends: May 26, 2021 - 1:00 pm Description: Wednesday, May 26, 12-1pm: register here. After this workshop, you will understand how Plan relates to yourcommunity or professional work, and how you and your community can use it toadvance that work. The Plan can help you with background research, strategicdecisions, grant applications, and building impactful relationships acrossVermont. The Plan was created with input from hundreds of food systembusinesses, organizations, and individuals, and provides a roadmap for collective action to strengthen our agricultural economy,increase environmental sustainability of our farm and food sector, and expandaccess to healthy local food for all Vermonters. The workshop is open toall but designed especially for local community food and farm advocates. Choosethe workshop time that works for your schedule! We can’t wait to share the Planwith you. More details... •	27 Get to know the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan 2021-2030 Get to know the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan 2021-2030 Starts: 6:00 pm Ends: May 27, 2021 - 7:00 pm Description: Thursday, May 27, 6-7pm: register here After this workshop, you will understand how Plan relates to yourcommunity or professional work, and how you and your community can use it toadvance that work. The Plan can help you with background research, strategicdecisions, grant applications, and building impactful relationships acrossVermont. The Plan was created with input from hundreds of food systembusinesses, organizations, and individuals, and provides a roadmap for collective action to strengthen our agricultural economy,increase environmental sustainability of our farm and food sector, and expandaccess to healthy local food for all Vermonters. The workshop is open toall but designed especially for local community food and farm advocates. Choosethe workshop time that works for your schedule! We can’t wait to share the Planwith you. More details... •	28	29 Sunapee Farmers Market Opens for the Season Sunapee Farmers Market Opens for the Season Starts: 8:30 am Ends: May 29, 2021 - 11:30 am Description: https://sunapeefarmersmarket.com/ More details... •
30	31

Vital Communities Program News

Vermont Everyone Eats Serves Its One-Millionth Meal!

On Thursday, April 29, Vermont Everyone Eats, an innovative COVID-19 response program, is celebrating 1 million restaurant meals served to Vermonters experiencing food insecurity. The program was launched in August 2020 with an allocation of ...more

Flavors of the Valley 2021: The Fun Goes Digital!

Flavors of the Valley, the Upper Valley's favorite local food tasting expo, will not be stopped this year! We're moving it to May, with a month-long digital celebration of spring, our local farms, local food, ...more

"Light River Junction" Kicks Off May 7 with "Toons and Tones"

https://youtu.be/1CHhlNDazVI The celebratory summer series Light River Junction First Fridays with WRIF kicks off May 7 with a fantastic line-up called "Toons and Tones." Throughout downtown White River, there will FREE outdoor arts to inspire and ...more

WAY TO GO! SPRING CHALLENGE

JOIN THE CHALLENGE MAY 1-16 AND BE ENTERED TO WIN PRIZES! Spring is here, so it’s a great time to Get Up and Go! Take the challenge to walk, bike, roll, bus, or carpool May 1 ...more

Launching Year 2 of the Upper Valley E-Bike Library!

Do you wish biking was part of your life? E-bikes can greatly increase that possibility. E-bikes (electric bikes) are like regular bikes but with an electric motor in addition to human-powered pedals, a battery to ...more

April 8: "Investing in Home Creation"

Investing for Home Creation Thursday, April 8, 5:30 pm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUwM8Z2FD3Q The Upper Valley faces a shortage of housing, particularly in the lower-cost sector, that's affecting our ability to be a vibrant, equitable community. This session discussed how even ...more

April 15, 2021: “Putting Your Money to Work Locally: Investing Clubs 101”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnLZ7akjtGw Interested in investing locally but don’t want to do it alone? Investment clubs pool money to collectively invest in local businesses and bring a social aspect to the process – they make investment fun! In this ...more

Valley Quests Open May 1—including a Guided Event to a Vernal Pool!

Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 1: It's a big one for Valley Quests! Not only is May 1 Opening Day for Quests—"treasure hunts" that share the natural and cultural history of 160+ special areas in ...more

Have an Idea That Could Use a Lift?

New Hampshire Businesses, Farmers, Entrepreneurs, Nonprofits, Community Initiatives: Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen? Want to grow your organization, our community, and the local economy, but don’t have access to capital? The Local Crowd ...more

Free Webinar on Writing Waterway Quests, April 8

Valley Quests are treasure hunts set in special locations around the Upper Valley. Each Quest follows a unique set of clues that teach you about a place’s ecology, wildlife, and history while leading to a ...more

NH Route 120 Improvements Near Exit 18

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has recently begun a project to study multi-modal improvements to NH Route 120 from Hanover Street to Etna Road in Lebanon, NH. This project (NHDOT reference #29612) seeks ...more

Quest to the Star!

Have you seen the star alight upon Mt. Tom in Woodstock? Wouldn't it be fun to see it up close? You can if you follow the clues of the Mt. Tom Quest. The star traditionally ...more

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Save Energy

This week marks the close of Vital Communities and volunteers’ 2020 Vermont Energy Savings project in seven towns in the Vermont side of the Upper Valley. Vital Communities partnered with Sustainable Woodstock (serving Woodstock, Hartland, ...more

Weatherize Webinar, August 17

Weatherize Webinar with NHSaves Monday, August 17 at Noon Did Covid-19 stop your 2020 weatherization plans in their tracks? NOW is the right time to jump back on the weatherize band wagon. Lower energy bills and cozy ...more

Welcome 31 New Upper Valley Change-makers

Vital Communities celebrated the graduation of the Leadership Upper Valley Class of 2020 on Wednesday, June 10. This event marked the program’s 14th graduating class, as 31 local leaders completed the 10-month program with a ...more

Five Inspiring Stories

On March 18, Vital Communities held a webinar featuring five inspiring stories from energy committees across the Upper Valley. Stories included: Electric charging stations in Bethel An Upper Valley eBike lending library Energy saving window ...more

Stand in Your Circle of Strength and Lead

Ed. Note: On May 30, Vital Communities honored 12 community leaders who’ve added immeasurably to the vitality of the Upper Valley at its annual Heroes & Leaders Celebration. The following are the event’s keynote remarks ...more

Heroes & Leaders: Creating a Vital Upper Valley

Every spring, Leadership Upper Valley, a program of Vital Communities, hosts the annual Heroes & Leaders Celebration to recognize individuals who make significant contributions to the Upper Valley. In 2019, we are pleased to honor ...more

Staff

Becka Warren

Food & Farm Coordinator

Food & Farm

802-291-9100 x112

email
phone phone

Food & Farm

— Becka Warren, Food & Farm Coordinator

Part of Vital Communities' Food & Farm team since 2012, Becka fosters relationships that keep agriculture a daily part of community life in the Upper Valley. She works with current and future farmers, businesses, schools, and partners across Vermont and New Hampshire to build connections that support farm viability and keep our landscapes working. Becka lived in Seattle for many years, where she worked for the Washington State University Small Farms Program, Cascade Harvest Coalition, Seattle Tilth, and area vegetable farms. Becka is also a writer, founding and writing Ask Umbra at gristmagazine.com until 2009. She holds a BA from Brown University and lives in Hartland, Vermont, with her family.

Beth Roy

Food & Farm Manager

Valley Quest, Food & Farm

802-291-9100 x105

email
phone phone

Valley Quest, Food & Farm

— Beth Roy, Food & Farm Manager

Beth leads Vital Communities' Food & Farm team, including its Upper Valley Farm to School programming, and also oversees Valley Quest. Before joining Vital Communities, Beth worked in the environmental and place-based education fields for 17 years in various positions around New England including at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science and as the Director of Education at the Nature Museum in Grafton, Vt. She previously served on the boards of the Vermont Science Teacher Association and the Vermont State-Wide Environmental Education Programs, a coalition of dozens of individuals and organizations promoting sustainability and environmental education in Vermont. Beth is a New Hampshire native and lives in Hartland, Vt., with her husband and two children, and serves on the Hartland School Board. When Beth is not working you will find her exploring the woods around her home with her family or cooking up a new taste test (made of local foods, of course!) for her children.

Doreen Guillette

Assistant to the Executive Director, Flavors Coordinator

Food & Farm

802-291-9100 x104

email
phone phone

Food & Farm

— Doreen Guillette, Assistant to the Executive Director, Flavors Coordinator

Doreen Guillette joined Vital Communities in January 2020 as the Flavors of the Valley Coordinator and Assistant to the Executive Director, with many years of administrative and management experience at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, self-employment, and volunteering. An Upper Valley native, Doreen spends most of her time and energy caring for her mini-farm and a large family in Norwich. She is a strong advocate for local community and is president of the Beaver Meadow Chapel, Trustee of the Beaver Meadow Schoolhouse, and Co-Chair of the West Norwich Community Resilience Organization. Doreen enjoys hiking, kayaking, writing poetry, nature photography, and cooking meals that come from her own land.

Nancy LaRowe

Food & Farm and Local First Coordinator

Local First, Food & Farm

802-291-9100 x106

email
phone phone

Local First, Food & Farm

— Nancy LaRowe, Food & Farm and Local First Coordinator

Nancy joined Vital Communities as the Food & Farm Coordinator in 2014. She works to support and grow our local food system and economy. Nancy has lived, worked, and farmed in the Upper Valley for more than 25 years and believes our community is healthier and stronger when our connections to food and the farms that produce it stay vital.

Nancy's informal job title is Farmer-in-Residence: she also runs a pasture-based cattle farm in Norwich. Nancy is on the Board of the Norwich Farmers' Market and a retired Norwich volunteer firefighter and EMT. She loves puttering in the garden, hiking with her dog, and visiting farmers' markets.

New Farmer Resources

This is a great time to be farming!

Resources

Beginning Farmer Websites

Organizations and Associations

Business Planning, Marketing Resources, Access to Capital, etc.

Apprenticing, Mentorship & Incubation

Research, Innovations, & Technical Support

Regulations & Other Resources

USDA Slaughter Facilities

Vermont Inspected & Custom Facilities

Publications

“It’s so amazing to know that there is such a wonderful support network here in the UV to help farmers get on track and stay on track.”

Those connections also allowed me to expand sales. I began selling my pork through another local farm and that is now my second biggest sales outlet for pork.”

Funding for our new farmer advising is made possible in part with a Rural Development Enterprise Grant from USDA Rural Development.

Oppportunities

Find Open Local Businesses and Farms. Search the Vital Communities Guide.

Valley Food & Farm News

Want more information?

Calendar

May 2021

Vital Communities Program News

Greatest Hits

Photo Gallery

Staff

Becka Warren

Food & Farm

— Becka Warren, Food & Farm Coordinator

Beth Roy

Valley Quest, Food & Farm

— Beth Roy, Food & Farm Manager

Doreen Guillette

Food & Farm

— Doreen Guillette, Assistant to the Executive Director, Flavors Coordinator

Nancy LaRowe

Local First, Food & Farm

— Nancy LaRowe, Food & Farm and Local First Coordinator