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

Learn More

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

workinginthefieldVermont 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

Organizations and Associations

farmersmarketNOFA-VT
NOFA-NH
New Hampshire Farms Network
Land for Good
Intervale Center
Women’s Agricultural Network (WAGN)
Rural Vermont
Northern Grain Growers Association
Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers Association
Vermont Grass Farmers Association
Vermont Beef Producers Association
Vermont Fresh Network
Small and Beginning Farmers of New Hampshire
Greenhorns
Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG)
USDA Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program
FarmAid Beginning Farmer Resource Guide
National Good Food Network
Community Involved in Sustainable Agriculture
New Hampshire Farm Bureau

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

greenhouseUVM Extension Farm Viability
UVM Farmer Training Program
Pricing Your Farm Products
Vermont Fresh Network
Dig In Vermont!
Valley Food & Farm Online Guide
Center for an Agricultural Economy Small Business Agricultural Advising
Vermont Farmers’ Market Association
Vermont Farmers’ Markets
Vermont Small Business Development Center
New Hampshire Farmers’ Market Association
Pam Knights Communications
Rose Wilson
Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program
New Hampshire Small Business Development Center
Upper Valley SCORE
USDA Farm Service Agency Beginning Farmer and Rancher Loans
Carrot Project
Yankee Farm Credit
New Hampshire Community Loan Fund’s Food and Farm Initiative
Center for Rural Affairs Beginning Farmer Loan Programs
Small Business Administration
Cornell Small Farms Program

Apprenticing, Mentorship & Incubation

North East Workers on Organic Farms (NEWOOF)
NOFA VT Apprentice & Farm Worker Program
NOFA VT Journey Farmer Program
UVM Farmer Training Program
Intervale Farms Project

Research, Innovations, & Technical Support

Natural Resources Conservation Service
Vermont Association of Conservation Districts
UVM Extension
UNH Extension
UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education
Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship at Cornell University
ATTRA
Farm Hack

Regulations & Other Resources

FSMA On Farm Readiness Review
VT Required Agricultural Practices
UVM Produce Program
New Hampshire Ag Rules and Laws
Vermont Red Meat Slaughter Flow Chart
Vermont Agency of Agriculture Poultry Slaughter FAQ
NOFA VT Farmers’ Market 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

chickensNew 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.”

Crossroad CRAFT TB

 

“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.

Join our Farmer Discussion

Learn More

Link in to the Upper Valley’s farming community with The Upper Valley Farmer Community Discussion List. To subscribe send a blank message to uvfarming-subscribe@lists.valley.net Subscribers can post a message to this list by simply emailing a message to uvfarming@lists.valley.net

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Valley Food & Farm News

Visit Our Food & Farm Blog

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Farmer Discussion List

Calendar

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Vital Communities Program News

Special Sessions for VT & NH Legislators

Vital Communities is hosting four virtual meetings for legislators in the Upper Valley region, from both New Hampshire and Vermont, connecting them with key voices and resource people on critical issues. Home Availability in Our Region Wed, ...more

Crowdfunding Available for NH Projects

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 ...more

One stop shop for VT green transportation news!

Some of our friends in Burlington have put together a super cool online resource called Vermont Goes Green for everything related to green transportation in Vermont — it's an events calendar and a clearinghouse for ...more

Quest to Refresh Challenge!

Do you need to press the reset/refresh button?  Have you spent too much time behind a screen these days? We have a solution! Take our challenge – Quest to Refresh! Complete five or more Quests ...more

Housing Help in New Hampshire!

Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) include shelters, rental assistance for both eviction prevention and rapid re-housing, security deposit loan program, tenant services, supported housing programs and facilities, outreach/coordinated entry, commodity foods distribution, commodity supplemental food program ...more

Why Bank Locally?

Where You Bank Makes a Difference! When you use a bank or credit union rooted in our community, you're making a conscious choice to support our local economy. Local First Champion member Mascoma Bank is a ...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

Study Underscores the Benefits of Buying Local

A study commissioned by Vital Communities finds that, for every dollar they earn, local retailers and restaurants return a share to the local community that’s up to four times as big as that of chain ...more

Fall Guided Quest in Wilder, VT

Join Vital Communities’ Valley Quest Coordinator Sandy Gmur along with Roy Black, lifelong resident of Wilder and a member of the Hartford Historical Society, on a guided exploration of the historic village of Wilder. Did ...more

Fall 2020 Transit Updates!

Just in time for fall and back-to-school, there are some exciting transit updates from both sides of the river! Tri-Valley Transit (formerly Stagecoach) has a new midday route on the 89er South route. This route connects ...more

How to Commute Safely During the Pandemic

Even with the need for physical distancing and many people working from home, transit and carpooling are available for those who need them. Here is some information on how to use each safely these days.  Riding ...more

Quests Along the Cross Rivendell Trail

Do you hope to do a longer hike before the good weather ends?  Do you enjoy a challenge?  We have a way for you to attain these goals!  Two of our Quests incorporate sections of ...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

13th Annual Roundtable - September 15

You're Invited! The 13th Annual Upper Valley Energy Committee Roundtable will be held Tuesday, September 15, 5-8 pm in West Lebanon! This annual gathering of local energy volunteers is open to all, whether you serve on an ...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

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Staff

Becka Warren

Food & Farm Coordinator

Food & Farm

 802-291-9100 x112

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

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

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

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.