UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture

63 Carrigan Drive

Burlington, VT 05405

Phone: (802) 656-5459

Fax: (802) 656-8874

Web: www.uvm.edu/sustainableagriculture

The Center for Sustainable Agriculture was established in 1994 as a unit within University of Vermont (UVM) Extension to integrate university and community expertise to promote sustainable farming systems throughout Vermont and the region. Recognizing the need to address issues from an interdisciplinary perspective, the Center works with academic departments, public agencies, private organizations and producers to find innovative solutions to the complex challenges facing today's farmers. 

Our Vision is that farming in Vermont will be profitable, protect environmental quality, and provide consumers with affordable, high-quality products, while enhancing the quality of life for farmers and rural communities.

Our Mission is to bring people with a diversity of interests together to foster an understanding of agricultural issues that will lead to personal, institutional, organizational, and community decisions that encourage farming in Vermont.

Programs to Benefit to New Farmers

• Land Link Vermont The Land Link Vermont program connects new and relocating farmers with retiring farmers and non-farming landowners to help keep land in agriculture. Land Link Vermont also provides information, training, and referral services to farmers to help them make informed decisions about farm transfers and start-ups.

• Small Ruminant Dairy Program In collaboration with the University of Vermont Animal Sciences Department, we provide technical assistance to an increasing number of sheep and goat dairy farmers in the state through the Small Ruminant Dairy Program. Many of these farmers produce premium farmstead cheeses for which there is growing demand.

• Vermont Pasture Network The Pasture Network Program brings together farmers, researchers, and agency personnel to promote intensive grazing, a farming technique that minimizes production costs while protecting water and soil quality, and animal health. We coordinate pasture walks, farmer discussion groups, and conferences with the Vermont Grass Farmers’ Association, a statewide farmer organization, which helps farmers learn about grass‑based farming from one another.
  
• Publications and Videos In addition, Cultivating Connections, the Center’s quarterly newsletter, keep more than 1,000 readers informed of programs, events, and resources in sustainable agriculture.