Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report
The University of Vermont
Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Welcome to the Center for Sustainable Agriculture’s annual report! With this issue, we are
changing our reporting to better align ourselves with UVM’s reporting year. As you will see
from the articles here, this year the Center’s work is reaching even more farmers, making a difference in how farmers increase their profits, manage their land and work with their communities. Whether working to reduce feed and energy costs through improved winter practices or
mapping local food initiatives across the state, we are trying to support Vermont’s most innovative farmers to meet ever more pressing needs for sustainable food and farming. We are excited
about the successes we see in farming in Vermont and hope that our readers will be inspired by
these stories to explore their own new efforts to advance sustainable agriculture. 
Center Directions
Last year the Center’s staff worked hard to define and set
long-term goals for the Center. Our mission is ambitious:
to advance sustainable food and farming in Vermont. We
achieve our purpose through collaborative research and
learning that support the development of innovative practices and policies.
We have established four cross-cutting goal areas. They
are:
1. More high quality, sustainably-produced local
food is available to all Vermonters;
2. Vermont’s aspiring and experienced farmers have
new options to enhance the quality of their lives,
economic security and continuing success;
3. Vermont’s farms increase the health of the soil,
water, air climate and biodiversity of our ecosystems; and
4. Leadership is enhanced to promote sustainable
food and farm practices.
The Center brings distinctive elements to its work. Foremost among these, is our ability to bridge community and
university resources to provide knowledge that is scientifically reliable, yet practicable. As a public entity, we
address public concerns and seek to extend our resources
broadly to all interested people in the state and beyond.
We are able to convene diverse groups and do most of our
work through partnerships.
To fulfill our goals, our related priority objectives for the
next five to seven years include to:
Identify approaches that enable local food to be
accessible and affordable to consumers, yet provide fair prices to farmers;
Assess the sustainability of local food supply
chains and identify the conditions required to
make them more sustainable;
Link farm and food infrastructure business planning to whole-farm analysis and sustainability
indicators to increase farm success as well as environmental stewardship and community wellbeing;
Support innovative mechanisms for beginning
farmers’ access to land and financing to enhance
their early success and attract more people to
farming;
Help farmers identify and develop cost-effective
energy alternatives, including biofuels, biomass
and conservation;
Identify approaches for measuring and reducing
carbon footprints on farms and in the food system;
Assist farmers to reduce costly and nonrenewable inputs and recycle wastes to improve
the ecological health of local pasture, soil and
water, especially through grass-based systems
and composting;
Develop shared leadership capacities of farmers,
university students and others to advance sustainable food and farming in the state.
The Center will be addressing these objectives in the
coming year . We will monitor our progress, with reports to you—the community that makes these ambitions possible. 
Leadership Development
In 2007-2008 the Center continued to increase awareness
of sustainable agriculture among Extension and USDA
personnel and other professionals through its Leadership
Development Program, funded by the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NESARE). This year, under the leadership of Deb Heleba,
the program helped seven Extension and USDA staff
members learn more about biodiesel production, organic
grains, and no-till farming systems through a series of
field visits. As the Vermont coordinator for NE SARE’s
Professional Development Program (PDP), Deb Heleba
also participated in NE SARE PDP activities to further
develop professional development opportunities in the
region.
NE SARE is currently evaluating a variety of communication venues, including the Internet, as an alternative to
Cultivating Connections for disseminating information to
agricultural professionals in the state. Looking ahead,
planned activities will include increasing outreach of NESARE programs and working in collaboration with Cooperative Extension colleagues in New Hampshire and
Main to provide training to agricultural professionals on
alternative energy strategies and local grain production in
northern New England.
For more information, please contact Debra Heleba, Vermont
Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator, NE-SARE Professional
Development Program, at [email protected] or 802-6564046. 
Center for Sustainable Agriculture • Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report • Page 2
Pasture Program
improvement, and
Held a six-workshop series on small ruminant grazing
and parasite management, in partnership with Carol Delaney, bringing in experts from across the country.
In 2009, we will begin a Winter Pasture Management project funded with a USDA Conservation Innovation Grant.
We will be working with the Highfields Institute, the
UVM Plant and Soil Science Department, the Farm Viability Enhancement team, and regional farmer leaders to
help implement and monitor the environmental and cost
effects of innovations of using composted bedding packs
to enhance pasture fertility and extend the grazing season
through stockpiling and use of season extending crops.
The Pasture Program works to enhance sustainable grassbased livestock farming by improving soil, water and forage quality and farm profitability. We support farmers
through farm visits, on-farm workshops, demonstrations,
research, an annual conference, newsletters and other
publications and web-based communication. Our research in 2007-8 focused on the soil quality impacts of
farming methods, pasture species trials, and equine pasture management.
This past year the Pasture Program:
Coordinated, together with the Vermont Grass Farmers’
Association (VGFA), the 12th Annual Vermont Grazing
Conference, with a theme of grazing on creative land
use partnerships. More than 400 farmers and agricultural service providers attended the meeting.
Produced a monthly pasture events calendar, a quarterly
grazing newsletter and a Directory of Grass-Fed Products.
Expanded and updated the Pasture Program web site to
include more timely and useful information, with new
communication methods, such as a blog.
Developed 20 grazing plans for farms throughout the
state.
Provided direct technical assistance to more than 85
farms to better understand the connections between water quality and good grazing management choices.
Assisted the VGFA with strategic planning and priority
development.
Constructed an on-farm high-traffic renovation demonstration site at an equine operation in Colchester.
Established pasture species trials on 6 farms and at the
Vermont Technical College with Sid Bosworth.
Monitored soil and forage quality on 15 farms to determine any link between soil testing and pasture
Our partners include Sid Bosworth (UVM), Betsy Greene
(UVM), VT Grass Farmers Association (VGFA), independent consultants Mike Ghia, Chuck Mitchell, and
Todd Shuttleworth; and Sarah Flack and Willie Gibson
from NOFA- Vermont. We express our continuing gratitude to our funders: NRCS VT, Northeast SARE, the
Agency of Natural Resources EPA 319 funding, the
Northeast Center for Risk Management Education, USDA
Risk Management Agency, and supporters of the Center
for Sustainable Agriculture.
Jennifer Colby is the Outreach Coordinator, focusing on educational and information-sharing activities. She can be reached
at (802) 656-0858. Rachel Gilker is the Program Coordinator,
focusing on technical assistance and research projects. She
can be reached at (802) 656-3834. 
Center for Sustainable Agriculture • Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report • Page 3
Alternative Enterprises: Planning for Farm Viability
Vermont’s agricultural economy is changing. The latest
USDA census indicates that nearly 5,000 of the state’s
6,571 farms grossed less than $50,000. The Alternative
Enterprises program supports Vermont farmers to become
more profitable by identifying and implementing innovative business enterprises that also support sustainable
farm and food systems.
Farm Viability Enhancement (FVE) is the program’s primary means for supporting farmers’ business changes.
FVE helps farmers through team-based business planning,
project implementation and technical support. In 2007-8,
the Center coordinated FVE efforts on behalf of UVM
Extension, and worked directly with 96 farms. UVM is
one of four entities in Vermont receiving VT Housing &
Conservation Board funds to implement FVE across the
state, in addition to NOFA-Vermont, the Intervale Center
and Working Landscapes. The program is also supported
by UVM Extension, USDA- Rural Development and an
anonymous donor.
UVM’s Farm Viability team provided direct onfarm services to 96 farms in 2007.
24 of those farms completed whole farm business plans this year, and 7 others completed an
enterprise analysis for diversifying their farm
operation.
90% of farmers contacted during the follow-up
evaluations have taken action on their business
plans and indicated an increase in farm income.
The Dairy Stewardship Alliance is a research initiative of
the Alternative Enterprises Program to develop sustainability indicators for dairy farms to help dairy farmers
determine actions that can improve their business viability
while also protecting the natural environment. Last year,
the program expanded to include more farms and refined
the assessment tool. Ben and Jerry’s developed a website
about the tool (http://www.benjerry.com/our_company/
about_us/environment/#sustain). We are now exploring
indicators for “low carbon farming.” Partners include the
dairy farmers, Ben and Jerry’s Foundation, St. Alban’s
Cooperative Creamery, UVM Extension, Farm Service
Administration and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture. Funding was provided through USDA-SARE.
29 farms completed a Dairy Stewardship Assessment in 2007-8. Those farms are implementing changes in farm practices to improve
stewardship and increase the score of the sustainability indicators for their farm.
The original 12 farms served as a group of advisors who helped to edit the text of the manuals.
In late 2008, we will complete the final editing
of the manual, which will then be tested with a
final group of farmers.
Allen Matthews was invited to present information on the Alliance to research scientists at the
annual meeting of the European Association of
Animal Production in Vilnius, Lithuania. There
are now plans underway to link with further
research on sustainability indicators.
Applications and full annual reports for Farm Viability
Enhancement and the Dairy Stewardship Alliance documenting the sustainable indicators and changes implemented for all farms are available at www.uvm.edu/
sustainableagriculture
Farm enterprises has also advised local groups interested
in strengthening our local food system. Allen Matthews
provided support to the Rutland Area Farm & Food Link
(RAFFL), Local Communities and the Intervale Center’s
Food Basket as they developed promoting innovative distribution, marketing and direct sales.
The program is coordinated by Allen Matthews, who can be
reached at (802) 656-0037 or
[email protected].
Center for Sustainable Agriculture • Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report • Page 4
Small Ruminant Dairy Project: Learning by Sharing Local
Success Stories
The Small Ruminant Dairy Project (SRDP) continued its
mission of assisting the goat and sheep dairy industry in
Vermont through technical assistance. In the past year,
the SRDP gave 230 consultations by means of emails,
phone conversations, mailed information and farm visits.
SRDP organized and presented at eight workshops serving 282 attendees. The quarterly Small Ruminant Dairy
Newsletter and monthly calendar of events was sent to
almost 600 readers by mail and email.
There are 35 commercial small ruminant dairy operations
in Vermont. To the list of farmstead cheese goat dairies,
three have recently joined the current, stable list of 6 successful ones. Some of these small operations purchased
milk from another four small goat dairies. Thus, farmstead goat cheese businesses and their suppliers total 13.
The dairy sheep farm numbers have remained steady at
eight and purchase other sheep and cow milk. All small
ruminant farmstead cheese makers sell out of cheese, indicating the quality and demand for their products.
By far, the largest purchaser of fluid goat milk (90%) for
cheese making in Vermont is the award winning Vermont
Butter and Cheese Co. (VBCC). VBCC employs a fulltime outreach person to work with their 14 farm suppliers
and prospective farms. SRDP collaborated with VBCC to
assist in troubleshooting problems and co-writing grants.
VBCC expects to have an increase of 3-7 farms this fall
July 2007-June 2008 Highlights:
Organized by the SRDP, three farmstead cheese makers
(representing goat, sheep and cow) presented at the
American Cheese Society’s conference held in Burlington, VT August 1-4 on the topic of “How Big is Big
Enough? Getting at Farm Size for Sustainability”
30 people attended the workshop, “Starting a Commercial Goat Dairy,” on November 8, Burlington, VT.
From this, a draft of “A Guide to Starting a Commercial
Goat Dairy Farm” was produced and will be published
in the fall of 2008.
dairy sheep farms to help pay for milk metering and
sample analysis. Data analysis from one farm showed a
40% increase in milk and cheese production over a four
-year period
SRDP compiled and published the 2008/2009 New
England and New York Dairy/Meat Goat and Dairy
Sheep Directory including listings for farmers and service providers and local, regional and national resources.
The Small Ruminant Dairy Project concluded in September 2008 after over 10 years of valuable work and
support to the small ruminant farmers in the state and
the region. Funding for the project was primarily from
an anonymous donor as well as from a NE SARE grant.
Support for small ruminant goat and sheep dairy farms
will be continued through other programs at the Center,
including our Pasture, Alternative Farm Enterprise and
Beginning Farmer programs.
Contact Rebecca Haskell ([email protected], 6565459) for more information. 
Data collection was completed on a three-year research
grant looking at nutrition for dairy goats on 8 farms.
Preliminary results showed that two farms increased
milk production by 10-30%.
SRDP offered a shared cost program for a 3rd year to
Center for Sustainable Agriculture • Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report • Page 5
Beginning Farmer and Land Access Program
The Center’s Beginning Farmer and Land Access Program focuses on increasing beginning farmers’ access to
land, capital and early business success. This new program combines and expands upon the Center’s past Land
Link Program and New and Beginning Farmer initiatives.
It targets “aspiring” or “start-up” farmers—those with less
than three years of experience and less than $10,000 of
gross annual sales who are often not eligible for other
programs.
The new program aims to serve these beginning farmers
in two main ways: First, by coordinating partners in a
team approach to delivering specific areas of business
and technical assistance; and second, by hosting interactive web-tools that enable beginning farmers to network
with each other and access the resources they have trouble
finding on their own. The program will continue to facilitate the New Farmer Network as a major partner. Ben
Waterman is developing the new program.
In 2007-8 the Network met quarterly to exchange information, discuss priorities for new farmers and identify
funding opportunities. The Center sponsored a pilot run
of a focus group on new farmers needs together with the
Women’s Agricultural Network and updated the New
Farmer’s Resource Guide. The guide is now available
online at http://www.vermontagriculture.com/agdev/
newfarm.htm.
One highlight was a full-day farm-based workshop in November 2007 on "Greenhouses and Season Extension" in
East Montpelier. The session provided practical information about building and managing greenhouses and high
tunnels. Half the day was classroom-style education and
half the day was spent at Screamin´ Ridge Farm where
Joe Buley grows greenhouse crops throughout the year.
The program is coordinated by Benjamin Waterman, who can
be reached at (802) 656-9142 or [email protected].
Meanwhile, the Land Link program’s 2007-8 achievements included:
Matching services to farm seekers and owners
(involving 100 seekers, 35 owners, 1 match)
Six workshops on family farm succession, farm
business transfer, business planning, and farm
start-up issues.
Awareness-raising about farm transfer planning,
alternative tenure and beginning farmer issues
through presentations and newsletters
Land Link conducted this work in partnership with the
Women’s Agricultural Network, UVM Extension and
Vermont New Farmer Network.
Last year the Center’s beginning farmer work focused on
facilitating the New Farmer Network, an open coalition
of farmers and agricultural organizations that seeks to
strengthen collaboration and communication among people and organizations that serve new or beginning farmers. Organizational members include the Farm Service
Agency, Intervale Center, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT), UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture, UVM Extension, Vermont Agency of
Agriculture, Vermont Land Trust, Vermont Farm Bureau
and Yankee Farm Credit.
Center for Sustainable Agriculture • Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report • Page 6
Sustainable Agriculture Council
The Vermont Sustainable Agriculture Council was established in 1989 to promote research and education to encourage the development and use of economically and
ecologically sound sustainable agriculture practices. By
agreement with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, the
Center co-chairs and staffs the Council with the Agency.
The Council is one of the state’s most important entities
for coordination and collaboration of sustainable food and
farming.
In 2007-8, the Council continued its focus on developments related to local food and on-farm energy. The
Council’s activities included completion of research and
recommendations related to the potential for enhanced onfarm oil seed production for fuel and feed in Vermont by
Netaka White, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and maps
showing local food distribution channels including CSAs,
farmers’ markets, coops and farmstands by Marina
Michahelles, UVM masters student.
The Council awarded new research grants to Ginger
Nickerson for an inventory of local food initiatives in the
state, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund for a study of biofuels sustainability indicators and feasibility market study,
and Ed Delhagen, for a strategic assessment ad overview
of farm energy developments. The 2007 Sustainable
Farm of the Year Award was given to Jim Kleptz of
LaPlatte River Angus in Shelburne Vermont.
In January 2008, the Council submitted its annual report
to the legislature summarizing developments in sustainable agriculture in Vermont. The report included recommendations to promote the production, storage, processing, distribution and consumption of locally grown food
products, as well as to foster locally owned, communityor farm-based biofuels and feed or food projects to increase Vermont’s renewable energy capacity and security,
and generate revenue and alternative sources of livestock
feed for farmers. The legislature also passed in 2008
Joint Resolution 63 requesting the Sustainable Agriculture Council to form a collaborative to coordinate future
policy pertaining to local food growth initiatives in Vermont.
At the Center, Lini Wollenberg served as co-director together with Deputy Secretary of the Agency of Agriculture Anson Tebetts (Vermont Agency of Agriculture),
Allen Matthews joined the Council as a member in 2008
and Becky Gollin and Rebecca Haskell provided staffing.
The Council is funded through the generosity of the Davison Funds and the UVM College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences as well as the Vermont Agency of Agriculture.
For the 2008 report and a list of current members, please
see http://www.uvm.edu/~susagctr/?Page=council.html.
2008 Sustainable Agriculture Council
Center for Sustainable Agriculture • Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report • Page 7
Fiscal Year 2008 Financial Snapshot
Income
Total = $773,776
Gifts
State & Federal Grants
UVM
Endowments
Fees and Publication Sales
2%
11%
21%
36%
30%
Expenses
Total = $783,265
Farm Enterprises
SRDP
Leadership
Pasture
New Farmer
Land Link
Sustainable Horticulture
Renewable Energy
Administrative
24%
25%
4%
2%
14%
1%
0%
25%
5%
*Includes multi-year projects and salary-only contributions. Some
project years do not coincide with the fiscal year.*
Center for Sustainable Agriculture • Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report • Page 8