Vermont Whole Farm Planning Gathering

Twenty whole farm planning enthusiasts showed up on September 24 for a Whole Farm Field Day at Cedar Mountain Farm in Hartland, Vermont. This event was organized by Jessie Schmidt of University of Vermont (UVM) New Farmer Program (she is also HMI’s Beginning Women Farmer Vermont State Coordinator). The event was an additional educational program for participants from that program (which has been funded by USDA/NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program). The day included a dairy and vegetable CSA tour by farm owners/managers Stephen Leslie and Kerry Gawalt as well as an environmental assessment exercise led by Ann Adams, HMI’s Director of Community Services. Further discussion about Holistic Management whole farm planning continued until dark while the group ate pizza from the VT Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) portable pizza oven. Thanks to Stephen Leslie and Kerry Gawalt of Cedar Mountain Farm, UVM New Farmer Program, and Vermont NOFA for making this event possible. If you are interested in applying for HMI's Vermont Beginning Women Farmer program, contact Jessie Schmidt at: Jessie.a.schmidt@uvm.edu. Application deadline is November 15th.