Agriculture Commons^™

Overview Of Commercial Horticulture Farms In Vermont, Vernon P. Grubinger

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

This 8-page report summarizes U.S. Census of Agriculture data over 20 years that describes horticultural farms in Vermont. These data are for farms producing apples, berries, Christmas trees, floriculture crops, grapes, and/or vegetables. Trends in farm number, annual sales, and production acreage are presented and discussed. Additional data sources are used to describe organic production, membership in grower associations, and high tunnel production.

Impact Of, And Response To, Flooding Of Vermont Farms In 2023, Vernon P. Grubinger

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

This 8-page report summarizes the impact of excessive rainfall on Vermont farms in 2023, and the responses of different organizations to that situation. National weather service reports, farmer survey results, actions of philanthropic and grant funding programs for farmers, and flooded soil test results are summarized. A set of recommendations to improve future responses to agricultural flooding is provided.

2021 Northeast Maple Business Benchmark, Mark Cannella, Christopher Lindgren

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

The 2021 production season left many producers disappointed. While sap flow volume was reported as average to normal in many instances, pervasive low sap sugar content influenced the lower syrup production totals.

The 2021 Northeast Maple Business Benchmark report documents the ninth year of financial record analysis for commercial syrup producers. The project includes maple producers in Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Tap counts for this year’s participant businesses ranged from 7,000 taps to 65,000 taps.

This report demonstrates key management and financial metrics including: yield statistics, land use, operating costs, investment requirements, total cost of production, marketing strategy …

Farmer Perspectives On Administrative Burdens And Potential Compensation Structures: A Short Summary Report Of Farmer Interviews From Spring 2022. Vermont Payment For Ecosystem Services Technical Research Report # 3c, Ellen Friedrich, Nour El-Naboulsi, Alissa C. White, Heather M. Darby

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

Interviews with 35 Vermont farmers explored their perspectives on compensation associated with a soil health payment for ecosystem services (PES) program in 2022. This report summarizes thematic analysis of those interviews. Farmers’ willingness to participate in a soil health PES is linked to both the burden of enrollment paperwork and the payment level, among other factors.

If deciding whether to participate in a soil health PES program, nearly all farmers said they would weigh the time and energy put into the administrative workload against the perceived benefits and value of the program, i.e., the payment level or technical assistance provided. …

Whole Farm Net Zero: Approaches To Quantification Of Climate Regulation Ecosystem Services At The Whole Farm Scale. Vermont Payment For Ecosystem Services Technical Report #7, Christopher Bonasia, Lindsey Ruhl, Benjamin Timothy Dube, Alissa C. White, Heather M. Darby

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

In this report, approaches to the quantification of climate mitigation ecosystem services at the whole farm scale are reviewed and summarized for easy comparison. Eight quantification tools, and three case studies demonstrating possible tool applications, are summarized to fulfill the requirements of the Technical Services Contract—Task 7. Information from a combination of literature review and expert interviews served to document the inputs, outputs, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for each quantification tool. This research was conducted in service to the Vermont Soil Health and Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Working Group (VT PES working group). It is our hope that …

Valuation Of Soil Health Ecosystem Services. Vermont Payment For Ecosystem Services Technical Research Report #5, Benjamin Timothy Dube, Alissa C. White, Taylor H. Ricketts, Heather M. Darby

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

In this report, we present estimates for ecosystem services from soil health using two approaches for four different services. One approach generates estimates based on soil-health practices, and the other approach is based on improvements in soil-health indicators. For soil- health practices, such as adopting best-management practices on annual corn, we utilize a set of off-the shelf empirical models widely used to estimate ecological functions on farm landscapes. For soil-health indicators, we make estimates by linking these tools with soil data and statistical models describing how soil-health parameters influence the interaction of soils with water and their environment. We provide …

Northeastern United States Maple Syrup Production And Economics: A 2019 Survey Of Producers, Mark Cannella, Christopher Lindgren, Mark Isselhardt

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

A survey of northeastern maple syrup producers was completed to explore factors of business scale, economic viability, organic production and the outlook for the maple crop in the coming years. Results from this survey demonstrate the wide range of hobby and commercial scales present within the maple producer community across the Northeastern United States. As the U.S. domestic maple syrup crop continues to grow the influence of different scales and types of business can shape local communities, national trends and future policy. Survey results offer insight into production yields, technology adoption, economics and business performance.

Field Scale Soil Health Scenarios. Vermont Payment For Ecosystem Services Technical Report #2, Alissa C. White, Heather M. Darby, Lindsey C. Ruhl, Bryony Sands, Sara Ziegler,, Juan P. Alvez, Sarah Brickman

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

This report illustrates how changes in management on Vermont farms can influence soil health metrics at the field scale. We’ve used regionally relevant science-based scenarios to demonstrate how selected soil health metrics that are associated with ecosystem services could change on farms in response to management practices at the field scale. These field scale management scenarios demonstrate that many practices in use by farmers in Vermont can have positive impacts on the soil health indicators of interest to the Vermont Soil Health & Payment for Ecosystem Services Working Group. The scenarios document potential for tradeoffs among soil health properties. Specifically, …

2020 Northeast Maple Business Benchmark, Mark Cannella, Christopher Lindgren

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

The 2020 production season began just as the Covid-19 pandemic was emerging across the United States. Most states quickly enacted “essential industry” provisions that enabled agricultural and forestry operations to remain active assuming their workers were healthy and willing to report to work. Lingering policy and regulatory issues faced maple producers in the coming months as the pandemic disruptions continued. While many businesses faced short term cash flow challenges the overall maple demand rebounded and exceeded expectations for growth by the end of 2020.

The 2020 Northeast Maple Business Benchmark report documents the eight year of financial record analysis for …

Soil Carbon Storage And Sequestration In Vermont Agriculture, Alissa C. White, Heather M. Darby, Donald Ross

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

In 2021, The State of Soil Health (SOSH) project measured indicators of soil health on 221 farm fields across the state of Vermont through a collaborative effort among many organizations. Soil carbon stocks to 30 cm depth were assessed on 191 of those fields. In this brief we share a summary of this new soil carbon stock data alongside data from a national assessment of soil carbon stocks performed by the NRCS from 2010 and highlight its relevance to current policy conversations within the state of Vermont.

Key Ideas

• The protection of existing soil carbon stocks and support for increased …

Conservation And Farm Viability On Vermont Medium And Large Farms, Mark P. Cannella, Anthony Kitsos

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

In winter 2021 a survey of Medium Farm Operations (MFO) and Large Farm Operations (LFO) was conducted in Vermont. The goal of this survey was to gather information on the economic situation across Vermont’s medium-to-larger farms, explore their adaptation to water quality regulations and to understand the next steps for farms moving forward. The survey was distributed to 143 MFO and LFO farm business owners through postal mail. Sixty-two useable surveys were analyzed resulting in a 44% response rate.

Results show that conservation practice adoption among MFO and LFO farms is high. The largest compliance factor this group of farms …

The State Of Soil Health In Vermont: Summary Statistics From Vermont Agriculture In 2021, Alissa C. White, Heather M. Darby, Lindsey Ruhl, Erin Lane

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

This report shares the summary statistics of the soil health indicators evaluated in the 2021 State of Soil Health project on farms in Vermont. The aim of this report is to share the data in a simple format that can be accessed by farmers, advisors and policy makers.

The State of Soil Health in Vermont is an initiative to measure soil health and soil carbon on farms across the state of Vermont. This project is coordinated by UVM Extension and has relied on field support, in kind- donations and data sharing from partnering organizations. The project has five primary objectives: …

Measuring Ecosystem Services From Soil Health. Vermont Payment For Ecosystem Services Technical Research Report #1, Alissa C. White, Heather M. Darby, Benjamin Timothy Dube, Bryony Sands, Joshua W. Faulkner, Meredith Albers, Maggie Payne

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

There are a multitude of approaches to evaluating soil health and the soil processes influenced by soil health. As the state of Vermont explores innovative programs that compensate farmers for soil health and associated ecosystem services, the selection of soil health indicators and quantification methods is a foundational first step that influences other aspects of program design. What is measured determines the ecosystem services that can be inferred, the accuracy of data that informs decisions, and programmatic transaction costs. Simply put, what is measured matters. The PES Working Group identified organic matter, bulk density, aggregate stability, greenhouse gas flux from …

2019 Northeast Maple Business Benchmark, Mark Cannella, Christopher Lindgren

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

The 2019 production season rebounded with a 1% increase in US national syrup production from the previous crop in 2018. Bulk market prices continued a slow decline following reports of a strong 2019 crop year and continued strength of the US dollar.

General reports from maple producers and sellers indicate an environment of increasing competition for sales. Successive strong crop years bolstering supply, downward price pressure from Canadian import dynamics and more US producers pursuing direct and wholesale market channels reinforced the increased competition. By 2019 the signals to maple owners were clear, business performance in the modern maple era …

A Decision Tool For Values-Based Food Purchasing, Vernon P. Grubinger

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

Food purchases are investments that influence the characteristics of our food system. Price, convenience, and perception of an appropriate level of quality are drivers of food purchasing decisions. Other values related to economic, environmental and/or social sustainability are harder to support through food purchasing decisions due to lack of information and transparency in the food system. A broader, more specific, and more flexible approach is needed to help food purchasers, especially smaller retailers, organizations, and institutions, make buying decisions that align with their values. The Values-Based Food Purchasing Rubric presented here attempts to create a relatively simple and flexible assessment …

Conservation And Farm Viability On Vermont Small Farms, Mark Cannella, Anthony Kitsos

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

In spring 2019 the UVM Extension Agricultural Business program conducted a survey of Certified Small Farms (CSFO) in Vermont. The goal of this survey is to gather information on the economic situation across Vermont’s small farms, explore their adaptation to water quality regulations and to understand the next steps for farms moving forward. Vermont implemented new Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) in 2017. The anonymous survey was distributed to 334 CSFO businesses owners through postal mail. The survey was completed by 173 respondents.

Results show that small farms made many conservation improvements to attain compliance new regulations. Lower cost investments in …

2017 Maple Business Benchmark, Mark Cannella, Christopher Lindgren

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

The 2017 season followed the record-breaking crop of 2016. As the 2017 season approached, business owners remained apprehensive about bulk market prices. Rumors of strong crop inventories paired with softening prices continued to concern producers. The US tap count continues to grow but at a slightly slower rate than previous years. The most current maple statistics are available from the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS).

The 2017 Maple Business Benchmark is the fifth year of financial record analysis for a small group of commercial syrup producers. This report demonstrates key management and financial metrics …

2016 Maple Business Benchmark, Mark Cannella, Christopher Lindgren

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

At the time of this report (January 2018) market prices have dropped to near $2.00 per pound for bulk syrup and organic premiums have declined modestly. The current US bulk market prices have de-coupled from an exact calculation of the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers (FPAQ) pricing levels adjusted for US-Canadian currency exchange rates. Several public presentations from industry leaders at VT Maple Conferences have confirmed that markets continue to grow but that there is short term surplus syrup inventory following strong 2016 and 2017 crop years. This market situation continues to prompt dialogue about the industry outlook, policy …

2015 Maple Business Benchmark, Mark Cannella, Christopher Lindgren, Betsy Miller

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

The 2015 Maple Business Benchmark is the third year of financial analysis for a small group of commercial syrup producers. The University of Vermont Extension worked with 14 maple producers to complete financial analysis of their maple enterprise. This report demonstrates key management and financial metrics including: yield statistics, land use, operating costs, investment requirements, total cost of production, marketing strategy and net income. The participants represent a small sample of the entire Vermont maple industry but the findings can compel any manager to consider the methods and results of financial analysis for their particular business situations. This report will …

Managing E. Coli In Vegetable Wash Water, Vernon P. Grubinger, Lynn Blevins

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

This study cooperated with commercial leafy green growers across Vermont and in nearby states to study the effect of different numbers of washes (rinses) and/or two sanitizer treatments on generic E. coli levels in wash water. The goal was to identify the practices which were most effective at reducing the risk of cross contamination. When farms with very high levels of E. coli in the first wash used a full rate of sanitizer, the levels were typically reduced to zero, but when a triple wash was used without sanitizer the E. coli levels were reduced, but not always to zero. …

2014 Maple Business Benchmark, Mark Cannella, Christopher Lindgren, Betsy Miller

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

Maple producers experienced record crop yields matched with sustained strong prices in the 2013 sugaring season. Moving into the 2014 sugaring season producers were aware of slight price declines in the forecast. While producers were still hopeful for a strong sugaring season many managers were concerned that too large of a crop might overwhelm the overall syrup supply and accelerate the price drops (it was not until later in 2014 that producers learn that market price declines would be primarily driven by the Canadian/US currency exchange rates).

The University of Vermont Extension worked with 18 maple producers to complete financial …

Vermont Bioenergy Initiative: Final Report To The Us Department Of Energy, Christopher William Callahan, Scott Sawyer, Ellen Kahler

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

The purpose of the Vermont Bioenergy Initiative (VBI) was to foster the development of sustainable, distributed, small-scale biodiesel and grass/mixed fiber industries in Vermont in order to produce bioenergy for local transportation, agricultural, and thermal applications, as a replacement for fossil fuel based energy.

The VBI marked the first strategic effort to reduce Vermont’s dependency on petroleum through the development of homegrown alternatives. With billions of gallons of ethanol produced and blended with gasoline each year in the United States—and very little possibility of corn-based ethanol development in Vermont—we focused on a specific subset of bioenergy alternatives: We worked with …

2013 Maple Business Benchmark, Mark Cannella, Mark Cannella, Chris Lindgren, Betsy Miller

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

Strong market prices, technology improvements and increasing sugar bush sizes are key features of the Vermont maple industry. The continued growth of maple production and maple investments elevate the interest in the financial performance of harvesting maple sap and processing maple syrup. The 2013 Maple Business Benchmark is the result of the first year of focused collection of financial information for the sector. University of Vermont Extension worked with 10 maple producers to complete financial analysis of their maple enterprise. Participants each received a detailed financial summary of their business that included information on sales, expenses, investments and profitability. That …

Zone Tillage Trials On Commercial Vegetable Farms In Vermont, Vernon P. Grubinger

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

A dozen commercial vegetable farms across Vermont participated in on-farm zone-tillage (ZT) trials during 2010-2012. Many obstacles were encountered, from undersized tractors on farms, inadequate preparation of land for ZT, and excessive rain in spring 2011 that prevented use of ZT. Successes were also documented. Collectively these farm experiences yielded valuable insight into the equipment and practices necessary to effectively implement zone tillage on the relatively small-scale, organically-inclined farms that typify Vermont vegetable production.

Impact Of Tropical Storm Irene On Vermont Agriculture, Vernon P. Grubinger

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

On August 28, 2011, Tropical Storm Irene deposited up to a foot of rain as it traveled along the spine of Vermont’s Green Mountains. Soils were already saturated from previous rainfall and the next day creeks, streams and rivers were overwhelmed resulting in widespread flooding, erosion and damage to crops and property. This report documents the overall impacts on farms, and describes some effects of flooding on food safety, animal feed, and soil contamination.

The Importance Of H-2a Workers At Sam Mazza’S Farm, Vernon P. Grubinger

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

This case study describes the role and importance of the H-2A program and the seasonal agricultural workers it brings to Sam Mazza's Farm in Colchester, Vermont.

Measuring Current Consumption Of Locally Grown Foods In Vermont: Methods For Baselines And Targets, David Conner, Florence Becot, Douglas Hofer, Ellen Kahler, Scott Sawyer, Linda Berlin

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

Numerous studies have measured the economic impact of increased consumption of locally grown foods, and many advocates have set goals for increasing consumption of locally grown foods to a given percentage. In this paper, we first apply previously developed methods to the state of Vermont, to measure the quantity and value of food that would be consumed if the USDA Dietary Guidelines were followed. We also assess the potential of locally grown foods to meet these guidelines, finding that meeting dietary guidelines with a local, seasonal diet would bring economic benefit, in this case, US$148 million in income for Vermont …

Interpreting The Results Of Heavy Metal Soil Tests, Vernon P. Grubinger, Donald Ross

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

Agricultural soils normally contain low background levels of heavy metals. Contamination from industrial activities or byproducts can increase the natural levels of heavy metals in soil, creating a health hazard to people, livestock and plants. Fertilizers and other soil amendments also add small amounts of heavy metals to the soil, which can build up over time with repeated applications. This fact sheet shows the aggregated results of thousands of UVM heavy metal soil tests from across many soil types and management practices on farms and gardens in Vermont, and discusses best management practices for soils with elevated levels of heavy …

Managing Weeds On Organic Vegetable Farms: Case Studies, Vernon P. Grubinger

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

This series of three case studies captures the knowledge and practices of experienced commercial organic vegetable farmers in Connecticut and Vermont. Each case study provides background on the farm operation and their production practices, then describes how mechanical weed cultivation tools and cover crops are used as part of a whole-farm weed management strategy.

Proposal For A Food Systems Spire Of Excellence At The University Of Vermont, Vernon P. Grubinger, Et Al.

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

The field of food systems focuses on connections among food production, promotion of human health and well-being, and maintenance of the environment. Modern food systems provide unparalleled productivity but are accompanied by unacceptable levels of diet-related health problems, food-borne disease, hunger and agricultural pollution. Meanwhile solutions are critical within the next 40 years to discern how to provide more food without intensifying environmental damage and concurrently coping with climate change. The University of Vermont is uniquely positioned to address these concerns by generating knowledge through transdisciplinary teaching, research and outreach. Already, more than 100 faculty and 400 community partners are …