ageng@uvm.edu
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310 Main St, PO Box 559
Bennington, VT 05201-0559
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Our Mission: To conduct research, education, and outreach dedicated to enhancing our food systems with a focus on infrastructure, technology, and equipment that meet the needs of producers and processors.
Our Work Areas
Post Harvest
Handling of crops after harvest including washing, packing, curing, drying, storage, and produce safety.
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Protected Culture
Growing in areas protected from the environment such as high tunnels, greenhouses, and indoor growing.
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Sustainable Agriculture
Farm-based energy sources and practices supporting agriculture for today and tomorrow.
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Tools and Information
Events (Workshops, Webinar’s & Presentations)
Recent Posts
- Root Washers for Produce Farms
There are many ways to wash root crops on produce farms. This guide covers a range of options from smaller farms washing by hand to larger operations with fully automated wash lines. Watch the Webinar Root Washing Systems with Hans Estrin | VVBGA Webinar Series Spray tables Spray tables are commonly used to rinse bunched … - Warm Rooms for Storage Crops & Freeze Protection for Coolers
Some crops like winter squash and sweet potatoes are ideally kept in “warm” rooms for long-term storage. It is also helpful to have some freeze protection even in cold storage rooms during the winter months when outside temperatures drop below the storage temperature. The information below should help accomplish both of these needs simply and …Continue reading “Warm Rooms for Storage Crops & Freeze Protection for Coolers”
- Building a Better Greens Bubbler
Introduction Leafy greens are a popular crop among consumers seeking a healthy and nutritious diet year-round. As a crop that is grown close to the ground in a variety of systems, often it is important to remove soil from the leaves before marketing. A relatively high volume dunk tank with several, typically lower volume, follow-on … - Repairing Cracks and Pitting in Concrete Floors
A video guide on this topic is available here. A printable PDF version of this guide is available here. Introduction Concrete slab floors, ramps, steps, and loading docks make it easier to move produce and produce handling equipment using wheels. The smooth surfaces also allow for easier clean up and wash down at the end …Continue reading “Repairing Cracks and Pitting in Concrete Floors”
- Cleaning Tools & Supplies for Produce Farms
A PDF of this resources is available here. Farms of various sizes all have tools and equipment that need to be cleaned and sanitized. This equipment varies in how well it has been designed to be cleaned; its level of hygienic design. Some items require lots of effort and specific tools to clean adequately while …Continue reading “Cleaning Tools & Supplies for Produce Farms”
- Sharpening the Edges: Wash/Pack Efficiencies in a New Farm Building at Small Axe Farm
A video version of this case study is available here and a printable PDF is available here. Evan Perkins & Heidi Choate own and operate Small Axe Farm in Barnet, Vermont. Together, they have been farming mixed vegetables for over 20 years and have been running Small Axe Farm since 2008. About Small Axe Farm …