ageng@uvm.edu
(802) 447-7582 x256
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.
View Protected Culture Resources
Sustainable Agriculture
Farm-based energy sources and practices supporting agriculture for today and tomorrow.
View Sustainable Agriculture Resources
Tools and Information
Events (Workshops, Webinar’s & Presentations)
Recent Posts
- Drying and Curing Herbs and Flowers (Hops, Hemp, and Everything Else!)
Many farms are exploring market diversification and season extension by drying or “curing” herbs and flowers. Whether the crop is culinary herbs (e.g. sage, rosemary, thyme), traditional herbal medicines, decorative flowers, hops for brewing, or CBD hemp the basic approach is the same. Drying boils down to removing water from plant matter by evaporating it …Continue reading “Drying and Curing Herbs and Flowers (Hops, Hemp, and Everything Else!)”
- AZS Rinse Conveyor User Guide
The AZS Rinse conveyor is a versatile machine as explained in Innovation in Small Scale Vegetable Washing Equipment which goes through its features and benefits. Now you’ve made the decision to purchase one, or already have one on your farm you don’t know where to start. Little paperwork comes with the machine so we’ve put … - Safely Dispensing Sanitizers
Sanitizers used for treating post-harvest agricultural water on produce farms often come in 2.5, 5, or 10 gallon totes. These totes can be cumbersome to pour from resulting in splashing and spilling. These chemicals are also shipped in concentrations that can cause injury. Here are some simple ways of increasing the safety and accuracy of … - Shedding Some Light in the Shed – Lighting for Indoor Work on the Farm
As the days shorten and we turn the clocks back, it may be a great time to think about installing or improving lights in some of our indoor spaces. Maybe you could use a bit more light to see the drill size marking in the workshop. Or, perhaps, you’d like to be able to sort …Continue reading “Shedding Some Light in the Shed – Lighting for Indoor Work on the Farm”
- Giving a Dairy Barn New Life at New Leaf Organics
A video version of this case study is available here and a printable PDF is available here. Jill Kopel owns and operates New Leaf Organics in Bristol, Vermont and has over 19 years of farming experience. After many years of growing crops and growing the business she made the decision to invest significantly in her …Continue reading “Giving a Dairy Barn New Life at New Leaf Organics”
- Project Planning for Postharvest Efficiency, Profitability & Food Safety (Free 8-Part Packshed Webinar)
The UVM Extension Produce Safety Team has developed a video series focused on postharvest upgrades for your farm. Whether your project is organizing a relatively simple outside wash station or building a full packshed from scratch, we share the principles and practice with examples to help you make the most of it. An outline of …