What do beginning farmers want?

That’s the question we’re asking at a series of forums being held this month in Vermont. Funded by a SARE grant, we are inviting beginning farmers and some that are just past the beginning phase to take part in a research experiment to help identify where gaps exist in providing services to new and beginning farmers.

The first forum was held Friday, March 27 in Hardwick, Vt at the Center for Agricultural Economy.
About a dozen farmers sat in a circle and participated in a facilitated conversation about what they see as opportunities and challenges in getting started as farmers.


While a couple dozen service providers representing federal, state, regional and local agencies sat quietly and listened these farmers explored what has been helpful and what has been frustrating — where they could use more help and where they feel overwhelmed.

Fortified with local snacks, the group spent a couple hours delving into how to really help farmers get started. Since this is the second of five forums, we can’t say too much about the results except to say that we will continue to listen and then use the results to make the farmer support system more helpful.