Recent Announcements
Announcing the Vermont Food Venture Center Grand Opening!
Join us on Friday, January 6th from 12pm to 5pm for an Open House of the Vermont Food Venture Center. We will be joined by Senator Leahy for the ribbon cutting. Stay tuned for details or click here to sign up for updates.
Vermont Farm Fund Emergency Loan Program
In light of the devastation that Tropical Storm Irene wreaked on farms statewide, we launched a zero interest revolving loan program for farms in need. With a delayed payment schedule and a quick turn around, we are grateful to your donations and generosity that allows us to be a part of the recovery process for the state of Vermont.
Find out more about the Vermont Farm Fund, download an application and donate.
VFF Update:
October 18, 2011: A gigantic THANKYOU to both the High Meadows Fund and the Waterwheel Foundation for their generous donations to the Vermont Farm Fund!
High Meadows Fund has covered our administrative costs for managing the fund and the Waterwheel Foundation has granted us $50,000 to be directly loaned to farmers.
----
As of today, October 7, 2011, we have awarded 7 loans totaling $60,000, with 2 more pending. We have other applications pending until we can increase our fund with additional donations.
We are both delighted and humbled, not only the number of donations received thusfar, but by the resilience and aptitude of the farmers we've been working with. We look forward to watching their progress over the coming year as they rebuild.
-Vermont Farm Fund Advisory Committee
Donate directly to the Vermont Farm Fund.
We are a non-profit 501(c)3, non-profit organization. Your donations are tax exempt.
New Farmer Project from UVM Extension
The UVM Extension New Farmer Project has been working on creating a system for farmers looking for land to connect with land owners with land to use. We are excited to announce their completion of the Vermont Agriculture Land Access Database (LAD) which can be found here.
We are also very excited to announce the completion of the
Regional Food System Plan for the NEK! You may download the plan here.
Who We are and What is Our Mission?
The Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in beautiful downtown Hardwick, Vermont.
Our mission is to bring together community resources and programs needed to develop a locally based food system that supports the desire of rural communities to rebuild their economic and ecological health.
Through community involvement, integrated and responsible agri-business, and a commitment to economic, ecologic and nutritional health, the Center for an Agricultural Economy supports a vibrant regional food system.
When noted author Bill McKibben visited Hardwick in October 2008, he offered the following comments.
"After spending a day in Hardwick, I feel a great burst of pleasure and possibility. Deep and transformative things are happening here. Hardwick has all the pieces of a healthy food system connected and ready to fall into place, and is as far ahead in sustainable agriculture as any place in the country."
|
