About The Center for an Agricultural Economy

About the Center for an Agricultural Economy

The Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) is a non-profit organization, begun in 2004, committed to supporting and advancing a healthy regional food system.

Our Mission, Our Vision

Increasingly as the weaknesses of the global industrial food system are revealed, the Hardwick region and the State of Vermont have rediscovered the possibility of remaking the state's own food system.

In 2004, the CAE adopted a unique, entrepreneurial driven-approach to supporting sustainable agriculture, reinforced by the innovative opportunities community leaders in the region were creating.

Our vision is to support the desire of rural communities to rebuild their economic and ecological health by building upon local tradition and innovative, thoughtful opportunities.

Our mission is to bring together the community resources and programs needed to develop a locally-based, sustainable, healthy and regional food system.

Board of Directors

Tom Stearns, President (Wolcott)
Andy Kehler, Vice-President (Greensboro)
Andrew Meyer, Secretary (Hardwick)
Pete Johnson, Treasurer (Craftsbury)
Neil Urie, Director (Craftsbury)
Annie Gaillard, Director (Hardwick)
Tom Gilbert, Director (Hardwick)
Johanna Laggis, Director (East Hardwick)

Staff

Monty Fischer, Executive Director
Elena Gustavson, Program Director
 

Read the bios of our Board and Staff

Read a Welcome Letter from Tom Stearns, our President…

Our Funders and Donors

The Center for an Agricultural Economy has been fortunate and grateful for the donations and funding we've received throughout our years of growth.

General Operating

coming soon

Atkins Field

coming soon

Food Access/Food Security

Canaday Fund

Hardwick Community Garden

Vermont Food Venture Center

Small Agricultural Business Advising

2 year USDA Rural Development Grant

Regional Food Systems Strategic Planning for the Northeast Kingdom

1 year Northern Vermont Development Association in partnership with a grant from the US Department of Labor

2009 - 2010 Donors of $1000.00 to $5000.00

coming soon

2009 - 2010 Donors of $1 to $999.99

coming soon

Annual Reports

Our Program Partners

Northern Vermont Development Association
Greenfield Highland Beef
Vermont Small Business Development Center
Northern Enterprises
University of Vermont
USDA Rural Development

North Hardwick Organic Dairy

Our History

The Center for an Agricultural Economy was originally known as the Center for a Biobased Economy and was founded in 2004 by Andrew Meyer, owner of Vermont Natural Coatings, a whey-based varnish company, and Vermont Soy, an organic soy drink and tofu company. As the son of a local dairy farmer and as a “green” entrepreneur, he  saw first hand the need for an organization to bring resources into the Hardwick area to support the region’s interest in promoting the development of value-added food products to enhance economic conditions.

Today, Andrew serves on our Board of Directors as Secretary.

2010:

• Core projects with the VSJ's Farm-to-Plate and the VAAFM's Taste of Place continues...and concludes

• Construction on the new facility for the Vermont Food Venture Center begins

• Established formal partnership with Northeastern Enterprises and Northern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) to shepherd the opening of the Vermont Food Venture Center

• Establish and move forward on a three year plan for Atkins Field at Cooper Brook

• Received funds for 3 projects, allowing CAE to move forward with regional food system research with NVDA, local food monitoring and support for small agricultural businesses with Vermont Sustainable Business Development Center (VtSBDC)

• Staff expands from two to six within 2 months!

2009:

• Established the Food Access Fund to benefit food access/security and the Hardwick Food Pantry, generously funded by an anonymous donor

• Established formal partnership with the Northern Rivers Land Trust, including identification of important agricultural lands in the region

• Community Visioning forum for Atkins Field at Cooper Brook

• Vermont Food Venture Center receives funding to build a new facility in Hardwick, courtesy of various public and private funds, including the EDA and Senator Patrick Leahy.

• Embark on two core projects with partners: Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJ) Farm-to-Plate Strategic Plan as well as the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Farm and Market's (VAAFM) Taste of Place feasibility study around artisan cheese

2008:

• Our new office on South Main Street in Hardwick opens in the summer

• Established a formal partnership with University of Vermont

• Changed our name to the Center for an Agricultural Economy

2007:

• VHCB and Vermont Land Trust awards the Center grants for acquisition of Atkins Field.

• Vermont Community Foundation/Sustainable Communities Grant Program awards grant

2006:

• New England Grassroots Environmental Fund awards CAE financial support for revitalization of the Hardwick Community Garden

• Vermont Community Foundation/Sustainable Futures Grant Program awards grant to develop management strategy for 15-acre Atkins Field in Hardwick

February 2005: First Board of Directors Meeting

March 2004: Incorporated in Vermont as the Center for a Biobased Economy. Staffed by volunteer Hillary Hoffman.

Jasper Hill Farm: Straining Curd