The Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) has hired Jon Ramsay as executive director. “It’s a challenging task to find the right person to take over leadership of a community-focused, multi-faceted organization like CAE” said Board Chair Emily Maclure. “To facilitate the process, we went through a comprehensive multi-month search process with a consultant, and took the time to find the right candidate.”

Jon has spent his career championing the working landscape through conservation, stewardship, and farming. For the past 20 years he has been with the Vermont Land Trust, and spent the last 10 as Director of the Farmland Access Program. That program works to protect working farmland by matching farms with new farmers and keeping the costs of land affordable.

Raised on a dairy farm in Greensboro and still living there with his family, Jon has a deep connection to the local community, a passion for food and agriculture, and a love of the working landscape. In addition to his work in land conservation, he and his family operate Sawmill Brook Farm, specializing in black Angus beef and breeding stock.

Jon spent four years as a CAE board Member and one as the Board Chair. He helped CAE build a development plan for Atkins Field as part of a Core Team for that community project. His work on the board has pushed CAE to continue innovating and strengthening the mission of the organization, while also championing economic growth through local agricultural and food businesses. In this new role as executive director, Jon is excited about “the unique opportunity to help advance the farm and food economy, improve local food systems for all members of the community, and help shape Vermont’s agricultural future.”

“The board is pleased to welcome Jon into this role” says board member, Andrew Meyer. “His farming and land conservation background paired with his dedication to this community and passion for championing sustainable agriculture make him uniquely qualified for this leadership position.” Look for an introductory letter from Jon Ramsay in CAE’s annual report, and opportunities to “meet and greet” with him this summer.

The Center for an Agricultural Economy, based in Hardwick, is a nonprofit organization with a mission to transform food systems for social, economic, and ecological vitality. CAE supports the working lands, working people and local foods, and is home to the Vermont Food Venture Center. This year marks CAE’s 15th anniversary.