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CONDUCTING A UVM EXTENSION FARM VIABILITY
PROGRAM©IN VERMONT
LeVitre, R.A.Director, UVM Extension Farm Viability Program©,
278 South Main Street, Suite 2, St. Albans, VT 05478-1866
What is the UVM Extension Farm Viability Program© ?
Provides farmers with a business plan service
FV Program…
• Uses specialists to provide technical assistance– In areas identified
by farmers– To fulfill specific
business goals
Specialists…• UVM Extension
Faculty & Staff• Extension
colleagues from neighboring states
• Private sector– Consultants
• Examples– Ag engineers– Veterinarians– Marketing experts– Attorneys
Business Goals…
• New farm enterprise• Added value• Estate & farm transfer• Labor management• Expansion• Improved
management
At the Beginning…
Business Plan Writer
• Conducts SWOT• Builds trust• Facilitates• Brings in T.A.• Puts the plan
together
The Farm Family
• Active participants• Bring everything to
the table• Time commitment• Develops their plan
The Process…• SWOT analysis• Data collection• Financial information• Market description• Labor details• Construction projects• Projected ideas &
strategies
End Results…
Farm Family is able to:• Make informed decisions• Clearer knowledge of farm’s assets • Fine-tuned working document
for financial institutions
Evaluation…• Third party review by SBDC• Each farmer completes written survey
– Evaluate progress & effectiveness of work
• Year 2 evaluation– Implementation of the plan– Update for future direction– Review balance sheet– Questions on lifestyle changes
How We Have Grown…
• Since 2004• $67,000 to over
$550,000• 1 new employee, 1
contractor & 1 faculty– To 3 hires, 10
contractors, & 3 faculty
New Projects…
• Dairy Management Teams
• Northeast Kingdom Dairy Viability Program©
Dairy Management Teams…
• Facilitated discussion• Trained facilitators• Farmer priorities• Selected team members• Goals established with timelines
NEK Dairy Viability Program©
• USDA RD RBEG• Economic Development• Distressed area of the state• “REAP” zone• 3rd largest dairy area of state
– Approximately 250 farms
Funding is provided by…• VHCB
– In collaboration with the VT Agency of Agriculture
• USDA NRCS– Through Senator Leahy &
Congressman Welch
• USDA RME• Anonymous Donor• UVM Extension base dollars
Future…• Loss of “earmarks”• Outcome based !!!• New “spins”• Multi-agency/
organization collaborations
• Multi-state• Marketing
Next Steps…
• Grants, contracts, donors
• Marketing– Press– Radio– TV– WEB, Blog, social media
• Significant evaluation
In Summary…• Key feature to Farm Viability
is development of a business plan
• Other services are provided:– Farm Transfer information & assistance– Farm systems management planning– Technical assistance: ag engineering,
marketing– Referrals to extension specialists
Questions?