The Intervale Farms Program
Strengthening Farm Sustainability and Profitability
OVERVIEW
Success on Farms (SoF) began in 2002 as an Intervale pilot project to help Vermont farm operations improve their viability over a five year period. SoF works one-on-one with selected farmers throughout the state, and provides specialized support and business planning assistance to help farmers expand their markets and increase revenues or to achieve other goals that are critical to keeping them in farming (for example, taking a vacation). The program seeks to enhance not just the profitability of the farm, but also the social and environmental sustainability of the farm.
Currently thirty five farms in nine counties throughout Vermont take part in this program. Twenty eight of them are certified organic and almost half are involved in some form of value-added product development. We work with a diversity of farmers, including vegetable growers, dairy processors and livestock producers. Our goal is to work with ten to fifteen new farms each year.
Through Success on Farms we support the business development of Vermont farms and facilitate the building of relationships between farmers and Vermont’s top agricultural business development consultants. A key component of the project is to engage farmers in a rigorous self-evaluation process so that they can develop the skills they need to grow their unique business. Linking farmers with technical assistance providers (for example, lenders, tax consultants, extension agents, and well-established farmers) is critical to the program's success. These consultants assist farmers with production, diversification, solid business planning, secure financing, marketing, and consideration of ways to add value to their products. Ultimately the project forms caring and lasting partnerships between farmers and those committed to their success.
SUCCESS STORIES for Farms in Success on Farms
- An apple grower was able to increase gross sales by $150,000 and net income from ($16,788) loss to $122,581 in one year.
- Plant and produce business exceeded gross sales expectations and increased net income from ($22,620) loss to $19,127 in one year. This year the farm should net $35,000.
- An alternative crop entrepreneur launched value-added bottled teas and extracts. Both customer interest and expanding market outlets helped sales projections meet expectations.
- A niche product and a highly specialized production system allowed a one acre farm to increase net income from $4,315 to $14,000 in one year. They expect to exceed $35,000 in the following year.
- A 50 head dairy farm successfully transitioned to organic production and its new greenhouse business exceeded projected sales by twenty percent. The farm’s net income is expected to increase from $45,000 to $61,600 in 2005.
TO APPLY
If you are interested in applying for Success on Farms assistance, or if you would like to be considered as a consultant for farmers enrolled in this program, contact Travis Marcotte or at 660 0440, ext 107.