Because agricultural activity exists in every county of the state, in both rural communities and our more urban centers, we all have a stake in our ability to produce more of what we eat every day. Vermont needs a prosperous, resilient, food secure, and equitable food system that can meet more of our needs today and for future generations.

Vermont Farm to Plate Investment Program Intended Outcomes (Act 23, 2019)

• Increase sustainable economic development and create jobs in Vermont’s food and farm sector
• Improve soils, water, and resiliency of the working landscape in the face of climate change
• Improve access to healthy local foods for all Vermonters 

10 Years of Progress

• Doubled local food sales to 10% or $481 million annually
• Increased total economic output of food and farm sector to $14.2 billion
• 300 net new farm and food businesses created
• 62,000 Vermonters employed in the food system

2024 Highlights

• Supporting Resilient Food System Infrastructure: Launched a multi-year effort to develop our local and regional supply chains that will remove structural and financial barriers for regional food infrastructure in Vermont
• Kahler Inducted into Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame: VSJF Executive Director Ellen Kahler was honored as an Ag Innovator during her induction into Vermont’s Agricultural Hall of Fame for the positive impacts her innovative work has had on Vermont’s food system
• New Staff: Jessica Poulin was hired in the newly created role of Farm to Plate Network Assistant, and Hannah Baxter became the new Farm to Plate Network Manager
• 15 farm and food businesses received technical assistance through the USDA Resilient Food System Infrastructure program.
• 7 farms received training on breeding, marketing, and financial planning for the Beef on Dairy Project.
• 75 farm and food businesses received distribution and retail sales technical assistance through the Network’s Independent Grocers Program.
• 1,000+ subscribers to the bi-monthly Small Bites e-newsletter, addressing producer, vendor, and buyer interests in support of local food sales—a 65% open rate and consistent positive feedback from readership.
• $20,000 secured for the Network’s CSA & Healthcare Community of Practice’s to aid the development of Food Is Medicine initiatives
• We are facilitating 5 food hubs to identify middle of the supply chain investment needs for both supply and distribution, improve strategic planning and operational efficiencies between food hubs, distributors, and producers, and surface market research or shared logistics technology needs.
• The Intervale Center, with the support of the Network’s Financing Farmland Access Priority Strategy Team, explored the feasibility of various shared equity models and how they relate to community, farmer, racial, and gender equity

What's Needed



• Farm and Food Business Economic Development
• Climate Change
• Farmland Access
• Food Security and Emergency Relief

This session was extremely informative and inspiring in thinking about ways to diversify our agricultural products in ways that are beneficial to the environment and have the potential to bring jobs to Vermont. More of this please!

- feedback from session attendee

At the 2024 Vermont Farm to Plate Gathering, the “Vermont-based Food and Fiber: Increasing Diversified Farm and Market Opportunities” session explored how integrating fiber production into Vermont’s agricultural landscape can create new revenue streams, enhance sustainability, and strengthen the local economy. Led by Christine McGowan of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF), the panel brought together experts and farmers to discuss the opportunities and challenges within the growing fiber sector. 

Key Insights

• The Role of Animal Fibers in Vermont Agriculture 

Dave Martin of Settlement Farm and president of the Vermont Sheep and Goat Association highlighted the historical role of sheep farming in Vermont, calling for wool to be recognized as a key agricultural product. Kelly Nottermann of Snug Valley Farm emphasized how sheep support rotational grazing practices by making use of less arable land, while underscoring the need for wool production to be economically viable for farmers. Amanda Kievet of Junction Fiber Mill talked about the importance of supporting local farmers and stressed the need for more local infrastructure for wool processing.

• Plant Fibers: A New Frontier

Janet Currie of Vilhemp USA discussed hemp’s potential as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics, as well as how hemp complements existing agricultural systems. Travis Samuels of Zion Growers shared his work to build local plant fiber processing infrastructure in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Laura Sullivan of UVM Extension discussed how hemp and flax production complement each other, and highlighted flax’s multiple uses, including textiles, and environmental benefits.

Shared Challenges & Opportunities Across the Fiber Sector

Panelists and attendees identified several shared challenges across Vermont's fiber sector.

This session highlighted how integrating food and fiber production in Vermont offers a transformative model for sustainable economic development, through collaboratively addressing supply chain challenges. Vermont’s fiber sector can lead the way in creating a resilient and diversified agricultural economy. 

What’s Next

Since the Gathering, VSJF has received a small grant from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to conduct a wool inventory in Vermont that will develop baseline information about the quantity and quality of wool being grown annually in Vermont for commercial production. 

If you are interested in this project or in advancing Vermont-based natural animal or plant fiber production, please email Christine.