2008 Annual Report Relevancy Statements

FY2008 Annual Report Project Descriptions

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE

  • develop a new aspect to understand how farmers assess the opportunities about organic and non-organic production. farmers, service providers and policy makers might use this information to provide assistance and information to farmers with different aspects and different needs.
    Identifying Paths of Learning and Farming Decisions of Multi-stage Organic Farmers in Vermont
    LIANG

  • determine the distribution patterns of Vermont dairy products including fluid milk and value-added products from farms to processors in and outside Vermont. Evaluate risks associated with dairy farms located in remote areas or high-risk areas that have disadvantage in distribution channels.
    Where Does Vermont Milk Go? Examining Distribution of Vermont Milk From Transportation and Economics Perspective.
    LIANG

  • provide information for assessing the progress towards more local food in our food system.
    Locally grown food: Consumer preference, retailer attitudes and marketing strategies
    WANG

  • survey agricultural producers to characterize the agricultural labor situation in Vermont and develop baseline data that can assist in policy development
    The Vermont Agricultural Labor Force: Characteristics, Challenges, and Policy Implications
    BAKER

  • provide low-income and unbankable micro business owners with affordable and flexible alternative financing.
    Community Capital Loan Project
    KOLODINSKY

  • assist low-income micro business owners in Vermont to remain in business through post start-up training, assistance and counseling
    PS: Post Start-Up Microenterprise Training
    KOLODINSKY

  • conduct an integrated research, education, and outreach project on farmland access, succession, and tenure for beginning and generational transition farmers
    Farmland Access, Tenure and Succession: Impacts on Small and Medium-Sized Farms, Land Use and the Environment
    PARSONS

  • conduct risk management educational sessions for farm business transitioning to the next generation with focus on decisions related to health care and components of business organization agreements
    Transfer the Farm Workshops for the Farmers Planning Business Transition
    PARSONS

  • conduct farm transfer/business transition education workshops across New England that address estate planning, retirement, business organization, and health care issues
    Minimizing Farm Business Succession Risk in New England: Multi-State Education and Assistance on Farm Transfer Issues
    PARSONS

  • support local decision making and entrepreneurial activities in Vermont through technical assistance on accessing and using community data, outreach on the use of information technology for local government and business, and research into effective public input strategies and other local processes.
    Research and Outreach for Local Decision Making and Economic Activities
    SCHMIDT

  • contribute to research and information on the local and regional effects of small-scale agricultural entrepreneurship and provide outreach and resources to agricultural entrepreneurs in Vermont's rural communities.
    Rural Agricultural Entrepreneurship: Research and Resources
    SCHMIDT

    Farm Profitability and Agricultural Economics

  • examine the multi-year profitability of New England organic dairy farms
    Organic dairy farming in Vermont: Profitability analysis and educational programs
     PARSONS

  • - provide information on current connectivity options and technology statewide - identify benefits and concerns regarding a statewide move to e-commerce and communication
    A Process Approach to Closing the Digital Divide in Vermont: Situation Analysis
    GREGORY

  • analyze the long term profitability of Vermont and Maine organic dairy farms and develop case studies that will assist farmers thinking of transitioning to organic dairy
    Profitability and Transitional Analysis of Vermont Organic Dairy Farms: Identifying Key Factors for Success
    PARSONS

  • provide accurate data to farmers, lenders, and policymakers on the profitability and viability of northeast organic dairy farms
    Profitability and Transitional Analysis of Northeast Organic Dairy Farms
    PARSONS

    Consumer Economics

  • consumer demand is important in the determination of products that will succeed in the market
    Sustaining Local Food Systems in a Globalizing Environment: Forces, Responses, Impacts
     KOLODINSKY

    Economic and Community Development

  • develop and deliver instructional materials on global sustainable development
    Communities Helping Communities
     KOLODINSKY

  • evaluate the impact of a downtown community revitalization project on multiple stakeholders.
    Local Agriculture Community Exchange (LACE) Project: A Private Sector Community Revitalization Project
    KOLODINSKY

  • support the traditions of local economic development and agriculture in Vermont and provide research and resources for their transition into the 21st Century.
    Research and Outreach for Local Community Development and Entrepreneurship
    KOLODINSKY