Final report for ONE24-458
Project Information
This project evaluated the environmental and financial impacts of implementing Adaptive Multi-Paddock (AMP) grazing on acres of new pasture in central Vermont. Between August and November 2024, the project delivered an average of 21 hours per month of farmer training and technical assistance, combined with detailed documentation and a comparative soil health study (May 2024 vs. May 2025). Environmental monitoring included a 200-foot transect with 10 sampling points per site, measuring indicators such as water infiltration, soil bulk density, biodiversity, and soil biology. Results showed clear early ecological improvements: earthworm populations increased from 6–10 to 16–37 per cubic foot; water infiltration improved to 4–5 inches per hour; and plant diversity increased, with more beneficial forbs present. However, soil organic matter remained relatively stable at 2.2–2.4%, and deeper soil compaction persisted, with ~80% of roots still limited to 4–5 inches depth. Financial analysis using Operating Expense Ratio (OER) indicated continued negative returns (>100%), with 123.84% in 2022 and 147.04% in 2025; however, when excluding $14,000 in capital purchases (38% of 2025 expenses), 2025 would have shown a positive balance, highlighting the sensitivity of results to capital investments. Overall, the project demonstrates that AMP grazing can produce measurable short-term environmental benefits, though longer-term data is needed to confirm financial outcomes and broader ecological improvements. Outreach efforts exceeded targets and reached a broad regional audience through multiple channels, including digital outreach, publicity, partner collaboration, and print advertisements. An on-farm event engaged 44 participants, and the project contact list grew by 10.3% during the grant period. Email campaigns with project information reached more than 43,000 recipients, and coverage in regional media extended reach to a large but unspecified audience. A new 24-credit certificate program in Regenerative Grazing and Livestock Systems offered by Vermont State University beginning in August 2026 will directly build upon the knowledge gained and infrastructure implemented through this project.
This project seeks to:
1. Complete and document a pilot season of AMP grazing operation on VTSU farmland, to conclude in November 2024.
- Between August 1, 2024 and grazing season end, NGBI will provide an average of 21 hours per month of grazing training, adaptive planning, site and partner coordination, technical assistance, project management, documentation, and administration.
- NGBI will document grazing pilot season progress, such as grazing plan adaptations, challenges encountered and solutions found, milestones achieved, and farmer experience. Methodical photographic documentation will show visible progress and specific procedures.
Between August 1, 2024 and the end of November, 2024 NGBI provided an average of 21 hours per month of grazing training, adaptive planning, site and partner coordination, technical assistance, project management, documentation, and administration. Grazing training began with two in-person visits; all the listed topics were covered. Owing to scheduling constraints, fewer hours than projected were spent with the partner farmer; phone calls and email correspondence supplemented in-person meetings and advanced the project. Specific infrastructure and soil health needs were identified; certain infrastructure needs were addressed during summer 2025.
NGBI documented grazing pilot season progress, such as grazing plan adaptations, challenges encountered and solutions found, milestones achieved, and farmer experience. Photographic documentation of the grazing environment showing visible progress and specific procedures was collected on four separate occasions during the grant period. Written grazing documentation was compiled on an ongoing basis by the partner farmer; written soil health documentation was compiled and analyzed by the soil health technician who performed testing in May 2025.
- Track and analyze key environmental metrics and changes to soil and forage.
- Perform In-Field Soil Health Assessments (IFSHA) and soil testing in May 2025.
- Compare results from May 2025 assessments to results from May 2024 to determine whether conclusions can be drawn regarding the environmental impact of grazing at the sampled sites.
A soil health technician performed In-Field Soil Health Assessments (IFSHA) and soil testing in May 2025. The assessment results were compared to the results of assessments performed by the same technician at the same sites in May 2024. The technician prepared a comprehensive report analyzing the May 2025 results and comparing the results to the May 2024 results. The report included conclusions regarding the environmental impact of the 1-year grazing period at the sampled sites.
- Track and analyze financial metrics.
- Track farm input expenses and income attributable to the grazing operation during the pilot season.
- Compare pilot season data to historical farm financial data to determine any financial impact from grazing implementation.
Farm input expenses and income between the years of 2022 and 2025 were tracked to the extent they were available, and analyzed to determine whether any conclusions could be drawn regarding the financial impact of grazing implementation compared to previous production methods.
- Assuming that conclusions can be reasonably drawn from the results of the environmental testing and the financial analysis, compile these conclusions into an engaging summary of an AMP grazing pilot season.
NGBI created and distributed an engaging two-page document that summarizes the conclusions that can be reasonably drawn from the results of the environmental testing and the financial analysis. The goal for this document is to promote AMP grazing generally and the specific AMP grazing model at VTSU.
This project addresses two critical challenges to sustainable agriculture: profitability and farmland stewardship.
Small farms face harrowing economic conditions. Two-thirds (64%) of the nearly 31,000 farms in New England operate at a net loss (USDA, 2022). The effects of climate change, which are expected to intensify in the coming years, impact agricultural resources and productivity and imperil farmer livelihood.
Environmental challenges for agriculture involve soil fertility and productivity, compacted soils, and water quality. Conventional beef cattle production generates high levels of greenhouse gas emissions.
Adaptive Multi-Paddock (AMP) grazing systems combat these challenges. Research shows that grazing benefits farm net profitability by lowering input expenses. Evidence also shows that AMP grazing systems produce restorative ecosystem effects, such as increased carbon sequestration, improved soil ecological function, and improved water quality.
Increased local knowledge about grazing is needed to meet community demand for grazing support and achieve VT-NRCS goals (NRCS, 2023). Evidence shows that soil health is an important farmer concern (Bagnall et al.; Ruxton et al.), suggesting an opening for future discussion about grazing as a way to meet farmer soil health goals.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
This project represents a partnership between VTSU, Parmelee Farm, and NGBI. The project will complete and document a pilot season of AMP cattle grazing at the VTSU farm. Grazing activities, soil assessments and analysis, and grazing input expenses and income will be documented during the pilot season. Outcomes will be condensed into an engaging story format, which will be disseminated through an outreach campaign to provide insight into the multi-dimensional nature of a transition to AMP grazing practice.
Project planning began in 2023 in anticipation of launching the AMP grazing pilot season in spring 2024. Current resources are available to initiate the pilot season but will not cover project activities to completion. This proposal seeks funding beginning on August 1, 2024 to complete and fully document the grazing season through its conclusion, to facilitate collection of environmental and farm financial data, to analyze grazing outcomes, and to implement an outreach campaign that raises awareness about the project and its results.
PARTNER CONTRIBUTIONS
VTSU will provide access to 18 acres of its pasture for grazing. VTSU will also contribute in-kind 4 hours per month for land lease management, coordination, administration, and outreach.
Parmelee Farm will implement AMP cattle grazing by rotating its herd through its own pastures and the provided VTSU pasture. Parmelee Farm owns cattle that it will incorporate into this project, but will retain ownership of the herd and claim any income derived from the cattle. Parmelee Farm will contribute any grazing supplies it deems necessary, and will also contribute in-kind labor for all herd management.
NGBI will provide farmer training and advising, technical assistance, selected cattle handling equipment, documentation, outreach, and administrative functions. During the grazing season, project leader and technical advisor Ridge Shinn will provide on-site and remote AMP grazing training and consultation to Clark Parmelee. NGBI staff will additionally work to document the grazing season, implement an outreach campaign including an on-farm event in spring/summer 2025, develop a project summary with outcomes as a final deliverable, and administer the grant.
SHORT-TERM IMPACTS
This project will contribute to Northeast SARE’s outcome statement by supporting economic viability and environmentally sustainable agriculture.
1) Reduced costs.
We expect that this project will result in lower cattle-related input expenses for Parmelee Farm. The access granted to VTSU pasture will enable the Parmelee herd to avoid feed and subsist entirely on grazing. The primary category of reduced expense will be cattle feed; other expense categories may also be reduced depending on land and herd management needs.
2) Conservation of soil, improvement of water quality, and protection of natural resources.
This project will improve resource stewardship in support of sustainability. In 2020, VTSU was fined $100,000 by the State of Vermont because of improper nutrient management on its pastures. Implementation of AMP grazing, an agricultural best practice, will improve the stewardship of VTSU land. We expect significant improvements to ground cover and to soil water infiltration rate during the grant period. Other environmental metrics, including per-acre biomass, fungus to bacteria ratio, and soil hardness ratings, may show differences during the grant period, but, because of ecological timeframes, will achieve maximum benefit after the grant concludes.
LONG-TERM POTENTIAL
This project could derive increased stability for Parmelee Farm. As soil health improves, the pasture could support more cattle, which would facilitate multi-year grazing contracts between VTSU and Parmelee Farm.
This project will enable a pipeline of future educational programs and research in support of sustainable agriculture. The grazing model at VTSU will offer a ready environment for future learning and research into grazing practices of the type called for by Teague (e.g., 2011, 2017) and others. Educational activities would support farmer skill development to financially benefit farmers, and would improve the ability of educators and professionals to advise farmers about AMP grazing.
Cooperators
Research
Objective 1. Complete and document a pilot season of AMP grazing operation on VTSU farmland.
Between the grant start date of August 1, 2024 and the grazing season end (November 2024), Ridge Shinn will provide combined on-site and remote grazing training and consultation to Clark Parmelee. Though the grazing season will be well underway by August 1, and the detailed grazing plan co-created by project partners will suggest the plan for cattle rotation, farmer observation and adaptation are core principles of AMP grazing practice that warrant ongoing training and advising.
Training topics will focus on the stated goals and interests of Clark Parmelee, the observed needs of the cattle and pasture land, specific grazing techniques and practices, and adaptive planning. Depending on Clark’s needs, trainings may combine with technical assistance and site coordination. Advising may include recommendations for procurement or additional resources, troubleshooting, introduction to alternative methods, and otherwise as required.
NGBI staff will provide an average of 6 hours per month of partner coordination, project management, grant administration, and documentation to support grant objective #4 and VTSU educational goals. During the pilot season, NGBI will document progress such as changes to the grazing plan, challenges encountered and solutions found, milestones achieved, and farmer experience. NGBI will methodically collect photographic documentation that shows visible change, such as changes to forage and animals, and specific procedures, such as moving fences and rotating cattle.
Objective 2. Track and analyze key environmental metrics and changes to soil and forage.
An In-Field Soil Health Assessment (IFSHA) and soil testing will be performed on VTSU pasture in May 2025, a timeframe selected according to NRCS technical advice. To allow longitudinal comparison, assessment and sample site locations in 2025 will remain consistent with 2024 site locations. Sites are selected using USDA Web Soil Survey data in combination with historical land management data and physical site review by a qualified technician.
IFSHA methodology. A qualified technician will conduct the IFSHA at designated sites. Staff will follow quality assurance sampling and on-site testing protocols (Cornell Soil Health Lab, Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health, 27-29; NOFA/Mass, “Soil Carbon Grower On-Site Test Protocols & Data Sheets, Version 4”) and will generate appropriate process documentation.
The IFSHA will be conducted on representative sample areas within larger fields. It involves a 200’ transect with 10 sample points.
- Cornell CASH NRCS 216, plus Available Water Capacity and Bulk Density tests, 1 sample per transect (mixed from 10 points). Samples will be stored and transported according to Cornell Soil Health Lab guidelines.
- Estimated Soil Carbon: assessed per acre at 6 inches depth.
- Penetrometer (soil hardness) readings: assessed to 18 inches depth at each of 10 points along the transect.
- Infiltration Rate: assessed at each of 10 points along transect.
- % Soil surface cover, crusting, ponding, and erosion: assessed at each of 10 points along transect.
- Surface Biodiversity and Earthworm Presence: assessed at 2 of 10 points along transect.
- Topsoil depth and Root Behavior: assessed at 2 of 10 points along transect.
- Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon; Fungal: Bacterial ratio: assessed at 2 of 10 points along transect.
- Soil Food Web diversity analysis will be assessed via a composite sample along the transect.
- Pasture Condition Score.
Laboratory assessment of samples. The Cornell Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health (CASH) soil test will be performed by the Cornell Soil Health Lab. A Biological Qualitative Assessment will be performed by the NOFA/Mass Soil Test Analysis Lab. Results and reports will be provided to NGBI within 6 to 8 weeks of sampling.
Cornell Soil Health Lab Standard Operating Procedures:
- CSH01 Sample Intake and Processing SOP 4-2022
- CSH02 Texture SOP 4-2022
- CSH03 Wet Aggregate Stability SOP 4-2022
- CSH04 Active Carbon SOP 4-2022
- CSH05 Available Water Capacity SOP 4-2022
- CSH06 Respiration SOP 4-2022
- CSH07 ACE Protein SOP 4-2022
- CSH10 Soil Organic Matter Loss-on-Ignition, Total C, Soil Organic Carbon, and Total N SOP 4-2022
- CSH11 Field-Composited Soil Core Bulk Density SOP 4-2022
- CSH12 Low Pressure Soil Water Desorption and Bulk Density SOP 4-2022
- CSH13-Modified Morgan Extraction and pH Measurement SOP 4-2022
For laboratory protocol and scoring functions, see “Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health - The Cornell Framework,” 32-73.
NOFA/Mass Soil Test Analysis Lab: Standard Operating Procedures for the Biological Qualitative Assessment are proprietary and follow Ingram Soil Food Web protocols. A Soil Food Web Certified Lab Technician will conduct a Soil Food Web visual assessment with brightfield microscopy. Reports will use the standard Soil Food Web template. Questions can be directed to Info@soilfoodweb.com.
Data interpretation. A qualified evaluator will interpret the lab results to contextualize the soil health indicators, carbon stocks, and associated ecosystem services found in the samples and to make appropriate comparisons to 2024 results. These comparisons may allow for conclusions about the impact of land management practices on the soil and forage at the sites sampled.
Objective 3. Track and analyze financial metrics.
Track farm input expenses. Input expenses incurred by VTSU or Parmelee Farm that are directly attributable to the grazing operation, such as required supplies and materials, equipment, and services will be reported to NGBI for standardized tracking. The scope of tracking will not include Overhead expenses (defined as total costs for the whole farm allocated between the grazing operation and any other operations on the farm). Examples of Overhead expenses include farm insurance; interest of general farm loans; and asset depreciation.
Track income attributable to the grazing operation. Examples of income attributed to the grazing operation (as distinct from general farm income, which involves other revenue streams) include, but are not limited to, sales of grass-fed products, agency subsidies for grazing management practices, new farm contracts related to grazing practice, and income from on-farm grazing events.
Income and expense records will be tracked in spreadsheets that detail the amount, date, and nature of the transaction. Receipts and invoices will be stored as documentation when possible. Financial data will be maintained in a centralized location with limited staff access. Income and expenses will be used to calculate an annual Operating Expense Ratio according to the formula
[Total Grazing-Related Expenses / Total Grazing-Related Income] x 100
Compare pilot season financial records to historical cattle production financial data. To the extent it is available, farm input expenses and income from previous years will be compiled. If specific records are unavailable but can be reasonably inferred, such inferences will be allowed and the basis for their calculation will be recorded. Transactions will be categorized by type using categorization methods established by The Beef Enterprise Calculator (version 1.3) and organized into a format that allows categorical comparisons and longitudinal comparison between the grazing pilot season and seasons before grazing implementation. The analysis will determine any conclusions that can be drawn regarding the financial impact of grazing implementation compared to previous production methods.
NGBI will apply the framework established by the Grassland 2.0 Beef Enterprise Calculator (version 1.3). The calculator was created by Grassland 2.0, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Pasture Project at the Wallace Center, and the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems.
Objective 4. Assuming that conclusions can be reasonably drawn from the results of the environmental testing and the financial analysis, compile these conclusions into an engaging summary of an AMP grazing pilot season.
NGBI will create an engaging visual document that summarizes any conclusions that can be reasonably drawn from the results of the environmental testing and the financial analysis. The goal for this document is to promote AMP grazing generally and the specific AMP grazing model at VTSU. The document will be disseminated through a comprehensive outreach plan (see “Outreach Plan” section).
Environmental Results
A soil technician conducted in-field assessments and lab testing in May 2024, prior to grazing. These assessments were repeated in the same locations in May 2025 under similar weather and management conditions. The primary soil type is a Buckland Loam that is typical of Vermont’s Central and North Central highland pastures. The soil technician prepared a comprehensive report that includes a comparison between the 2024 results and the 2025 results. The table below summarizes the key comparative findings.
|
Results Category |
Change in the Pasture 2024 to 2025 |
What Does it Mean? |
|
Plant Growth & Biodiversity |
Modest increase in plant diversity; beneficial forbs such as red clover and dandelion became more prevalent. |
Increased plant diversity suggests early positive biological response to cattle grazing activity. |
|
Earthworms & Soil Macrofauna |
Increase in earthworm populations (6–10 to 16–37 earthworms per cubic foot). Surface earthworm castings were abundant in 2025, and counts of insect species increased. |
Earthworm and insect populations are key indicators of biological soil function. These increases suggest better nutrient cycling, residue incorporation, and habitat conditions. |
|
Soil Microbiology |
Despite good bacterial populations in both years, very low fungal levels and extremely low microbial diversity persisted. Predatory organisms (protozoa and nematodes) remain mostly absent. |
Although surface biology is active, the soil ecosystem remains incomplete and imbalanced. Increases to these metrics will help release plant-available nutrients and improve ecosystem function. |
|
Soil Structure, Compaction, & Roots |
Soil bulk density in the top 6 inches remains within acceptable limits, but shows severe compaction below 6 inches. In both years, roughly 80% of roots terminated at 4–5 inches. Aggregate stability remained roughly unchanged (about half of aggregates stable). |
Compacted soils limit root depth, air, water movement, and microbial activity. The results show little improvement in rooting depth despite better surface conditions. Shallow compaction layers continue to pose runoff and erosion risks during heavy rainfall. |
|
Water Infiltration & Hydrology |
Water infiltration improved modestly from 2024 to 2025, reaching rates consistent with 4–5 inches per hour. |
Improved rates of water infiltration contribute to plant growth and reduce risks of runoff and erosion; still, there is room for improvement. |
|
Soil Organic Matter (SOM) & Nutrients |
SOM remained in the 2.2–2.4% range. (a slight decrease in 2025 is attributed to later sampling timing rather than true loss). Levels of available phosphorus, potassium, and calcium declined. |
Decreases in available phosphorus and potassium likely reflect limited microbial access rather than true depletion. The decline in calcium levels may contribute to ongoing compaction issues. |
Financial Analysis Results
To the extent they were available, farm income and expenses were used to calculate an annual Operating Expense Ratio according to the formula
[Total Grazing-Related Expenses / Total Grazing-Related Income] x 100
2022 Expenses: $37,823.10
2022 Income: $30,542.28
2022 Operating Expense Ratio: 123.84%
2023 Expenses: $17,473.71
2023 Income: Records Unavailable
2024 Expenses: $32,456.23
2024 Income: Records Unavailable
2025 Expenses: $37,091.41
2025 Income: $25,224.81
2025 Operating Expense Ratio: 147.04%
The two years for which the Operating Expense Ratio (OER) could be calculated (2022 and 2025) both suggest that the farm is operating in a state of negative return in which annual expenses are greater than annual income.
Additionally, the OER for 2025 is more than 20 percentage points higher than the OER for 2022, which might suggest that the gap between expenses and income has continued to widen over recent years. However, it is notable that in 2025, the farm made two major equipment purchases (a bale wrapper for $7,900 and a dump trailer for $5,500). In 2025, the farm spent a total of $14,000 on major equipment purchases, compared to $1,357.85 in 2024 and $0 in 2023. (Categorization of equipment was impossible for 2022 because of sparse description in records.) Without the $14,000 in major equipment purchases, the 2025 expense total would be $23,691.41, an amount lower than the 2025 income total.
Comparison of Expense Category Distribution per Year
Expenses were categorized using the framework established by the Grassland 2.0 Beef Enterprise Calculator (version 1.3), created by Grassland 2.0, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Pasture Project at the Wallace Center, and the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems.
| Operating Expenses per Expense Category | ||||
| Year | Direct Sale of Meat | Pasture Direct Expense | Feed Direct Expense | Non-Feed Direct Expense |
| 2023 | $1,423.30 (8.1%) | $693.37 (4.0%) | $10,981.73 (62.8%) | $4,375.31 (25.0%) |
| 2024 | $8,178.85 (25.2%) | $998.10 (3.1%) | $6,682.49 (20.6%) | $16,596.79 (51.1%) |
| 2025 | $4,477.50 (12.2%) | $2,898.23 (7.9%) | $15,713.48 (42.8%) | $13,626.28 (37.1%) |
Direct Sale of Meat expenses include expenses related to slaughter, processing, and marketing. Over the past three years, the only recorded expenses that met this categorization were butchering costs, which have varied based on the number of animals processed.
Pasture Direct Expenses are defined as “repair supplies for fencing and a water system, periodic maintenance seeding, soil nutrient additions if needed, machinery cost, hired labor, depreciation of infrastructure and dedicated machinery, etc.” We have also included land use fees in this category. This category represents the lowest percentage of expenses each year. The significant jump in 2025 is attributed to the farm’s rental of additional acreage, which required soil amendments in addition to new fencing and watering setups.
Feed Direct Expenses include 1) the cost of any purchased feed, minerals, and related equipment, and 2) the cost of any harvested feed grown on the farm, such as all annual input and harvesting costs and the repair and maintenance of related equipment. Pasture Direct Expenses are kept separate, and labor costs are not included. The percentage of expenses represented by this category has been highly variable over the past three years. The amount spent on purchased forage was at its highest in 2023 ($7,085.41; compared to $5,300 in 2024 and $4,764.96 in 2025). In 2023, this category also included the cost to repair a round baler at $2,473.97. In 2025, this category included $8,500 of capital equipment purchases.
Non-Feed Direct Expenses include the following: Veterinary costs; Breeding (Bulls or AI); Fuel & oil; Repairs & maintenance not directly related to harvesting; Hired labor & custom hire; and Other direct expenses. (This category would also include farm Overhead, as well as expenses generated from Interest of operating loans; however, NGBI did not factor these costs into the analysis.) Expenses in this category were highest in 2024 due to livestock purchases totaling $4,900 and a high need for repairs and maintenance totaling $6,397.69. In 2025, this category included $5,500 of capital equipment purchases.
Environmental Conclusions
The results show that the pasture made clear biological gains at the soil surface. Increased plant diversity suggests early positive biological response to cattle grazing. Earthworm and insect populations are key indicators of biological soil function, and these increases suggest better nutrient cycling, residue incorporation, and habitat conditions. Improved water infiltration helps plant growth and reduces the risks of runoff and erosion. The trajectory is positive, and continued management will be necessary to translate surface improvements into deeper, more resilient soil function.
Financial Conclusions
The financial analysis intended to determine whether any conclusions could be drawn regarding the financial impact of grazing implementation compared to previous production methods. The results were inconclusive.
An Operating Expense Ratio (OER) could be calculated for two recent years of operation: 2022 (prior to grant implementation) and 2025 (after grant implementation). The OER for both years is greater than 100%, meaning annual expenses are greater than annual income, but broad conclusions founded upon only two years of data would be unsound.
The OER for 2025 is significantly larger than the OER for 2022, which might suggest that the gap between expenses and income has continued to widen over recent years; however, the 2025 OER is overly inflated by two major equipment purchases (a total of $14,000, or 38% of total annual expenses).
More research over the coming years is therefore needed to determine whether grazing implementation will result in a financial impact for this farm.
Education & outreach activities and participation summary
Participation summary:
Outreach goals for this project were achieved using a multi-level outreach strategy that included digital outreach, partner collaboration, marketing, and public relations.
- 12,000 (minimum) regional constituents are reached with information about the AMP grazing project and the on-farm event.
Evaluation measure: Verification of email delivery in NGBI CRM system; confirmation from partners regarding delivery and reach.
Goal 1 Strategy 1: Digital outreach. NGBI and partners sent a series of emails with information about the AMP grazing project and about the on-farm event.
- Email outreach promoting the July 14 on-farm event was sent to the NGBI email list on May 23, June 16, and July 7, 2025. These emails reached an average of 1,750 recipients (verified via email tracking in NGBI CRM system). The event was additionally promoted via email by partners including the Vermont Grass Farmers Association, the CT River Watershed Farmers Alliance, New England Grazing Network, and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of NH.
- Event notices regarding the July 14 on-farm event were posted to the event calendars of the Burlington Free Press, the Bangor Daily News, MaineToday, and The Vermont Standard.
- An email newsletter with information about the project was sent by VTSU Institutional Advancement on Dec 17th, 2025. The newsletter mailing list has 41,638 recipients, including 100% of current VTSU staff.
- An email newsletter explaining project results was sent to the NGBI mailing list on Feb 25, 2026. This email reached 1,636 recipients (verified via email tracking in NGBI CRM system).
Goal 1 Strategy 2: Purchase advertising in trade and interest group publications.
- A 1/8 page advertisement ran in The Hippo on May 22, June 26, and July 3, 2025. The Hippo has an estimated audience of 284,965 non-repeated readers over four issues. Anecdotally, at least half a dozen participants in the July 14 on-farm event mentioned having seen an ad for the event in The Hippo.
- An ad sized 2" H x 2 columns ran in the June 2025 issue of Agriview, the news publication from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Agriview has an estimated audience of 12,000 – 15,000 viewers per month. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets waived the fee for this advertisement.
Goal 1 Strategy 3: Collaboration with partners to publicize the project among partner networks.
- Collaborations with partners such as Vermont State University, USDA-NRCS, Vermont Grass Farmers Association, and the Northeast Pasture Consortium resulted in a wide range of media coverage and publicity related to this project, including:
- WCAX - VTSU launches farm-to-cafeteria initiative featuring local beef
- White River Valley Herald - Local Beef From Farm to Cafeteria
- Times Argus - Times Argus Community News for Dec. 11, 2025
- Rutland Herald - Rutland Herald Community News for Dec. 12, 2025
- My Champlain Valley - Vermont State University plans move to local beef
- Morning Ag Clips - A Sustainable Beef Supply Chain for Campus Dining
- Vermont Business Magazine - VTSU and food providers partner to create a sustainable beef supply chain for campus dining
- VTSU continues to leverage its ongoing student recruitment efforts to promote the AMP grazing learning model. VTSU and NGBI have partnered to launch the new Regenerative Grazing and Livestock Systems Certificate, beginning August 2026 at VTSU–Randolph. This 24-credit, two-semester hybrid program will prepare the next generation of land stewards to lead the way in regenerative agriculture. Students will gain hands-on experience with adaptive multi-paddock grazing, learning essential skills in soil health, pasture management, water and fencing systems, livestock genetics, and sustainable business operations.
- Material permanence. The project summary report will be permanently hosted on NGBI’s website, with backlinks requested from partners. The current link to the project summary report is https://www.ngbi.org/recent-work.
- 10% (minimum) growth in size of project outreach audience by grant completion date.
Goal 2 Evaluation measure: Number of project audience contacts in NGBI database at grant start compared to number at grant completion.
Goal 2 Outcome: There were 3,258 contacts in the NGBI database at the grant start date. On the grant end date, there were 3,594 contacts, an increase of 10.3%.
- 25 (minimum) participants at on-farm event.
Goal 3 Evaluation measure: Photographic and/or written documentation of event attendees.
Goal 3 Outcome: The on-farm event on July 14, 2025 was attended by a total of 44 people, comprising 40 community members and 4 staff members associated with NGBI and Vermont State University.
The on-farm event on July 14, 2025 was designed to raise awareness about the sustainable grazing model. The event ticket price included a sliding scale for farmers, intended to minimize financial barriers. The event agenda included a pasture walk, lecture, and discussion with guest speaker Dale Strickland; and a rainfall simulation experiment. The event was co-hosted by NGBI and the Vermont Grass Farmers Association; the New England Grazing Network; the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets; Northeast Pasture Consortium; UVM Extension; Wolfe’s Neck Center; Cornell Cooperative Extension; University of Maine Cooperative Extension; Berkshire Agricultural Ventures; and Granite State Graziers.
Learning Outcomes
Farmer participants in the on-farm event reported increased knowledge and awareness in adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing principles, pasture management, and soil health dynamics. Farmers also reported increased awareness of the relationship between grazing practices and long-term land stewardship through a strengthened understanding of how grazing impacts ecological indicators such as plant diversity, water infiltration, and soil biology. The cooperating farmer, trough ongoing training and technical assistance, improved skills in adaptive planning, rotational grazing techniques, and infrastructure decision-making (e.g., fencing and water systems).
Project Outcomes
The cooperating farmer began implementing AMP grazing practices, including more intentional herd rotation and adaptive decision-making based on pasture and livestock conditions. These changes contributed to measurable environmental improvements, such as increased plant diversity, higher earthworm populations, and improved water infiltration, indicating better soil function and nutrient cycling. While financial outcomes remain inconclusive, the project demonstrated reduced reliance on purchased feed and progress toward a more self-sustaining grazing system. Overall, the farmer gained practical experience and confidence in a regenerative approach that supports long-term farm resilience and resource stewardship.
A new certificate program in Regenerative Grazing and Livestock Systems offered by Vermont State University beginning in August 2026 will build upon the knowledge gained and infrastructure implemented through this project. VTSU and NGBI have partnered to launch this 24-credit, two-semester hybrid program that will provide hands-on experience with adaptive multi-paddock grazing as well as essential knowledge of soil health, pasture management, water and fencing systems, livestock genetics, and sustainable business operations.
The project’s approach combined hands-on farmer training, adaptive management, and longitudinal environmental and financial tracking to effectively capture both the practical and ecological dimensions of AMP grazing. A key strength was the integration of real-time technical assistance with formal soil health assessments, which enabled both immediate application and measurable outcomes. A key challenge was the inaccessibility of farm income records from 2023 and 2024, which prevented the calculation of the Operating Expense Ratio for those years. To address this challenge, future methodology should include more consistent financial data collection. An important administrative challenge was NGBI’s change of fiscal sponsor during the grant period, which necessitated an increased number of labor hours spent on grant administration.
This project successfully answered its environmental question, demonstrating early positive biological changes, but did not definitively answer the financial impact question due to insufficient and variable data. NGBI created and distributed a flyer describing the environmental impact found through this project. NGBI will continue to promote AMP grazing because of its evidence-based environmental benefits and strong potential for long-term farm profitability and resilience. Additional multi-year research is needed to better understand economic outcomes and deeper soil system changes. These results would be especially valuable to small and mid-sized livestock producers in the Northeast, as well as agricultural educators, extension agents, and conservation organizations working on soil health and sustainable grazing systems.