A Legal Guide to the Business of Farming in Vermont

Project Overview

ENE04-083
Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2004: $59,069.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2007
Region: Northeast
State: Vermont
Project Leader:
Debra Heleba
University of Vermont Extension
Co-Leaders:

Annual Reports

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Education and Training: technical assistance
  • Farm Business Management: cooperatives, risk management, value added
  • Sustainable Communities: new business opportunities, community services

    Proposal abstract:

    Abstract: A Legal Guide to the Business of Farming in Vermont

    We propose to develop a legal guide to farming in Vermont that will assist service providers in their professional activities with colleagues and clients. Service providers will use the guide as a general desk reference as well as to aid farmers in the development of their farm business plans. The guide will address aspects of the legal structure of the farm businesses, farm transfer, government regulation of agriculture, farm programs and farm contracts identified by service providers and farmers in Vermont as important.

    Performance targets from proposal:

    5000 people will learn about the guide. 200 personnel from Extension, USDA agencies, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, non-profit organizations; consultants; private practitioners; legal services offices; and others in the state of Vermont who provide technical assistance to farmers who are new to farming or are working to enhance the viability of their existing farms will access the guide on the internet. Of these:

    - 150 will use the guide as a reference in providing assistance to their farm clients;

    - 50 will use the guide as an on-line resource to 200 clients as an aid in drafting their farm business plans or conducting their farming business; and,

    - 150 will integrate the guide in their professional activities with colleagues and clients in training peers, advising clients, delivering presentations or when authoring articles, fact sheets and web pages.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.