Value added farming, bout ique farming and organic farming is saving the family farm in Vermont

[cali]

Yes, family dairy farms are still going belly up, but the family farm is being saved by creative thinking about food and food products.

From Jasper Hill Farm which produces outstanding cheese and has built an aging cellar into a hillside to age other producers cheeses http://www.jasperhillfarm.com/ http://www.formaggiokitchen.com/node/343 to Pete's Greens with its year round greenhouses http://www.petesgreens.com/ Vermont is changing its agricultural profile. And the state is actively involved with such programs as the farm viability program, the extension programs out of UVM and more.

It's exciting to see the creativity and innovation that's going on in my neck of the woods- both the farming enterprises I mentioned are literally down the road from where I live, and there are many more. Vermont Tofu produces premium tofu products from local organic soybeans, for instance. We have a slow lending circle here.

Is this the future of farming? I don't know, but it's certainly becoming a real boon to the Northeast Kingdom.

[patrice]

1. Personally, I think such could be the heart of the Local development that is necessary to Free us

from TransNationalCo & Wars 'r' U.S.

[cali]

2. well, it is the heart of local development in my town

(small agricultural town of 3,000 with a couple of thousand in the immediate environs). There's been quite a bit of national coverage about it.

[lindisfarne]

3. Any wind resources? Wind energy is saving family farms in WA and MN n/t

[cali]

4. very little. it's beginning to creep in

but it's not what's saving the family farm here. really, it's the value added products organic and niche farming that's making a difference, along with the fact that it's a community effort. the caves at Jasper Hill are a big contribution.