CONDUCTING
A UVM EXTENSION
FARM VIABILITY
PROGRAM©
IN VERMONT
LeVitre, R.A.
Director, UVM Extension Farm Viability Program©,
278 South Main Street, Suite 2, St. Albans, VT 05478-1866
What is the
UVM Extension
Farm Viability
Program© ?
Provides farmers with
a business plan service
FV Program…
• Uses specialists to
provide technical
assistance
– In areas identified
by farmers
– To fulfill specific
business goals
Specialists…
• UVM Extension
Faculty & Staff
• Extension
colleagues from
neighboring states
• Private sector
– Consultants
• Examples
– Ag engineers
– Veterinarians
– Marketing experts
– Attorneys
Business Goals…
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•
•
•
•
•
New farm enterprise
Added value
Estate & farm transfer
Labor management
Expansion
Improved management
At the Beginning…
The Farm Family
Business Plan Writer
• Active participants
• Conducts SWOT
• Bring everything to
the table
• Time commitment
• Develops their plan
•
•
•
•
Builds trust
Facilitates
Brings in T.A.
Puts the plan together
The Process…
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•
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•
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SWOT analysis
Data collection
Financial information
Market description
Labor details
Construction projects
Projected ideas &
strategies
End Results…
Farm Family is able to:
• Make informed decisions
• Clearer knowledge of farm’s assets
• Fine-tuned working document
for financial institutions
Evaluation…
• Third party review by SBDC
• Each farmer completes written survey
– Evaluate progress & effectiveness of work
• Year 2 evaluation
– Implementation of the plan
– Update for future direction
– Review balance sheet
– Questions on lifestyle changes
How We Have Grown…
• Since 2004
• $67,000 to over
$550,000
• 1 new employee, 1
contractor & 1 faculty
– To 3 hires, 10
contractors, & 3 faculty
New Projects…
• Dairy Management Teams
• Northeast Kingdom
Dairy Viability Program©
Dairy Management Teams…
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•
•
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Facilitated discussion
Trained facilitators
Farmer priorities
Selected team members
Goals established with timelines
NEK Dairy Viability Program©
•
•
•
•
•
USDA RD RBEG
Economic Development
Distressed area of the state
“REAP” zone
3rd largest dairy area of state
– Approximately 250 farms
Funding is provided by…
• VHCB
– In collaboration with the VT
Agency of Agriculture
• USDA NRCS
– Through Senator Leahy &
Congressman Welch
• USDA RME
• Anonymous Donor
• UVM Extension base dollars
Future…
•
•
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Loss of “earmarks”
Outcome based !!!
New “spins”
Multi-agency/organization
collaborations
• Multi-state
• Marketing
Next Steps…
• Grants, contracts, donors
• Marketing
– Press
– Radio
– TV
– WEB, Blog, social media
• Significant evaluation
In Summary…
• Key feature to Farm Viability
is development of a business plan
• Other services are provided:
– Farm Transfer information & assistance
– Farm systems management planning
– Technical assistance: ag engineering,
marketing
– Referrals to extension specialists
Thank You
RICK LEVITRE
RICHARD.LEVITRE@UVM.EDU
802-524-6501 X451
Questions?