At the beginning of 2008, the VT Agency of Agriculture and John Merck Fund asked VCRD to manage a strategic planning process designed to advance farm businesses and agricultural enterprises in the state. “Moving Vermont Agriculture Forward,” began with two working task forces: Branding and Marketing and Business Development. The task forces were designed to look for key opportunities to support long-term business profitability in agriculture and value-added ventures, dairy and non-dairy, and to identify signature projects that could advance agricultural development to the next level.
The Branding and Marketing Task Force developed a platform with three key ideas:
- Expanding cross agency support for agritourism;
- Building a “Vermont Farm and Food Festival,” to showcase VT agriculture; and
- Establishing an on-line center for agritourism and Vermont product sales.
The Business Development Task Force evaluated the potential for the creation of a Vermont Agriculture Development Corporation to rally technical advice, site and regulatory assistance, business planning and financing help, and equity capital to eligible agricultural entrepreneurs.
Report:
VCRD deeply appreciates all the task force members and the assistance of Helen Labun Jordan of the Agency of Agriculture in this effort.