We are farmers. We know that some of the best things in life start with a single seed, and with care and cultivation, can flourish into something much larger and grander.

And so it can be said of us. We started as a little seed of an idea between a handful of farmers in 2012. With the help of UVM Extension staff in Middlebury, Vermont and a Conservation Innovation Grant from Vermont Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), we became the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition.

Our purpose is to assist all farmers in implementing innovative agricultural practices that enhance water quality, soil health, climate smart farming, and their economic resiliency in the Champlain Valley. 

We accomplish this through a positive, unified voice that provides targeted education and outreach to farmers and the public; advocates on behalf of farmers’ environmental interests; and collaborates with community partners to achieve common goals. 

Since our inception, we have worked tirelessly to grow our membership, participate in difficult conversations around agriculture, water quality, and soil health, and educate each other and our communities. 

The partnership between the Coalition and UVM Extension’s Champlain Valley Crop, Soil & Pasture Team has proven to be a powerful alliance that has been a catalyst for action and change in Addison, Chittenden, Rutland, and Washington County farming communities. Many farms have begun adopting new and innovative practices that benefit the environment while proving they can also benefit the farm business. In addition, the Coalition has become an organization that is seen as a voice for farmers in the watershed and is often relied on to give input to governmental organizations and watershed groups.

But that’s just the surface of our story. Our love for the lake, the land, and the communities we live in is embodied by each of our members. We invite you to learn more about what they are doing on their farms to protect water quality and soil health today and for future generations.