New Farmer Initiative
Farm to Workplace Delivery Program
Green Mountain Food Hub
Locally Grown Guide
Grow a Row: Food Access & Gleaning
Annual Farmers Gathering
Upcoming Events

Direct Assistance
Are you a new farmer in the area looking for assistance with a farm, busines or marketing question? RAFFL understands how challenging it can be to navigate the maze of agricultural resources offered by local, state and federal agencies and organizations - and we are here to help! Contact us with your questions, and we will help direct you to relevant resources and real people who can support the success of your farm!

What's Growin' On - RAFFL's New Farmer Blog
Our blog is continuously updated with information and resources relevant to farmers in our region. Subscribe to the blog and receive posts on Events & Farm Tours, Farmer Shout Outs, Internships & Farm Employment, Land Opportunities, Musings, Ideas, Rants, Policy & Regulations, Business Planning, Financing & Grants, Growing Info, Marketing Info, Start-up Guides, and Training Opportunities.

Summer Workshop Series
RAFFL is again teaming up with NOFA-VT to bring you six on-farm workshops on topics and skills important to farm success.  Workshops will be relevant and engaging for any commercial grower - from apprentices and folks just starting up to established farmers. See descriptions, directions to each workshop and registration info on our "Upcoming Events" Calendar here.

Livestock Fencing and Pasture Walk, Wednesday June 29, 6 - 8pm
Maple Tree Farm, Pawlet VT, $10 Workshop Fee

On-farm Poultry Slaughter, Wednesday, July 13, 6 - 8pm
Boardman Hill Farm, West Rutland, $10 Workshop Fee

Basic Cover Crop Strategies for Soil Health and Seed Production & NOFAvore Social, Wed, July 27 4 - 6pm
Clear Brook Farm, Shaftsbury, FREE, Pre-registration requested to attend the NOFAvore social.

Introduction into Starting a Commercial Goat Dairy, Saturday August 6, 2011, 9:30am - 3:00pm 
Consider Bardwell Farm, West Pawlet, $25 for NOFA-VT members and VSGA members; $40 for non-member, Pre-registration is required to attend this workshop.

Worry-Less Winter Production, Monday, August 22, 1:30 - 6:00 pm (including a potluck picnic)
Kilpatrick Family Farm, Middle Granville, NY
FREE for NOFA-NY & NOFA-VT Members/$15 All Others, Pre-registration is required to attend this workshop

Equipment and tools for small scale vegetable production, Wednesday, September 7, 6 - 8 pm
Foggy Meadow Farm, Benson, FREE

Click here to View Videos from each Workshop held in 2010!

The Rutland Area Farmers Collaborative
RAFFL is helping facilitate the 2011 pilot season of the Rutland Area Farmers' Collaborative. Formed after the completion of RAFFL’s Collaborative Marketing Workshop Series, 5 new farms in the region are supporingt each other in the promotion and sale of their products. Working together, these small farms will provide area chefs with an increased variety of products, consistency in inventory and reliable supply throughout the season. The collaborative will provide chefs an easy, one-stop shopping website that allows chefs to place one order with multiple participating farms. To learn more about the collaborative, and to participate as a grower or buyer in 2012, contact Jill Perry Balzano.

New Farmer Mixers
Throughout the year, RAFFL hosts casual affairs for new farmers to meet eachother, talk shop, network and enjoy the company of their peers. Keep an eye on our Upcoming Events calendar and blog for the date of our next Mixer.

Farmland Access
We work with farmers seeking land to identify what their needs are, and what options could work for them. When appropriate, we will connect new farmers with land owners and help them evaluate properties. This will include linking farmers to other Vermont Farmland Access Network partners if needed.

Check out these Land Access Resources to help you in your search or lease negotiation.