The Center for an Agricultural Economy secured the congressional funding through Sen. Peter Welch’s office to support two programs: Place-Based Education and Just Cut, both operating in the Hardwick area.

The Just Cut program, running since 2013, works with about 20 farms annually, contracting with producers before the growing season starts. Farmers plan their crops knowing they have guaranteed sales to schools, colleges and hospitals, while the program counts on receiving specific amounts of vegetables.

The center’s delivery service, Farm Connex, picks up produce at farms and brings it to the Vermont Food Venture Center facility in Hardwick, where staff prepare ready-to-use products like diced potatoes, shredded cabbage and whole peeled carrots for institutional buyers.

The federal money will fund new equipment to streamline processing and handle more varieties of produce.

The center also runs Place-Based Education programs in Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union schools, including a high school class called “Recipe for Human Connection” that builds community through food and cooking. Over 60 students participate this school year, including middle schoolers in a new introductory version.

Meanwhile, Vermont opened applications for the 2026 Eric Rozendaal Memorial Award, which recognizes farmers for land stewardship, innovation and community service. The $5,000 award accepts applications through March 1 at vlt.org/eric.

The award honors Eric Rozendaal, known as the face of Rockville Market Farm in Starksboro before his death in 2018. Past recipients include farmers from operations across Vermont, from Boneyard Farm to Bread & Butter Farm in Shelburne and South Burlington.

Nominations also opened for the 2026 Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame, accepting submissions until March 20 through vtaghalloffame.org. The program recognizes emerging leaders under 40, agricultural innovators and lifetime achievement honorees with at least 30 years in Vermont agriculture.

Inductees will be honored at the annual luncheon during the Champlain Valley Fair in late summer.

For New York farmers and food advocates watching Vermont’s programs, the federal investment highlights growing support for local food systems that benefit both producers and consumers.