A three year partnership between the White River Natural Resources Conservation District, the Bennington County Natural Resources Conservation District, the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture (VIDA), and the Virgin Islands Women in Agriculture Association (VIWIAA) has resulted in Farm Force. This is an initiative aimed at mobilizing individuals in the local community focused on promoting food sovereignty and resilience, working to prevent climate-related disruptions in the supply chain.
Farm Force was created in 2024 through funding from the Working Lands Climate Corps, a new federal program from AmeriCorps. Thirty young adults from Vermont and the US Virgin Islands are participating in this year-long program to become Level 1 Certified Conservation Planners and learn about Climate Smart Agriculture.
A Farm Force Boot Camp was held in October to provide hands-on training. Participants visited farms ranging from beef and dairy grazing to diversified vegetables to maple sugar operations. They learned key agricultural techniques, ecological processes, and leadership skills relevant to addressing climate challenges. The group will meet again in February for another Boot Camp in St. Croix as well as monthly online seminars.
Photo: Farm Force member using the auger to plant chestnut trees. Photo by Bennington County NRCD.