NEK Farmer-to-Farmer Adaptation Planning Cohort
Hosted by NOFA-VT in collaboration with Orleans, Essex, & Caledonia NRCDs and CAE
Why This Program Exists
Farming in the Northeast Kingdom means constantly adapting to changing weather, shifting markets, and evolving on-farm conditions. Climate adaptation planning can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to do it on your own.
This program was created so you don't have to.
The NEK Farmer-to-Farmer Adaptation Planning Cohort brings farmers together to collaboratively build practical, farm-specific climate adaptation plans, while learning directly from peers who are navigating similar challenges.
What This Program Offers
This pilot program combine's NOFA-VT's established climate adaptation planning framework with a farmer cohort model, creating space for both structured planning and meaningful farmer-to-farmer learning.
Participating farms will:
- Develop a custom climate adaptation plan tailored to their operation
- Participate in guided farm visits and collaborative risk assessments
- Learn alongside other NEK farmers through group meetings and shared meals
- Receive a $5,000 implementation grant to jumpstart a priority resilience project
- Gain connections to additional technical, financial, and conservation resources
How the Adaptation Planning Process Works
The planning process includes three main steps
1. Prework
Farmers reflect on their goals, farm history, and current financial and environmental health. This groundwork shapes the rest of the planning process.
2. Risk Assessment
Through an on-farm visit, farmers and technical service providers walk the land together to identify climate vulnerabilities related to soil, water, infrastructure, markets, and supply chains. These observations are documented in a written risk assessment.
3. Action Planning
Farmers prioritize strategies to address identified risks and develop an implementation plan that includes both short-term and long-term actions to strengthen climate resilience.
Climate adaptation planning is iterative, and farmers are encouraged to revisit and update their plans over time.
The Cohort Model: Learning in Community
Over the course of Spring 2026, participating farms will move through the planning process together as a cohort.
The full group will meet four times in person, roughly once per month, for facilitated learning, discussion, and shared meals. As the program progresses, farmers will be organized into small groups of 3-4 farms for farm visits, peer support, and deeper collaboration.
This structure is intentionally designed to support strong planning outcomes while fostering lasting farmer-to-farmer connections across the NEK.
Program Details
- Timeline: Late February - May 2026
- Time Commitment: ~16 hours total (plus travel)
- Meetings: Four in-person cohort gatherings + farm visits + two Zoom check-ins
- Grant: $5,000 per participating farm*
*Farms that have recently received a $1,500 NOFA adaptation planning grant are eligible, and will receive $3,500 through this program
Who Should Apply
This program is a good fit for farmers who:
- Are interested in planning for climate resilience
- Value learning from other farmers
- Can commit to the full program timeline
- Want both practical planning support and funding to implement change
Farms may apply individually or as a small group of 3-4 farms.
Interested in Participating?
Complete the interest questionnaire by January 16 to be considered.
APPLY HERE
Questions?
Contact NOFA-VT's Organic Practices Team:
