The college of agriculture and life sciences at the university of vermont is a nationally recognized, dynamic community of accomplished scientists and intellectually driven scholars

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University of Vermont & State Agricultural College $4,086,326 on October 1, 2025, under the Smith-Lever Extension Funding program (CFDA 10.511) to support cooperative agricultural extension activities.

UVM Extension delivers technical assistance, education, and science-based information to Vermont audiences across four goal areas: long-term viability of Vermont agriculture, food, and forests; resilience of families and individuals around health, education, and personal well-being; development and engagement of communities through leadership and capacity building; and quality of the natural environment through integrated business and conservation practices. The award funds research-based extension programming by UVM Extension faculty and staff integrated with higher education and research to serve Vermont citizens, communities, and organizations.

The award period runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030, with place of performance in Burlington, Vermont. The assistance type is a formula grant.

As the only research university in the state, and as a land-grant institution, we are charged with integrating higher education, research, and extension to meet the needs of vermont citizens, communities, and organizations. Integral to accomplishing this is the research-based education provided by UVM extension faculty and staff. Together we work to protect and enhance a quality of life characterized by a healthy natural environment, vibrant economy, strong sense of community, capable and resilient citizens, and a deep connection to agriculture and food systems. We have therefore chosen to organize our programs around the following goal areas: 1) long-term viability of vermont agriculture, food, and forests: to improve the financial, environmental, and social sustainability of vermont's agriculture, food, and forest sectors; 2) resilience of families and individuals: to increase the resilience of families and individuals around health, education, and personal and family well-being; 3) development and engagement of communities: to engage with communities to support leadership development, capacity building, and community voices in decision making; 4) quality of the natural environment: to integrate business and conservation to improve the quality of the natural environment where vermonters live, work and play. UVM extension makes progress towards these goals by providing technical assistance, education, and current science based information to a broad range of audiences. This increases their knowledge and skills and encourages implementation of costeffective, environmentally sound practices.