Small and medium-sized farm viability and farmer wellbeing research and extension programming is typically based on data from farmers who have persisted in farming

The University of Vermont & State Agricultural College received a $299,821 Project Grant from the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program (CFDA 10.310), awarded on September 15, 2025, with a completion date of September 14, 2027. This integrated research and extension project addresses gaps in farm viability and farmer wellbeing research by examining the experiences of early-exit farmers—individuals who have left farming prematurely—whose perspectives have been historically overlooked in agricultural research and programming.

The project delivers two primary components: (1) a qualitative interview-based research study with early-exit farmers to understand the business and quality-of-life factors driving early departure from farming, and (2) farmer education and train-the-trainer extension programming designed to address identified persistence and exit concerns. Research findings will be integrated into extension curriculum and professional development resources for service providers, ultimately supporting New England's regional food system resiliency by promoting economic viability and wellbeing among small and medium-sized farm operators.

By neglecting the experiences of people who have exited early, current research skews our understanding of farm viability and farmer wellbeing. This integrated research and extension project addresses these challenges through (1) an interview-based research study with early-exit farmers, and (2) farmer and train-the-trainer extension programming and deliverables. Through rigorous qualitative research design and responsive extension engagement, this project addresses neglected issues of farm viability and farmer wellbeing. Research results will be incorporated into extension curriculum and resources, and by the project's conclusion the team will deliver farmer education and service provider professionaldevelopment that address business and quality of life concerns that affect persistence and early exit. This project increases new england's regional food system resiliency by fostering small and medium-sized farm economic viability and farmer wellbeing.