Project Team
VHCB VT Farm & Forest Viability Program
Ela Chapin has directed the Viability Program at the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board since 2006. She has been instrumental in facilitating expansion of the program, improving and creating new partnerships and driving significant quality improvement of program services. Under Ela’s leadership the program has expanded professional development trainings for agricultural service providers in Vermont, including dozens of trainings and networking events, as well as designing and implementing several national and regional Farm Viability Conferences. She has a MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University.
The Carrot Project
Dorothy Suput, Executive Director and Founder of The Carrot Project, works to increase the economic viability of farm and food enterprises through a combination of loans and business support services,and guides farmers in making sound financial decisions. The Carrot Project catalyzes increased numbers of lenders and the amount of financing devoted to the sector, through collaboration, research, and cross-fertilization.
Key Partners and Supporters
The following partners are supporting the project either by actively advising the project team, and/or providing funding towards the project.
Primary Funders: John Merck Fund, City Market
CEI, Inc.
Fair Food Fund Northeast
Intervale Center
Maine Farmland Trust
MOFGA
Maine Small Business Development Center
Massachusetts Farm Viability Program
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project
NH Community Loan Fund
NOFA-Vermont
Slow Money ME
University of Vermont Extension
Vermont Small Business Development Center
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
Yankee Farm Credit
Ela Chapin has directed the Viability Program at the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board since 2006. She has been instrumental in facilitating expansion of the program, improving and creating new partnerships and driving significant quality improvement of program services. Under Ela’s leadership the program has expanded professional development trainings for agricultural service providers in Vermont, including dozens of trainings and networking events, as well as designing and implementing several national and regional Farm Viability Conferences. She has a MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University.
The Carrot Project
Dorothy Suput, Executive Director and Founder of The Carrot Project, works to increase the economic viability of farm and food enterprises through a combination of loans and business support services,and guides farmers in making sound financial decisions. The Carrot Project catalyzes increased numbers of lenders and the amount of financing devoted to the sector, through collaboration, research, and cross-fertilization.
Key Partners and Supporters
The following partners are supporting the project either by actively advising the project team, and/or providing funding towards the project.
Primary Funders: John Merck Fund, City Market
CEI, Inc.
Fair Food Fund Northeast
Intervale Center
Maine Farmland Trust
MOFGA
Maine Small Business Development Center
Massachusetts Farm Viability Program
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project
NH Community Loan Fund
NOFA-Vermont
Slow Money ME
University of Vermont Extension
Vermont Small Business Development Center
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
Yankee Farm Credit
