The White River Valley Herald

VTC To Get $1.2M Federal Grant

Funds Slated For Agricultural Workforce Development


With an eye toward the continuing evolution of its agricultural program, Vermont Technical College (VTC) has received a grant for more than $1.2 million that will go toward expanding the college’s agriculture workforce development and entrepreneurship training programs.

The grant funds, which have yet to be disbursed, will come from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), which is providing the funds through the American Rescue Plan. Additionally the EDA grant will be matched by $314,775 in local funds, according to a statement issued by VTC.

“This funding will provide vital support for keeping agricultural land in production and for educating young and beginning agricultural entrepreneurs,” said U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy. “For many years, agricultural businesses and organizations in Vermont have struggled to find staff to meet the sector’s growing workforce needs.

“This investment in Vermont Technical College will create jobs and strengthen our rural economies,” he added.

A key recipient that will be bolstered by the grant funding is the school’s emerging Center for Agriculture and Food Entrepreneurship— which is set to launch next fall under the umbrella of Vermont State University.

As the VSU system begins to set up the center, the EDA grant funds that were announced late last week will allow for the appointment of three key positions—the executive director of the center; an internship coordinator; and a director of the center’s meat-cutting program, according to Pat Moulton. Moulton served as VTC president until recently shifting roles to that of the executive director of the Vermont State Colleges System.

Moulton explained the process of rethinking VTC’s agriculture program began more than two years ago when then state colleges chancellor Jeb Spaulding had recommended the closing of several state college campuses—including VTC’s Randolph Center campus. “Now that we’ve got the funding to get staff, we can start to get things running,” she said, “But that requires us to start yesterday.”

Moulton voiced particular enthusiasm for the center’s internship program, which has gathered a list of at least 50 employers across the state who have expressed “initial interest” in hosting interns. Those interns, Moulton explained, will have their choice of two tracks—that of Agriculture & Livestock Production or Food Entrepreneurship. Once the Center for Agriculture & Food Entrepreneurship is up and running, Moulton said VTC hopes to build up to an enrollment of about 125 students within the center’s programs.

“This funding will enable Vermont Technical College and the forthcoming Vermont State University to bring our shared vision for our agricultural education to life,” said Parwinder Grewal, president at Vermont Technical College and inaugural president of Vermont State University. “We believe our new offerings will not only be of great interest and benefit to Vermonters but will attract students from across New England and the Northeast.”