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Across the United States, billions of dollars are invested each year to improve soil health, water quality, disaster resilience, wildlife habitat, and agricultural viability. Yet one of the greatest barriers to implementing conservation is a shortage of trained professionals. Conservation districts, USDA-NRCS offices, and partner organizations face growing technical assistance/service provider gaps while demand for conservation services continues to increase.

Farm Force was created to help close that gap.

Developed by the White River NRCD in partnership with the Virgin Islands Women in Agriculture Association and Bennington County Conservation District, Farm Force is a conservation workforce development initiative that prepares the next generation of conservation professionals while delivering meaningful assistance to farmers and communities in both Vermont and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Participants receive hands-on training in conservation planning, soil health, agroforestry, grazing systems, watershed restoration, ecological invasive species management, and USDA conservation programs while working alongside farmers and conservation professionals on real projects. Farm Force crews help establish riparian buffers and agroforestry systems, plant thousands of food-bearing trees, restore wildlife habitat, remove invasive species using ecological approaches, collect and process hickory nuts and other regionally important crops, assist producers with conservation planning and USDA program enrollment, and support communities recovering from floods and other natural disasters.

Farm Force is organized around four core program areas:

• Work Brigades — Hands-on conservation projects that provide practical experience while assisting farmers, communities, and partner organizations with restoration, planting, conservation practice implementation, and stewardship activities.
• Bootcamps & Field Academies — Intensive, multi-day trainings focused on whole-farm planning, agroecology, conservation planning, agricultural engineering, soil health, grazing systems, and other technical conservation skills.
• Peer Learning Networks — Ongoing AgLearn cohorts and monthly accountability groups that connect conservation professionals, farmers, and partners to share knowledge, solve challenges, and continue learning together.
• Career Advancement — Professional development pathways that prepare participants for careers in conservation through certifications, Technical Service Provider (TSP) development, JAA certification support, continuing education, mentoring, and leadership opportunities.

Sign up here to get involved with Farm Force and other volunteer and training opportunities.