Vermont State’s CAFE outlines new Agriculture, Food and Forest associate degree and meat-processing training facility

The Center for Agriculture and Food Entrepreneurship at Vermont State University updated lawmakers and industry partners on plans to launch an Agriculture, Food and Forest associate’s degree program and on progress building a meat-processing instructional facility on the Randolph Center campus.

Glenn, a center staff member, told attendees that "The Center for Ag and Food Entrepreneurship, as we affectionately refer to as CAFE, is Vermont State University's gateway when it comes to all sorts of workforce programming." He said the center is pursuing two primary training pathways: an immersive two‑year associate’s degree and shorter certificate trainings that run from a few hours to a week.

The nut of the proposal is workforce development for Vermont’s agriculture, food and forest sectors. The center said it has secured a large Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant that funds three full-time center staff through August 2026 and received a legislative appropriation to support construction of the meat-processing facility.

Officials said certificate trainings have reached almost 100 students in the past year across roughly 10 rotating topics, from basic welding to organic certification and sausage‑making. Taylor, the center’s training and internship manager, which the center filled in May…