UVM details research and outreach at Hort Farm and Miller Research Farm, seeks fundraising for new building

UVM faculty outlined operations and program needs for two South Burlington properties used for research, education and outreach. Terry Bratch, who introduced himself as the chair of the Department of Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment and director of the Horticulture Research and Education Center, summarized the Hort Farm’s mission and infrastructure needs: the center spans about 97 acres, supports field research and hosts a newly completed flexible outdoor pavilion funded by a donor and a USDA research‑facilities grant.

Bratch said the farm is planning a new heated building (offices, classrooms and workshops) that is not yet funded and that UVM intends to pursue fundraising with a target rendering by the end of next year. He detailed historic infrastructure damage — an irrigation dam collapsed in 2019 and the university replaced it with engineered waterways and now uses piped city water for irrigation — and said the farm supported “over $3,000,000 in competitive research funding” last year across roughly 13 projects. Guy Roberts (introduced by UVM as facilities director for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) described Miller Research Farm activities, including a 50+ cow academic dairy, the student‑run CREAM program, equine activities and broad K–12 outreach.

Why it matters: The farms provide hands‑on training, extension services and research outputs that UVM and community partners use. Commissioners probed conservation status and public‑access paths; UVM emphasized the long‑term educational role of the farms and noted that some proposed facility improvements will depend on successful fundraising.