Champlain Orchards

Meeting the challenge of affordable farmland in Vermont

In the late 1990s, Bill Suhr learned that conserving land could help him achieve a long-held dream. “I wasn’t aware I could become a farmer, but I loved land,” he said.

Unable to afford farmland, Bill assumed he would eventually become a caretaker for a large property. But, by working with the Vermont Land Trust, he was able to buy a longstanding orchard, because the sale of a conservation easement cut the cost of the land in half.

“It was a huge financial advantage for a 27-year-old,” said Bill. “It’s a story in itself; the land trust taking a risk on a young aspiring grower with passion and perseverance but no farming experience.”

(photo: Bill in the early days of the orchard)

Slow and steady: A farm success story

Bill initially peddled his fruit from his station wagon, traveling to farmer’s markets and food co-ops that could purchase the low volume he was able to produce. He developed strong relationships with local buyers that cared about his eco-oriented approach.

Eventually, he was successful enough to buy and conserve more land and grow more fruit. Today, Champlain Orchards operates on 350 acres, and employs more than 30 full-time local staff and 50 seasonal staff from Jamaica.

Getting the next generation of Vermont farmers on the land

Our work with Bill and other up-and-coming farmers in the ‘90s led us to focus on farm affordability and ways we could help the next generation of farmers get a start.

“If land is too expensive and the development pressure is too significant, there’s a lot less enthusiasm to grow a crop that’s only picked once a year,” said Bill. “You’re only one sale away from losing that orchard forever.”

Over the past two decades, we’ve used conservation to help more than 120 farmers buy their first farm.

all photos by Caleb Kenna, except older photo