dairy farms

Along Vermont’s busy Route 7 in Charlotte, the big white barn at Nordic Farms has long been a recognizable landmark. The cows that used to be there, though, are gone — it’s becoming an agricultural advancement and innovation hub.

A prominent, historic Vermont dairy farm that closed is being reimagined as a center for agricultural innovation to develop agri-businesses like distillers and botanical skin care products.

Vermont’s agriculture secretary and its lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives met with farmers Thursday, telling them in a virtual gathering that they are working to help them through the coronavirus crisis.

The coronavirus crisis could cause dairy farms to shut down with producers dealing with declining prices and losses from wholesale accounts like colleges.