Northeast Agricultural Networks Summit Strengthens Farmer Support

By Jessica McBride

Faculty from the UConn Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, in partnership with faculty of the Maine Business School and UMaine Cooperative Extension, hosted the 2025 Northeast Agricultural Networks Summit. With support from Cooperative Extension in both states, this one-day mini-conference focused on strengthening the entrepreneurial networks that aid farmers and agribusinesses across the Northeast.

The summit convened agricultural service providers, educators, researchers, and nonprofit leaders to explore how strong, well-coordinated networks can contribute to farm viability and regional economic resilience. Sessions emphasized both research-driven insights and practical strategies for fostering collaboration across organizations and state lines.

As part of a bi-state collaboration between UConn and UMaine, the event was hosted at the Maine Graduate and Professional Center, a facility of the University of Maine System in the historic Old Port section of Portland. The Maine Center, as it is also known, hosts integrated programs across business, law, policy, and engineering, computing and information sciences, with the support of the Harold Alfond Foundation.

The event began with a welcome from Amy Harder, associate dean and associate director for Extension at UConn, who introduced the program and its focus on moving from big ideas to practical activities. The morning featured two Spark Sessions, highlighting research and case study presentations on innovative approaches to building and sustaining farmer networks. Presenters were selected through a regional call for proposals and represented diverse perspectives from across the Northeast.

“Designed to spark collaboration and innovation, the event highlighted international and local examples of farm networks in action before moving into participant-led discussions on strengthening regional support systems,” says Emma Bojinova, project lead and associate professor in residence in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UConn. “The goal was for participants to leave with new insights, tools, and connections to help their organizations better support and grow thriving agricultural businesses in their regions.”