Sales of heritage, local, pastured, organic, and/or managed outdoor pork in Vermont grew 396% between 2002 and 2017 to $1.86 million annually. Despite this growth and interest in Vermont-grown pork, Vermont swine producers are challenged by high grain prices, little existing swine infrastructure, and the need to access swine genetics that provide efficient growth rates while meeting consumer expectations for consistent quality and flavor. Whether direct marketing to households or institutions in Vermont, or selling live animals into larger regional outlets, adding market value to Vermont pork through production practices or end-product attributes represents an opportunity for swine farmers of different scales and situations, but will require focused coordination to grow smoothly and consistently.
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