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The Business Of Farming Stopping By The Brace Family Farm

photo by Michelle Daniels Brace Alex and Dustin Brace look at a farm life as both a gift and a business. When you add in mom Michelle and sister Abigail, the Brace family pulls together for new projects and more. |
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photo by Michelle Daniels Brace Like all Vermont farmers, the equipment choices are a part of the business side of farming and must meet the needs of the farm. |
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photo by Michelle Daniels Brace A new barn opens up possibilities and is part of the an overall business plan to keep growing and diversifying. Vermont farmers all watch carefully the changing world of agricultural business and are quick to respond to growth, but steady and thorough in long term planning. |
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Tuesday June 16, 2015
By Cookie Steponaitis
When Alex Brace bought his parent's farm on Little Chicago Road in 2007 he was already generation two on the land. Currently Alex and his son Dustin are continuing the legacy of being farmers taking it to the next level by joining many others in Vermont's agricultural landscape who are diversifying. While the Brace family would not consider living any other way, being a family farm today is more than a balancing act of economics, logistics and crop rotation. Today's farmers must monitor the markets, predict trends and find niches that create and open new markets for Vermont's products. “We are allowed to work together and strengthen our bond as a family,” shared mom Michelle Brace. “While Alex and Dustin work on the farm full time both Abigail and I have jobs off the farm, but when things need to get done we come together and do it as a family and all pitch in.” While many readers might think they have a firm grasp on what Vermont farming is about, the Brace family pointed out that today it is as much about the business side as it is the cow side. The business side of farming can actually take more time than the work with the animals. As Vermont farmers continue to diversity to survive, the Brace family just finished building a new fresh/dry cow barn that allows them to increase their herd of milking cows. And in addition to business planning it still requires a strong work ethic to keep the farm working and moving forward. While times are changing the Braces would not give up farm life for any other alternative and feel that being raised on a family farm in the country is the greatest experience any family can have. “We are blessed," concluded Michelle Brace, “to have each other and our farm.” As June's sunshine brings the farmers out in full force and Addison County moves into haying, mowing and chopping season, the Valley Voice wants to salute the Brace Family and all who are on the farm and not only continuing but adapting, changing and persevering in an ever changing agricultural landscape.
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