Hort Farm Plant Sale Raises Needed Funding

South Burlington, Vermont -- July 26, 2009

One of the best-kept secrets at the University of Vermont is the horticulture farm off-campus.

The acreage is dedicated to trees and shrubs -- and flowers. Every summer at this time as group called Friends of the Hort Farm hold a plant sale to raise money. The receipts help cover the expense of maintaining the grounds and caring for the plant collections. Friends of the Hort Farm say budget cuts at UVM have left some plant science programs in limbo.

Stephanie Miner/Friends of the Hort Farm: "We always have to tread on eggshells because UVM does own the property. It is their research facility for the plant-soil science department. And that is all subject to what federal grants or grants that the faculty can go out and get to do a project. And if there isn't a project going, the land lies fallow."))

Although tough economic times have cut into programs at the Hort Farm, the Friends say at least the property has been zoned agricultural to discourage any moves to develop it.

Source: http://www.wcax.com