Vermont’s agricultural landscape has long been the backbone of its economy. Though farming is still a large part of Vermont’s identity, recreation is becoming a larger portion of the state’s GPD (5%). Stowe Trails Partnership, the local 501(3)c mountain bike advocacy organization works with a historic farm looking to financially diversify their property to create a community asset that ties agriculture and recreation together on one landscape; The Rooney Farm.

Through intentional partnerships with landowners, community members, and historic figures in the Stowe, Vermont region, an example of community-buy in, story telling, and the intentional bolstering of agricultural heritage provides real work examples of how to keep place-based connections authentic, while leaning into the future of the state of Recreation. We’ll examine how farms and trails-based organizations are working together to offer authentic, place-based experiences that extend visitor stays, diversify local economies, and deepen community connections. From trailside agricultural collaborations to joint marketing and community-based third spaces, these partnerships demonstrate how outdoor recreation can amplify and compliment the value of Vermont’s agricultural heritage rather than replace it.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will gain practical insights into building cross-sector partnerships

2. Attendees will gain practical insights into engaging local landowners

3. Attendees will gain practical insights to designing visitor experiences that honor both recreation and working lands — showing that when fields and forests unite under a shared vision, everyone from riders to farmers to rural towns thrives.

Presenters:

Kenzie Brunner, Executive Director, Stowe Trails Partnership

Kenzie Brunner (She/Her) is the Executive Director of Stowe Trails Partnership, a Chapter of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association. Kenzie has a background in marketing, community engagement, and recreation management. Her educational background is in the social psychology of recreation and non-profit management.