Business, Agriculture, and Rural Development (BARD) Institute

The BARD Institute exists to reinforce and reinvigorate sustainable agricultural in Maine by providing contemporary business advising and analytics services tailored for non-commodity agricultural producers. For agricultural producers, that means we’re here to translate cutting edge research and business practices to small-scale agricultural contexts and help producers apply that knowledge to strengthen their businesses. For buyers of agricultural goods, that means we help connect people with the real thing - a sustainable, quality, genuine piece of Maine. For the State of Maine, it means fostering more resilient agricultural systems and reinvigorating our rural economies. This work requires research. We conduct novel research designed from its inception to inform business practices for people in agriculture doing things a little bit differently. The artisan, small-scale, or agro-ecologically-focused have very little quality research examining how to sustainably operate with people, planet, and profit in mind. We’re committed to doing this work and publishing all of our research in open access journals or with open access rights so that it’s available to all. This work also requires outreach. We know that cheesemakers, market gardeners, fiber artists, lobstermen and women, and others working in agriculture don’t have time to attend multi-day trainings that require travel and finding someone else to cover chores while you’re away. That’s why we provide high-quality online trainings and resources that producers can complete when it works for their schedules.