Agriculture in Vermont
ZIP codes in our Vermont data
USDA hardiness zones present
Agriculture is a defining part of Vermont's identity, shaping its working landscape of hillside pastures, hayfields, and sugarbushes. Dairy farming anchors the state's farm economy, while maple syrup gives Vermont national recognition. For growers and gardeners, the state's mix of small diversified farms and cool-climate conditions makes local food, forage, and cold-hardy crops central to daily life.
Farming in Vermont
Dairy is by far Vermont's largest agricultural sector, and milk from the state's cattle drives much of the farm income along with cheese and other dairy products. Vermont is the leading maple syrup producer in the United States, tapping sugar maples across its forests each late winter and early spring. Much of the state's cropland is planted to hay and silage corn grown to feed dairy herds, and cattle and calves are the dominant livestock. The state is also known for apples, a wide range of vegetables, greenhouse and nursery plants, honey, and a strong network of small diversified and organic farms.
Climate and growing conditions
Vermont has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, relatively short summers. The frost-free growing season is generally short, running roughly from late spring into early fall, and it is longer in the milder Champlain Valley than in the higher elevations and the Northeast Kingdom. USDA hardiness zones across the state range from about 3b in the coldest northern and mountain areas to around 5b in the warmer valleys, so gardeners often plan around late spring and early fall frosts.
Major agricultural products
- Milk and dairy products
- Maple syrup
- Cattle and calves
- Hay and forage
- Silage corn
- Apples
- Vegetables
- Greenhouse and nursery plants
Hardiness zones in Vermont
Growers in Vermont fall across these USDA plant hardiness zones (by number of ZIP codes in our data):
Local weather & frost dates in Vermont
Open any location for its live forecast, frost dates, and planting calendar:
Counties in Vermont
Browse local growing conditions, hardiness zones, and weather by county (14 counties):
Market prices & data for Vermont
State overviews combine hardiness-zone data from our ZIP database with public USDA market reports and NOAA climate normals. For farm-level decisions, consult your state's Cooperative Extension service. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.