A partnership between state and federal agencies and Windham Regional Career Center has allowed the Vern-Mont Farm LLC in Vernon to become the first farm in Windham County to benefit from a productive program
sweeping across the state.

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a federal-state cooperative conservation program addressing agricultural-related environment concerns.  Under the program, participants can receive financial incentives, cost sharing assistance, and rental payments in exchange for removing portions of land from production.  Vern-Mont had more than 1,600 trees and shrubs native to the region planted on their property to help prevent erosion and protect the water supply.

The students from the Windham Regional Career Center helped plant the trees as part of their forestry and natural resources curriculum.  The Windham Conservation District had the responsibility for ordering the stock and protective tubes and mats, securing labor, oversight of the planting and administration of the funds.  The partners involved in the project included the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, the Vern-Mont Farm, the Windham Regional Career Center and the Windham Conservation District.