Dan and Elyse Wulfkuhle’s experience as Vermont farmers can be measured in months, but their passion for organic farming and their newfound community is boundless.

 

They purchased the iconic Wood’s Market Garden in Brandon in January of this year. It had been operated by the much admired Jon and Courtney Satz since 2000 until Jon’s untimely passing in 2021. When we visited the Wulfkuhles in August, it was almost like dropping in on the parents of a new baby: We found them proud, enthusiastic, a smidge tired, but none the worse for wear. 

 

Dan and Elyse arrived here from the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. For many years, Elyse worked for the Quinault Indian Nation on water quality issues while Dan cut his teeth at other farms. Once they had children–Clara and Theo–the dream of owning a farm emerged and the search began in earnest. It took more than five years of looking high and low in both Washington and Vermont, but the Wulfkuhles eventually found their home. 

 

“We’re happy to be a part of this awesome farming community,” says Dan.

CVFC’s Executive Director Vijay Nazareth recently visited the 92.1 WVTK studios to talk what’s happening on Vermont farms this time of year. Vijay discussed the recent flooding, climate smart farming, and workforce development, including what the Farmer Coalition is doing to help address these issues. Listen in on his conversation with host Bruce Zeman.

We're excited to welcome Brooke Small as the newest member of the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition team!

 

Brooke will serve as our Workforce Development Program Manager. Brooke comes to the Farmer Coalition with an eye for soil-based nutrition. She completed her Bachelor’s of Science in Dietetics and Food Science from the University of Vermont, but didn’t see this as the avenue for change until she connected human health with soil health through her work on New England farms. 

 

Brooke is excited to connect students and community members with the impactful work that is happening on Vermont farms and looks forward to promoting the limitless opportunities that agriculture provides.

On Monday, August 14, we had the honor of meeting with state and federal officials to discuss the impact of excessive rainfall and flooding on Vermont’s farms. We were joined by Under Secretary for Farm Production & Conservation at USDA Robert Bonnie, as well as Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Peter Welch, and Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts. Our meeting, which took place at Conant’s Riverside Farm in Richmond, was part of a two-day statewide tour for the delegation. Click here to learn more about our meeting, the messages we shared, and what farmers are telling us about the weather impacts.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is requesting information from farms, agricultural businesses, and service and non-profit organizations to understand the overall impact of this natural disaster. The purpose of this survey is to, as accurately as possible, capture the type and scale of the damage agricultural producers suffered throughout the state between July 7th and the 18th of this year. Survey data will be used to inform response efforts, effectively allocate resources, and advocate for future relief and recovery programs.

 

If you are a business, organization, or individual that raises animals and/or grows feed or crops for anyone beyond your immediate family, please take 5-10 minutes to fill out this survey. If you would like to request a paper copy or need assistance with this survey, please contact Drew Watson at andrew.watson@vermont.gov or 802-636-7793.

Berlin UVM Extension Office

327 US Route 302, Suite 1

Berlin, VT 05641

 

Join us for a discussion with Dr. Dayna Locitzer on sheep and goat dairy protocol development. The workshop will include group lectures followed by breakout sessions for developing individual farm protocols. Contact Kelsie Meehan at  Kelsie.meehan@uvm.edu or 802- 656-4829 with any questions. Click here to register!

North Hollow Farm

1831 Route 100

Rochester, Vermont 05767

 

Come learn hands-on how the VT ripsower works and fits into a larger, holistic program of community cooperation to heal our watershed homes, grow topsoil and biodiversity, recharge and purify groundwater and surface waters, and reduce flooding. BYO Brown Bag Lunch. Bring a cooler to stock up on delicious fresh and frozen North Hollow Farm all-forage-finished, organic beef. Tickets are $25 and pre-registration is required. Scholarships are available. Email abenewsoil@gmail.com for more details. Click here to register today!

Upcoming Events: 

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) Water Quality Division is announcing the launch of a new, regulatory Non-sewage Waste Transfer Program. As part of Act 129 of 2020, signed into law by Governor Scott on July 1, 2020, VAAFM was directed to regulate the generators or haulers of non-sewage waste who are transporting or arranging for the transport of non-sewage waste to a farm for deposit in a manure pit or for use as an input in a methane digester.

 

"Non-sewage waste" means any waste other than sewage that may contain organisms pathogenic to human beings but does not mean stormwater runoff. Common examples of non-sewage waste include dairy and other food processing waste, brewery or winery waste, wash waters, and food residuals.

Click here for more information and to apply or submit reporting requirements. Contact Jessica Mason, Agriculture Water Quality Specialist at (802) 595-4726 or at Jessica.Mason@vermont.gov with application or reporting questions.

The Farm Disaster Relief Grant Program addresses the critical needs of Vermont farms that sustained damage from the historic July storms and flooding. The program will help farms continue or return to production.

 

The Vermont Community Foundation will award up to $1 million from the Vermont Flood Response & Recovery Fund 2023 to support Vermont farms. Farms directly impacted by the July 2023 storms and flooding may seek funding though the Farm Disaster Relief Grant Program. For those losses not otherwise covered by insurance or able to be covered by sources of income, grant awards can support:

 

Applications will be accepted between August 23 and September 6, 2023. Applications and supporting documentation must be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6 to be considered. Grant decisions will be made in consultation with a diverse, volunteer review committee made up of organizational partners, community members, and stakeholders who represent different farm and food sectors and geographic areas of the state. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by the end of September 2023.

 

Applications will be accepted electronically through the Foundation’s Online Grants Manager (OGM). Instructions to register for an account in the Online Grants Manager  may be downloaded here.

 

Click here for more information regarding funding. With questions related to applicant eligibility and/or the Farm Disaster Relief Program guidelines, please contact Kate Neubauer at 802-388-3355 ext. 250 or kneubauer@vermontcf.org.

 

If you have limited access to a computer, need translation services, would prefer to complete a written application, and/or would like to work directly with a VCF staff member to complete an application over the phone, please contact Evelyn Gearty at 802-388-3355 or egearty@vermontcf.org. Evelyn is also available to offer technical assistance to help applicants navigate the Online Grants Manager (OGM).

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Vermont is setting aside $4 million in federal financial assistance to help Vermont's agricultural producers recover from recent flooding.

 

This funding applies to resource concerns that threaten the ongoing agricultural operation or create an imminent threat to agricultural operations. The only eligible practices under this EQIP-Disaster Assistance signup are the following seven practices: Cover Crop; Critical Area Planting; Fence; Pasture and Hay Planting; Mulching; Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till; Feed Management.

 

The deadline to apply for this disaster assistance funding is September 1st. Please visit your local NRCS service center to apply. Click here to find your local center. 

 

Businesses and organizations impacted by flooding and severe weather are now able to apply for emergency grant funding through BEGAP. $20 million has been budgeted for this first come, first serve program, which includes $1 million specifically for agricultural operations. Any businesses that suffered physical damage to their land, infrastructure, crops or animals are eligible to apply.

 

Grants are reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. The application portal opened August 3rd, so apply now while funding is available!

 

If you represent a farm or agricultural operation and have questions, please email agr.floodresponse@vermont.gov or contact Agency of Agriculture staff Abbey Willard at 802-272-2885 or Mary Montour at 802-461-6087. You can also view an updated FAQ page specific to funding for ag operations. Click here for more information and to apply. 

 

Provides pasture management technical assistance and financial assistance to Vermont farmers to improve water quality and on-farm livestock exclusion from surface waters statewide. Applications accepted year-round. Click here for more information.

 

Provides technical and financial assistance to Vermont farmers for in-field agronomic best practices to address critical source areas, erosion, and surface runoff. The Program’s goal is to reduce soil erosion and improve soil and water quality on cropland that contributes a disproportionately high level of nutrients in runoff. Such areas of cropland are considered “Critical Source Areas” (CSAs), representing a small proportion of the landscape yet a high proportion of nonpoint source pollution loads. Applications accepted year-round. Click here for more information.

 

A voluntary program designed to reduce sediment runoff and improve water quality by removing land from agricultural production and establishing vegetative buffers. State and federal funds are used to compensate landowners for the loss of productive agricultural land through upfront incentive payments and annual rental payments based on the total acreage dedicated to vegetated filter strips, forested buffers, or grassed waterways. Applications accepted year-round. Click here for more information.

 

The CRRP will provide funding for projects that make capital improvements or capital expansions that were delayed due to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19. Eligible uses for these funds include the development of affordable housing, improvements to or new construction of childcare facilities, projects for nonprofits and small businesses in impacted industries*, and municipal water supply and wastewater projects. These recovery funds are intended to retain and expand existing businesses and nonprofit organizations with a preference for projects located in regions and communities with declining or stagnant grand list values. The application is now open and will remain open until all funds are allocated. Click here for more information.

 

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing. Applications accepted year-round. Click here for more information. Contact Tracy Rexford with any questions regarding REAP at  tracy.rexford@usda.gov.