Attendees asked thoughtful questions and engaged in a lively discussion of agricultural policy and research. It’s ok that we don’t always see eye-to-eye on how things should work. It is this diversity of thought and opinion that will fuel a brighter future for Vermont agriculture.

 

We're grateful to our many panelists who shared their expertise and perspectives:

We'd also like to congratulate three of our long-serving board members on their re-election for another three-year term: Tim Kayhart, Lorenzo Whitcomb, and Loren Wood. Thank you for your service!

As we reflect back on 2023, we see it was a year of exciting achievements and formidable challenges for our community.

 

Here at the Farmer Coalition, we strengthened our conservation efforts to promote water quality, healthy soils, and climate smart farming; introduced a workforce development program with schools in Addison County; supported our young farmers through our Farmers Connect program; and deepened our engagement with Vermont’s other farmer watershed groups. All the while, we expanded our funding base, added new staff members to our team, enhanced our outreach to community partners, and diversified our board by adding three new next generation farmers.

 

At the same time, the year presented its fair share of obstacles that demanded resilience, perseverance, and reliance on one another. A late season frost followed by excessive rains and flooding throughout the summer disrupted on-farm practices such as chopping hay, spreading manure, and harvesting quality crops safe for human and livestock consumption. We were heartened to see farmers share their support and expertise with one another to weather these storms. We are grateful for the timely support state and federal agencies provided, as well as guidance from UVM Extension on adaptation strategies. If what we saw this year is the “new normal,” farmers will be in a much better position to deal with future weather events.

 

As we look to 2024 and beyond, it will be important to collaborate to solve some of the biggest challenges in agriculture and dairy, in particular, in Vermont. Improving access to markets, using technology for better on-farm decision-making, adapting to unpredictable and extreme weather conditions, promoting environmentally friendly practices, and creating a strong labor force are essential if agriculture is to thrive in the Champlain Valley for years to come.

 

The Farmer Coalition remains committed to our mission of supporting a vibrant and sustainable agricultural community. We thank our donors, sponsors, and partners for helping us fulfill this mission.

 

In that spirit, we invite you to read our 2023 Annual Report to understand how our collective work has made a difference in the agricultural community.

 

Click here to view the full report.

Again and again, we hear from our members that their favorite part about being involved in the Farmer Coalition is the opportunity to engage with their fellow farmers by asking questions, offering support, and sharing knowledge. Farming isn’t simple, but it can ease your mind to know you have a community surrounding you. 

 

We saw this spirit on full display at our recent Farmers Connect, which we co-hosted with our friends at UVM Extension in Middlebury. We welcomed more than 20 farmers and service providers to discuss the upcoming 2024 cropping season. It comes on the heels of an exceedingly wet and disaster-filled 2023, which left many farmers facing field ruts, soil compaction, standing water, erosion, increased weed pressure, dormant cover crop seedings, and less nutrient dense manure–just to name a few! These are issues farmers will need to be mindful of as they make their plans for the year to come.

 

For nearly two hours, farmers and service providers engaged in a robust and lively conversation. They covered a wide range of topics including:

We’re grateful to all of the farmers and service providers who joined us, shared their concerns, and generously offered their expertise to the group. 

If you were unable to join us or still have questions, the Farmer Coalition and UVM Extension are ready to support you! We invite you to reach out to CVFC Water Quality Program Manager Kate Longfield at kate@cvfc-vt.com and UVM Extension Agronomy Specialist Abby Augarten at abigail.augarten@uvm.edu. They’re happy to answer your questions, or help you find someone who can!

 

The ideal candidate is someone who has a passion for supporting young farmers and is consultative, collaborative, works independently, and has excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Visit us on the web to learn more about this exciting new position and apply.  

If you were unable to attend, recordings for the 6 session webinar series on Managing Neonicotinoids in Row Crops are now available. Click here and scroll down to PAST EVENTS to access the recordings.

 

To view the Quebec farmer panel on transitioning away from neonic treated seeds, click here.

Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District is offering a workshop on Wednesday, February 7, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in Castleton at the Castleton Fire Department.

 

This in-person workshop will feature speakers Joshua Faulkner, John van Hoesen and Phylicxia Moore to discuss the data on climate change and water quality and current research on climate smart practices. There will be 2.5 Water Quality Credits, 1 Applicator Credit, and 2 CCA credits offered.

 

For more information or to register, contact Jennifer Alexander at (802) 558-6470 or jennifer@pmnrcd.org.

On Thursday, February 8, at 11:30 a.m., Crop Growers, LLC, a local insurance company, will provide a virtual walk through of how the USDA-Risk Management Agency's Whole Farm / Micro Farm insurance programs could work for farms in Vermont. We will also hear from USDA-FSA for a brief overview of NAP, the non-insured crop disaster assistance program, to compare and contrast these federally-funded risk management options for your farms and the farms you service. Click Here to register today.

If your custom applicator certification has lapsed or you have a new employee that needs to be certified, you may be interested in attending one of our three custom applicator certification opportunities (1 custom applicator credit each). This year they will be held on the following dates:

These events are free, but registration is required. Contact Lindsey Ruhl at lruhl@uvm.edu or (802) 391-4546 to reserve your spot at least one week before. Please be prepared to pay the $30 certification fee to VAAFM.

 

Click here to learn more.

Registration is open for the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Summit. On April 2-3, the summit will bring together dairy farmers, processors, service providers, and industry stakeholders from across the northeast in Albany, NY.

 

From farm innovation to processing expansion and more, you'll leave with new ideas to put into action, peer-to-peer connections, and strategies to build a more resilient dairy sector.

 

Click here to register! Discounted rates are available for dairy farmers, processors, and students.

Click here to read the Impact of Extreme Precipitation on Nutrient Concentration of Stored Manure Slurry by Heather Darby, Extension Professor and Agronomy Specialist, University of Vermont Extension

 

Click here to read Monitoring Flooded Forages for Clostridial Contamination by Amber Machia and Heather Darby, University of Vermont Extension

Thank you to these farmers, individuals, and businesses for renewing their membership with the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition for 2024!

It may feel far away right now, but it will be time to update NMPs before we know it. Make sure to grab a manure sample this fall and get soil samples for all fields with outdated soil tests (greater than 3 years old). Click here for a refresher on how to take a manure sample. And stay tuned for NMP update sessions at the Middlebury office this winter!

 

Don’t have an NMP and are interested in learning more about nutrient management? UVM Extension hosts a 6-week nutrient management planning course in January and February. If you are interested in attending the class, let us know at your earliest convenience so we can enroll you and work with you to meet the pre-course requirements.

 

For assistance sampling, interest in the NMP class, and any other questions, reach out to Abby Augarten at (802) 656-7544 or Anna Elewski at (802) 656-7548.

Save the date!

 

Grain Growers Conference

March 20

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Essex Resort & Spa

Essex, VT

This year the No-Till and Cover Crop Conference will be held on Thursday, February 22 and will focus on Building Resiliency and Profitability into your No-Till System.

 

The conference will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in South Burlington, Vermont, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m.

 

Sponsors and exhibitors are welcome! Click the button below to register as a sponsor or exhibitor or contact Susan Brouillette for more information at susan.brouillette@uvm.edu, (802) 524-6501 or (802) 656-7611. Registration deadline for sponsors/exhibitors is February 1.

 

Click the button below to register or call the UVM Non-Credit Registration office at (802) 656-8407. The cost is $75 per person or student registration fee of $50 per person. Please register by Friday, February 16.

 

Click here for more details and to view the 2024 No-Till and Cover Crop Conference webpage and sponsors.

The Meat and Produce Agriculture Development Grant is open for applications, with submissions due by February 26 at 2:00 p.m.

 

This funding opportunity is for meat and/or produce growers and processors to implement projects that improve their climate resilience, operational efficiency, product quality, and more.

 

A total of $1.6 million in one-time funding is available. Awards range from $35,000-$300,000, with no match requirement. Click here for more information and to apply.

 

The State of Vermont received a $16 million grant from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) in 2015. In 2020, this grant was extended for five years with an additional $10 million in assistance to farmers and forest landowners. This program provides financial and technical assistance for the development and implementation of water quality improvement throughout Vermont. Funds are available for agricultural and forestry best management practices, for wetland restoration, and for agricultural, wetland, and forestry easements.

 

Priority is given to smaller farms and forest operations for practice implementation with a focus on agronomic and forestry water quality improvement practices, grazing, and feed management. Unique opportunities through RCPP include the following:

 

 

All Vermont farm and forest landowners are eligible, however strong priority for agricultural practice funding is given to small farmers (CSFO and SFO). Easement prioritization is based on water quality protection value and availability of funding.

 

Landowners who are interested in this RCPP program are encouraged to reach out to the RCPP planners with the VT Association of Conservation District. General programmatic questions may be directed to: Marli Rupe, Agricultural Water Quality Section Chief, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, marli.rupe@vermont.gov or 802-490-6171. Click here for more information. 

 

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.