Tucked away in the picturesque landscape of Charlotte, Vermont sits Grass Cattle Company. Its owner, Steve Schubart, is a first-generation beef rancher and self-described disruptor.
Despite the challenges of breaking into a market dominated by industrial giants, Steve remains deeply committed to providing nutrient-dense food while maintaining ecological balance. The farm operates on the principles of rotational grazing, a method designed to mimic the natural movement of bison herds. This practice allows cattle to graze on fresh pasture, promoting soil health and reducing the need for external inputs. His dedication to working with nature rather than against it has led to an increase in soil organic matter, enhancing the land’s ability to retain water and resist erosion.
This summer, we had the opportunity to sit down with Steve, one of the newest members of the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition, to learn more about his operation.
Addison County Fair and Field Days is next week, and you don’t want to miss UVM Extension’s annual crop contest for field crops, forage and grain!
Bring your entries to the Jeff Carter Crop Exhibit (north end of the 4-H Exhibit Building) on Monday, August 5, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
This year, there are 19 categories of crops, including whole plants, silage crops, dry hay, and grains. Find more details on crop entry, judging criteria, and premiums here.
And make sure you visit UVM Extension’s crop exhibit throughout the fair to check out this year’s winners!
On Thursday, June 27, farmers and technical service providers gathered to discuss the importance of in-season scouting for a productive corn crop at Farmers Connect: Mid-Season Corn Evaluation, hosted by UVM Extension and the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition.
We gathered at Lucas Dairy in Orwell to hear from Jon Lucas of Lucas Dairy, Tom Eaton (ACS agronomist), Abby Augarten (UVM Extension agronomist), and other farmers in attendance on important topics, including no-till strategies for healthy corn stands, pest management, and in-season nitrogen management.
Want to check out the highlights and key strategies we learned?
Thank you to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets for sharing these critical next steps for farms, food producers, and service providers who have been impacted by severe weather and flooding this month.
It is vital that all impacted farms, food producers, service providers, and any agriculture related business report their initial damages and impacts to 211. This will allow the state to document the need for a FEMA Disaster Declaration and provide state organizations the ability to connect with the impacted business as our response and recovery efforts evolve. We also encourage farmers to report their damages to their local Farm Service Agency office as well.
The Agency is launching a Severe Weather and Flooding Agricultural Impacts Survey again this year. Participation in this survey will be especially important in painting the picture of this summer’s flooding and its economic impact. We hope all that report to 211 can also fill out this 10-to-15-minute survey. Starting Monday, July 22nd, those who have been impacted can fill out the survey through this VAAFM webpage.
Nearly as important as the 211 reporting and our Survey, reaching out to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets through our flood response email at agr.floodresponse@vermont.gov is also important. This is available for anyone to connect their story and recovery needs directly to the Agency. Also, we are happy to talk with anyone who needs that connection. Just call us at 802-828-2430.
More flood guidance, resources and information can be found on the Agency’s website here.
We know this event comes on the heels of last year’s tragic flooding, and we recognize that the mental and emotional struggle can be as difficult to process as the damage to property and possessions. If you have any need to discuss what you are feeling with a real person outside of your family and friends, please take advantage of the Farm First program. They are available 24/7 and have been helping Vermont’s farming community for many years.
Call: (802) 318-5538 during daytime work hours (8:00 AM-4:30 PM M-F)
Call: 877-493-6216 outside of daytime work hours
Email: Eva Griffin at EvaG@farmfirst.org
Ready to cultivate success in your dairy farming journey? Join our new, vibrant community of young dairy farmers!
Whether you’re planting the first seeds of your career or growing your operation, our group provides the support, resources, and camaraderie you need to thrive. Connect with peers, access expert advice, and stay ahead with the latest innovations in sustainable farming practices.
We’re gathering young dairy farmers from throughout the state to create the Young Dairy Farmer Group. Together, these farmers will work to address some of the biggest challenges facing their farms and the dairy industry
As a member of our group, you will have the opportunity to:
Learn about financial resources available to you.
Develop farm communication plans to inform the public of the great work dairy farms do in the areas of conservation and environmental stewardship.
Find assistance for new projects, including grant and loan research, business plan development, and grant proposal writing.
Receive training on new technologies and practices.
Attend farm and industry tours to learn from peers.
Do you want to be a part of this exciting new initiative for young dairy farmers? Reach out today to:
Shawn Goodfellow
Program Manager for Young Farmers
Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition
shawn@cvfc-vt.com
802-349-8938 call or text
The Young Dairy Farmer Group
is a collaborative project of Vermont’s three farmer watershed groups:
the Franklin Grand Isle Farmer’s Watershed Alliance, the Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance,
and the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition.
The Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition is launching a number of K-12 programs for teachers and students alike! It’s all part of our effort to help educate the public about farming and water quality, and increase the number of youth in our community who go on to pursue careers in agriculture.
Among these programs is Teens Reaching Youth for the Environment. It’s an environmental leadership opportunity for youth in grades 7-12 to learn more about the water cycle, watersheds, water quality and health, and aquatic life. They then teach what they know to children in grades 3-4. We’re looking for youth to join the program, 7th-12th grade teachers to serve as mentors, and 3rd-4th grade teachers to host student teams. Learn More
We hope you’ll share this exciting opportunity with all of the educators and kids in your life!
Questions about any of our K-12 Programs? Contact Brooke Small, brooke@cvfc-vt.com.
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets – Division of Water Quality has two proposed Rules that are currently open for public comment: the Best Management Practice (BMP) Rule and the Technical Service Provider (TSP) Certification Rule.
Best Management Practice (BMP) Rule
The Best Management Practice Program provides technical assistance and financial assistance to Vermont farmers to support construction of on-farm improvements designed to abate water pollution risks from agricultural waste. This rulemaking corrects findings from a 2018 audit that found the rule misaligned with current statute and practice. Updates reflect current terminology, statutes, process and procedures for project prioritization, operation and maintenance requirements, as well as the petition process that have evolved since the last filing in 1996.
For general inquiries or other questions related to the draft rule revision, you may contact:
Laura DiPietro, 802-595-1990, Laura.DiPietro@Vermont.gov
Nina Gage, 802-622-4098, Nina.Gage@Vermont.gov
Please submit all electronic public comments to: AGR.WQPublicComment@vermont.gov
Technical Service Provider (TSP) Certification Rule
The Technical Service Provider (TSP) rule effects those engaged in preparing Nutrient Management Plans (NMPs) or offer consulting services to a farm that they do not own, lease, or manage in order to satisfy the requirements of the Required Agricultural Practices, and Medium Farm Operations (MFO) Rule and Permits, or Large Farm Operation (LFO) Rules and Permits. Under the proposed rule TSPs must be certified by the Secretary in order to perform the duties of developing and maintaining Nutrient Management Plans for farms regulated by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets under the Required Agricultural Practices that meet a minimum standard of quality assurance related to agricultural water quality nutrient management planning and permitting/certification regulations. The proposed rule will ensure TSPs are held accountable for understanding the rules, regulations, and requirements related to nutrient management planning and permitting/certification services they provide. The rule will also enable enforcement on TSPs if the services they provide are out of compliance with water quality regulations.
Please submit all electronic public comments to: AGR.WQPublicComment@vermont.gov
A public hearing will be held for both rules on Thursday August 29, 2024, as follows. In order to access the virtual meeting link, please visit the applicable Rule webpages above (TSP, BMP).
Farm Bureau Summer Picnic | August 21, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Button Bay State Park | RSVP by August 12 to presidentvtfb@gmavt.net
Farm Agronomic Practice (FAP) Program | The program is open for applications from Vermont farmsto support the installation of field conservation practices planned from now until the end of the calendar year. Applications due TOMORROW, August 1.
New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant | These grant funds, available through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, are for dairy farmers looking to diversify by adding processing to their operations, and to non-farm value-added dairy business start-ups. Applications due on September 5.
Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) | 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.
Pasture and Surface Water Fencing (PSWF) Program | 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.
Grassed Waterway and Filter Strip (GWFS) Program | 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.
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) | 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.
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.
Our mission to assist all farmers in implementing innovative agricultural practices that enhance water quality, soil health, climate smart farming, and their economic resiliency in the Champlain Valley is generously supported by the
