VT Farmers Can Receive Financial Assistance to Install Structural Practices that Protect and Improve Water Quality
The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Vermont is encouraging producers to submit applications for financial and technical assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). While EQIP is offered through a continuous signup, NRCS makes periodic funding selections. The last application cut-off date for farmstead practices to be funded in 2017 is February 17, 2017.
Read More New England Food Co-ops Collaborate to Improve “Healthy Food Access” in their Communities
October is National Co-op Month and New England’s food co-ops are joining more than 30,000 co-ops and credit unions across the US to celebrate the many ways co-operatives help to build strong communities. Over 15 food co-ops in New England are partnering with the Neighboring Food Co-op Association, the Cooperative Fund of New England, and Hunger Free Vermont to launch and expand “Healthy Food Access” initiatives, helping thousands of people put healthy food on their tables. Read more in the full media release below about the kinds of needs-based discounts co-ops are offering to address issues of food insecurity and malnutrition in their communities.
Read More The Cas-Cad-Nac Farm Cookbook Featuring Vermont-Raised Alpaca Wins New England Regional Printing Award of Excellence
Cas-Cad-Nac Farm, a nationally recognized alpaca breeding farm owned by Ian and Jennfier Lutz in Perkinsville, VT, is pleased to announce that its recently published cookbook, The Cas-Cad-Nac Farm Cookbook, won a first place Pinnacle Award for Best of Category at the Print Industries of New England (PINE) Annual Awards of Excellence in Boston.
Read More VHCB Grants Address Water Quality and Help Farmers Transfer Farms to the Next Generation
Funding commitments at the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board's October meeting will lead to conservation of five farms, each with water-quality related easement provisions. Two farms will be transferred to new owners. In Waitsfield, pending further fundraising, a town forest will see an addition of 110 acres.
Read More USDA Funded Project Will Help VT Dairy Farmers Minimize Impact to Climate Change
In Vermont, a $1.2 million Conservation Innovation Grant was awarded to NativeEnergy, Inc. to implement a mobile manure solids separation project. The grant from USDA-NRCS will enable NativeEnergy to implement an innovative approach to improve dairy farms’ manure management, reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) at the farm, and capture and remove excess nutrients.
Read More Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program Tackles Water Quality
The Viability Program awarded $65,000 in Dairy Improvement Grants for on-farm improvements that increase water quality. A new grant round for members of the St. Albans Cooperative Creamery and Dairy Farmers of America to make on-farm improvements is open for applications.
Read More Agency of Ag Celebrates Farm to School Awareness Month with State Leaders and Announce New Grant Funding for Universal Meals
In honor of Farm to School Awareness Month, which begins October 1st, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) gathered together today with Vermont Farm to School leaders at Winooski School District to celebrate the impacts of Farm to School programming and to announce new grant funding for Universal Meals in Vermont schools.
Read More Agency of Ag Announces Statewide Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Grant Program
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (AAFM) is pleased to announce the first ever Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Ag Clean Water Initiative Program (Ag-CWIP). The Ag-CWIP will provide new opportunities for farmers and organizations to undertake projects that will achieve reductions in nutrient runoff from agricultural lands, with a priority for projects which reduce phosphorus losses statewide.
Read More Local Grass-Fed Beef Business Doubles Acreage through Conservation
Cheryl and Marc Cesario, farmers of Meeting Place Pastures in Cornwall, purchased 90 acres from their neighbor, Matt Bonner, who had conserved the land with the Vermont Land Trust in order to make it more affordable to the Cesarios.
Read More Forty-three Vermont Vendors & Exhibitors Prepare to Host Over 1 Million Visitors in The Vermont Building at Eastern States Expo
This Friday marks the 100th anniversary of the “Big E” Fair at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA. This milestone fair, which runs from September 16th through October 2nd 2016 will be the largest celebration of New England agriculture in history. The Vermont Building on the Avenue of States will once again be a main attraction for over 1 million fairgoers who return year after year to eat, drink & shop the best Vermont has to offer. This year’s special events include Vermont Day, held on Saturday, September 24th, attended by Agency of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Jolinda LaClair, Vermont Legislators, and building trustees, and Harvest New England Day, held on Friday, September 30th, attended by Governor Shumlin and featuring 10 additional guest Vermont businesses on exhibit.
Read More Agency of Agriculture Files Final Proposed Water Quality Rule for All Farms in Vermont
On September 14, 2016, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets filed the Required Agricultural Practices (RAP) Final Proposed Rule with the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) and the Vermont Secretary of State’s office. This filing represents the final step in the public rulemaking process the Agency has been engaged in since October of 2015.
Read More City Market Celebrates the Fall Season with Two Annual Events
City Market will be hosting two annual events this fall: the 14th annual Co-op Food Fest and the 5th Annual Harvest Run/Walk for Sustainability
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