Welch seeks USDA funding for farms damaged by Irene
Tropical Storm Irene dumped 7 to 11 inches of rain on central and southern Vermont and left many farmers with mud-covered fields, dead livestock and drowned crops.
Farm to Plate initiatives looks to double local consumption of Vermont-raised food
Doubling the amount of locally produced food consumed in Vermont would create 1,500 jobs and boost the state’s economy by $135 million dollars annually, according to the report.
Farm relief arriving in response to $10 million-plus problem
Shumlin said that a batch of checks will be sent Thursday to 52 other Vermont farmers. The checks will range from $2,500 to $10,000.
Some Vermont farmers question humane society’s glowing image
The Humane Society openly acknowledges that there is more on its agenda than saving dogs and cats. It also wants to save whales, horses and chimpanzees. But some farmers and their lobbyists argue that HSUS has a covert agenda, that its real goal is to promote vegetarianism and even, as one farm advocate put it, “to end U.S. animal industries.”
Will leafy greens safety regulations hurt small farmers?
Small-scale Vermont farmers who want to sell their greens to distributors may soon find they have to follow new regulations being advocated by large-scale greens growers in California.
Back to the land in Vermont … again? Some see strong signs
“This is real, and it’s explosive,” says former state Agriculture Secretary Roger Allbee of the interest in local foods. “Today’s consumers are more concerned about where their food came from; they are concerned about food safety and the environment; and they like to connect with the person who grew their food.”
Judge hears final arguments for Dean Foods settlement with dairy farmers
The $30 million settlement, which is to be divided among 9,000 farmers in New England and New York state, is significantly less than an agreement Dean Foods made with 5,500 Tennessee farmers for $140 million last week.
Shumlin wants USDA to give Vermont “vouchers” in exchange for food commodities used in schools
Shumlin will ask his colleagues at the National Governor’s Association to press the USDA for more flexibility in the school lunch commodity program.
Rural Vermont, Agency of Ag spar over on-farm slaughter rules
It’s the second time in six months the farm advocacy group has had a run-in with the Agency of Agriculture. Last winter, the agency shut down Rural Vermont’s popular raw milk yogurt, ice cream and cheesemaking classes.
Stonyfield Farm CEO: Big isn’t necessarily bad in the world of organics
Gary Hirshberg disputes arguments within the organic food movement that only small organic is good organic.
