“We are five years behind where we could be,” says one Vermont farmer struggling with student debt. A bill before Congress looks to attract more young people to the field and help them succeed.
farming
Alarms raised about herbicide runoff as planting season nears
Atrazine has been found in streams at many times the levels that kill aquatic plants, a study says. The Agency of Agriculture calls the risk overblown and says farmers use atrazine properly.
Randolph site once up for development now to be protected
Conservationists are raising money to buy the final piece of the parcel at Exit 4, while the owners have agreed to sell most of the land to another group to be run as a farm.
Fate of Vermont agriculture in Washington weighs heavy
Farmers and members of the congressional delegation look to limit the damage when it comes to immigrant labor, federal grant funding, dairy price protections and more.
New Resource Provides Farmers with Comprehensive Guide to Animal Welfare Certification
News Release — Vermont Law School January 10, 2017 Contact: www.vermontlaw.edu/cafs [email protected] As demand for better farm animal treatment rises, the ASPCA® and Vermont Law School’s Center for Agriculture and Food Systems release in-depth guide for farmers interested in welfare certification NEW YORK— Today the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to […]
Connecticut River Watershed Farmers’ Alliance Sets 2017 Conservation Goals; Elects Board Members
News Release — CT River Watershed Farmers’ Alliance Jan. 11, 2017 Contact: Paul Doton CT River Watershed Farmers’ Alliance [email protected] (802) 457-2230 Hartland, Vt. – Farmers and agricultural leaders from New Hampshire and Vermont gathered on Jan. 10 to review their goals and commitment to environmental sustainability as part of the annual meeting of the […]
In their 70s, farming brothers look to future with organic hay
The Plouffe brothers operate the Colchester farm their parents started in the postwar era. With organic certification there is the chance to increase hay production and begin selling to dairy farms.
Call for new dairy model in Vermont sparks debate
A coalition says farmers could charge more if the state adopted healthier dairy practices. The governor-elect doesn’t support what he sees as a call for the whole state to go organic, his spokesman said.
Sam Lincoln: Farm-raised kids get uncountable gifts
It was 30 years ago this month, my 12th birthday on a dairy farm in Randolph Center, that I received a brand new Stihl model 011 chainsaw from my folks.
Documentary Film ‘Forgotten Farms’ Screens at Vermont International Film Festival
News Release — Dave Simonds October 15, 2016 Contact: Dave Simonds, 413-884-4144 [email protected] www.forgottenfarms.org Trailer: https://youtu.be/ieNQSTc4H3w Dairy farmers remain the backbone of New England’s agriculture, but fight for survival in an age of artisan cheese and kale. The documentary film Forgotten Farms – Dave Simonds (director), Sarah Gardner (producer) – will screen at Vermont International […]
Market seen for Vermont food that’s going to waste
Theresa Snow of Salvation Farms says it’s not farmers who are causing the food to go to waste, but rather market forces beyond their control that make imperfect foods too costly to use.
State ag agency files rules for small farms with Legislature
The rules follow new maximum limits on agricultural pollutants that the federal government will permit Vermont farms to emit into the Lake Champlain watershed.
USDA Announces Availability of Additional Farm Loan Funding
News Release — USDA Sept. 2, 2016 Kent Politsch (202)720-7163 Reminds Lenders and Potential Borrowers of Small Business Administration Option WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that additional funding will be made available to assist more than 1,900 approved applicants who […]
Roger Allbee: Dairy industry history shows market adaptations
Our advantage in Vermont and the Northeast is being near large markets, but it is an advantage that will continue to erode without an aggressive strategy.