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Welcome to Agriview E-News!

We hope you find the following agricultural news, notices, events, & resources both interesting & useful. 

You have received this email because you have been in contact with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture in the past. If you do not wish to receive this monthly newsletter you can unsubscribe at the bottom. 
 For more news and information visit: www.agriculture.vermont.gov or agriculture.vermont.gov/blog.
 
Ag Stories from Around the State
Hundreds of Vermonters Get a Taste of Dairy Farming at First Annual “Breakfast on the Farm”
Nea-tocht Farm in Ferrisburg, VT Holds First Free Breakfast and Farm Tour

By Alison Kosakowski, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
 
Hundreds of people experienced a day in the life of a dairy farmer and got a delicious meal at Vermont’s first Breakfast on the Farm on Saturday, August 22 at Nea-Tocht Farm in Ferrisburg, VT. The free, public event included a pancake breakfast served from 9 a.m. to noon, self-guided tours of the dairy farm and a peek into the life and business of dairy farming in Vermont where 63% of the milk in New England is produced, according to USDA data. 

The Nea-Tocht Farm is a family farm, owned and operated by Raymond and Linda Vander Wey, their five children and their grandchildren. With the third generation growing up on the farm and taking on more responsibility, they hope to have many more generations to come.  The farm has won many awards for their high quality milk and was honored with the 2000 Dairy Farm of the Year award.  The Vander Wey family houses 500 cows in free stall barns on 800 acres of land.
Click HERE to read the full story.  
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The View from 116 State Street
 
By Chuck Ross, Secretary, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

Water Quality issues are front-and-center for the Agency of Agriculture, and farmers all across the state. Cleaning up Lake Champlain is a top priority of this Administration, as evidenced by the passage of the Clean Water Act. The Agency of Agriculture is committed to working with farmers to ensure they have the information and resources they need to protect water quality and navigate the regulatory landscape.

That’s why we have recently re-launched the Water Quality section of our website. Our new Water Quality section includes the current regulations, resources for farmers, water quality research, and more. Updates to these pages are made on an on-going basis.

So, please bookmark http://agriculture.vermont.gov/water-quality We have a lot of work to do over the next year to implement the Clean Water Act. We are committed to keeping you updated and informed, and will use the website as a key tool in meeting that goal.

Thank you for your on-going support of Vermont agriculture, and your commitment to protecting our environment for future generations.

Click HERE to read the full story.  
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Vendor Application Now Available Online

5th Annual Vermont Buy Local Market
Taste, Learn, and Buy Vermont Agricultural Products at “Consumer Night” at the Vermont Farm Show in Blue Ribbon Pavilion Building at the Champlain Valley Exhibition in Essex Jct., Vermont.
 
January 27, 2016  4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Click HERE to read the full story.  
Dairy Section Chief Dan Scruton Retires after Three Decades of Service to VT Ag Community

By Hannah Reid, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

After 30 years of commitment and service to the Vermont Agricultural community, Dairy Section Chief Dan Scruton will be retiring from the Agency of Agriculture this month.  Throughout his three decades of service to the Vermont agricultural community, Dan cultivated deep expertise in areas of agricultural technology, energy policy, farm viability, and even foreign relations, while maintaining a steadfast commitment to Vermont’s farmers, animals and the environment.  
 

Click HERE to read the full story. 

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Vermont Farm Safety Program Open to All Vermont Producers
 

By Louise Waterman, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

The Vermont Farm Safety Program provides ways to strengthen and improve your on-farm safety program, including bilingual tools to support your needs. 
 
The program is open to all farmers, and provides participants with the tools they need to develop a farm safety program.
 
Applications for this year-long program are being accepted now and there is limited space available; contact Louise Waterman at the VT Agency of Agriculture, (802) 373-3352 or Louise.Waterman@state.vt.us for an application or more information.


Click HERE to read the full story. 

Ready for more?

For even more agricultural news, plus access to our Ag classifieds (which includes more than a hundred listings monthly), become an Agriview subscriber!
Our 16-page hard copy edition will be delivered to your home each month.

Click here to learn how to subscribe:  http://agriculture.vermont.gov/news_media/agriview
Subscribers may place up to 2 classified ads each month, at no additional cost.  
R
ead more agricultural news and stories from around the state in the current edition of Agriview, VAAFM's monthly newspaper.
Important Ag News, Notices & Events:

Notices
6. State Veterinarians encourage poultry producers to prepare for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)


Events
7.  The Big E (Eastern States Exposition):  September 15-October 4 2015
8.
Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival: October 3-4 2015
9. Floating Bridge Food & Farms Cooperative Harvest Market: Sunday, October 11, 2015
10. Land Access Workshop for Farmers: October 26th 2015



Vermont will be represented by exhibitors in the Vermont building, located on the Avenue of the States. The Vermont building will showcase local foods and wares, and local musicians will be entertaining attendees on the lawn. Sample Vermont cheeses and maple, enjoy a Long Trail beer and American Flatbread, and cuddle up to a Vermont Teddy Bear – and that’s just the beginning!
 
The Vermont Building at The Big E is operated by the Agency of Agriculture as part of our Domestic Export Program, which helps local Vermont producers expand outside the state to regional markets. For producers, it’s a way to grow their customer base, test out new markets, and build their business.
 
There’s something for everyone in The Vermont Building! See you at
The Big E!


 
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**Click HERE to visit the full Agency of Agriculture Events Calendar.**
Ag Resources & Funding Opportunities:
Resources
1. Year-long Vermont Farm Safety Programs - Open to All Producers - Begins November 12, 2015. Applications now Being Accepted

2. Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets Farm Safety Resources
3. Organic Dairy Workshops hosted by UVM Extension Provide Strategies for Success
4. Conservation District Has Portable Skidder Bridges for Rent
5. Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food - Grants, Loans & Support from USDA

Grants & Funding opportunities
6. Working Lands Enterprise Board announces over $500,000 in grant funds available for 2016 - application period opens Oct 1 2015
7. USDA Commits $2.5 Million to Expand New Farmer Education
9. USDA 2015 Specialty Crop Multi-State Program
10. USDA Rural Business Development Grant Program
11. USDA Announces $8.8 Million to Support a Diverse Next Generation of Farmers and Ranchers
 
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The Ag Newsletter is published by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets 

Copyright © 2015 Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, All rights reserved.


For more news and information visit: www.agriculture.vermont.gov or agriculture.vermont.gov/blog.

Questions or co
mments? Email AGR.Media@vermont.gov.




The Vermont Agency of Agriculture's mission is to facilitate, support and encourage the growth and viability of agriculture while protecting the working landscape, human health, animal health, plant health, consumers and the environment.