A look at the Vermont Dairy Report

What does the dairy industry mean to Vermont? The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) this spring introduced a new report that helps answer that question.

Vermont has an estimated 750 to 850 year-round migrant farmworkers, primarily on dairy farms, along with about 150 partners and children, according to the report “Vermont Dairy Delivers.”

The Vermont Supreme Court this month found the owners of a Panton dairy farm in contempt of court for their failure to reduce agricultural runoff produced by their large operation.

When federal agents descended on a dairy farm in Franklin County this Monday, they arrested eight migrant workers. Vermont farms employs about 850 year-round migrant farmworkers — all crucial to the state’s dairy industry.

In late February, and again in late March, Gerard Vorsteveld sat in front of a room of state lawmakers. After remaining mostly quiet during years of legal battles and media scrutiny centered on pollution coming from his family’s Addison County farm, he ha … (read more)

The Panton Town Hall was packed this past Thursday, when over 60 residents gathered to voice concerns or show support for the Vorsteveld Farm, which has applied to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture for authorization to grow its operation.

Two Addison County dairy farms have asked state officials to OK plans to grow their operations.

Each year, University of Vermont Extension and the Vermont Dairy Industry Association honor one Vermont farm that demonstrates a strong commitment to dairying through its sound management practices, attention to herd health, quality milk production, susta … (read more)

To help dairy farmers prepare for the growing season, UVM Extension will hold a 2025 Organic Dairy Day session in Vergennes March 20, at the Vergennes American Legion, 100 Armory Lane. The session will feature presentations on ruminant nutrition and high- … (read more)

Farm Credit East and Horizon Farm Credit will host Cornell University’s Chris Wolf for the banking company’s annual dairy outlook webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at noon. This webinar is free to attend for all interested dairy producers.

In an event held at a Vermont organic dairy farm recently, USDA Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt announced the launch of the Organic Dairy Product Promotion program, allocating $15 million to expand access to organic dairy products in educational inst … (read more)

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, known as NE-DBIC, last week launched of the Dairy Workforce Impact Fund, a new initiative designed to address critical workforce challenges in the region’s dairy industry.

Farmers will have a chance, in Middlebury, to find out specifically how to get grant money for their dairy operations.

These days it can feel like there’s an app for everything — listening to music, ordering food to your doorstep, and even managing herds of cattle.

SPRING CALF Ayrshire: 1. IBG Genetics Ringer Oasis, Normandie Cesario; 2. Dandelion, Boston Wilbur. Brown Swiss: 1. Perry Brook Crazy Maisie 14463, Huxton Joyal; 2. Cher-Mi Rastarokt Jenis ET, Amelia Tudhope; 3. IBG Genetics T Shake-n-Bake, Isabella Wilbu … (read more)