Vt. dairies facing economic pressure

Expensive land and aging infrastructure have left Vermont’s dairy industry behind as other states dominate.

VERMONT — The Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 class of inductees, including one Addison County resident. The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose dedication, leadership and innovation have made a lasting impact on Vermont agr … (read more)

The Vermont Vegetable and Berry Grower Association at UVM is offering this hot weather guidance for farming.

NEW HAVEN — The Addison County Fair and Field Days Crop Contest is just around the corner, and the UVM Extension-Champlain Valley Crop, Soil & Pasture Team is reminding farmers to enter their ag products. Field Days was started more than 75 years ago … (read more)

Local farmers and farmworkers are invited to enjoy a restful day in the Middlebury Marble Works next month. 

Vermont’s three farmer watershed organizations invite their members, legislators, and the general public to attend their joint annual meeting this Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m. on Zoom. The Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition (CVFC), the Connecticut River W … (read more)

ADDISON COUNTY — For local farmers who have suffered losses because of drought conditions this year, help may be on the way from the federal government. Last month, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 10 Vermont counties, including Addison, … (read more)

ADDISON COUNTY — The Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) later this month will host a national virtual conference that promotes itself as being at the forefront of the military-to-agriculture movement. The Farmer Veteran Stakeholders Conference will be held on … (read more)

ORWELL — Six loose cows appear to have been shot and killed Friday night in Orwell, according to a press release issued by Vermont State Police Saturday. The cows had been running wild most of the summer and fall, said Brian Kemp, who owns Mountain Meadow … (read more)

Vermont’s congressional delegation has raised concerns about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to move the state’s Farmers to Families contract, part of a pandemic program that helps feed people in need, from a Vermont-based food distributor t … (read more)

VERMONT — Vermont farmers who go above and beyond state and federal regulations for reducing phosphorus runoff will soon be compensated for that extra work. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is launching the Vermont Pay-for-Phosp … (read more)

ADDISON COUNTY — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency wants to hear from local farmers who have suffered crop losses because of this spring and summer’s dry weather. “Despite recent rains, drought has impacted many farms across Vermont … (read more)

VERMONT — The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) and Food Connects recently received U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm to School grants totaling $153,767. The grants will help Vermont farms increase their sales to local schools and … (read more)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, co-founder of the Congressional Dairy Farmer Caucus, on Tuesday was among the signers of a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue, urging the USDA to support dairy farmers facing an economic crisis d … (read more)

MONTPELIER — The Vermont Land Trust is accepting applications for an award to celebrate and benefit Vermont farmers. The $5,000 Eric Rozendaal Memorial Award will be given to a Vermont farmer who exemplifies land stewardship, giving back, and entrepreneur … (read more)