Field Days announces Forage Crop results

Here are results from the 2025 Forage Crops contest at Addison County Fair and Field Days.

Hank Bissell, owner of Lewis Creek Farm in Starksboro, said he tried only once to secure federal insurance. After a mountain of paperwork, he concluded that financially, “it wasn’t going to do me any good.”

SHOREHAM — The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is alerting fruit growers and other farmers that VT Cold Storage has opened a new 2,420-square-foot frozen storage facility at its location on Route 22A in Shoreham. This expansion, made possible with support f … (read more)

This funding will allow dairy processors to purchase specialized equipment to expand capacity, boost efficiency, lower energy consumption, improve existing products, and create new, high-value dairy products for the region.

The 2025 State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest provided an opportunity for 4-H dairy members to demonstrate their ability to evaluate and rank dairy cattle based on breed standards.

Vermont farmers are trying to figure out their next steps as they reel from changes to federal agriculture policies in the past three months that were capped this week when U.S. border agents arrested migrant farm workers at a dairy farm in Franklin Count … (read more)

This one-day course will help businesses navigate the world of grants and will explain the steps of the granting process.

“We are feeling so energized from this year’s gathering, which brought together over 300 passionate individuals, all dedicated to finding actionable solutions to the complex issues impacting Vermonters.”

The guide, called “A Vermont Maker’s Guide to Greener Packaging,” is filled with environmentally friendly packaging options that are recyclable, compostable, and FSC-certified.

Between Dec. 15 and April 1, no manure or other agricultural waste (including compost and spoiled feed) may be spread on agricultural fields throughout Vermont.

Local growers say they fared better during last week’s storms than in 2023 and, in general, have been less affected by extreme weather this growing season.

The Bristol selectboard is considering whether to develop a livestock running-at-large ordinance to help prevent animals from getting loose and running into the road.

Community members can join “working bee” brigades organized by ACORN to help tackle various projects on area farms, from onion planting to sheep shearing.

Like most things, the future of agriculture in Vermont lies in the hands of younger generations. Today, many of those young Vermonters are leaving the state and pursuing careers outside of farming. 

“If each goat milked longer, we could essentially make more milk over time with fewer goats, also fewer replacements to raise, a plus for the environment.”