Updates on Tile Legislation and Tile Webinar Series

Two recent updates on Tile Drainage:

First, if you missed it, the Northwest Crop and Soil team organized a webinar series on tile drainage that is well worth checking out. It details why tile drainage is an agronomic tool, and covers research locally and across the US on how tile may affect water quality. There are also factsheets on pre-installation and tile maintenance.

Find all that HERE!

Second, VAAFM has just filed adopted tile drainage rule.

Here is the press release:

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

VAAFM Files Adopted Subsurface Tile Drainage Water Quality Rule

RAPs amended to include language addressing nutrient contributions from subsurface tile drainage.

November 14, 2018 / Montpelier, VT – On Thursday, November 8, 2018, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) filed the adopted rule amendment to the Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) with the ;Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) and the Secretary of State (SOS).  The amendment includes requirements for reducing nutrient contributions to waters of the State from subsurface tile drainage on agricultural fields.  The new rule will become effective November 23, 2018.

Subsurface tile drainage removes excess water from agricultural soils below the surface, usually through a system of plastic piping (image attached).  The rule amendment was adopted on November 8, 2018 and will take effect on November 23, 2018. The requirements of the rule amendment include the required installation of rodent guards on subsurface tile drainage outlets installed or modified after January 1, 2019, the prohibition of new installation of surface inlets located within or next to cropland following the effective date of the amendment, and other provisions focused on reducing nutrient losses from subsurface tile drainage.

The formal rule amendment process began in January 2018 when the Agency pre-filed the proposed amendment with the Interagency Committee on Administrative Rules (ICAR). ICAR reviewed an amended pre-filing set on February 12, 2018. VAAFM made several recommended changes and formally filed the proposed rule on February 28, 2018. Prior to initiating the formal rule amendment process, the Agency was engaged in various discussions and nine meetings to gather feedback pertaining to the content of the amendment, involving 190 attendees that provided insight as the rule amendment process began.

Following the filing of the proposed rule, the Agency held a public comment period which ran from February 28, 2018 through April 20, 2018. During this time frame, the Agency held three public hearings in St. Albans, Montpelier, and Middlebury to gather additional feedback on the proposed rule, in which 33 interested individuals attended. Overall, the Agency received over 50 written and emailed comments on the proposed rule amendment. The final proposed rule was filed with LCAR on August 21, 2018. The Agency attended three LCAR review hearings on September 6, 2018, September 20, 2018, and October 18, 2018. On October 18, 2018, the LCAR voted 8-1 to approve the subsurface tile drainage rule amendment.

The adopted rule amendment, an updated RAP Rule, the responsiveness summary to public comments received, and other pertinent information can be found at: http://agriculture.vermont.gov/rap-tile-rule

For more information on agricultural subsurface tile drainage, please see the Vermont Subsurface Agricultural Tile Drain Report prepared by VAAFM and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources: http://agriculture.vermont.gov/sites/ag/files/pdf/water_quality/Research/TD-Report/Vermont-Subsurface-Agricultural-Tile-Drain-Report-01312017.pdf

Please direct any questions regarding the proposed amendment or the RAPs to agr.waterquality@vermont.gov or call (802) 272-0323.

 

Fall/Winter Events

NMP Update Sessions  
Every winter we teach Nutrient Management Planning (NMP) classes. Because those NMP’s have to be updated yearly with both records and new plans, we also set aside time for previous attendees to come back and update their plans.  
Update sessions are free, but PLEASE RSVP!   

See your flyer for more details, or contact our office with questions – 802-388-4969

Tuesday Nov. 27 & Wednesday 28, 2018
Tuesday Dec. 11 & Wednesday 12, 2018
Tuesday Jan. 8 & Wednesday 9, 2019

Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: UVM Extension Middlebury Office, 23 Pond Lane Suite 300, Middlebury, Vt.

Other Locations:
Tuesday Dec 4, 2018
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: The Stonebridge, 38 Beaman St, Poultney Vt.
Thursday Dec 6, 2018
Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Pawlet Free Library, 141 School St, Pawlet Vt.
Wednesday Dec 12, 2018
Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Rutland Free Library, 10 Court St, Rutland Vt.
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Cover Crop Field Day
November 29, 2018
Time: 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Location: Field on Rattlin Bridge Road 1 mile west of Route 22A in Bridport, Vt.
Please join us to take a look at fall cover crops in Bridport, Vermont.  We will see and discuss multiple cover crop combinations in large field-scale plots including oats, winter rye, winter wheat, winter triticale, winter barley and radish. Discover the advantages and disadvantages, seeding rates, timing, manure applications and more. Special thanks to Blue Spruce Farm for hosting these plots and our field day. Water Quality Credits available for farms and CCA credits available for Certified Crop Advisers (pending approval).
Contact Kirsten Workman with questions – 802-388-4969 ext. 347
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Save-the-Dates:
Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition Annual Meeting
January 23, 2019
Time: 5:30 p.m – 9:00 p.m.
VFW, 530 Exchange St, Middlebury, Vt.
Join us as we celebrate another successful year promoting Vermont Agriculture. Hear about hot topics facing Vermont Agriculture and what we as a community can do, followed by evening entertainment from a local comedian. This is a free event, which includes dinner and an annual report of the Coalition’s and UVM Extension Champlain Valley Crop, Soil and Pasture Team work.
RSVP or call 802-388-4969.
More Information will be posted on the Coalition Website.
Vermont Farm Show
January 29, 30 & 31, 2019
Essex Jct, Champlain Valley Expo
Join us and submit your entries! VT Farm Show Website.
More information coming soon.
Our 6th Annual No-Till Cover Crop Symposium
February 28, 2019
Double Tree by Hilton, Burlington, VT
From dry conditions to wet conditions, come discuss with local farmers how adopting cover crops and no-till is helping them save fuel, money and improve crop yield. Talk to ag dealers, learn about funding programs, get updated on the latest research and approaches across the country, and help lead the soil health movement.
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Upcoming Deadlines & Important Information:
Pasture Rangeland & Forage Insurance  
Sign up by November 15, 2018
USDA’s Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) program was designed to
help protect a producer’s operation from forage losses due to one
peril: lack of precipitation. A crop insurance agent will be able to assist you in working through the RMA online Decision Support Tool to help you determine whether or not PRF is the right choice for your farm.
To help make your decision, there is a PRF decision tool online.
Deadline for NE SARE Farmer Grant
Applications due November 27, 2018
“Farmer Grants are for commercial producers who have an innovative idea they want to test using a field trial, on-farm demonstration, marketing initiative, or other technique.” More information and application online.
NOFA-VT Journey Farmer Program
Applications due December 7, 2018
“This two-year program enables new farmers to advance their farming skills and experiences while being a part of a learning community of other beginning farmers and farmer mentors.” More information and application online.
MFO- Paperwork Deadline for New NOIC
Submit by December 11, 2018
There is a newly revised General Permit (GP), as of June 2018, that VAAFM has to renew every five years, under which all MFO permits operate. This means all MFOs have to re-declare their intent to comply by filing a new Notice of Intent to Comply (NOIC) Form.
More Information can be found on VAAFM website, or call (802) 828-2430.
Manure Spreading Ban Will Come Into Effect
As of December 15. 2018, and no spreading on saturated or snow covered ground. More Information.
MFP – Market Facilitation Program Through FSA
Apply by January 15, 2019
“The Market Facilitation Program (MFP) provides direct payments to help corn, cotton, sorghum, soybean, wheat, dairy, hog, shelled almonds and fresh sweet cherries producers who have been directly impacted by illegal retaliatory tariffs, resulting in the loss of traditional exports.” Read more online, or call your local FSA office.
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(Above) Participants discussing pasture management techniques in our Grazing Planning Class including the use of a grazing stick to determine pasture yield based on plant species, plant density and pre/post grazing height.
Our Middlebury class is ongoing, but there is still a lot of time to sign up for our Rutland class – which will be held March 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2019. Read more information about grazing class, or contact Cheryl Cesario is you are interested in participating – 802-388-4969 ext. 346