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.
———————————————————–
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
————————————————-
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.
———————————————————–
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.
———————————————————-
(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