This spring has been quite a challenge, to say the least! Weather reports across the state talk about rain in some location on any given day, and that makes us a bit grumpy! We\u2019ve waited all winter to get this year\u2019s crops in the ground and take first cut off \u2014 and here it is June 5th<\/sup> with plenty of work to do on most farms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On a recent early-June drive from Morrisville to Middlebury I saw a good many cornfields un-spread, un-plowed, and unplanted. And the window for getting a mid-May first cut in and covered was slammed shut by a month with rainfall 4\u201d over the historical average. The New Englander\u2019s adage of a year\u2019s seasons being 4 months of winter and 8 months of damn poor sleddin\u2019 has held court. It seems that if there\u2019s less that can be done in the field, it hampers doing other projects \u2013 just don\u2019t want to get wrapped up in anything else in case the weather breaks and it\u2019s time to head to the fields. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All well and good, but while we wait, we need to turn our attentions to another season that\u2019s upon us\u2026 Construction season. As if having too much water in the fields isn\u2019t enough, there\u2019s plenty of mud hanging around the farmstead and making quite a mess! It\u2019s pointing out some of the high-risk areas that need to be filled in, drained, graded, or whatever is needed to minimize farmstead runoff into our waterways. Take the opportunity to find areas needing attention. Do some easy fixes. And be sure that we\u2019re all responsible for containing runoff when and where it occurs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n UVM Agricultural Business has funds to help you assess the financial feasibility of some of the more comprehensive projects. We work independently, or with NRCS and VAAFM staff to help you find the best, most cost-effective solutions to most any water quality situation. Give us a call at the St. Albans office at 802-524-6501 and ask for Tony Kitsos. I\u2019m looking forward to starting the conversation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Tony Kitsos This spring has been quite a challenge, to say the least! Weather reports across the state talk about rain in some location on any given day, and that makes us a bit grumpy! We\u2019ve waited all winter … Continue reading