Announcing: Vermont Beginning Apple & Grape Grower project

By Terence Bradshaw

In response to mounting requests from prospective and beginning farmers and farmers transitioning to apples and grapes from other crops for experiential-based technical support trainings covering a broad spectrum of production needs—including farm site evaluation, cultivar and planting systems, tree and vine pruning and training, crop load management, groundcover management, and harvest and postharvest management—the University of Vermont Fruit Program will initiate a Beginning Apple and Grape Growers’ project in winter 2019. The project will provide multiple training opportunities to beginning and prospective farmers interested in exploring commercial tree and vineyard fruit production. Participants will be provided with access to a collaborative online communications platform to facilitate a cohort learning environment and introduce them to industry support organizations to support use of new skills within the Vermont fruit industry.

Information on program roll out will be available in December. For more information, contact project director Terry Bradshaw.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets is funding this project through the USDA Specialty Crops Block Grants Program .

 

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, a USDA NIFA E-IPM Grant, USDA Risk Management Agency Funds, and the USDA Specialty Crops Block Grants Program.

Produce Safety Grower Trainings in VT this fall

The Vermont Produce Program, in partnership with other agencies and organizations (including UVM Extension), will be hosting two Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Courses in VT this fall. To provide some context, this course is required for produce farms that are covered under the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule. However, we encourage all fruit and vegetable growers interested in learning about produce safety to attend.

I have attached information for both trainings:

  • October 24-25 @ the Bakery Annex in Rutland, VT | $20 to attend
  • November 8 @ Upper Valley Food Coop in White River Junction, VT | $22 to attend

I’ve also included a document which contains information about both trainings in a more general manner.

I’m happy to answer any questions.

Thank you for your time.

Kindly,

Dominique

Dominique Giroux

Produce Program Outreach and Education Coordinator

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

116 State Street |Montpelier VT 05620-2901

Dominique.Giroux | (802) 522-3132

http://agriculture.vermont.gov/produceprogram

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PSA-Grower-Course -Rutland – Invitation.pdf

PSA-Grower-Training-Course 11.8.18.pdf

PSA Grower Training Information – UPDATED.pdf