Month: September 2020

Important: VT Pick-Your-Own Webinar & Farmer Forum

June 3, 2020

Join NOFA-VT and your fellow VT Pick Your Own growers on Jun 4, 2020 5:00-6:30 PM to learn more about adapting your Pick Your Own operation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hear from VT growers including Eugenie Doyle of Last Resort Farm and Sue Haynie of Sweet Seasons Farm, and bring your questions to discuss and share. Vern Grubinger, crop specialist from UVM Extension, and Kristina Sweet and Abbey Willard from the VT Agency of Agriculture will be available to provide information and answer questions.

Information: https://nofavt.org/events/pick-your-own-webinar

Direct registration link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJApdOirpjkuE9Yi_rEIgmvpJ8YrWVbfNQ8Y

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification,

no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied.

Always read the label before using any pesticide.

The label is the legal document for the product use.

Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the

label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the

University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, a USDA NIFA E-IPM

Grant, and USDA Risk Management Agency Funds.

H2A Workers and COVID-Related Health Care Needs

July 26, 2020

Good morning: I’m forwarding this request on from a colleague at UVM Extension. If you use H2A workers on your farm, it is important that you weigh in so that resources may be made available (or developed, if needed) to assist you and your workers with handling issues related to COVID-19. -TB

Does your farm have guest workers (H2A)? Would you or your employees benefit from assistance navigating health care services or COVID related logistics? Is there a need for information, masks or other resources? If so, we want to hear from you and your employees. UVM Extension is assessing health related needs among H2A workers in order to offer support services. Please reply directly to Naomi Wolcott-MacCausland: nwolcott@uvm.edu or 802-503-2078.

VTFGA Fall Marketing

August 5, 2020

Sharing this information from VTFGA President Eric Boire on the fall apple marketing campaign. -TB

From: Eric Boire

Greetings Growers,

As we gear up for our fall marketing campaigns this year I wanted to give you all a quick update on where we stand and what’s going to be different.

  1. The Vermont Department of Tourism is going to run an ad in SevenDays on 9/16 promoting Vermont apples and the fall picking season.  What they need for this ad and potentially some thereafter is some photos from you.  Specifically, photos of you with a mask on in or around your orchard.  There is a pretty quick turnaround on submitting our photos we only have until 8/11 to submit. So please consider getting a photo back to me, dust off the grandparents or kids and get them out in the orchard. They are the most photogenic anyway. Hopefully this is the start of a new relationship the Department of Tourism and getting some fresh fall marketing campaigns going again.
  1. The Vermont Department of Health is going to be participating in the YOUfirst apple program again this year. Just to refresh everyone, VDH purchases around 60-80 certificates from the VTFGA to give out to their qualifying members.  The certificate is good for a half bushel of apples and all you have to do is collect the certificate and turn them back in to me at the end of the season (or just give me the count). They can be redeemed with the VTFGA for up to 35.00 dollars or whatever you charge for a half bushel.  Due to covid, this year VDH is asking for a list of growers who will have pre-packaged half bushels at their orchard.  They want their members to have that option if they are not comfortable with going out and picking this season.  If any of you are interested in learning more about the YOUfirst program in general you should check out the Department of Health’s website under Health Promotion and Chronic Diseases.

Give me a call or email with any questions. Preferably with a photo attached.

Eric Boire

President, VTFGA

Ericboire@gmail.com

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UPDATED Pick-Your-Own Restart Plan

Dear VVBGA Listserv Members,

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets has updated the Pick-Your-Own Restart Plan. The Pick-Your-Own (PYO) Restart Plan is intended to support Vermont farms that offer pick-your-own opportunities to safely invite to customers to their farms during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The updated PYO Restart Plan reflects recent changes to the statewide mandatory health and safety requirements described in the Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s Phased Restart Work Safe Guidance.

To read the full PYO Restart Plan, visit: https://agriculture.vermont.gov/document/pick-your-own-restart-plan .

For additional information on the PYO Restart Plan and answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please visit: https://agriculture.vermont.gov/covid-19-information/covid-19-sector-guidance-news/sector-guidance-pick-your-own-restart-plan .

Please direct any questions regarding the updated Pick-Your-Own Restart Plan to AGR.CovidResponse or 802-585-6225. Thank you!

Best,

Gina

– – – – – – – – – –

Gina Clithero (she/her)

Agriculture Development Specialist

Vermont Produce Program | Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

116 State St. Montpelier, Vermont 05620-2901

gina.clithero | (802) 585-6225

vermontagriculture.com

COVID-19 Updates and Resources Here

Sign up to receive email updates on marketing opportunities, events, and grants!

VCAAP Relief Payments for Agriculture and Working Lands Businesses—Coming Soon!

August 14, 2020

Forwarding from the VT Agency of Ag, this could be a great opportunity to recoup some COVID-related expenses for your farm business.

Vermont COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program (VCAAP) Agriculture and Working Lands Assistance Application

$8.5 Million in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funding will soon be available to a wide variety of agricultural, food, and forestry businesses and organizations through the Vermont COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program (VCAAP) Agriculture and Working Lands Assistance Application.

General Eligibility Criteria

(1) Farmers, commercial processors, slaughterhouses, farmers’ markets, food businesses, forest products businesses, dairy producers or processors, and agriculture producer associations are eligible.

(2) Your business entity must have gross annual income of at least $10,000 to apply.

(3) Your business must have verifiable losses and/or expenses since March 1, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

How To Apply

The Agriculture and Working Lands application will launch the week of August 17, 2020. Please note that state offices are closed on Monday, August 17 for Bennington Battle Day. Check our website and subscribe to our newsletter to be notified when the application is open.

The deadline to apply is October 1, 2020. However, keep in mind that grants will be awarded on a first-come, first served basis, so the application may close prior to October 1 if all funds are expended.

Before applying, applicants should complete a W-9 form and gather documentation of losses and costs incurred since March 1, 2020 that are related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Webinars

Attend a webinar to learn more about the VCAAP Agriculture and Working Lands Assistance Application. A webinar for service providers and partners will be held on August 19. Webinars for applicants will be held on August 21, 24 and 25. Webinars will be recorded and posted to our website.

Contact Us

(802) 828-2430 select #9
AGR.CovidResponse@vermont.gov

New England Apple Crop Insurance Listening Session Notice

June 24, 2020

Forwarding from George Hamilton:

LISTENING SESSION – NEW ENGLAND APPLE GROWERS

PROPOSED CHANGES TO APPLE CROP INSURANCE PROGRAM

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020

It is VERY important for those of you having Apple Crop Insurance Policies to participate.

Apple marketing is very different here in New England compared to rest of the major apple producing area in the USA.

This looks to be the last chance for orchardists from New England to voice other needs in an apple crop insurance policy that represents the New England  region.

Please mark this session’s date on your calendars (ITS TOMORROW – JUNE 25) and participate, especially if you have apple crop insurance.

Take Care, Keep Safe and Stay Health – Everyone!

George

2020_VLS_Ann_NewEng22629741Download

PPE Survey

July 8th, 2020

From: Covid-19 On Behalf Of Jake Claro
Sent: Wednesday, July 8, 2020 9:32 AM
To: COVID-19@vtfoodatlas.com
Subject: [Covid-19] PPE Survey

Hi all,

Hope everyone is well. Please share the link below regarding a survey to help inform ongoing efforts to assist Vermont employers in securing the masks/face coverings and other PPE they want and need. The survey is the effort of Vermont’s Regional Development Corporations, Associated Industries of Vermont, the Lake Champlain Chamber, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the Vermont Retail & Grocers Association, the Vermont Vehicle & Automotive Distributors Association, and other business organizations:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VERMONTFACECOVERINGSURVEY

Input Needed for a New Vision of Farming and Food in Vermont

June 19, 2020

Please consider taking this survey to provide input on future policy direction for Vermont farm and food programs. I have worked with Vermont Farm to Plate quite a bit over the years, and their efforts directly affect the programs available to farmers.

From: Paul Costello
Sent: Friday, June 19, 2020 2:34 PM
To: Terence Bradshaw
Subject: Input Needed for a New Vision of Farming and Food in Vermont

  Help Shape Farm and Food Development in Vermont Take the survey for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate   Here’s a message from the VT Sustainable Jobs Fund and Farm to Plate Network:  

Hello Terence,

  The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and Farm to Plate Network are in the process of updating the Farm to Plate Strategic Plan – Vermont’s legislatively enabled statewide food system plan. Your voice matters – we need your input to develop a new vision for farming and food, and prioritize how we support and develop food and agriculture in the next decade! By answering the survey questions you’ll be adding your voice to the plan and helping to shape the next 10 years of farm and food development in Vermont.   Your voice is valuable. Share your input on the future of farming and food in Vermont at https://cutt.ly/F2P-Public-Input. Answering the questions will take about 15-20 minutes. Completed surveys will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift certificate to a farmer’s market of the winner’s choice.   We also encourage food and farming organizations in Vermont to share this survey and opportunity with their members to help get the word out to capture as many voices as possible.   Thank you for your time and contributions to this important effort!    

ABOUT FARM TO PLATE: Farm to Plate is Vermont’s statewide food system plan implemented by 350+ member organizations of the Farm to Plate Network to meet the goals of legislation passed in 2009 calling for increased economic development and jobs in the farm and food sector and improved access to healthy local food for all Vermonters. Vermont’s farm to plate food system plan is the most comprehensive in the country and the only state that has complete government engagement. In 2019, Vermont Farm to Plate was reauthorized beyond 2020. The program is managed by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, a nonprofit organization based in Montpelier, Vermont. www.VTFarmtoPlate.com

Apple Crop Insurance Listening Sessions

June 18, 2020

From: Jake Jacobs
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2020 11:15 AM
Subject: Apple crop insurance listening sessions

Please share with any interested parties.

Sorry for such short notice on these listening sessions, but I just received the announcements yesterday while I was out of the office.  Just FYI, in the last series of apple crop insurance listening meetings that were set up across the country in 2018, the New England meeting that was held in New Hampshire had the greatest number of apple growers in attendance.

Details on how to join the meetings and call-in numbers are in the attachments.

Thursday, June 18 – Pennsylvania Apple Growers – 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. EST

Thursday, June 25 – New England Apple Growers – 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. EST

Thursday, July 9 – New York Apple Growers – 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. EST

2020_VLS_Ann_NewEngDownload
2020_VLS_Ann_NYDownload
2020_VLS_Ann_PADownload

Webinar on Fungicide Resistance by Dr. Michelle Moyer, Extension Viticulturist, Washington State University, on June 24

June 22, 2020

Inviting everyone to this webinar on fungicide resistance management. While it’s tailored for grapes, this is just as important for apple growers. No VT pesticide recertification credits are available for this.

From: Wine Grape Newsletter On Behalf Of psuwineandgrapes@psu.edu
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2020 11:07 AM
To: WINEGRAPE-L@LISTS.PSU.EDU
Subject: [WINEGRAPE-L] Join us for a live webinar on Fungicide Resistance by Dr. Michelle Moyer, Extension Viticulturist, Washington State University, on June 24

Please join us for the Fungicide Resistance and the Acronyms live webinar.

To be covered: In this live webinar, Dr. Moyer will cover the acronyms FRAME, FRAC, and Rotating MOAs, how fungicides are categorized, how those categories function, and how to best use those fungicides based on how they work. Fungicides, of all forms, are important tools in the management of grape diseases. But like all tools, they need to be used as intended and properly maintained. She will discuss how these tools become broken and how to go about repairing them if, or when, they break.

Speaker: Dr. Michelle Moyer, Associate Professor and Extension Viticulturist, Washington State University.

When: June 24, 2020 (3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET)

To register: https://bit.ly/36Hk2ra

Credit Information: 2 category pesticide credits (PC, 02, 18) will be offered to PA licensed applicators upon completion of this webinar.