IMPORTANT SURVEY, DATA NEEDED 2/29: Informing VT House bill to compensate fruit growers for loss from May 2023 freeze event

I need this information by the end of the day Thursday, 2/29!!!

Good evening:

https://go.uvm.edu/23freezedamage

I will be testifying Friday afternoon on VT House Bill H.813 that would provide funds to tree fruit growers affected by the May 18, 2023 freeze event. As written, the bill is restricted to tree fruit (mainly apple) growers, yet the grape growers have recently testified on the impact of the freeze to their industry. As a public Extension employee, I will be presenting data that does not advocate for legislation but rather informs legislators so they may take the best course of action in crafting policy.

I need good, accurate data to make my testimony effective.

https://go.uvm.edu/23freezedamage

Please complete this survey- even if you have already given me this data in any other prior survey- so that I may have the most accurate information available. It is really simple, and completely anonymous.

Thank you. I hope this will be productive and will inform the legislation appropriately.

https://go.uvm.edu/23freezedamage

Terry

Tree Fruit Farmer Assistance Program: Testimony to House Committee

Sending this on behalf of the Duttons and the industry overall. The VT House Agriculture Committee is taking testimony Thursday on a bill to provide financial relief to farmers affected by last year’s freeze. Please se the information below if you’d like to participate. -TB

Hello, fellow apple growers of Vermont,

I am emailing you to encourage you to step forward and give witness testimony for the frost that affected our apple crop last May. We lost between 80-90% of our apple crop on our farm in Windham county. Bill H.813, or the Tree Fruit Farmer Assistance Program, is going to be reviewed by the House Committee on Agriculture tomorrow at 2:45 pm; testimony will be given by Casey Darrow (Green Mountain Orchards), Simon Renault (Scott Farm) and Joseph Dutton (Dutton Berry Farm). The committee is open to testimony, again on Thursday at 1:00 pm; if any of you are available to testify I encourage you to. You can attend in person or on zoom. For further information on how you can testify, email SLary.

In case you are not aware Bill H.813 (An act relating to establishing the Tree Fruit Farmer Assistance Program) was put forth by Rep. Arrison of Weathersfield, and Rep. Mrowicki of Putney, (Anthony of Barre City, Burke of Brattleboro, Chase of Chester, Hooper of Burlington, Ode of Burlington, Patt of Worcester, Rice of Dorset, Sibilia of Dover, and Surprenant of Barnard) on the 16th of January. If this bill is passed, farmers will be able to submit an application and be eligible to receive aid for lost revenue from our apple crops.

Thank you all for reading this, and thank you to everyone who is working towards getting this bill passed or any other aid that will help us after this loss.

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.813 2024 Page 1 of 3

House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Agenda

Lily Dutton, on behalf of Dutton Berry Farm

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, UVM Extension, USDA NIFA E-IPM Program, and USDA Risk Management Agency.

UVM Extension helps individuals and communities put research-based knowledge to work. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.

Vermont Pesticide Certification Meetings Spring 2024e

Registration is now open for pesticide applicator meetings provided by the University of Vermont Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program. Approved credits by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets and may be applied to all New England participants under cooperative agreement.

  • March 19: Agricultural Pesticide Applicator Meeting updates on pest management and pesticide safety practices in agriculture for certified applicators (virtual via Zoom)
  • April 9: Initial Pesticide Certification Meeting review of the Northeast CORE Manual followed by the Vermont Pesticide Applicator CORE Exam for new applicators (in-person)

See below for details.

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Agricultural Pesticide Applicator Meeting

March 19, 2024

9am-1:30pm Virtual via Zoom

Please register at: https://go.uvm.edu/vtaa24. Registration fee is $30. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Updates on pest management and pesticide safety practices in agriculture for certified applicators. Agenda will include Regulatory Updates, Rodenticide Use Standards, Vermont Pollinator Rule FAQs and Best Practices, Avoiding Herbicide Resistance in Weed Management, Worker Protection Standards Review, Respirator Safety & Fit Testing.

This program will provide Vermont and New York recertification credits. In order to receive credits you must log in individually and answer poll questions during the meeting. Those seeking NY credit must submit a copy of their applicator ID by March 15 and check-in for roll call prior to start of meeting.

Visit sarah.kingsley

Sponsored by UVM Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program and Vermont Agency of Agriculture

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status. Any reference to commercial products, trade names, or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended.

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Initial Pesticide Certification Meeting

April 9, 2024

9am-4pm

In-Person Interactive Sites: Rutland, Brattleboro, St. Johnsbury, Burlington

Please register at: https://go.uvm.edu/core24. Registration fee is $40. After April 1, Late Registration is $60.

Review of the Northeast CORE Manual and inserts followed by the Vermont Pesticide Applicator CORE Exam for new applicators. This review is for anyone in the state of Vermont who uses, supervises, recommends, or sells pesticides and/or trains Worker Protection Standard pesticide handlers/agricultural workers.

This program does not provide recertification credits. It is necessary to study the CORE manual and regulations before the review to have all the knowledge necessary to pass the exam. A passing score of 75% is required. CORE manuals and required inserts (pdf downloads) must be obtained in advance from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets at https://go.uvm.edu/vaafm-manuals

Visit sarah.kingsley

Sponsored by UVM Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program and Vermont Agency of Agriculture

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status. Any reference to commercial products, trade names, or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended.

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Vermont Agriculture Hall of Fame Awards Nominations are open!

Since 2002, more than 100 farmers, producers and people dedicated to supporting Vermont’s working landscape have been inducted into the Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame! Each new year brings new nominations throughout Vermont’s Agricultual landscape. Nominations do not carry over from previous years if not selected, but we invite you to resubmit nominations again this year if compelled.

You may nominate one individual per category. Nominations will be accepted until 5pm Friday March 8th.

Please submit between 500/1000 words regarding your nomination and keep in mind that the judging panel may not be familiar with the nominee.

There are 3 categories:

Emerging Leader: This category highlights those who are stepping up to become the next generation of agricultural leaders in Vermont. Age 40 or younger (born after June 1, 1984), these individuals demonstrate a deep commitment to Vermont’s working landscape and are poised to lead our Ag community into the future. They are remarkable for their service, youthful energy, and dedication to Vermont agriculture.

Ag Innovator: Those in consideration for this category have demonstrated a fresh and forward-thinking approach to agriculture. They are making or have made a significant, positive impact on Vermont, in areas such as but not limited to: growing the local economy, promoting stewardship and conservation, improving community health and nutrition, developing new tools and practices, and using alternative models in business and land ownership. They are notable for their unique perspective and unconventional approach. (Age is not a factor for consideration in this category.)

Lifetime Achievement: This category recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to the advancement, improvement, or development of Vermont agriculture over the course of their long career. Nominees shall have played an active role in Vermont agriculture for at least thirty years.

The Vermont Ag Hall of Fame organizing committee encourages nominations from and of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

Quick pollination survey

Good afternoon:

https://forms.office.com/r/iNJXAT2t8e

There is a lot of discussion around pollinator health and protection happening at several levels around the state. In order to answer any questions that I expect may come my way, I have pulled together a very quick, short survey for apple producers. This will not be used for any publications and data are collected anonymously, I just want to make sure I answer correctly as a representative for the industry. This should take 1-2 minutes, you can have it done before lunch break is over and you get back to pruning.

https://forms.office.com/r/iNJXAT2t8e

Thanks,

Terry