“Hello, Cow!”

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Liz Kenton

(image credit: Youth Agriculture Project)

How many stomachs does a cow have? Nope, not four! It’s a common misinterpretation: a cow actually possesses one stomach with four chambers. The 37 girls who spent an hour meeting dairy cows and visiting with Vermont 4-H’s livestock educator Wendy Sorrell last week can now confidently answer this question. They also learned to estimate a milking cow’s body weight using a measuring tape, listen to a gurgling rumen with a veterinary stethoscope, and meet the challenge of pouring milk into an eager calf’s mouth.

For thirteen years now, Vermont Works for Women has been bringing students from all over the state together for “Women Can Do!”, an all-day career development conference just for high school girls. This year, over 400 students and teachers gathered at Vermont Technical College to attend almost 50 different hands-on workshops (PDF) in trades and technology.

the Dairy Barn at VTC (image credit: VTC)

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(Safe) Harvest time at Farmers Markets!

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Londa Nwadike

I have always loved autumn, and I enjoy it even more now that I live in tree-filled Vermont (particularly on warm, sunny days :))!  As a kid, I think I liked it partially because my birthday is in September… Now, I cherish seeing the beautiful fall colors and eating farm-fresh apples, pumpkins, winter squash, potatoes, carrots, turnips, and all the other bounty of the season.  I love visiting farmers markets at this time of year to enjoy the memories of the summer past and to buy this great produce, as well as all the baked goods, prepared foods, meats, cheeses, etc. that the market has to offer.

Undoubtedly, farmers markets are an important part of Vermont’s culture and economy. They are a great way for food producers and value-added processors to directly connect with their customers, increase sales of their products, and to get feedback from customers on their products.   WAgN and the Vermont New Farmer Project provide excellent resource materials and training opportunities, such as Growing Places, that can help producers and processors to assess various market opportunities and to price and promote your products in venues such as farmers markets.

To protect this valuable outlet for Vermont’s local products, it is essential that the food sold at Farmers Markets is produced and processed according to the Vermont Department of Health and the VT Agency of Agriculture rules and regulations and follow food safety best practices.  Not only will this ensure that products that are as safe as possible, it will also assure your customers that your business, as well as the entire farmers market, has product quality and safety in mind.

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Youth Farm Safety & Adolescent Worker Guidelines

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Kristen C. Mullins

National Children's Center * Hand HarvestingWhat do you remember about your first job? My memories are vivid and immediate. They have a lot to do with who I am today.  Heading out to the pasture with my beloved pup summer mornings; learning to drive the old Oliver; wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of manure up the plank and into the spreader – and the great gutter cleaner installation; finding a freshened heifer and her calf tucked away in a pasture corner; hot haying days and – if we were lucky – a quick run to the lake after; the first time I was left to do milking on my own.  I remember the feeling of confidence and pride in what I was able to do, my connection to the animals and the land, the strength of my body, and how often my boss’s friends were impressed with what I was doing at 12 ,13, 14, etc.…years old.

National Children's Center * Large Animals

I worked on that small Vermont dairy from the late 70’s into
the mid 80’s. It laid strong foundational bones for my body, my love of physical work and accomplishment, and my confidence in taking on new tasks, skills, and responsibilities. Continue reading →

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