Events – Franklin and Grand Isle Farmers Watershed Alliance

2023 Events you may be interested in attending!

FNLC’s Bike for the Lake, June 17, Knight Point State Park, North Hero, VT.
Tile Drainage Workshop, April 18, virtual.
Vermont Organic Dairy Conference, March 9, VTC, Randolph, VT.
No-Till and Cover Crop Conference, March 2, South Burlington, VT.
Northeast Cover Crops Council Annual Conference, February 16, Portland, ME.

2022 Events:

From Farm to Fridge: Milk Processing Live Virtual Tour, April 5, 7pm. New England Dairy’s live virtual farm and milk processing tour will connect you directly to Monument Farms Dairy, a working dairy farm and on-site milk processing facility in Vermont. New England Dairy registered dietitian Hilary Walentuk MS, RD, LDN will join Monument Farms Farmer and Plant Manager Jon Rooney to guide participants through the farm and facilities, including the on-site processing facility where they pasteurize, homogenize, and bottle their various milk products. Register here!
Northeast Cover Crops Council Conference, March 10-11, 9am-12:30pm each day. Topic highlights include weed control, pest management, planting green, and tarping in cover crops, corn, soybean and on-farm research, precision agriculture, and more. Register here.
Joint Annual Meeting between Vermont’s Farmer Watershed Organizations, March 3, 6-8pm. Vermont’s three farmer watershed organizations invite their members, legislators, and the general public to attend their joint Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 3 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. The Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition (CVFC), the Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance (CRWFA), and the Franklin and Grand Isle Farmer’s Watershed Alliance (FWA) will present an evening filled with hot topics, updates on Vermont’s agricultural landscape, lively discussion, networking, and door prizes. Register here!
Dairy Webinar Series, 7 webinars from February 11 through March 9th. Free Webinars! Please register for the meeting and you will receive the Zoom meeting link allowing you to access any and all of the webinars. Register here.
Vermont Grazing and Livestock Conference, January 20-22, 10am to 3:30pm each day. Join this enthusiastic group of farmers and agricultural resource providers for a deep dive into topics specific to raising pasture-based livestock in the Northeast. Register here.

2021 Events:

Summer Farm Meeting, August 4, 10am to 2:30pm. Bridgeman View Farm owners and FWA Director, Tim and Martha Magnant, will host our Summer Meeting – join us! Start at their farm hearing presentations & updates, enjoy lunch, then move to another local farm field for demos. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER or contact Susan at 802-524-6501 x432 or susan.brouillette@uvm.edu. Event organized by UVM Extension NW Crops & Soils Team, Friends of Northern Lake Champlain, Franklin Grand Isle Farmer’s Watershed Alliance, and Agrilab Technologies Inc.
Manure Application Water Quality and Education Credits. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture (VAAFM) is providing an online opportunity to earn water quality and custom applicator credits to maintain certification. Visit VAAFM’s Water Quality and Educational Credits webpage: https://agriculture.vermont.gov/water-quality-educational-credits to access videos and submit a form to receive credit. The videos, including the Custom Applicator Webinar from April 21st on manure injection and inline sensing equipment, are listed midway through the page. Next to the video listing is a PDF form that the applicator or farmer should submit in order to receive credit.
Online Dairy Educational Series through March 2021. Join UVM Extension NWCS for an exciting two week online learning series covering a diversity of dairy-related topics from forage production to bedded packs to alternative milking frequencies. You’ll hear from researchers, local farmers, and agricultural professionals sharing the latest research and experiences from the field. There will be six different events. You can sign up for one or all of them! Pre-registration is required – https://onlinedairyeducationseries.eventbrite.com
Northeast Cover Crops Council Annual Conference, March 4, 9AM to 5PM. Join cover crop enthusiasts from all over the Northeast and beyond for a day of interactive online presentations, posters, panels, research updates, and training sessions. Register at: http://northeastcovercrops.com/2021-conference/registration/.
UVM Industrial Hemp Conference, February 26, 8:30AM to 5PM. UVM will provide an in-person feel while meeting virtually! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to view live presentations, have access to on-demand pre-recorded presentations, a virtual exhibitor hall, panels, and plenty of networking opportunities. More info on how to register at: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops/2021-industrial-hemp-conference.
Annual Meeting, January 27, 6PM to 9PM. In lieu of our in-person dinner event, we are hosting a joint annual meeting with the other farmer watershed organizations in Vermont, the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition and the Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance. Hear updates from all 3 groups, plus Vermont agency updates, and exciting research/local initiatives going on in our state. This event is FREE. Register at: https://uvmextension.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMlf–tqD8sEtHUUrZovDUBSqF4xEf8m07m. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the link to join the meeting.

2020 Events:

Virtual Field Day Fridays! In lieu of the UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Annual Field Day, they will be holding several Virtual Field Day Fridays starting on July 24. The following dates and topics have been selected. You can tune in online to see pre-recorded, in-field presentations followed by a live question and answer session.July 24 – Small Grains; Integrated Pest Management
August 7 – Interseeding Cover Crops; Solar Corridors; Forages
August 21 – Hops; Corn Silage Trials
September 4 – Dry Beans; Flint Corn; Behind the Scenes at the Grains Lab
September 18 – Hemp; Cover CropsYou can connect virtually using Zoom (connect through this link). Each session will be from Noon to 1:00pm Eastern Time.
Precision Agriculture Forum, March 12, 10am to 2:30pm, American Legion, St. Albans. This year’s forum will host speakers with regional and industry expertise followed by a catered lunch by Dairy Center! Morning presentations: 1) Commonly Used Models Explained & Surprising Outcomes, Joshua Faulkner, University of Vermont Extension, Center for Sustainable Agriculture; 2) Unmanned Air System (Drone)-Based Precision Agriculture, Jan van Aardt, Rochester Institute of Technology, Center for Imaging Science; 3) Technology and Data to Influence Markets and Premiums, Dan Mongeau, IndigoAg. Afternoon breakout sessions: 1) Custom Applicator Certification training/test by the University of Vermont Extension; 2) a round table discussion with various vendors/specialists. Tickets available at: https://fwa2020precisionagforum.eventbrite.com or email FarmersWatershedAllianceNW@gmail.com.
No-Till and Cover Crop Symposium, February 26, 8:30am to 4:30pm, DoubleTree, South Burlington. David Brandt from Carrol, Ohio and Scott Magnan from St. Albans, Vermont are the featured speakers, with additional presentations by researchers and farmers. Register here!
Winter Farm Meeting, February 7, 10am to 2:30pm, American Legion, St. Albans. The time of the annual farm collaborative meeting with FNLC, UVM Extension, and Farmer’s Watershed Alliance has been set. Register here.
Vermont Farm Show, January 28 – 30, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex. Find us at booth 239!

2019 Events:

LandStream’s Environmental Measurement & Environmental Biophysics, October 30, 10am to 3pm, Choiniere Farm, 2465 Gore Road, Highgate, VT. Measure landscape-function, natural capital and ecosystem services with us! Accurate environmental measurement and Measurement-synthesis are the foundation to: 1) provide daily landscape-feedback to help farmers grow more grass, crops, topsoil and biodiversity, and 2) measure farmers’ production of natural capital and ecosystem services for functional ecosystem-services markets. Register here!
Today’s Farmers, Tomorrow’s Watershed Contractors, October 24, 10am to 4pm, 336 Emch Road, Enosburg Falls, VT. Topsoil and biodiversity are natural capital – the primary infrastructure in Vermont and on Earth. This green infrastructure is the source of all ecosystem services, including food, clean water, flood control and climate regulation. VT farmers equipping ourselves to grow deep-soil wealth and security for all Vermonters. Hiring farmers to grow natural capital and ecosystem services across Vermont watersheds could become the largest and highest ROI infrastructure project in Vermont history. Abe Collins of LandStream will lead a two-part discussion about farmers equipping ourselves to grow quantified deep-soil infrastructure and ecosystem services. Register at: https://deepsoilatstonypond.eventbrite.com
2019 Summer Farm Meeting, August 14, 10am to 2pm at Bridgeman View Farm in Franklin, VT. Friends of Northern Lake Champlain, UVM Extension NW Crops & Soils Team, Franklin Grand Isle Farmer’s Watershed Alliance, and Agrilab Technologies Inc will provide new information about improved agricultural field techniques to reduce non-point phosphorus runoff into the state’s waterways. This event is FREE, please register at this EventBrite link. Water Quality and Custom Applicator Credits available.
Sunflower Walk & Talk, St. Albans Sunflower Festival, August 2, 9am to 11am. A discussion about precision farming, conservation practices, and sunflowers! This event is free. More info here: https://stalbanstown.com/sunflower-festival/
2019 Annual Crops & Soils Field Day, July 25, 10am o 3:30pm at Borderview Research Farm in St. Albans, VT. The theme is Twelve Years of Research – But Wait, There’s More! Cost is $25 per participant and $10 per farmer. Register online at www.regonline.com/2019cropsfieldday.
Parlor Work Shop. Organic Valley is sponsoring an on-farm parlor workshop on June 3, 10am to 1pm, at Holyoke Farm in St. Albans, VT. Dr. Larry Tranel will join farm owners Jack and Heather Brigham for the workshop on building low cost, efficient milking parlors. The Brigham’s have recently built a swing parlor using Tranel’s designs. Tranel is a Dairy Specialist at Iowa State University. For more information, please contact Organic Valley directly at farmerhotline@organicvalley.coop or 888-809-9297.
No-Till Training Program’s In-Field Intensive Trainings (4). Four trainings will be help in Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont during spring 2019 hosted by UVM Extension NWCS, UMaine Cooperative Extension, and NRCS MA for Technical Service Providers working with farmers in transition to no-till/reduced tillage. One will be hosted at Manning Farm in Swanton, VT on June 4th! More info on the flier linked here. Register with Catherine Davidson at catherine.davidson@uvm.edu.
FWA Annual Meeting, Thursday April 4, Elks Lodge, St. Albans. Join the FWA as we host our 2019 Annual Meeting! Hear about our 2018 accomplishments, ongoing projects members can get involved in, and general updates. Dinner catered by Dairy Center. RSVP by emailing FarmersWatershedAllianceNW@gmail.com with your name and the number of people you plan to attend with.
Grain Growers Conference, Thursday, March 28, The Essex Resort & Spa, Essex, VT. Register today at www.regonline.com/2019grainconference.
Vermont Organic Dairy Producers Conference, Thursday, March 14, Vermont Technical College, Randolph, VT. Register today at www.regonline.com/2019organicdairy.
No-Till Cover Crop Symposium, Thursday, February 28, DoubleTree by Hilton, Burlington, VT. Registration is not open yet, but view this website for updated information – No Till Cover Crop Symposium
Hop Conference, Thursday, February 21, DoubleTree by Hilton, Burlington, VT. Register today at www.regonline.com/2019hopconference
Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance Conference, Tuesday, February 26 at the Double Tree in Burlington, VT. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-vermont-dairy-producers-conference-tickets-53963545417
Precision Agriculture Forum, Friday, February 15, the Abbey in Sheldon, VT. Register online today at https://2019fwaprecisionagricultureforum.eventbrite.com
Winter Farm Meeting, Tuesday, February 12, Champlain Valley Equipment in St. Albans, VT. Join UVM Extension, Friends of Northern Lake Champlain, and the FWA!
Vermont Farm Show, January 29th – 31st, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex, VT. Stop by the FWA’s table!
Industrial Hemp Conference (click to view brochure), Friday, February 8, Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain, Burlington, VT. Register today at www.regonline.com/2019industrialhempconference

2018 Events:

Tuesday, November 27, 2018 – Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance‘s Annual Meeting at the Abbey, Enosburg Falls, VT at 5pm. This dinner event is open to all dairy industry members. We feature Kim Bremmer of Ag Inspirations from Wisconsin as our guest speaker. Updates on milk pricing will be presented by Bill Rowell and Heather Shouldice of William Shouldice & Associates will provide the Legislative perspective for 2018-2019 session. RSVP to Tom Hickley at 802-349-0993 or Amanda St. Pierre at vdpa16@gmail.com
Friday, November 16, 2018 – Senator Bernie Sander’s Office Invites Dairy Farmers to Share their Ideas on Improving Milk Prices at Elks Lodge, Gricebrook Road, St. Albans from 11:30am to 1:30pm. Vermont dairy farms are struggling through a prolonged period of very low milk prices. While the improved Margin Protection Program has helped ease short-term cash flow problems for some farmers, a long-term solution is desperately needed to boost milk prices and ensure the viability of dairy farming in Vermont. Come discuss what policies you think would improve milk prices. Lunch will be provided. RSVP by November 14 to Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Burlington office at 802-862-0697 or email Erica_campbell@sanders.senate.gov.
Friday, October 26, 2018 – Communications Training at Yankee Farm Credit in St. Albans, VT from 10am to 2pm. Join us at the upcoming “Productive Conversations” training workshop to learn how to lead positive conversations about the tough issues surrounding our industry, with a specific focus on water quality and the environment. The workshop will train you to get your point across in all types of settings including in person, in a town hall setting, online or when speaking to a reporter. RSVP by emailing your name, farm name, and number attending to Catherine Davidson at FarmersWatershedAllianceNW@gmail.com. Workshop sponsored by New England Dairy Promotion Board.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018 – Tools for Growing Topsoil at 37 Old Sawmill Road, Orwell, VT from 10:30am to 2:30pm. Join UVM Extension and VT Grass Farmers Association for a discussion about growing topsoil, livestock and resilience to extreme weather – relevant to all types of livestock producers; dairy, beef, sheep and goats. The Lucas Cattle Co., a cow-calf to finish grass-fed beef farm owned and operated by Josh and Janelle Lucas, will share their knowledge and experience of growing high quality forage and using management-intensive grazing to finish beef cattle while building soil organic matter. Josh and Janelle will be joined by Abe Collins of LandStream. Abe will discuss practical, near-term strategies for building our soil-sponge and achieving livestock-preformance. Register at the link above.
Friday, September 21, 2018 – Grass Fed Dairy Production at The Larson Farm in Wells, VT from 10:30am to 2:30pm. Learn about grass-fed dairy production, pasture management, fertility management, and on-farm processing of high quality dairy products. $20 per person includes lunch. Please register by September 17^th. Online registration and details at https://bit.ly/2w6Iykd. Questions? Email or call Susan Brouillette, susan.brouillette@uvm.edu or 802-524-6501.
Thursday, September 20, 2018 – Soil Carbon Coalition Land Listener Workshop at Butterworks Farm in Westfield, VT from 9am to 5pm. Curious about how to see a landscape as a whole system? Do you want to understand and track the impact of grazing and land management on soil health, watershed function, soil carbon, and public health? This event is FREE to attend. Bring your own lunch, place setting, and water bottle. Please bring a chair for the classroom portion and dress appropriately for field work: proper shoes, sun protection and tick prevention. View details and register online at https://bit.ly/2PNoR9l. Questions? Email Cat Buxton directly at catduffybuxton@gmail.com.
Thursday, August 9, 2018 – Summer Farm Meeting at Bridgeman View Farm, 4826 Hanna Rd, Franklin, VT from 10am to 2:30pm. The annual summer farm meeting and field day hosted by Tim Magnant at the Bridgeman View Farm in Franklin, VT. FNLC, UVM Extension, FWA and AgriLab Tech are providing new information about improved agricultural field techniques to reduce non-point phosphorus run off into the state’s water ways. FNLC and AgriLab Tech will present the Bouchard Farm Two-Tier Farm Stream/Ditch. UVM Extension staff will present innovative agriculture techniques and equipment designed to fully infiltrate manure, do a field tour to demo Tim Magnant’s successful crop rotation, counter slope plowed rows, minimal tillage, manure injection, grassed waterways, and riparian buffer management. Hick’s Equipment Company, New Hampshire will demo a new manure injector designed to be used on hay meadows and pasture land. State and Federal agency personnel will be on had to familiarize farms with current and new financial resources to help them with their water quality improvement projects and equipment purchases. Register online at: 2018summerfarmmeeting.eventbrite.com
Thursday, July 26, 2018 – 2018 Annual Crops & Soils Field Day at Borderview Farm, 487 Line Rd, Alburgh, VT from 10am to 3:30pm. As the UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Team is actively working on planting research trials, they are also planning their agenda for the field day. The Annual Field Day’s activities will show crops and new approaches to farming in Northern New England. We will tour the more than 3,000 research trials focused on cereal grain and soybean varieties, reduced tillage in silage corn, oilseeds, innovative crops such as industrial hemp, dry beans, hops and milkweed, and cover crops and other soil health trials for forages and perennial grasses, vegetables and field crops. Registration to the field day is open! $25 per participant and $10 per farmer including a great lunch.
Saturday, June 23, 2018 – Breakfast on the Farm at Gervais Family Farm, 6001 Boston Post Rd, Enosburg Falls at 8:30am. Vermont Breakfast on the Farm returns for another summer of fun on the farm. At the Gervais Family Farm you’ll enjoy a free pancake breakfast with local Vermont products, and then you’ll get a first-hand look at the dairy farm, and meet the farm families who work to produce safe, wholesome, local food. The event is FREE but you must get tickets to enter. Visit www.VermontBreakfastOnTheFarm.com for more info.
Thursday, June 14, 2018 – Grazing Field Day at Islandacres, South Hero from 10:30am to 1:30pm. Grazing consultant Sarah Flack and Cheryl Cesario of UVM Extension will lead a pasture walk with Steve Robinson of Islandacres. The Robinson’s are transitioning their 70 cow dairy to management-intensive grazing. Discussion on grazing topics will be from both the plant’s and animal’s perspective. Come see how they are adopting to these new management practices. Lunch will be provided by the NOFA-VT Mobile Pizza Oven. RSVP here: https://www.regonline.com/registration/Checkin.aspx?EventID=2463591
To request a disability related accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Karen Gallott at 802-388-4969 or 1-800-956-1125 (toll free in Vt. only ) by May 24, 2018 so we may assist you.
Saturday, June 9, 2018 – Restore the Bay 5K at St. Albans Town Park at 8am. The St. Albans Area Watershed Association is excited to announce its premier event, the 2018 “Take a Stake in the Lake” 5k and Clean Water Fair. Held at the historic St. Albans Bay Stonehouse, at St. Albans Bay Park on Saturday, June 9, 2018. Run or walk a beautiful course along St. Albans Bay from Kill Kare to the Bay Park and support clean water. $25/entry includes a performance tee, a chance to win door prize drawings AND a 2018 SAAWA membership. The Vermont Lake Monsters’ Champ, along with RISEVT, will be on-site to kick off a kid’s race, an obstacle course, bouncy castles and more! See SAAWA website for pre-registration details!
Friday, June 8, 2018 – Grassland Manure Injection Field Day at Barnes Black & Whiteface Ranch – Bridport Ventures Farm 1176 Heitman Road, Bridport, VT from 10:am to 12:00pm. You’ll see/hear: Veenhuis Euroject 1200 grassland injector; Dragline manure application; Hicks Sales LLC (Vermont Veenhuis dealer) will be on hand to talk about this technology and other models available in the United States; Eric Severy, Matthew’s Trucking, will share his experience and expertise with manure injection and talk about how the equipment works and what situations might be best suited for it; UVM Extension Agronomists will discuss the benefits of injection and how it can reduce runoff and increase yields; Farmers will share their experience using other forms of manure injection; Find out more about how to get this grassland injector on your farm. RSVP to champlain.crops@uvm.edu | 802-388-4969 x347.
Tuesday, May 22, 2018 – Compost Aeration and Heat Recovery Presentations & Open House in Middlebury, VT from 10:30am to 2:30pm. This event on advanced composting practices of compost aeration and heat recovery (CAHR) has presentations from the University of New Hampshire’s Organic Research Dairy Farm, VT Natural Ag Products, Agrilab Technologies and UVM Extension followed by a guided site tour at the Foster family’s VT Natural Ag Products (VNAP) composting facility and the CAHR systems installed in 2016 and 2017. VNAP is the maker of Moo Doo and other compost and soil products. Lunch is included for registered attendees.
Tuesday, May 15th, 2018 – Public Hearing for ANR Wetlands General Permit at the St. Albans Museam, 9 Church Street, St. Albans, VT at 6:00pm. The General Permit is for certain specified water quality improvement projects conducted within Class II wetlands and associated buffer zones. Activities eligible for coverage under this general permit are limited to specific practices that are intended to improve water quality either by mitigating known pollution sources, or by reducing flood hazards. Eligible activities are limited by square footage thresholds, and by the type of impacted wetland. Project proponents may self-verify coverage and must register the activity with the Vermont Wetlands Program, except for farm practices described in the permit. The specific water quality improvement projects include stream crossing structure replacement, failed wastewater system replacement, retrofits for Stormwater treatment practices, and Vermont Natural Resources Conservation Services Conservation Practice Standards on farms for access roads, heavy use protection areas, stream crossings, trails and walkways, and artificial wetlands.
Thursday, April 12, 2018 – FWA’s Annual Meeting at the Elks Lodge 1556 in St. Albans from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Join us for a fun evening with dinner catered by Dairy Center Catering and comedy by Vermont’s Rusty DeWees! You will hear an update on the FWA’s 2017 accomplishments, and projects we are looking forward to in 2018. RSVP to FarmersWatershedAllianceNW@gmail.com. More details to come!
Tuesday, April 3, 2018 – ‘Learn How to Handle Tough Questions/Have Productive Conversations’ Workshop at the UVM Extension office in Middlebury, VT from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Do you think we can do a better job explaining why we do what we do as farmers? Are you hesitant to engage in conversations with the average consumer? Misinformation abounds, but it’s up to us in the agricultural community to set the record straight. At this training you will learn how to lead positive conversations about the tough issues surrounding our industry, with a specific focus on water quality and the environment. The workshop will train you to get your point across in all types of settings including in person, in a town hall setting, online or when speaking to a reporter. See the link above for registration information!
Tuesday, March 27, 2018 – Streams, Ditches, Culverts & Wetlands on Your Land at Champlain Valley Equipment in St. Albans, VT from 1:00 to 3:00pm. Struggling to manage water on your property, especially during heavy rain? Are you considering draining an area of your land that is perpetually wet? This hands-on workshop on streams and wetlands will teach you how water works in the landscape, how different management strategies affect flow upstream and downstream, and how the design of ditches and culverts changes their effectiveness. Agencies regulating streams and wetlands will also be available to answer questions on their rules. This free workshop is designed for farmers and others managing rural land but is open to all. RSVPs to franklincountynrcd@gmail.com or 528-4176 are appreciated.
Friday, March 23, 2018 – Custom Applicator Certification at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, 116 State Street, Montpelier, VT from 2:00 to 3:00pm. If you or one of your employees needs to become certified, then come to one of the three locations available to take the exam. Please RSVP to Lindsey Ruhl at (802) 524-6501 or lruhl@uvm.edu.
Thursday, March 22, 2018 – 14th Annual Grain Growers Conference at The Essex Resort and Spa. This daylong event will provide you with a diverse array of educational topics on grain production and research in North America. More details to come.
Friday, March 16, 2018 – Custom Applicator Certification at the Middlebury Extension Office, 23 Pond Lane, Suite 300, Middlebury, VT from 9:00 to 10:00am. If you or one of your employees needs to become certified, then come to one of the three locations available to take the exam. Please RSVP to Lindsey Ruhl at (802) 524-6501 or lruhl@uvm.edu.
Friday, March 9, 2018 – Custom Applicator Certification at the St. Albans Extension Office, 278 South Main Street, Suite 2, St. Albans, VT from 9:00 to 10:00am. If you or one of your employees needs to become certified, then come to one of the three locations available to take the exam. Please RSVP to Lindsey Ruhl at (802) 524-6501 or lruhl@uvm.edu.
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 – Winter Farm Meeting at Champlain Valley Equipment, St. Albans, VT from 10:00am to 2:30pm. Join us at our 2018 Winter Farm Meeting, hosted by the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program (NWCS), Friends of Northern Lake Champlain (FNLC), and Farmer’s Watershed Alliance (FWA). We will highlight what is being done on farms to keep our watershed clean. The meeting is free! 4 Water Quality Training and 4 Customer Applicator Credits will be available. RSVP by March 2, 2018. Register online at wintermeeting.eventbrite.com or contact Susan Brouillette at 802-524-6501 or 1-800-639-2130 (Vt. only) or e-mail susan.brouillette@uvm.edu.
Thursday, March 1, 2018 – No-till & Cover Crop Symposium at the DoubleTree by Hilton (formally the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center), Burlington, VT from 8:30am to 4:30 pm. UVM Extension’s Champlain Valley Crop, Soil & Pasture Team & the Northwest Crops & Soils Program invite all farmers and technical advisers to attend this event dedicated to No-Till and Cover Cropping systems for field crop growers in the area. There will be 12+ speakers, an exhibitor fair & poster session, lunch, farmer panel, and more! See the link for details. RSVP by February 23rd online at this link: uvm.edu/extension/agriculture/no_till_cover_crop_symposium
Thursday, February 1, 2018 – Vermont Farm Show at the Champlain Valley Expo, 105 Pearl St., Essex Junction, VT, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Come visit the FWA’s booth!
Wednesday, January 31, 2018 – Vermont Farm Show at the Champlain Valley Expo, 105 Pearl St., Essex Junction, VT, 8:30am to 7:30pm. Come visit the FWA’s booth!
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 – Vermont Farm Show at the Champlain Valley Expo, 105 Pearl St., Essex Junction, VT, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Come visit the FWA’s booth!
Friday, January 19, 2018 – FWA’s 2018 Precision Agriculture Forum at the American Legion in St. Albans, 10:00am to 2:45pm. Join the Farmer’s Watershed Alliance as we host our first ever Precision Agriculture Forum! This event will showcase the latest technology being used in Vermont to plant seeds, fertilize fields, apply manure, harvest crops, and feed animals with a high degree of accuracy while recording valuable data which can be used to manage impacts on natural resources while maximizing return on investment. Sponsored by Scott Magnan’s Custom Service, Farm Family/Fiske Insurance Agency and UVM Northwest Crops & Soils Program – more sponsors to come! RSVP to Catherine Davidson at FarmersWatershedAllianceNW@gmail.com.

2017 Events:

Wednesday, November 15, 2017 – Informational Meeting on MFO/LFO Reform at the Abbey Restaurant in Sheldon, VT, 11:00am to 1:00pm. Participation in these negotiations on the proposed MFO/LFO permit changes is crucial for the Vermont Dairy Industry. The FWA is helping pay for any FWA member’s lunch costs! RSVP to vdpa16@gmail.com or 802-777-4749.
Thursday, September 7, 2017 – Conservation Practices on Farms in St. Albans Bay at UVM Extension Office, St. Albans, VT, 12:30pm to 3:00pm. The UVM Extension Northwest Crops & Soils Program, NRCS, and FWA are hosting a bus tour. There will be 5 stops around St. Albans Bay! This tour will highlight conservation agronomic practices that are being done on farms in the Bay. These practices include no-till, roller crimper technology, reduced till, cover cropping, and conservation crop rotation. You will also see innovative equipment, including the roller crimper. This event is free! Please RSVP by Tuesday, Sep 5, by contacting Susan Brouillette at: 802-524-6501 or susan.brouillette@uvm.edu.
Thursday, August 31, 2017 – Manure Applicator’s Training at the Bangor Firehouse, 2367 State Route 11, North Bangor, NY, 10:00am to 12:00pm. Cornell Pro Dairy will present the new wet weather manure spreading guidelines for all farms, records to keep, and lead a discussion on manure spreading issues for water quality concerns. This event is sponsored by Cornell Pro Dairy, Miner Institute, Lake Champlain Basin Program, Clinton County SWCD and Franklin County SWCDA. The groups plan to proactively address manure spreading issues by offering these 2 educational meetings to all farms. Coffee and donuts provided! Earn 1.75 Water Quality Credits for attending. Contact Chastity Miller, Franklin County SWCD, 518-483-2850, ext 5 or email at cmiller@fcswcd.org to register!
Wednesday, August 30, 2017 – Manure Applicator’s Training at the Miner Institute, 1034 Miner Farm Road, Chazy, NY, 11:00am to 2:00pm. Cornell Pro Dairy will present the new wet weather manure spreading guidelines for all farms, records to keep, and lead a discussion on manure spreading issues for water quality concerns. This event is sponsored by Cornell Pro Dairy, Miner Institute, Lake Champlain Basin Program, Clinton County SWCD and Franklin County SWCDA. The groups plan to proactively address manure spreading issues by offering these 2 educational meetings to all farms. Lunch provided if registered! Earn 1.75 Water Quality Credits for attending. Contact Rachel Dutil, 518-846-7121, ext 115 or email at dutil@whminer.com to register!
Tuesday, August 29, 2017 – Farmer Breakfast in the Cattle Barn Show Tent at the Champlain Valley Fair, 8:00am to 10:00am. UVM Extension and the VT Agency of Agriculture are hosting a free breakfast to show their appreciation for farmer’s efforts in improving water quality!
Thursday, August 31, 2017 – 2017 Short Season Corn Field Day at Vorsteveld Farm, Panton, VT, 11:00am to 2:00pm. Join the UVM Extension’s Champlain Valley Crop, Soil & Pasture Team and local seed suppliers in the field to see our corn hybrid demonstration, comparing shorter season corn varieties (85-98 day). There will be a trip down the road and check out some long season hybrids too! RSVP to (802) 388-4969 or email: champlain.crops@uvm.edu.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017 – No-Till Roller Crimping: Innovation In Action at Bonaspecta Holsteins, Addison, VT, 12:30pm to 3:00pm. Join the UVM Extension Champlain Valley Crop, Soil and Pasture Team and the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition for a field day to see innovative agricultural practices designed to reduce erosion and protect water quality. RSVP to (802) 388-4969 or champlain.crops@uvm@edu.
Thursday, August 17, 2017 – 2017 Summer Farm Meeting at Bridgeman View Farm, Franklin, VT, 10:00am – 2:30pm. The FWA is a proud sponsor of the Vermont Clean Water Week. This event is hosted by one of our board members, Tim Magnant of Bridgeman View Farm, and the FNLC. Topics include innovative agronomic practices of inter-seeding, no-till and cover cropping. Hear Brian Zimmerman of BZ Manufacturing (PA) and Jim Hershey of the PA No-Till Alliance speak, plus enjoy the Cornell Soil Health Demos! This event is free and lunch is generously provided by Champlain Valley Equipment. Register now!
Thursday, July 27, 2017 – 10th Annual Crops & Soils Field Day at Borderview Farm in Alburgh, VT, 10:00am – 4:00 pm. The event is “A Decade of Innovation – Germination – Application.” The day’s activities will show how the program is tackling challenges faced by Vermont farmers through researching new crops and new approaches to farming in northern New England. Tours will be offered of research trials and sessions ranging from pasture management to precision agriculture as well as commercial production of new crops with tastings of end-products from crop research. Register now!
Thursday, June 1, 2017 – Take A Stake In Our Lake 2017 at the St. Albans Bay Town Park, 4:00pm to 7:30pm. Come visit the FWA at this event hosted by St Albans Area Watershed Association. This is a family‐friendly event to celebrate the Lake Champlain Basin and share ways we can take action to improve and protect water quality.
Thursday, April 20, 2017 – Public Hearing on the 2018 Federal Farm Bill at the Vermont State House in Montpelier, VT, 10am-12:00pm. See the hyperlinked flyer for more details.
Monday, March 20, 2017 – FWA Annual Meeting at the St. Albans Elks Lodge, St. Albans, VT, beginning at 5:30pm. Join us for the FWA’s Annual Meeting! Learn more about the FWA and meet Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts, Deputy Secretary Alyson Eastman, and other agricultural state leaders. For more information contact Lindsey by phone at (802) 524-6501 or by e-mail.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017 – Agency of Agriculture 2017 Listening Tour at the Pavilion Auditorium, Montpelier, VT, 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Do you have ideas about our state’s agricultural economy? Give your feedback to Secretary Tebbetts and Deputy Secretary Eastman!
Friday, February 24, 2017 – 2017 Winter Meeting at Champlain Valley Equipment, St. Albans, VT, 10:00am to 2:30pm. Join us at this meeting hosted by the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program (NWCS) and Friends of Northern Lake Champlain (FNLC). Guest speakers include Eric Young of Miner Institute, Brian Jerose of Agrilab Technologies, and farmers sharing their experiences with cover crops and no-till. Come meet your new Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Alyson Eastman, as well! Register here.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 – Planter Clinic at Scott Magnan’s Custom Services, St. Albans, VT, 10:30am to 2:00pm. The No-till Planter Clinic is brought to you in collaboration with Scott Magnan’s Custom Services and the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops & Soils Program. The agenda includes: seed trench, planting depth, seed placement, and planting maps & planting prescriptions. Register now!
Thursday, February 16, 2017 – No-Till & Cover Crop Symposium at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center in Burlinton, VT, 8:30am to 5:00pm. Please join us at this event hosted by UVM Extension’s Champlain Valley Crop, Soil & Pasture Team and the Northwest Crops & Soils Program! Farmers and technical advisers alike are invited to attend this event dedicated to No-Till and Cover Crop systems for field crop growers in our area. There will be speakers from around the country and Vermont – including Extension specialists, researchers, farmers and consultants.

2016 Events:

Tuesday, December 20, 2016 – Water Quality Regulations and Legal Education Workshops for Farmers at 6212 Vermont Route 105, Enosburg Falls, VT, 10:00am to 3:00pm. Curious about the RAPs? Come hear presentations by UVM Extension staff Tony Kitsos and Mark Cannella. Annette Higby, Attorney at Law, will also present. Register for this FREE event at the link above.
Friday, December 16, 2016 – Water Quality Regulations and Legal Education Workshops for Farmers at VT Technical College’s Langevin House, Randolph, VT, 10:00am to 3:00pm. Curious about the RAPs? Come hear presentations by UVM Extension staff Tony Kitsos and Mark Cannella. Annette Higby, Attorney at Law, will also present. Register for this FREE event at the link above.
Thursday, December 15, 2016 – Water Quality Regulations and Legal Education Workshops for Farmers at 100 Armory Lane, Vergennes, VT, 10:00am – 3:00 pm. Curious about the RAPs? Come hear presentations by UVM Extension staff Tony Kitsos and Mark Cannella. Annette Higby, Attorney at Law, will also present. Register for this FREE event at the link above.
Friday, October 28, 2016 – A Fall Look At Cover Crops at Borderview Research Farm, Alburgh, VT, 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Hosted by NWCS and Roger & Claire Rainville. “Under the leadership of Dr. Heather Darby, the NWCS program has been conducting cover crop research trials at Borderview Research Farm for more than 6 years. We will visit the latest cover cropping experiments including rye, oats, tillage radish and cover crop blends used to enhance soil health and as extra sources of livestock feed. We’ll also show-and-tell cover cropping equipment used in Vermont.” See link above for how to register!
Thursday, October 27, 2016 – A Fall Look At Cover Crops through a tour of farms in St. Albans Bay, 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Hosted by NWCS and area St. Albans Bay farmers. “On this field day, we will meet at the UVM Extension office in St. Albans and then tour several dairy farms in the St. Albans Bay that have been planting cover crops for a number of years. We’ll look at short- and long- season corn and their impact on cover crop planting date and establishment, as well as some interseeded plantings.” See link above for how to register!
Wednesday, October 26, 2016 – A Fall Look At Cover Crops at Foote Brook Farm, Johnson, VT, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Hosted by UVM Extension’s Vegetable and Berry Program and Tony Lehouillier and family. “Foote Brook Farm is a diversified, certified organic produce farm, with over 45 acres and 145 different varieties of organic produce nestled in the valley of Johnson, VT. The farm uses innovative cover cropping practices to sustain and improve soil health such as interseeding cash crops with living mulches and long-term crop rotations to allow for summer cover crops.” See link above for how to register!
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 – A Fall Look At Cover Crops at Farr Family Farm, Richmond, VT, 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Hosted by CVCSP and Chuck Farr and Ashley Farr and families. “Farr Farms is a multi-generational dairy operation; Chuck Farr leads crop production while his son, Ashley, and his family manages the dairy. Here, we will discuss the many opportunities that winter rye, grown as a seed crop, can offer. We will also take a look at large blocks of 8 different combinations of legumes, brassicas and cereal grains and discuss the benefits and challenges of these systems.” See link above for how to register!
Monday, August 29, 2016 – TMDL Informational Meeting at the Bliss Room, St. Albans Historical Society, St. Albans, VT, 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Want to learn more about what the TMDL is and what it means for you? Come to the TMDL informational meeting!
Saturday, August 27, 2016 – Vermont Breakfast on the Farm at Green Mountain Dairy Farm in Sheldon, VT, 8:30am – 12:00pm. Enjoy a free breakfast at Vermont Breakfast on the Farm hosted by the Rowell family. Learn how Vermont’s agricultural community works together to produce food. Learn more at www.vermontbreakfastonthefarm.com.
Thursday, August 25, 2016 – Conservation Practices in the Bay at the Bess View Brady Farm site in Swanton, VT, 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Come join the UVM Extension Northwest Crops & Soils Program and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to learn how farmers are applying conservation practices to improve water quality in the St. Albans Bay. During the day, you will visit no-till, reduce till, and cover crop fields. There will also be a soil health discussion. See link above for registration details!
Wednesday, August 17, 2016 – Calf Care, Herd Health, and Farm Management on Bitter Sweet Valley Farm, East Fairfield, VT, 10:30am – 2:30pm. From the 2016 Summer Organic Dairy Series, hear Organic Valley’s Staff Veterinarian, Dr. Guy Jodarski, speak. Also get a tour of the farm! Register here.
Wednesday, August 10, 2016 – Summer Farm Meeting at Machia & Sons Dairy, Sheldon, VT. Join NWCS and Friends of Northern Lake Champlain (FNLC) at Machia & Sons Dairy to see and learn more about conservation tillage practices, centrifuge P removal system, FNLC tile P removal system project, and manure management. Register online now!
Thursday, July 28, 2016 – Annual Crops & Soils Field Day at Borderview Farm in Alburgh, VT, 10am to 3:30pm. Our theme this year is “Eat It, Drink It, Feed It, Fuel It: Conducting Food System Research Crop by Crop.” View the field day flyer for event details and Register Today! Join us at our annual field day for a tour throughout our research trials in the morning, enjoy a great catered lunch, and chose your afternoon sessions you wish to attend including visiting our hop yard, innovative equipment, or join a scouting tour. New this year is a Tasting Tent – where you can enjoy Vermont grown products from VT businesses. Become a Sponsor for the Event as well!
Tuesday, May 3, 2016 – Soil Aeration Field Day at Missisquoi Valley Farm, Westfield, VT, 11:00am to 2:00pm. In collaboration with UVM Extension NW Crops & Soils Program, the Orleans County Natural Resource Conservation District (OCNRCD) is hosting this educational field day – lunch provided! RSVP by calling Sarah at OCNRCD 802-334-6090 ext. 118.
Friday, April 8, 2016 – Farmer’s Watershed Alliance Annual Meeting at the Abbey, Sheldon, VT, 6:00pm to 9:00pm. You will enjoy visiting with fellow farmers and a great dinner – at no cost to you! We will also have quick presentations from Odette Menard on Soil Health and Earthworms, and from Laura Hardie with the New England Dairy Promotion Council. Please RSVP by calling Susan at 524-6501.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016 – 2016 Winter Meeting at Champlain Valley Equipment, St. Albans, VT, 10:00am to 2:30pm. Highlights at this years meeting include Productive Buffers, Grassed Waterways, and Tile Drainage Research Results. Guest speakers include Steve Kramer, Miner Agricultural Research Institute and Chris Smith, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Call Susan at 802-524-6501 to register!