Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition

Join University of Vermont Extension and the Vermont Bee Lab for a discussion with Québec farmers to learn about their experiences transitioning away from neonicotinoid ("neonic") treated seeds. In 2019, Québec limited neonic pesticide use to protect pollinators and our environment. Similar to the New York bill that was signed into law this past December, these restrictions applied to neonic coatings on corn and soybean seeds, two of the largest uses of neonics in the province. In this panel discussion with four Québec farmers, we will learn how they navigated this transition and the challenges they faced.  Interested in joining...

This workshop is for dairy producers interested in learning more about how to calculate cost of production on their farms. This workshop will be led by Joanna Lidback, principal financial consultant with Adirondack Management Services. In addition to being a financial consultant, Joanna is CFO at Adirondack Farms, LLC. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in helping dairy farmers understand farm financials and improve farm viability. This workshop is a free event, with lunch provided, and registration is required by Monday, January 22. In the event of inclement weather, this event will be rescheduled to Wednesday, January 31....

Save the date! UVM Extension is hosting the annual No-Till & Cover Crop Conference on February 22, 2024. It's all happening in-person at the Double Tree by Hilton in South Burlington.    This year's theme is: Building Resiliency and Profitability into your No-Till System.   The extremely wet 2023 cropping season has made for a challenging crop season, leaving many farmers wondering what’s next for their fields. Conference attendees will consider subject matter ranging from what happens when you till a no-till field from a soil and fertility standpoint to the impact manure injection can have on your no-till program. They...

Join UVM Extension, Farmer’s Watershed Alliance (FWA), and Friends of Northern Lake Champlain (FNLC) to learn about current programs, research, and other water quality related projects. Topic highlights include: Updates on precision sustainable agriculture, Discovery Acres, Rock River Sub Watershed Assessment, and other water quality monitoring program. We will also hear program updates from state and federal agencies including USDA NRCS, ANR, VAAFM, and FSA. This event is free but pre-registration is required by March 1.

Please join us for the 2024 Organic Dairy Days on March 13 and 14! This year there are two dates and locations offered. Presentation highlights include heifer programs in your dairy, feeding the most forages, maximizing milk production by improving reproductive performance, a cow’s daily time budget, a farmer’s panel sharing their farm innovations through technology and forage management, and grant and program opportunities updates. Check-in from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. The conference will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Lunch is included. Cost is $25 per person.

Save the date! UVM Extension is gearing up to host the Grain Growers Conference on March 20, 2024 at The Essex Resort in Essex. This year's theme is: Growing Collaborations. Stay tuned for more details!

Registration is open for the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Summit. On April 2-3, the summit will bring together dairy farmers, processors, service providers, and industry stakeholders from across the northeast in Albany, NY. From farm innovation to processing expansion and more, you'll leave with new ideas to put into action, peer-to-peer connections, and strategies to build a more resilient dairy sector. Discounted rates are available for dairy farmers, processors, and students.

Join Dr. Heather Darby and Sara Ziegler from the University of Vermont Extension and Sarah Flack from Sarah Flack Consulting for a day-long workshop focused on how soil health, soil fertility, and grazing management impact forage productivity and quality and your farm’s viability. Joshua Green from Trees for Graziers will be available to provide information and resources on successfully establishing trees in and around pastures. Please register by March 29 for this free event.

The North American Manure Expo is coming to Auburn, NY on July 17-18, 2024. The Expo offers two full days of tours, demonstrations, education sessions and networking, all delivering the latest and greatest in manure management solutions and technologies in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. View the website for all details, including registration links, the agenda, and accommodations. Day one includes offsite tours that showcase the innovative manure practices of the northeast, on-site demonstrations dedicated to agitation and safety, and plenty of industry networking. Day two features educational sessions by industry experts, followed by solid and liquid manure application demonstrations,...