Current News

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets New waste storage infrastructure can be costly, but is one of the most effective ways for farms to decrease nutrient runoff and is often a necessary investment to keep up with state water quality regulations. The Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) from the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) can help farms invest in manure management projects, in addition to less engineering-heavy projects like rotational grazing infrastructure and in-field conservation practices. Farms are eligible for up to $450,000 in federal assistance under EQIP every Farm Bill (every 5 years).

by Ellie Scott and Basil Waugh, University of Vermont, Gund Institute With leaf peeping season here, University of Vermont forest scientist William Keeton explains the science behind why trees explode into colors each fall, and where in North America to find the most vibrant colors. Besides dazzling the eyes, Keeton says fall foliage generates over a billion dollars for the U.S. economy—$800 million in Vermont alone. However, without action, climate change, drought and invasive species put this seasonal phenomenon at risk, he says. For drone photos and videos of fall foliage in Vermont this year, follow UVM Spatial Analytics Lab director Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne on Twitter. What U.S. climate trends will impact colors this year?

Vermont Business Magazine Saturday morning, Killington Resort fired up its snow guns to being snowmaking in preparation for the start of ski season and the 2022 Women’s World Cup races taking place Thanksgiving weekend. Killington Resort will again welcome the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Tour back to Killington, Vermont, on Thanksgiving Weekend.

Vermont Business Magazine University of Vermont President Suresh Garimella on Saturday revealed the name of the university’s new lake research vessel recognizing Sen. Patrick Leahy’s championing of the Clean Water Act and the many contributions to the university and region by his wife, Marcelle Leahy. The first-of-its-kind research boat, a 64-foot hybrid electric aluminum catamaran that will serve as a floating classroom and laboratory, will be named R/V Marcelle Melosira, honoring the senator’s wife, Marcelle Leahy, and the legacy of R/V Melosira, the boat replaced by the new vessel.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets has announced that up to $1,500,000 is now available in funding for the Capital Equipment Assistance Program (CEAP). Thanks to additional federal funding, this is one of the largest amount of CEAP funds ever made available in a single funding opportunity. CEAP funding supports the purchase of new or innovative equipment that will be used on farms to aid in the reduction of surface runoff of agricultural wastes, improve water quality of state waters, reduce odors from manure application, separate phosphorus from manure, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce costs to farmers.

by Sam Hooper As a young person choosing to live in Vermont, it’s important that we invest in our state’s future. When we look at the barriers to success for a small businesses like Vermont Glove, access to affordable, high-quality child care for our employees is top the list. This is no surprise considering approximately 60 percent of Vermont’s youngest children don’t have access to the care they need, according to the child care advocacy organization Let’s Grow Kids. Vermont families are spending up to 30% of their household income on child care, the majority of child care programs are experiencing staffing shortages, and early child hood educators – who are essential to our workforce and economy – are not being compensated fairly for their work. Our child care system is broken.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Law and Graduate School’s Environmental Advocacy Clinic filed a federal lawsuit against the US Bureau of Land Management, on behalf of its client Wild Horse Fire Brigade (WHFB), on Wednesday, October 5. The lawsuit seeks a halt to the roundup of wild horses from private property within and adjacent to the Pokegama Herd Management Area in southern Oregon. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) failed to follow the law and its own guidance before initiating the roundup. The suit seeks to prevent the loss of wild horses and to compel BLM to conduct legally required studies regarding the horses. Approximately 230 wild horses live in the Pokegama Herd Management Area (HMA), located in a remote area near the California-Oregon border, southwest of Klamath Falls, OR.

Vermont Business Magazine This weekly report from the Vermont Agency of Transportation is a list of planned construction activities that will have traffic impacts on state highways throughout Vermont for the week of October 10, 2022. Most crews will be off Monday in observance of the holiday, but work will resume on Tuesday. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Woodlands Association’s Annual Meeting will be held Saturday, October 29, 2022 from 8:30 A.M.-4:30 P.M. This year’s event will be at the Aloha Foundation’s Hulbert Outdoor Center in Fairlee, VT. This annual event is a great opportunity to hear updates on Vermont woodlands and meet with fellow members, foresters, and other forest industry professionals. The day will begin with breakfast where attendees will have the chance to mingle and meet up with friends old and new. The remainder of the morning will feature guided walks on the Aloha Foundation’s managed forest or a presentation by Todd Waldron of the Ruffed Grouse Society on the intersection of sustainable forestry, wildlife habitat, and climate.

Vermont Business Magazine These are the final weeks to visit Shelburne Museum to experience the 2022 season of exhibitions, programs, and refurbished historic buildings. The museum’s final open day will be October 16, after which the museum will close and reopen at the end of November for the 2^nd Annual Winter Lights celebration.

Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation will be installing a new overflow parking area at the Blush Hill boat access area this fall. The boat launch is located at the end of Blush Hill Road in the town of Waterbury and allows for motorboat and paddle craft access to the Waterbury Reservoir. The work is scheduled to take place from the first week of October through the beginning of November. The new overflow parking area will have seven stalls available for trailered vehicle only parking and one accessible parking stall. The overflow parking area will also have a space dedicated to an accessible port-a-potty for the high-use season.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery (DLL), in conjunction with the Caledonia County State’s Attorneys Office, Saint Johnsbury Police Department, Vermont Department of Corrections Probation and Parole, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), executed a search warrant that led to the seizure of drugs, ledgers, cash, and other evidence depicting illegal drug sales.

During a six-month investigation, Pat Ross, an investigator with DLL, verified complaints associated with Best Buds Smoke Shop in St. Johnsbury, which currently holds a tobacco license with a tobacco substitute endorsement. Those complaints included allegations of illegal drug sales to minors and within proximity to a school.