VAAFM: New State Law Requires Some Vermont Farmers to Report Surface Water Usage

Submitted by tim on Mon, 07/18/2022 - 07:33

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets Vermont farmers who withdraw any surface waters (definition:10 V.S.A. § 1002(20) ) for farming are advised to begin keeping records of irrigation events this summer if they do not already do so.

A new state law went into effect on July 1, 2022 which requires annual reporting to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) of surface water withdrawals used for farming. The first such annual report for farmers who qualify will be due to VAAFM on January 15, 2023.

You qualify if you are a farmer who:

withdraws surface water for farming and uses more than 10,000 gallons of surface water within a 24-hour period, or
withdraws 150,000 gallons or more over any 30-day period during a calendar year

You are not subject to reporting requirements if you are a farmer who:

uses groundwater for agriculture
uses off-stream farm ponds for agriculture

Vermont agriculture is the first new sector of surface water handlers to report usage of waters to the State of Vermont based on Act 135 of 2022. VAAFM is committed to deploying the education, outreach, and technical assistance resources needed to help answer farmer questions about the new law and their responsibilities. If you are unsure if you qualify, VAAFM recommends you track your usage and use the below resources and contact information for help.

“At this time, the most simple and straightforward recommendation the agency can give farmers is: ‘Keep daily records of your surface water usage’; accurate event-by-event irrigation records will ensure easy and accurate reporting when the growing season is finished. Agency staff are available to help answer questions,” said Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts.

Informational Resources:

Act 135 of 2022

Definition of a Surface Water from Act 135 of 2022

Example irrigation record keeping template

Irrigation record keeping template

For questions, contact Ryan Patch, Agriculture, Climate, and Land Use Policy Manager, at [email protected] or 802-272-0323.

Download a Surface Water Use Recordkeeping Sheet Here

Farm & Forest Job Opening

The University of Vermont has a position open for a Farm & Forest Business Outreach Educator. This position will deliver individualized business planning advising to farm and forest businesses.

They will assist in the preparation of business and transfer/succession plans and work with farm & forest business owners/managers to develop financial statements to support business planning and decision making processes.

The position is unionized, 30 hours per week (0.8 FTE) and is located in either the St. Johnsbury or Rutland Extension office. Non-standard and weekend work hours required.

The pay for this position ranges from $31,200 to $59,280 a year.

Application Deadline: Open until Filled

Join the Vermont Maple 100

The Vermont Maple 100 is a month-long, annual promotion highlighting the hundreds of maple activities, adventures, and products available across Vermont.

Farms, food businesses, sugarmakers, restaurants, lodging establishments, producer associations, food system organizations, and other businesses across the state are invited to participate in this special celebration of all things maple from September 15 - October 15, 2022.

Promote a special maple-inspired product, host an event, or serve a Maple 100 special at your restaurant and be featured in a robust regional marketing campaign!

It's free to join, just fill out the application and tell us how you'd like to be involved!

Deadline to Apply: July 30th

2022 Vermont Agriculture Legislative Roundup

This year Vermont legislators made record investments in our rural communities, agriculture, and the environment.

Some highlights include $100,000 for Produce Safety Improvement Grants, more than $3 million for the Working Lands Program Enterprise Initiative, $200,000 for organic dairy farmers to help find new buyers, and nearly $6 million for incentives to plant cover crops, improve soil health, and the Payment for Ecosystem Services Pilot Program.

These significant financial commitments to Vermont agriculture underscore its importance in our communities and our everyday lives. VAAFM is grateful for the support of Vermonters and policy makers in Montpelier and Washington.

There's a ton more that the Legislature achieved. You can read the full roundup by Secretary Tebbetts here.

Calf and Heifer Management Workshop

Join UVM Extension as they host Dr. Pete Erickson from the University of New Hampshire for a walk and talk farm tour to discuss calf and heifer management practices and how best to apply them to your farm.

Topics will include dry cow management for healthier calves, calf feeding, calf and heifer housing, and pasture management for heifers. This event will take place at Laggis Brothers Farm in Hardwick.

This is a free event, and lunch will be provided. Please register by July 25th for a head count for lunch.

This University of Vermont Extension Field Day is part of a Tri-State effort with partnering universities: University of New Hampshire and University of Maine.

Contact Whitney Hull at [email protected] or 802-279-7517 with questions.

Workshop: July 27th from 10-12pm ET

Transboundary Animal Disease Prevention Survey

View the VAAFM Grants Calendar