Open Farm Week Farm Registration has Begun!

Submitted by tim on Mon, 05/02/2022 - 06:52

Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets Save the date for this year's Open Farm Week, taking place August 7-14, 2022. Open Farm week creates an opportunity for folks to visit farms and connect with Vermont's working landscape. This event has proven to be a great way for farmers to meet their customers and community!

For seven years, farmers have been inviting the public behind the scenes to experience and celebrate Vermont’s agricultural heritage.

During Open Farm Week, farms across the state will offer a range of events from on-farm dinners and workshops to tours and tastings that are uniquely crafted at every farm. This is a great opportunity to show people the places where their food comes from and the farmers who make it happen.

Feedback has shown that people attending Open Farm Week events are looking for activities, farmer interaction, and unique events. Participants are invited to think outside of the box! If you aren’t sure what kind of event to plan, the Open Farm Week Committee offers technical assistance, information, and resources to help you craft your on-farm event.

Get More Information & Sign Up Today!

Local Market Development Grant

Just ten days left to apply to the Local Food Market Development Grant. Vermont farm and food businesses, as well as not-for-profit organizations, are eligible to apply to this competitive funding opportunity, which is designed to increase access to wholesale and institutional markets. Grant funds can be used for a variety of expenses, including infrastructure, technology/software and professional services. The maximum award for this grant is $15,000 and applicants are required to provide a 25 percent match.

Application Deadline: May 10

VT Hunger Action Conference

The Vermont Foodbank's Hunger Action Conference is a virtual, day-long conference that celebrates the collective advancements and commitments to eliminating hunger in Vermont. This year's theme will focus on the shift from the cupboard approach, to a more engaging system that includes and lifts up the voices of those most impacted by hunger and poverty.
The cost to attend is $15. Anyone who finds the registration cost prohibitive is encouraged to reach out to the Foodbank for assistance.

Event Date: May 6 @ 9 a.m.

Pest Management Workshop

Strategizing planting dates, selecting resistant varieties, and using row cover are simple and effective strategies that many gardeners would benefit from. Knowing which insect netting or row cover to use, how and when to cover your crops are all important considerations to learn about. Join Carolina Lukac from the Vermont Garden Network for this exploration of pest management using techniques and tools accessible to small scale growers. Flea beetles, leaf miner, Colorado potato beetle, cucumber beetle, and leak moth are some of the pests there will be focus on.
Workshop: May 4 @ 9 a.m.

Forest Products Equipment Expo

The Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Exposition, otherwise known as the Loggers’ Expo, is the premier forest products industry trade show in the Northeastern US. The Logger' Expo hosts 200-250 exhibiting companies and a range of 5,000 to 7,000 attendees – comprised mainly of active industry decision-makers. Buyers and sellers of forest industry equipment, supplies and services are invited to attend. The 2022 Loggers’ Expo is scheduled to be hosted by the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, Vermont.

Loggers' Exposition: May 6-7

View the VAAFM Grants Calendar