Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently published finalized requirements for pre-harvest agricultural water used by produce farms that are subject to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. Pre-harvest agricultural water is water used during growing that directly contacts produce, such as water used for irrigation, crop sprays, or frost protection using a direct application method.
When the new rule takes effect, produce farms will be required to make pre-harvest agricultural water assessments to identify any potential hazards and implement corrective or mitigation measures as appropriate. These revisions replace the mandatory microbial water quality testing that was previously required in the 2015 version of the Produce Safety Rule.
Compliance dates for the pre-harvest agricultural water requirements are tiered by farm size, with the first tier needing to come into compliance by April 7, 2025.
Find more details and resources about the new requirements in an update from the Vermont Produce Program to determine how this change may affect your farm.
Have questions about the finalized rule or wonder how it may apply to you? Reach out to the Vermont Produce Program at [email protected].
Dairy Processor Modernization Grant
This new grant will support dairy processors in modernizing their facilities for long term business viability. Funding will focus primarily on upgrading or adding specialized dairy processing or packaging equipment essential for business growth.
Two tiers of funding ranges will be available to processors at a variety of sizes. Awards will range from $75,000 to $350,000 for Tier 1 and $15,000 to $150,000 for Tier 2, with a 25% match commitment.
Approximately $1,200,000 total funds are available for this round. The Request for Applications (RFA) is available now. The application period is June 27th – August 8th.
Free Produce Farm & Warehouse Tour
Building relationships between producers, distributors and wholesale customers is the basis of our local food economy. Join the Vermont Farm to Plate Grocers Project for a free visit to Foote Brook Farm and Deep Root Organic Coop Warehouse in Johnson, VT on June 27th.
The tour will cover farm production and product handling, packing, shipping, distribution, and product integrity throughout the supply chain. This will be a chance to get out in the field to see firsthand how produce moves from farm through to retail and learn from each other about retail produce growing and distribution.
Learn More & Register
It's time to get your poop in a group and head on out to the North American Manure Expo in Auburn, NY on
July 17th and 18th!
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. Tour local facilities to witness the best in manure innovations of the Northeast.
View the website for more details, including registration links, the agenda, and accommodations.
Vermont's Climate Action Plan Update Kick-off Events
Vermont’s Initial Climate Action Plan was adopted in 2021 and is due to be updated in 2025. The Vermont Climate Council and its subcommittees want to hear from Vermonters about their priorities for the revised plan.
Join the council for a virtual discussion to learn about the plan, voice your priorities for its revision, and connect to future engagement opportunities for climate action in Vermont.
Discussions will be held on June 18th and June 20th.
Register Now
Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
June
6/23 - Medium Farm Operation General Permit Public Comment Period deadline
6/25 - Dairy Product Trade Show Assistance Grant deadline
8/8 - Dairy Processor Modernization Grant deadline
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Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
116 State St. Montpelier, VT 05620