Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Did you know that a private pesticide applicator certification is required to use Class A pesticides in Vermont? These pesticides are utilized across Vermont's farming sectors—dairy, vegetables, berries, apples, grapes, nursery stock, Christmas trees, and more. Check the list of Class A pesticides to see if this includes you.
How do I get a certification?
To become certified, you must pass the Private CORE exam and study the federal Worker Protection Standard (WPS). This certification costs $25, and the certification remains valid for five years. The PHARM Division of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets has resources to help you understand certification and test requirements and schedule an exam.
Already certified? Don’t forget to complete your continuing education credits!
To maintain your certification, private applicators must complete eight continuing education credits. Learn how to receive these credits through approved courses or by submitting quizzes featured in the Pesticide Applicator newsletter.
Reach out to [email protected] if you have questions about pesticide applicator certifications, recertification, or credits.
Digging Deeper Into Organic No-Till System Management
While no-till vegetable production is gaining popularity on small to mid-scale farms in Vermont, long-term successful management requires distinct approaches from those used in tillage-based cropping systems.
Join NOFA-VT and Patrick Sullivan of Ananda Gardens on August 27 for a deep dive into how they established and manage their unique no-till system. Patrick will share how this approach to production influences his farm's financial viability.
Register today
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With so many different grant opportunities offered by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM), it can be difficult to keep track of timelines. You can always refer to VAAFM's Funding Opportunities Calendar to know when specific grants will be open during the year.
Fall is a busy time for grants, with multiple opportunities opening between September and December. In addition to being listed on our calendar, all opportunities will be announced in this newsletter.
View the calendar
Join the Winooski NRCD and UVM Extension for a free tour at Union Brook Farm on August 19. The owners will guide participants through their operation, sharing how they raise pasture birds and forest-raised pigs. They will also offer a tour of their on-site processing facility, showing how they process meat with minimal stress.
The event will be from 5:00 - 6:30 PM at 1565 Union Brook Rd, Northfield, VT 05663. Email [email protected] if you have any questions.
RSVP now
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Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
116 State St. Montpelier, VT 05620
https://agriculture.vermont.gov
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