The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets is launching a free nine-event series designed to connect Vermont farms and restaurants, kicking off April 28 and running through September with events spread across the state. These events are for Vermont farmers, producers, and restaurant buyers who want to build stronger, more effective working relationships around local sourcing for the restaurant market channel.
Attend these events to:
- Build real relationships with farmers, restaurant buyers, food hubs, and producers in your region.
- Tour working farms and see firsthand how local supply chains come together.
- Visit restaurants that have built local sourcing into their menus, and learn how they did it.
Join a free virtual session on May 19 if you can't make an in-person event, or if you want a primer before attending another event.
All events are free, but registration is required.
Open House Highlighting Solutions to Global Fertilizer Crisis
Global fertilizer shortages are putting pressure on farmers and food systems, making it more important than ever to develop local, reliable nutrient sources. The Rich Earth Institute and Brightwater Tools invite you to an Open House in Brattleboro on April 30, showcasing how Vermont organizations are transforming “waste” into high‑quality fertilizer.
Tour the nation’s first community‑scale urine recycling facility and see the full range of infrastructure—from urine‑diverting toilets to collection trucks and processing equipment. You’ll also get an inside look at pasteurization and freeze‑concentration technologies and hear the latest findings on the safety and effectiveness of urine‑derived fertilizers.
RSVP now
Artificial Insemination of Dairy Cattle and Reproductive Management
Join the Vermont State University Center for Agriculture, Food, and Forest Entrepreneurship for a two-day, hands-on artificial insemination of dairy cattle and reproductive management training in partnership with Premier Select Sires. The event will be held April 30 - May 1 in Randolph.
Participants will learn about the bovine reproductive cycle and explore common reproductive management practices used in today’s dairy operations. The training also includes a dedicated three-hour session to build palpation skills, along with another three-hour, hands-on segment focused on artificial insemination techniques in dairy cattle.
Learn more and register
UVM Proctor Maple Research Center is hosting a one-day, free workshop on June 12 for maple producers and enthusiasts who are interested in learning about sustainable tapping practices. The session will cover topics including tree health, sugar dynamics in trees, taphole formation, tree injury response, and wood growth.
Whether you are new to maple sugaring or have been making maple products for decades, all are welcome to attend. The workshop is limited to 30 people, so secure your spot today!
Register by April 30
Artisan Cheesemakers Conference
The Vermont Cheese Council invites you to the 2026 Artisan Cheesemakers Conference on May 1 in Rutland. Storytelling is the theme of this year’s conference, with a day full of in-person programming. While content is specifically geared toward cheesemakers, the conference is open to all: makers, mongers, chefs, retailers, industry folk, and food producers of all flavors! Join this year's conference for a full day exploring the stories, flavors, and flair behind a "successful" cheese. Advanced registration is required. Space is limited, so don't delay!
Register 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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