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Becoming mostly clear later with any flurries or snow showers ending by midnight. Low 22F. NNW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 30%..
Becoming mostly clear later with any flurries or snow showers ending by midnight. Low 22F. NNW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 30%.
Updated: April 24, 2024 @ 5:03 pm
Vermont Community Newspaper Group
As we enter a new year, many Vermont dairy farmers, as well as farmers nationwide, continue fighting through their economic fog.
Trapped in an antiquated federal dairy pricing system, Vermont’s hard-working stewards of the land are at the whim of a highly competitive global structure. Compensation for their milk is out of farmers’ control and unpredictable, while honor and stability are considered the cornerstones of good business.
The Vermont state government, the congressional delegation, consumers and farmers themselves will all need to work together to solve this mammoth problem with international roots.
Enter: an important dairy summit, slated for April.
The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is convening the Northern Tier Dairy Summit April 1-2 at Jay Peak Resort. The goal of the summit is to develop actionable, timely and responsive solutions to the current dairy economic climate. Now is the time to think independently and creatively about what Vermont, and dairy farmers, can do to help ourselves.
Farmers will lead this effort. The Dairy Summit will address how farmers can develop market-responsive production systems, real-time opportunities for diversification or partnerships for additional income, and planning and building a coalition to strengthen Vermont farms.
Dr. David Kohl from Virginia Tech will speak about building a farm business that is resilient to market swings, and Zach Ward from Grasslands Dairy Farm will discuss the export market-based model of running a farm business that originated in New Zealand.
Other sessions include payment for ecosystem services, examples of successful farm business transition, grazing as an opportunity, diversification such as growing hemp, grains, or corn and farmer coalition-building.
As we shift to a new economic paradigm for dairy, all Vermonters can help by buying locally made dairy products. For more information on the summit: agriculture.vermont.gov.
Anson Tebbetts is secretary of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.
Nominations are open for the annual 4393 Awards, a reader survey sponsored by the Stowe Reporter and News & Citizen to honor the best in our area. This nomination period is your chance to write in names, so if you (or your favorite business) want to be on the list of finalists, spread the word. Nominations are open through April 25.
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