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Montpelier, Vt. – The Vermont Produce Safety Improvement Grant program will begin accepting applications on Wednesday, February 28 at 9:00 AM. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets offers Produce Safety Improvement Grants to help Vermont produce growers prevent or reduce produce safety risks on their farms.

NRCS' Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) can help farmers install practices like cover crops which prevent erosion, supply nutrients to crops, suppress weeds, and improve soil health. EQIP can also help with installation of high tunnels systems which help protect plants from weather extremes and extend the growing season.

Innovative Yet Proven Technology Captures Heat, Cuts Processing Time and Labor

Through this program, trainees who have barriers to employment learn on-the-job skills in food handling and light manufacturing, earn transferable industry-recognized certifications, gain food systems awareness, and hone their job-readiness skills.

In 2017, Salvation Farms gleaned and distributed over 48,000 pounds of quality fruits and vegetables from 21 local farms to 25 different meal sites and food shelves, engaging 151 hardworking volunteers who dedicated 528 hours – far exceeding expectations!

Vershire—Sabra Ewing and Sebastian Lousada of Flag Hill Farm worked with the Vermont Land Trust to permanently protect 239 acres of farmland and forest from development and subdivision. As part of the project, the couple also ensured public access to the westernmost section of the Cross Vermont Trail, which leads up to Flag Pole Hill.

Successful business development models used in food systems expand to new sectors

Community Harvest of Central Vermont (CHCV), a community based volunteer driven food recovery organization, has had another incredible year of gleaning and has now gleaned over 107,900 pounds or 323,700 servings of food since it started in 2014.

Dairy farmer Guy Choiniere worked with the Vermont Land Trust, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, and The Nature Conservancy to protect over a mile and a half of Rock River frontage on his farm in Highgate, ensuring that it will always be able to access its natural floodplain without disruption.

Skinny Pancake Celebrates International Crepe Day with ‘Free Crepe Day’ on February 1st.