The new report shows the most important contributions from the Vermont Dairy Industry to the state

The report “Vermont Dairy delivers” brings the effects on today's dairy farmers and processors in sight

By Scott Waterman, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

What does the dairy industry mean? The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is pleased to introduce a new report, which was commissioned by the Vermont Dairy Promotion Council, which helps to answer this question.

The report entitled “Vermont Dairy delivers” identifies the annual economic effects of the dairy industry from Vermont than 5.4 billion US dollars and grow from US dollars ten years ago. This is only one data point among many in the new report, which shows how the dairy farmers develop and maintain through the hard work of the dairy farmers in our state, the manufacturers and processors who offer and create great nutritious dairy products, and the thousands of employees who keep our work areas productive and vital.

Further findings from the report are:

• 73% of Vermont dairy farms are small (under 200 cows)
• 52% of Vermont Ackerland are dedicated to milk and milk cultures
• 7,349 milk goats now populate 33 Vermont Farms
• 3.6 billion US dollars of annual sales of milk, yoghurt, butter and cheese sales
• 63% of the total fluid milk production in New England comes from Vermont
• 73,000 tons of methane, which were recorded via the COW Power program

The new report reflects that the Americans' appetite has increased on dairy products. According to USDA's economic research service, milk consumption reached 2023 record levels when the average American used £ 661 dairy products. That is more than £ 40 compared to the earlier decade and the highest consumption rate in the United States since the late 1950s. This trend is reflected in Vermont's dairy industry. A decade ago, Vermont had 95 processors; In 2023, Vermont had 158 milk processors who received 63 processors in ten years. More are on the way. Vermont is now exporting dairy products to Canada, Europe, Australia and other people around the world.

Accompanies that growth is a broad commitment of dairy farmers for the administration of the country and the environment. Ten years ago, Vermont's farmers renewed their commitment to compliance with new environmental regulations. This report shows that these investments work. Requested agricultural practices that were set up up to ten years ago received the Vermont milk sector to award the number one catalyst for improving water quality in Vermont. It is clear that the farmers of Vermont of environmental quality, first-class production facilities, care for people, animals, land and premium products are dedicated-self-self and at the same time navigate a world pandemic and two important floods in the green mountain.

“We are grateful for all contributions from our farmers and everyone who supports dairy products,” said Anson Tebbetts, Minister of Agriculture of Vermont. “This report tells the story: the work is robust but worthwhile. Our suppliers, our fertilizer and feed companies, our veterinarians, our truck drivers, our milk processors and everyone who supports a labor landscape are of crucial importance for the agricultural economy.”

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Vermont Specialty Crops Grower and Buyer Survey Memory
By Josh Knight, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

A quick memory of specialty harvest builders in Vermont, who are interested in selling to restaurants and restaurant owners/buyers, interested in buying Vermont, adult specialties. It is still time to complete the survey! The Vermont Agency for agriculture, food and markets still collects answers to targeted surveys: A survey is for Vermont Specialty Crop Growers, a survey for restaurant buyers.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets would like to combine Vermont Specialty Crop producers and restaurants to increase sales and improve marketing opportunities.

If you are not sure what is qualified: “Special plants”, as defined by the USDA Fruit and tree nuts, vegetables, culinary herbs and spices and most gardening plants. Sometimes it is easier to say which special plants are not as they are: If the harvest is used for animal feed or fuel, it is usually not regarded as special plants.

The participants have the opportunity to do input to help us develop and improve the resources in order to overcome market barriers in the relationship between local producers and restaurants. Complete participants can be invited to future options and events to connect breeders and restaurant buyers in their region.

If you read this in print, you can access the link/QR code in the picture with your smartphone camera or enter the URL in your browser below.

If you read the digital / online version, you can click on the following links:

Specialty teacher and buyer surveys:

These surveys will be closed on May 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Please send an e -mail to Joshua Knight [email protected] With questions.

Apples are an important “special harvest” in Vermont.

Read all Agriview articles from May 2025 here

Mushrooms, Fiddleheads and ramps, Oh my god!

By Sam Ebeling, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

With spring on us, many are looking for mushrooms, Fiddleheads and ramps. While the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets do not require any regulations, commercial harvest may be subject to the federal security regulations. Such regulation is the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR). The PSR defines the minimal requirements for food safety for growth, harvesting, packaging and holding products.

The most important security practices include:

• Scouts for animal crap or other possible sources of contamination at the harvest location and no harvest affected plants
• Wash your hands with soap and water before harvesting
• Use clean crop tools and equipment
• Use clean water (such as drinking water) when washing plants

Commercial harvest should contact our products security team to discuss whether the safety regulations apply for production for your company.

You can find more information under Viewing

Mushrooms

A helpful resource for cultivation or harvesting mushrooms is to “increase the quality and safety of mushrooms specialties” by Mary Saucier Choate of UNH expansion. Mushroom cultivating and wearers often have an enthusiastic eye to monitor microbial activity, which forms the basis for the security of security and high -quality harvest.

Find the full factsheet at

Fiddleheads & Ramps

An excessive harvest of Fiddleheads and ramps has led to a decline in the population. The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources reminds the Forager to recognize earlier harvest stages to ensure that they harvest sustainably.

The agency for natural resources also finds that the commercial harvest of Fiddleheads and ramps is prohibited in state and nature reserves.

You can find more details at

Create security resources:

The Produce Safety program supports you in the evaluation of security risks and the search for effective solutions, regardless of the size or the production type of your company.

We offer personal visits to discuss secure products that are tailored to your company. Reach now to plan!

For more information, please contact [email protected] Or call 802-828-2433.

Photo: Find for food for mushrooms, Fiddleheads and ramps.

Read all Agriview articles from May 2025 here

First steps on the right foot with saffron
By Dr. Margaret Skinner, University of Vermont

Saffran, the stigms of a falling crocus flower, are the most expensive spice and medical herb in the world. It is now being grown by small, diversified farmers in many areas of North America and could strengthen sustainable agriculture. Do you remember to grow for the first time? Have you expanded it for several years? The North American Center for Saffran Research and Development At the University of Vermont (UVM) and Rodale Institute in Pennsylvania organize the 9th annual workshop Saffron On Thursday, May 8, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Osttag. The event is held on-line and recorded for all registrants. There are presentations for both the beginning and for experienced producers.

Producers and researchers from the United States and Spain will share their knowledge of growth, fertilization, intercropping, the sale of this precious harvest and the economy of production. The registration is 60 US dollars.

To learn more about the workshop and register, go to:

Questions? Contact: Margaret Skinner by e -mail at [email protected] or by phone at 802-656-5440

Read the Agriview edition from May 2025 here

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