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UVM Extension
Champlain Valley Crop, Soil & Pasture Newsletter
Greetings!
- Open Meeting for the Agricultural Community -
Lake Champlain Phosphorus Pollution Initiative
Agriculture / Water Quality discussion with:
Chuck Ross - Secretary of Agriculture, VT Dept. Agriculture, Food & Markets
David Mears - Commissioner, VT Department of Environmental Conservation
Next Friday, December 7th, there will be a very Important Meeting for Farmers in Middlebury (10 am -1 pm at the American Legion). You should attend this event if possible for an open discussion on improving water quality AND maintaining a viable and sustainable agricultural sector.
Dec 7th - Middlebury
10am - 1pm American Legion Hall (behind G.Stone) (lunch will be provided)
alternate meeting :
Dec 19th - St. Albans
10am - 1pm American Legion Hall (Parah Drive) (lunch will be provided)
Leaders from The VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets and the VT Department of Environmental Conservation have been holding a series of small, informal focus group meetings throughout the state since late October to get feedback from farmers, agribusinesses, agricultural service providers and other water quality stakeholders.
In these two upcoming meetings in Middlebury and St. Albans they will provide background information about this Phosphorus Pollution Initiative, share feedback from the focus group meetings held so far, and seek further input from farmers on a range of potential practices and approaches to reduce phosphorus pollution.
For more information on this initiative and for copies of meeting minutes go to www.emcenter.org and click on the link for the Lake Champlain Phosphorus Pollution Initiative.
Like I have said before, If you farm anywhere in Vermont, the water quality condition of Lake Champlain will continue to affect state farm regulations, water quality incentive programs and impact your very business for many years to come. The EPA wants a concrete plan for meeting the TMDL goals for the Lake, The VT Legislature wants to know how to clean up the Lake and all the citizens of Vermont want to know that positive results for a cleaner lake are happening. You need to be an advocate for yourself, tell the story of all the great conservation practices that farmers have installed to help clean up the Lake, but also recognize that excess Phosphorus runoff from farms remains as a valid concern and that you can help guide the process of how the agricultural community will help resolve this water pollution issue in Lake Champlain. Jeff Carter | 
