Agriculture Resources
Resources, information, and support for farmers and land-stewards
Common Financial and Technical Assistance Opportunities
Overview of Financial Assistance Programs.pdf2025_Guide_to_Assistance_for_Agricultural_Producers.pdf
Want to learn more about FSA microloans?
Microloans 2024.pdfWhat are the RAPS?
The Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) are VT state standards to which farms in the state must be managed to reduce the impact of agricultural activities to water quality. The RAPs include required practices and management strategies, some of which apply to all farms and some of which are specific to certain sizes of operation or to certain environmental factors.
What size class is my farm?
FarmSizeClass.pdfCSFOs should self-certify compliance to the RAPS every year by doing the following:
- complete the CSFO self-certification form each year by January 31
- develop and implement a nutrient management plan that meets the USDA NRCS 590 Standard
- obtain four hours of water quality training every five years
- be inspected by the Agency of Agriculture at least once every seven years for compliance with the RAPs
- comply with the RAPs
SFOs should
- Comply with the standards set forth in the Required Agricultural Practices
- Manage on-farm nutrients including:
- All sources of nutrients shall be accounted for when determining nutrient application rates.
- Recommended rates may be adjusted based on manure or other waste analysis and/or nutrient testing procedures.
- Recommended nutrient application rates shall be consistent with current UVM Nutrient Recommendations for Field Crops in Vermont and standard agricultural practices.
- All fields receiving mechanical application of manure, agricultural wastes, or fertilizer shall be soil sampled at least once in every five years using modified Morgan's extractant or other equivalent standards approved by the Secretary.
- Records of soil analysis, manure or other agricultural waste application, and fertilizer applications shall be maintained on the farm for a period of five years and provided to the Secretary upon request.
- Records of manure or other agricultural waste application shall contain:
- date of application,
- field location,
- application rate,
- source of nutrients applied, and
- weather and field conditions at the time of application.
- Receive farm inspections or investigations on a complaint basis
Nutrient Management Planning
A Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) is a budget of nutrients on your farm that is required for all farms that are CSFO or lager in Vermont.
Nutrient Management Planning helps you:
- Plan manure and other nutrient applications to meet your yield goals
- Save money on unneeded fertilizers
- Maintain or improve soil health
- Protect water and air quality
Contact us at RNRCD for more information or help getting started on your NMP.
Writing and Funding your Nutrient Management Plan (NMP)
NMP_brochure_FINAL2.pdf
Using the updated goCrop
Soil Samples
How to take a soil sample
How_To_Take_a_Soil_Sample.pdf
How to interpret your soil test results
InterpretingSoilTests.pdfCover Crops
Need help deciding what cover crop will work well for you?
Cover Crop selector
Riparian Buffers
What is a riparian buffer and what for?
Riparian brochure_622_2018b.pdfrv_riparianvalues.pdfHow to plant a riparian buffer:
Planting Riparian Buffers.pdfProductive riparian buffers- buffers that also grow profitable food crops:
Productive Buffers Handout From OCNRCD.pdf
Planning for Climate Resilience
We all know climate has a big impact on farming- what the rain and wind does matters. As it changes, how should your practices and plans adjust?
-A helpful worksheet to think through climate considerations for your land:
Farm_Climate_adaptation_worksheet.pdf-Northeast Climate Hub - Up-to-date information from the USDA on climate, conservation, and agriculture
Organic Growers
Rodale Institute Resources - downloadable resources from the Rodale Institute on organic growing and business logistics.
NOFA grants and funding opportunities- Explore the resources linked here to learn about NOFA programs that may help you meet your current business needs.
NOFA cohorts and mentorship programs - Long-term learning cohorts and mentorship pairings for farmers to assist in their growth and development through knowledge sharing, hands-on experience, and network building.
Vermont Certified Organic- the USDA accredited certification program owned by NOFA-VT
Supporting Pollinators
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation's Pollinator Conservation Resources for the Northeast
Pollinator-Plant-List.pdf
Growing herbs?
The Vermont Herb Grower's Initiative is a farmer-led project to develop a collaborative network for Vermont's commercial culinary and medicinal herb growers, led in partnership by the Vermont Vegetable and Berry Grower's Association, Nomad Farm and Hillside Botanicals.
