What are the RAPS?

What 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? 

The image outlines a flowchart for determining farm classification under Vermont's RAPs, detailing requirements for small farm certification.

 

CSFOs 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