$6.9 Million Vermont Organic Dairy Relief Program Open for Applications

Jul 10, 2023

Vermont Organic Dairy farmers are encouraged to apply for relief funding. This grant funding is designed to mitigate the extreme market challenges in 2022, including high feed and input costs. $6.9 million dollars was made available in the Vermont state budget which began on July 1.

Eligible dairy farmers who apply will receive a single payment of $5 per hundredweight of organic milk produced in 2022. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is responsible for the application process and distribution of funds.

The application is now available on-line.

All qualifying applications will be processed in the order they are received. Agency staff will be verifying information submitted for this program with established records. All documents must be correct and complete before payment can be issued. This includes receipt of your 2022 production information, a W-9, and a submitted application.

The application period for this relief program closes at noon, Friday, October 20,^,2023. Any unallocated funds will be diverted to other programs on December 31, 2023.

Source : vermont.gov

Video: FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

It's sheep shearing day at Ewetopia Farms! ?? Our Dorset lambs and ewes are getting fleeced — and for the first time, our shearer hands over his clippers to a beginner. We finish shearing the last of our adult ewes and this year’s Dorset ewe lambs.

From moving the sheep between barns, loading them into chutes, and watching the wool come off, this is always one of the most satisfying days on the farm. But this video has a twist — we welcomed a new helper, Gian, who’s not only lending a hand but also learning how to shear! With guidance from our experienced shearer, he got a crash course in sheep shearing and even tried his hand at shearing a couple of lambs himself.

You’ll see firsthand how both teacher and student handled this unique challenge. Shearing is more than just removing wool — it’s about sheep health, comfort, and giving us a closer look at the flock. It’s always amazing to see the transformation from woolly sheep to freshly shorn ewes and lambs.