Compost Awareness Week!
It’s Compost Awareness Week! Sign up before the end-of the week to a free online compost training w. certification provided by the Institute for Local Self Reliance!
Up in the Air! The Agency of Ag passed the January deadline to file a final proposal of rules with requirements for the management of imported food residuals and food processing residuals on a farm (Act 41, 2021). VAAFM staff ensured Rural Vermont that Guidance would be presented at the Vermont Organics Recycling Summit earlier this month. The recording of the May 2nd presentation will be available online here and showcases that rulemaking through amending the Required Agricultural Practices Rule will come, someday. Written guidance that would provide some clarity and accountability of rule and law to those who aim to invest and diversify into this innovative agricultural practice is currently not planned. ANR rules continue to apply until farm specific rules, equal to or better than the ANR ones, have been adopted. VAAFM staff emphasize at VORS to contact them directly if there’s any interest or or need to clarify uncertainties.
Stephanie Smith, Deputy Director of Public Health and Agricultural Resource Management Division, VAAFM (stephanie.smith@vermont.gov)
Zach Szusukowski, Agricultural Resource Management Specialist, VAAFM (zach.szczukowski@vermont.gov)
Steve Cash, Agricultural Water Quality Specialist, VAAFM (steven.cash@vermont.gov)
Many resources all around compost online here!