Technical Farming Information
Technical farming information for the state of Vermont.
RAP (Required Agricultural Practices) Amendment
RAP pass in Montpelier
On Thursday November 17, 2016 the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, “LCAR”, met for the third time to discuss the Required Agricultural Practices Rules (“RAPs”) submitted by the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. LCAR had also previously discussed and taken testimony on the proposed rules on October 20th, and November 3rd . On this final day of discussion they also agreed unanimously to send a letter with attachments to the committees of jurisdiction outlining residual concerns they have about enforcement, funding and definitions.
Vermont Farm Bureau President, Joseph Tisbert, was present at all three meetings and testified on behalf of Vermont Farm Bureau members. He testified that a state funding mechanism should be in place before the rules were finalized, because compliance may cause economic hardship for some farmers.
FAPS
The Farm Agronomic Practices (FAP) Program is a grant program that utilizes state funding to help Vermont farms implement soil-based agronomic practices. It helps to improve soil quality, increase crop production, and reduce erosion and agricultural waste discharges.
The FAP grant program is a water quality initiative that provides farmers with financial assistance to implement conservation practices to reduce agricultural runoff. Farmers depend on healthy soil and clean water more than any other Vermonter, and they are important stewards of the land.
Farmers depend on healthy soil and clean water more than any other Vermonter, and they are important stewards of the land.