The Agricultural Resource Specialist (ARS) program helps bring technical expertise to landowners who want to improve water quality and habitat and to producers who want to meet the Accepted Agricultural Practices. This program is offered by Vermont Natural Resources Conservation Districts and is supported by funding from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets under its Non-point Source Pollution Program.

Farm*A*Syst is a free and confidential drinking water protection program for farms which includes voluntary assessments to determine how current practices and structures may pose risks to drinking water. Free water testing for farm wells provides information on bacteria, nitrates, and common pesticide levels. If a water quality problem is found, ARS staff will assist the landowner in trying to determine the cause of the contamination and to find the best solution. Voluntary Farm Assessments provide information that help ARS staff offer farm-specific suggestions for protecting the farm’s drinking water. Suggested actions are linked with technical resources for design and implementation and financial resources for cost-share opportunities. More infomation is given in the Farm*A*Syst Brochure (pdf).

Accepted Agricultural Practice (AAP) Assistance program offers farmers free technical assistance and information to help them meet the requirements of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets’ AAP regulations. Manure and nutrient management, runoff potential, floodway determinations, streambank stabilization, vegetative buffer strips, and soil erosion potential are all addressed by the AAP Assistance program. The Agricultural Resource Specialist works with farmers to develop strategies specific to the farm, accommodating seasonal changes and soil characteristics. If strategies involve implementation costs, the ARS provides information and referrals for State and Federal cost-share programs. The AAP Brochure (pdf) contains a brief summary of the AAPs.

For Caledonia, Essex, Orleans, Washington Counties the Agricultural Resource Specialist is Susan Alexander at Winooski NRCD, 617 Comstock Road, Suite 1, Berlin, VT 05602, 802-229-2720, email: susan.alexander@vt.nacdnet.net.

The above information is from the Agricultural Resource Specialist Program, Brochure (pdf) which contains more infomation about this program.

 Winooski Crop Management Services

The District offers a self-sustaining crop management service, employing a certified crop consultant. Services include field scouting; soil, nitrate, and manure testing; nutrient recommendations; and record-keeping. The program's goal is to provide a holistic approach to on-farm nutrient management while reflecting positive improvements in water quality.

Four farms were serviced during this fiscal year, ranging from traditional dairy farms to fruit and vegetable growers.

For more information about this service, contact Abbey Willard, District Manager, Winooski Conservation District, 617 Comstock Rd., Suite 1, Berlin, VT 05602-8498 Email: abbey.willard@vt.nacdnet.net, Phone: (802) 828-4493 Ext. 110