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Posts Tagged ‘Vermont’
Saturday, January 14th, 2012
Nearly five months after August’s devastating Hurricane Irene, much of the American Northeast is still making repairs to roads, bridges, and agricultural land. In the seven days between the storm’s formation and dissipation, Irene killed 56 people and caused about $10 billion worth of damage. Of that cost, about $7 billion was limited to the United States.
Irene hit New England hard. Vermont in particular suffered the bulk of the damage with repair costs estimated to be about $200 million. Although much of that will be covered by the federal government, state officials have set up disaster funds and outside charities have worked hard to help Vermonters still suffering from the storm.
The agricultural sector, in particular, is suffering from the damages caused by Irene. According to Chuck Ross, the Vermont Secretary of Agriculture, damage done to the farming sector will easily top $20 million.
“The agriculture community in the state of Vermont has come though it incredibly well,” Ross said, “but make no mistake, there were significant and damaging impacts on the farming community in the state of Vermont.”
Despite these losses, Ross is confident that, given the funding available through the federal government and state agencies, Vermont farmers will bounce back from the storm.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: Hurricane Irene, Vermont
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Monday, October 3rd, 2011
Earlier this week Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin announced state grants to farmers still suffering from the effects of Hurricane Irene. The hurricane, which struck the east coast last month, did considerable damage to agricultural producers across the Atlantic seaboard. Farmers from North Carolina to Vermont are still struggling to undo the damage done by the storm.
In order to help state farmers, Shumlin’s administration has set aside desperately needed money to help farmers repair their farms and pay their bills. The money comes from the state’s Farm Disaster Fund, which is managed the non-profit Vermont Community Foundation. Funding is being distributed in $10,000 grants to farmers in need.
Schumlin stressed the necessity of the Disaster Fund and urged Vermonters to donate money to the fund to help their friends and neighbors. In addition, he stressed that these funds were grants rather than loans, stressing that farmers did not need additional debt at this time.
While the funding is a blessing for many struggling farmers who still need to make major infrastructural repairs, many say that $10,000 will not be enough to cover their losses. A Berlin, Vermont farmer stated that he needed at least $65,000 to make it through the year. According to the Community Foundation, a conservative estimate of the damage from Irene could reach $10 million statewide.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: farm subsidies, Hurricane Irene, Vermont
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Sunday, September 4th, 2011
The Vermont Farm Bureau has denounced a federal immigration policy that could threaten the farm industry. The law in question, the Secure Communities initiative, requires local and state law enforcement to send accused criminal’s fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of investigation, where they would be used to determine residency and immigration status.
Vermont farm officials have criticized this initiative, claiming that it will hurt the agricultural industry. The president of the Vermont Farm Bureau stated that, “It’s not going to do us any good. It can only do us potential harm.” Vermont, like many states, relies on immigrant labor, often illegal immigrant labor. Immigrant labor is a staple of the over $500 million Vermont dairy industry.
Supporters of the measure claim that it will help reduce crime. They also state that it is not directed at all immigrants, just those who run afoul of the law.
The struggle in Vermont highlights a larger national concern. Immigration reform has been linked to agricultural policy for decades. Policies that effect one almost inevitably shape the other. In Georgia and Alabama, for example, tough new immigration policies have hurt the agricultural sectors there, which report critical labor shortages.
Farm officials have united with politicians like Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to push for comprehensive immigration reform that can guarantee the agricultural sector the labor that it needs to function.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: farm labor, immigration, Vermont
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Sunday, April 10th, 2011
The Vermont legislature is considering changes to a 2008 state agricultural bill to allow the processing of raw milk. A local farm advocacy group had, until recently, held classes explaining to consumers how to process raw milk into cheese, butter, yogurt, and other dairy products. These classes were shut down on February 10.
The debate over raw milk has been longstanding in the United States. Since the development of pasteurization, regulatory agencies have determined to limit the sale and consumption of raw milk. Pasteurization, supporters claim, kills harmful bacteria and eliminates pathogens in milk, making it safer to consume.
Raw milk supporters, however, argue that the pasteurization process destroys important nutrients and creates a less palatable product overall. Some argue that certain bacterium destroyed in the pasteurization process is beneficial to human health.
Many states, Vermont among them, ban the processing of raw milk and limit its transportation across state lines. The proposed Vermont law would remove bans on processing raw milk and would no longer force farmers to regulate consumers. To date, farmers are prohibited from selling raw milk to consumers they knew would further process it. Limiting these regulations, supporters say, would give consumers freedom to make health choices for themselves.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: raw milk, Vermont
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Friday, October 30th, 2009
Dean Foods Co. and the Dairy Farmers of America(DFA) have been slapped with a lawsuit from farmers who think the two companies have monopolized milk distribution in the Northeast.
The class-action law suit was filed on October 8 in the U.S. District Court in Burlington, Vermont. The DFA made a statement regarding the case. “It is disappointing that although Dairy Farmers of America activities in the Northeast have improved prices for cooperative members and independent producers alike, these charges are being brought against us.”
Federal Reserve stated interest rates likely to rise. Refinance your farm loan before rates go up. Call a representative by dialing 866-929-5585 or visit us online.
Tags: dairy, dean foods, Vermont
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Thursday, May 21st, 2009
Vermont’s struggling farmers have a new ray of hope. Gov. Jim Douglas announced a new loan program that uses $1 million of the federal stimulus money to leverage $6 million in low-interest financing to help farmers.
The low-interest loans can be used to pay for seed, feed and fuel for the planting season.
The Vermont Economic Development Authority said loans are available immediately to help farmers now as they enter the spring planting season.
Are you looking for a low-interest farm loan? Contact Farm Plus today. Farm Plus offers loans for your needs and works alongside government agencies to assist you. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding low-interest farm loans.
Tags: jim douglas, stimulus money, Vermont
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Thursday, May 7th, 2009
The University of Vermont is looking to invest in a large-scale dairy research farm. The Vermont Feed Dealers are working hard to find the perfect location for the 300 to 400 cow operation. The research projects will be aimed to help farmers across the Northeast.
Ideally the site will be within 30 minutes of the UVM campus and will have “expandable†area. It would also need to be close enough to a sewer system so cheese research can be conducted. A 20-member committee has been sculpting the idea since last fall.
Tom Vogelmann, UVM’s interim dean of agriculture, believes the “Dairy Center of Excellence†as a bold and creative proposal. He feels that it will greatly increase the level of UVM’s agriculture research.
Despite excitement, the plan could take up to two years to complete. Currently, UVM conducts much smaller research projects on a 200-acre farm in South Burlington. The nearest dairy research facility is in Chazy, New York with 272 cow stalls.
Last fall, UVM’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences announced it had a long-term plan for $13.9 million to upgrade the farm complex. This includes a $3.3 million modern large animal facility.
The project will take time and the committee is okay with that. Vogelmann said: “We have one chance to get this right, and we’ll take whatever time is needed to work through the details.”
Looking to purchase land for your own farm? Contact Farm Plus today. Low rate farm loans are available call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans.
Tags: New York, UVM, Vermont
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