Call for Nominations for Vermont Dairy Farm Award

By Whitney Hull

Burlington--University of Vermont (UVM) Extension and the Vermont Dairy Industry Association (VDIA) are seeking nominations for the 2024 Vermont Dairy Farm of the Year. Nominations will be accepted until May 1.

This award recognizes an exemplary dairy farm that demonstrates both overall excellence in dairying and strong contributions to the dairy industry. Nominees are evaluated by a judging committee, comprised of past recipients of this prestigious award, on their farm management, innovative practices, milk production, crops, pasture quality, stewardship and conservation practices, among other criteria.

Any agricultural organization, dairy co-op, business, farm or individual may nominate a dairy farm for the annual award. Previous nominees who did not win may be nominated again.

The nomination form, along with details about the award and profiles of past recipients, can be found at http://go.uvm.edu/vdfya. For questions or to request a copy of the form by mail, contact Peggy Manahan at (800) 639-2130 or peggy.manahan@uvm.edu.

The award is sponsored by the New England Green Pastures Program, which also recognizes a state winner from each of the other five New England states. The winning farms will be honored at a special awards banquet at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, in September. In addition, the Vermont winner will be the invited guest at the VDIA annual banquet and featured on "Across the Fence," UVM Extension's daily farm, home and community show airing on WCAX-TV.

Previous winners have been Ackermann Dairy, a 120-head organic dairy farm in Hardwick, in 2023 and Molly Brook Farm, a seventh-generation farm in Cabot, in 2022.