Deadline Extended for Dairy Farm Award Nominations

By Whitney Hull

The deadline has been extended to May 15 for nominations for the 2024 Vermont Dairy Farm of the Year.

The award, which has been presented annually since 1961 by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension and the Vermont Dairy Industry Association (VDIA), honors an exemplary dairy farm each year. The recipient of this prestigious honor is a farm that has exhibited overall excellence in dairying as evidenced by its savvy farm management practices, high milk quality, attention to herd health, land stewardship and sustainable environmental practices, among other criteria.

The winning farm will be featured on "Across the Fence," UVM Extension's daily farm, home and community show airing on WCAX-TV and honored at the annual VDIA annual banquet. The Vermont winner, along with the other New England state winners, also will be invited to attend a special awards banquet at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

Each state winner will receive an engraved silver pitcher from the New England Green Pastures Program, the overall sponsor for the awards program. In addition, the Vermont recipient will be presented with a sign to display, designating the farm as the 2024 winner.

To nominate a farm for this award, go to http://go.uvm.edu/vdfya. Details and profiles of past winners can be found at this link. For questions or to request a paper copy of the form, contact Peggy Manahan at (800) 639-2130 or peggy.manahan@uvm.edu.

Nominations will be accepted from farmers, agricultural organizations, dairy co-ops, businesses and other individuals. Farmers also may self-nominate. Any previous nominee who did not win may be nominated again. The winner will be announced this summer.