Annual Certification
New CSFOs should review the RAPs before completing and submitting certification form to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets.
NEW for 2024! The CSFO annual certification form has been updated and there is a new, more user-friendly platform for submitting the form online. Please contact Brittany Cole at 802-522-7413 or Brittany.Cole@vermont.gov if you need help or have questions.
Submit the CSFO Annual Certification form online here!
Print the CSFO Annual Certification form here!
ANNUAL CERTIFICATION FORMS ARE DUE JANUARY 31 OF EACH YEAR
Table of Contents
CSFO Inspection Video
Introduction
As part of Act 64, the Vermont Clean Water Act signed into law June of 2015, Certified Small Farm Operations above a particular farm size are required to annually self-certify their operation. Farms that meet the definition of a Small Farm Operation (SFO) rather than a Certified Small Farm Operation (CSFO) must still comply with the RAPs. The goal of this program is to support farmers to ensure their clear understanding of the statewide agricultural management rules the Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs), while providing assistance to assess, plan and implement any necessary conservation and management practices that might be necessary to meet water quality goals.
As part of the certification process, operators of Certified Small Farm Operation (CSFO) will;
- Complete the CSFO Annual Certification form each year by January 31
- Develop and implement a Nutrient Management Plan that meets the USDA NRCS 590 Standard,
- Obtain 4 hours of approved water quality training every 5 years,
- Be inspected by the Agency of Agriculture at a minimum once every 7 years,
- Comply with the standards set forth in the Required Agriculture Practices (RAPs).
CSFO Definition
Farms who will annually certify as a CSFO include farms:
- Growing more than 50 acres of annual cropland (e.g. corn, sweet corn, soybean, or pumpkin), OR
- Growing more than 50 acres of vegetables, OR
- That house and manage at least the following animal numbers;
- 50-199 mature dairy cows (200-699 is a Medium Farm Operation, and 699+ is a Large Farm Operation)
- 75-299 youngstock or heifers
- 75-299 veal calves
- 75-299 cattle or cow/calf pairs
- 188-749 swine weighing over 55 pounds
- 750-2,999 swine weighing less than 55 pounds
- 40-149 equines
- 750-2,999 sheep or goats
- 4,125-16,499 turkeys
- 2,250-8,999 laying hens or broilers or 375-1,499 ducks (w/ liquid manure system)
- 6,250-24,499 laying hens or broilers or 2,500-9,999 ducks (without a liquid manure system)
- A combination of animals with total live weight exceeding 90,000 pounds
Required Agricultural Practices
The Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) are a set of practices and management strategies to which all farms must be managed to reduce the impact of agricultural activities to water quality.
These standards are intended to improve the quality of all Vermont’s waters by reducing and eliminating erosion, sediment losses, and nutrient losses through improved farm management techniques, technical and compliance assistance, and where appropriate, enforcement. The RAPs establish nutrient, manure, and waste storage standards, make recommendations for soil health, and establish requirements for vegetated buffer zones and livestock exclusion from surface water. In addition, the RAPs establish nutrient management planning standards, and standards for soil conservation.
Under the RAPs, CSFOs are required to:
- Complete the CSFO certification form annually
- Develop and implement a Nutrient Management Plan,
- Obtain 4 hours of approved water quality training every 5 years,
- Be inspected by the Agency of AG on at least a 7-year cycle
- Comply with the standards set forth in the Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs)
Contact
Statewide Permitting and Nutrient Management Staff
- Brittany Cole - (802) 522-7413 - Brittany.Cole@vermont.gov
Regional Farm Coordinator Contact Information
Additional Resources
Are you concerned about implementing the RAPs, looking for technical or financial assistance, or interested in applying for a cost-share program? Here are some resources for you both within and outside of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.