By Maria Burnett, ECO AmeriCorps serving at VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
The Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance (CRWFA) is hosting their seventh annual meeting this month. It will be from 11am to 3pm on Wednesday, January 17th at the Newmont Farm in Bradford, VT. This year's meeting includes two sessions: "Minerals, Cations, and Liming for Soil Health" and "After the Flood: What to do with flooded and damaged fields." This year's meeting attendees will also reflect on both the past and the future of farming in the Connecticut River Valley, and hear more about what to expect in 2024. Farmers and other land stewards from both sides of the Connecticut River are invited to attend.
The CRWFA is a farmer-led nonprofit organization dedicated to helping agricultural producers in the Connecticut River Watershed in VT and NH improve agricultural land stewardship practices for clean waterways, healthy soil, and productive landscapes. This year, there have been exciting new developments for the Alliance. Mike Snow has recently been brought on board as the organization's first executive director, following a round of strategic planning done over the course of 2023. A member-farmer himself, he has grown and sold vegetables, meat and eggs, and now grows grains and dry beans. He understands the importance of agriculture in the Northeast, and embodies the mission of CRWFA— to represent and advocate for other farmers, help them access resources, and improve water quality throughout the watershed. With the addition of Mike as executive director, the Alliance will have the capacity to continue and expand their work— which includes networking with farmers throughout the watershed, Natural Resource Conservation Districts, State agencies, Extension offices, and other partners on both sides of the Connecticut River.
The farmers alliance supports its members, and the public, with workshops, discussions, resource sharing, and education. News regarding new policies, grant programs, and recent challenges is shared and discussed. Members have a farmer forum, a place for farmers to learn more about farming and conservation practices directly from other Members. The organization also hosts an equipment rental program, allowing farmers to share equipment for practices that can help improve soil health and water quality. They have several no-till drills available to rent (an Aitchison, a Haybuster 107c, and an Esch 5512), and work with the White River NRCD and Cedar Circle Farm to offer a roller crimper, portable scales, and other equipment. Another important aspect of the organization is education and outreach. They host educational workshops on innovative practices such as cover cropping and reduced tillage and provide resources on a variety of topics including how to communicate with legislators and the public. The CRWFA also works with partners to help farmers navigate the various grant programs available through VAAFM, NH Department of Agriculture, and other state and federal agencies.
In 2024, the organization plans to build on their past successes, expanding the equipment rental program, putting on workshops and field days, and collaborating to address issues facing farmers in the Connecticut River Valley and in Vermont and New Hampshire in general.
To learn more about the Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance or the Annual Meeting, contact Mike Snow at crwfa.info@gmail.com or 802-345-9201.
Caption: The CRWFA has a variety of grain drills available to rent at low cost, which is one of the services they offer to farmers in the Connecticut River valley.