Regulations for Large Farm Operations (LFO's)

• Introduction
• LFO Definition
• LFO Program Rules
• Apply for a new LFO Permit 
• Maintain/Update an Existing LFO Permit
• Contact

Downloadable Documents & Helpful Links

• LFO Program Rules
• Farms Permitted as Large Farm Operations
• LFO Individual Permit Application - Appendix A: Application for Large Farm Operation Permit
  • LFO Permit Application - Appendix A-1: Facility Information Form
  • LFO Permit Application - Appendix A-2: Waste Storage Facility (WSF) Form 
  • LFO Permit Application - Appendix A-3: Proposed Construction Form
  • LFO Permit Application - Appendix A‐5: Food Processing Waste (Substrate)/Ag Waste Import Form
  • LFO Permit Application - Appendix A‐6: Transfer of Ownership Form
• Annual Reporting Forms
  • LFO Permit Application - Appendix A‐5: Food Processing Waste (Substrate)/Ag Waste Import Form
  • LFO Permit Application - Appendix B: Agricultural Waste Export Agreement Form
  • LFO Permit Application - Appendix C: Water Withdrawal and Use Report
  • LFO Permit Application - Appendix D: Annual Compliance Report
• LFO Notice of Termination
• NRCS Nutrient Management Plan 590 Standard

• The permittee shall ensure that all structures and practices shall be operated and maintained in accordance with the requirements and recommendations detailed in the appropriate practice code in Vermont NRCS Field Office Technical Guide Section IV, or an equivalent standard as recommended in writing by the permittee’s hired professional engineer licensed in the state of Vermont. 

• The permittee shall ensure that adequate waste management structures are managed to assure that there are no direct discharges of wastes from the LFO facility to waters of the state or to prevent groundwater from exceeding state standards. 

• The permittee shall operate and maintain the waste storage facility to prevent direct discharges to waters of the state or to prevent groundwater from exceeding state standards by removal of material to avoid overtopping, and to create space for the ongoing generation of waste. 

• The permittee shall ensure that the LFO facility, cropland, and non-cropland will be managed in compliance with all applicable AAPs and these Rules. 

• The permittee shall ensure that all wastes which are land applied, are applied according to a nutrient management plan which meets the requirements of these Rules. 

• The permittee shall ensure that the LFO facility shall not generate odors of a type different than, or in excess of those from a well-managed similar sized farm of the same animal type using a similar waste management system. The Agency will use the technical components of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers published Standards and Engineering Practices Data, ASAE EP379.1 DEC96, AControl of Manure Odors@ as the standard when addressing livestock or domestic fowl manure odor issues. 

• The permittee shall ensure the LFO facility shall not create noise disturbances in excess of those from a well-managed similar sized farm of the same animal type. 

• The permittee shall ensure the LFO facility shall not generate traffic flows and frequency at a greater level than those from a well-managed similar sized farm of the same animal type. LFO Rules Page 20 

• The permittee shall ensure that the LFO facility will not generate or breed flies, insects, or other pests above a level where adult flies, insects, or other pests moving off the farm premises are in excess of those from a well-managed similar sized farm of the same animal type. 

• The LFO shall implement erosion and sediment control conservation practices when land clearing, field drainage, ditching, or other field preparation or improvement activities, to prevent movement of sediment to waters of the state, groundwater, or across property boundaries. 

• All storage of compost and the resulting leachate shall be managed to prevent a discharge to waters of the state and to prevent groundwater from exceeding state groundwater quality standards, and in accordance with the NMP. 

• Compost and compost leachate shall be collected and spread on land in accordance with a NMP and without causing a discharge to waters of the state or to cause groundwater to exceed state groundwater quality standards, and in accordance with the NMP.

Apply for a New LFO Permit

New LFO operations must carefully review both the LFO Program Rules and the RAPs before completing LFO permit application materials to submit it to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets. These application materials should be submitted before the farm reaches the LFO animal threshold. 

• Appendix A: Application for Large Farm Operation Permit shall be filled out in its entirety, signed and submitted to the Secretary, along with the following forms, as appropriate:

• Appendix A-1: Facility Information Form: must be filled out for all facilities associated with the LFO
• Appendix A-2: Waste Storage Facility Form: must be filled out for each waste storage facility associated with the LFO
• LFO Permit Application Checklist

• NRCS Nutrient Management Plan 590 Standard

Maintain/Update Existing LFO Permit

When requesting permit amendments and modifications, a letter of intent must be submitted to the Secretary for review. Examples of activities that require a permit amendment prior to implementation include, but are not limited to:

• Building animal housing
• Increasing herd size above a permitted number
• Importing wastes such as digester substrates or manure

Appendix D: LFO Annual Compliance Report 

• Checks should be made payable to Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets. Submit all LFO annual operating fees of $2,500.00 to: VAAFM // Attn Jeff Cook  //  116 State Street  // Montpelier, VT 05620

Nutrient Management Planning: As part of the required Annual Reporting Requirements, LFOs must have an up-to-date Nutrient Management Plan and accurate nutrient (manure & fertilizer) application records.​   NRCS Nutrient Management Plan 590 Standard

Contact:

Statewide Permitting and Nutrient Management Staff

• Krista Battles - (802) 522-0011 - Krista.Battles@vermont.gov
• Brittany Cole - (802) 522-7413 - Brittany.Cole@vermont.gov

Regional Farm Coordinator Contact Information