Vermont Farm Bureau Encourages Chittenden County Equine Farms and Owners to Apply for the 2012 Horse Farm of Distinction Award

Chittenden County Farm Bureau announces that they are accepting applications for their 2012 “Horse Farm of Distinction Award. They invite horse farm owners in the County to compete for the honor awarded annually at the Chittenden County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in October. Farm Bureau recognizes the equine industry’s vital role in preserving Vermont’s beauty through open fields and pastures and its invaluable contribution to the state’s agricultural economy. In 2011 Chittenden County Farm Bureau established the “Horse Farm of Distinction” to recognize and present to the public those Vermont farmers who set high standards and achieve a level of excellence in all aspects of equine activity. Two awards were presented at Chittenden County Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in September to Melinda Hinsdale of Steeple Ridge Farm and Pamela Goldfield of Missy Ann Stables. Both recipients received signs to display on their properties distinguishing them as a “Horse Farm of Distinction”. Steeple Ridge Farm was recently featured in the Fall issue of “Vermont Fences” magazine.
Vermont Farm Bureau would like to encourage all equine owners in Chittenden County to apply for this prestigious award. Applications are now available and will be accepted until June 1, 2012. "Horse Farm of Distinction" Application.

Chittenden County farms are judged by qualified equine professionals on a number of criteria within the categories of horse health, farm management, and public standards:

• Safe and secure housing and fencing for equines, including riding surfaces
• Pasture management
• Farm management covering maintenance, equipment, nutrition, veterinary care and handling
• Control of pests and vermin
• Fire protection and prevention
• “Curb Appeal” – overall general appearance of farm and facilities
• Must demonstrate a relationship with the community, i.e. hold open houses, clinics, welcome visitors, or interact with local schools.
Other counties are working on creating their own “Horse Farm of Distinction” Committees.

USDA TO MEASURE MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCTION

Concord, NH – Starting in April, the U.S. Department of

Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct its annual Maple Syrup Inquiry. The New England field office is responsible for publishing the official USDA maple production statistics for five New England States (excluding Rhode Island). “The annual survey of maple producers is supported by the North American Maple Syrup Council, and the statistics generated are the basis for many decisions made by producers and maple industry representatives throughout the region,” said Gary Keough, director of the NASS New England Field Office.

Questionnaires will be mailed to producers in April when the

sugaring season is winding down. To make it as easy as possible for producers to participate, reporting can be done via mail, telephone, internet, or personal interview. Those who do not complete their forms will be contacted in May and asked to complete the survey by telephone.

As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law and is exempt from requests under the Freedom of Information Act. NASS safeguards the confidentiality of all responses, ensuring no individual respondent or operation can be identified.

The national survey results will be available in the Crop Production Report from Washington, D.C. on June 12, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.  All reports are available on the Internet at www.nass.usda.gov within minutes of the scheduled release time.