WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A ban on spreading manure and other agricultural waste on fields took effect across Vermont at midnight Monday and will remain in place until April 1 or as long as fields are frozen, saturated or snow-covered, according to a Monday news release.
During the 107-day ban, farmers must have a storage structure to hold all agricultural manure and runoff, or stack it in a way that meets state standards and is away from water sources or exposed bedrock.
The ban is a provision of Vermont’s Required Agricultural Practices and has been in place since 1995. Per state law, all farms in Vermont must follow standards intended to protect water quality.
On frozen, snow-covered or saturated fields, manure and other materials such as compost and spoiled feed do not soak effectively into the ground and are more likely to run off into waterways when the ground thaws.
Farmers with questions or who want to request an emergency exemption can contact Nate Sands at 802-224-6850 or Laura DiPietro at 802-595-1990.