In 2026, the Northwest Crops and Soils Program is hosting a series of dairy farm tours. The purpose? To hear real stories from local farmers who are staying efficient, profitable, and future-proof for a changing dairy landscape.

The series will highlight practical approaches to:

  • milk quality and on-farm testing
  • crop and herd management
  • alternative income opportunities
  • securing funding 
  • on-farm precision ag tools that improve decision-making

This work is supported by Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2025-70027-45395, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, as well as Stonyfield Organics and University of Vermont Extension.

Upcoming events

Farm Tour at Severy Farm, Cornwall, VT

Forage Irrigation Using Brown Water

Thursday, June 25, 2026

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This workshop will discuss forage irrigation using brown water. Joshua Faulkner will discuss trial results as well as forage quality and yields. Attendees will also be able to see Nate Severy’s irrigation system and ask questions.

A yellow, boxy robot on treads in a grassy field against a blue sky.
UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program will test out six BOTONY™ robotic weeders this year. Photo by Shannon MacDonald.

Farm Tour at Henry Farm and the Ladd Farm, Alburgh, VT

Precision Agriculture in Action: Herd Health Monitoring Systems & Robotic Weeding on Dairy Farms

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Explore the latest in precision ag technology with live demos, conversations, and a farm tour all in one day. Join UVM Extension specialists for a demonstration of BOTONY™ robotic weeders at Henry Farm, then head to Ladd Family Farm for a Stonyfield-provided lunch and discussion about smaXtec herd health monitoring technology. 

These events and the others in the series are free to attend, but online registration is required.

Two logos. One is a blue square with a white circle over a white cross and white "x" next to the words Northeast Extension Risk Management Education. The second logo is the blue text USDA over a green hill-like shapes. Next to it is text in black reading National Institute of Food and Agriculture. U.S. Department of Agriculture.