Nominations are still being accepted for the 2025 Vermont Dairy Farm of the Year (VDFY) award, which recognizes an exemplary dairy operation with a strong commitment to dairying.

Nominations will close on May 1 with the winner announced this summer. Anyone may nominate a farm. Previous nominees that did not win may be nominated again. Farmers also may self-nominate.

For the nomination form and information on past winners, go to http://go.uvm.edu/vdfy.

This prestigious award is presented annually by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension and the Vermont Dairy Industry Association in cooperation with the New England Green Pastures Program. Nominees are evaluated by a judging committee, comprised of past VDFY winners, on their overall farm management, innovative practices, milk quality, crops, pasture quality, conservation practices and promotion of the dairy industry, among other criteria.

The winning farm will receive a commemorative sign to display and will be featured on “Across the Fence,” UVM Extension's daily farm, home and community show on WCAX-TV. The Vermont winner and family members also will be the invited guests at a special awards banquet at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, in September.

The New England Green Pastures Program began in 1947 as a way to publicly acknowledge farms with the “greenest pastures” in the region. A Connecticut farm, one of 3,000 farms nominated, was the winner that year. In 1961, selection of a regional winner was eliminated and instead, each state now recognizes its own outstanding dairy operation.

To request a paper copy of the nomination form or for questions, contact Peggy Manahan at (800) 639-2130 or peggy.manahan@uvm.edu.