The Vermont Dairy Farm of the Year program is welcoming nominations for its 2026 award.
This annual award is presented by the University of Vermont Extension and the Vermont Dairy Industry Association, in cooperation with the New England Green Pastures Program. The latter program goes back to 1947, when the then-governor of New Hampshire challenged fellow New England states to "produce better pastures" than his state, betting "a hat they can't do it." The program has since evolved to honor one dairy farm from each New England state annually.
The winning Vermont Dairy Farm of the Year is selected based on excellence in:
- agronomic practices
- herd management
- quality milk production
- land stewardship
- innovative practices
To learn more about the award and see previous winners, you can visit uvm.edu/extension/dairy-farm-year.
Farm nominations for 2026 are due no later than May 1. They may be filled out online, mailed to Peggy Manahan, University of Vermont Extension, 278 South Main Street, St. Albans, Vermont 05478 or emailed to Peggy.Manahan@uvm.edu.