Grass-based farming has the ability to provide many beneficial impacts to Vermont’s environmental, economic and social wellbeing. Well-managed grass-based livestock farms buffer nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus (Winsten 2004), hold soil in place through roots and biological aggregation, reduce soil compaction (a contributor to nutrient run off), and create greater water-holding capacity (NRCS 2003)(Rotz et al. 2009).  Additional beneficial impacts include protection of wildlife habitat, management of invasive plant species, and adaptation to conditions within a changing climate (Franzluebbers et al. 2012). Well-managed grass-based livestock farms have been shown to have financial viability and high quality of life (Colby 2012).

For all of these reasons, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is partnering with UVM Extension's pasture programs to provide technical assistance for improved pasture management and exclusion of livestock from surface water.