EQIP Helps Vermont Dairy Farmer

The Fourges on their dairy farm in Alburg Springs, Vermont

The NRCS-administered Environmental Incentives Program (EWP) helped the Forgues Family organic dairy farm in northern Vermont better protect the environment while they moved into a more-profitable organic dairy market. For 17 years, Henry and Sally Forgues managed their Alburg Springs dairy using conventional year-round livestock confinement based on corn silage and alfalfa feed. And, like many dairy farmers suffered the economic consequences due to low milk prices. Then, in 1992, the Forgues switched from a traditional confinement system to feeding on well-managed pasture and recently began participating in EQIP. Now their cows are rotated through ten-acre permanent paddocks, where movable fences subdivide the pasture into smaller areas. Additionally, by implementing their "whole farm plan" with EQIP cost share funds, the Forgues will make several other environmental improvements:
- Diverting pasture surface water away from waste storage facilities;
- Providing clean, cool water to animals in the pastures and keeping them out of streams;
- Improving the prescribed grazing management system with additional fencing, animal walkways and stream crossings;
- Implementing a pest management plan to improve and protect herd health and forage quality;
- Continuing implementation of sustainable strategies to enhance healthier and productive forage crops, including frost seeding legumes, liming and timing composted and raw materials, reduced tillage and soil biological monitoring; and
- Beginning a comprehensive nutrient management plan to further reduce pollutants.

Shifting from confinement to grazing had dramatic results. The Forgues increased their herd from 40 animals in 1995 to 90 milkers today, all of which live outside year-round on their 200-acre pasture. After a few years of successful managed grazing, the farm produced milk that qualified for organic certification, and the family began shipping it to Organic Valley, a farmer-owned cooperative that markets milk regionally from farmers in 14 states.

From an article in the November, 2003 Center for Conservation Incentives Newsletter, by Suzy Friedman, Environmental Defense scientist and agricultural policy analyst, at 202-387-3500 or
 sfriedman@environmentaldefense.org.

(image: Bill DiLillo/University of Vermont)