Adapting to Farming in a Flood Plain

Much of Vermont’s most agriculturally important lands are located in low-lying areas prone to flooding. Though flooding enriches soils and enhances farm productivity, it also poses serious challenges to food safety, natural resource management, and long term farm business viability. Fellow farmers, join us in exploring how two established farms in Burlington’s Intervale are navigating the complexities of floodplain farming. Andy Jones of Intervale Community Farm and Dylan Zeitlyn of Diggers’ Mirth Collective Farm will share how their farms are adapting production systems, business models, and expectations as a result of increasing flood severity. Andy and Dylan will also be joined by Patrick Dunseith and Ben Fishbein of the Intervale Center who will discuss landscape wide stewardship, riparian buffer design, the role of native plants in building flood resilience, and the Intervale Center’s strategy as land manager for sustaining agricultural production in these vital lands. Plus, meet Vermont Organic Farmers staff to ask your burning organic certification questions and learn about the Transition to Organic Partnership Program. This workshop earns two RAP Agricultural Water Quality education credits. Lunch included, thanks to our friends at Skinny Pancake.