UVM Extension

09/04/2026

09/02/2026

If you live in Vermont, you live in bear country. The good news is that Vermont's black bear population is healthy and growing, a sign of successful wildlife conservation. The bad news is that more bears can mean more opportunities for human-wildlife interactions, including around backyard compost piles.

However! When managed properly, compost piles generally do not attract wildlife. A short course offered by University of Vermont Extension, called "From Scraps to Soil," will show participants how to compost successfully while minimizing wildlife conflicts. It starts Sept. 11, 2026.

Interested? Register at go.uvm.edu/vtcompostingcourse, which you can also find at the link in our bio!

Photos by Debra Heleba and Elodie Reed.

08/27/2026

Yesterday, the UVM College of Agriculture and Life Sciences came together for our annual retreat at the Horticulture Research and Education Center.

Dean Linda Prokopy and President Marlene Tromp shared updates with the group, while Asim Zia and Stephanie Hurley updated us on the progress of our Strategic Alignment Plan.

It was a great opportunity to connect, reflect on our work, and look ahead to what’s next for CALS.

08/27/2026

CDAE Professor David Conner is a researcher on Supporting Midsize Producers, emphasizing the vitality of these farms for long-term resilience in food systems, rural communities, the economy, and the environment.

At land-grant universities such as UVM, researchers and partners help understand and support mid-size farm vitality. This interdisciplinary research brought together over 30 scholars across 18 states to reinvigorate the "Agriculture of the Middle" goal.

For more project highlights, read through slide 2.

08/25/2026

Tax laws and regulations are constantly changing, and Extension's Tax School helps Vermont tax professionals stay up to date through continuing education.

Each year, approximately 300 participants, including CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and other tax preparers, receive continuing education on new legislation, regulations, ethics, estate and gift taxes, retirement plans, and other current tax topics.

The 2026 Tax School will be offered Nov. 3-4 in South Burlington and Nov. 10-11 in Killington, with online participation available.

Learn more about Extension's Tax School and this year's programs at the link in our bio.

08/21/2026

Youth from across Vermont competed at the State 4-H Dairy Show this month

Held on Aug. 9 and 10 at the grounds of Addison County Fair & Field Days, the event included Fitting and Show classes based on participant age and conformation classes based on breed and age of the animal.

Of the 70 4-H'ers who participated, 30 youth and their animals will go on to represent Vermont 4-H at the Eastern States Exposition in September.

The Fitting and Show class champions are as follows:

Junior Fitting & Show Champion: Ella Purchase, Orleans County
Junior Reserve: Katelyn Sibley, Orleans County
Junior Honorable Mention: Kobe Rooney, Franklin County

Senior Fitting & Show Champion: Sylvia Johnson, Orange County
Senior Reserve: Caroline Allen, Addison County
Senior Honorable Mention: Tenley Chittenden, Addison County

Congratulations to all the 2026 Vermont 4-H Dairy Show competitors!

08/20/2026

Are you part of the BIPOC farmer, farmworker, land steward, or ally community?

Join the Wellness Fair for Farmers on Sunday, August 30, from 12-5 at New Suns Community for an afternoon dedicated to rest, health, and community care.

The event will include free food, massage, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, Qi Gong, yoga, mechanics of movement, and wellness care packages to take home!

It's a completely free event, and the RSVP link is in our bio!

08/19/2026

For the summer of 2026, University of Vermont Extension had the support, creativity and enthusiasm of nine UVM interns, plus one local high school graduate, as it continued its work of cultivating healthy communities.

Students gained skills and hands-on experience throughout the state and across many different fields, including multimedia production, identifying fungal pathogens in local strawberry plants and gardening and cooking with high schoolers.

Learn more about Extension's summer internships and their impacts at the link in our bio.

08/18/2026

At Brattleboro Union High School, students learned a skill integral to Vermont landscapes.

Through the CAVE Program (Culinary Agriculture Vocational Education) and with generous volunteer work from stone-walling extraordinaire Dan Snow, students built a stone wall over about 24 hours.

The 10-foot wall was assembled with nothing but stone (mostly schist). It was done without concrete or mortar, just gravity, physics, and careful craftsmanship. How, you may ask? Through learning the tricks of the Vermont trade!

The project was also made possible by the support of UVM Extension 4-H Educator Camille Kauffman and Extension Food Systems Intern Lex Singh.

To learn more, click the link in bio!

08/17/2026

Congratulations to the participants at the 2026 Vermont 4-H Shooting Sports Jamboree in St. Johnsbury!
On July 17-19 at the Caledonia Forest & Stream Club, over 100 youth ages 8–18 competed in archery, hunting skills, muzzleloader (Seneca Run), pistol, rifle, and shotgun.

Unlike many shooting competitions, the Vermont 4-H Shooting Sports Jamboree emphasizes more than scores. Through the safe and responsible use of archery equipment and fi****ms, youth develop discipline, focus, decision-making skills, confidence, leadership, and respect for others

Award rankings:

Novice Division Overall Championship:
Clementine Masheck, Green Mountain 4-H Shooting Sports Club

Junior Division Overall Championship:
Shane Bradley, Green Mountain 4-H Shooting Sports 4-H Club

Senior Division Overall Championship:
Asa Johns, Caledonia Sharp Shooters 4-H Club

Click the link in bio to read more