Bennington County Conservation District

05/09/2026

On April 25th, we teamed up with our friends from Gardens at Yellow Barn Farm to learn and discuss all the benefits of cover crop planting at any scale. We learned how to build a DIY crimper to terminate the cover crop, leaving behind a thick layer of mulch you can plant into.
Cover cropping is relatively easy to do at a small scale -you don't need any heavy machinery or special tools. Anyone can use cover crops to protect their soil from weeds and pests, erosion, compaction, and nutrient loss while at the same time providing food and shelter for animals such as spiders, birds, insects, snakes, worms, etc...

Would you like to host a workshop or listening session in your community? Contact us!

04/02/2026

🎉 Yesterday, Governor Scott signed S.60, the Farm & Forestry Operations Security Special Fund, into law!—but we’re not done yet.

S.60 is a huge win for Vermont farmers, helping ensure they have the support they need to recover from extreme weather.

But without funding, it won’t become a reality. The legislature must appropriate funds in the FY27 state budget, or farmers won’t receive support when they need it most.

📣 Take action today: Contact your Senator(s) and urge them to fund the Farm Security Fund.

Use our template (and add your own voice!) at the link below:

https://ujoin.co/campaigns/3936/actions/public?action_id=6522

04/01/2026

Join Otter Creek NRCD for a webinar presentation on the emerald ash borer in New England, with updates on current research and efforts to stop its impact on trees.

Emerald ash borer is an "invasive" beetle that infests ash trees, killing them rapidly. Like other non-native species, emerald ash borer did not evolve alongside ash found in the Northern US; it has a story of its own, and understanding it can better help ash basketmakers, foresters, farmers, and all those who care about these trees to better protect them.

This talk will include what we know about emerald ash borer's past before it arrived in America in 2002, what is happening across New England as it interacts with our ash trees, and highlights from research being done to ease its impact.
Join online at https://tinyurl.com/ottercreekashborer

04/01/2026

Major Update!
We’re excited to share an important update to the BVIF Manager position.

This role will now include $20,000 in annual base compensation from BVIF in addition to the support package available through a full-time AmeriCorps VISTA service term. That includes a $24,962 living allowance paid bi-weekly by AmeriCorps, plus eligibility upon successful completion for either a $7,395 Education Award or a $1,800 end-of-service cash stipend. The position may also include a $750 relocation allowance for eligible members relocating to Vermont, as well as access to a health reimbursement plan through IMG Global.

We’re thrilled to be able to strengthen this position and make it a more accessible and compelling opportunity for someone ready to help lead and grow the Bennington Veteran Incubator Farm.

Are you a veteran who’s excited about farming, community building, and starting something meaningful from the ground up?

04/01/2026

Join us on April 14, 5:30–7:00 PM for an evening with Vermont forester, bestselling author, and digital storyteller Ethan Tapper.

Ethan will share a powerful vision for what it means to truly care for forests in a changing world.

This event is part of the NEA Big Read, celebrating creativity, connection, and community through the lens of our shared landscape.

03/27/2026

Our sincere apologies!

Due to a technical issue, the public comment form was temporarily removed from our website. The issue has now been resolved, and the form is back online!

https://www.bccdvt.org/public-comment-act-59-draft-expanded-framework

Because of the time lost, we kindly ask that you submit your comments by the end of today so they can be included in our report to VHCB.

If you continue to experience any issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

If you missed the regional Act 59 Listening Session, you can still make your voice heard by sharing your thoughts on the Draft Expanded Framework…

03/19/2026

See you tonight!

The Bennington County Conservation District invites community members to participate in a stakeholder-led listening session focused on the Draft…

03/16/2026

Thursday, March 19, 2026 — 4:00 PM — The Arlington Common, Arlington, VT. RSVP encouraged (free food!).

Hey! Did you know that we’re hosting a Act 59 Regional Stakeholder Listening Session – Southwestern Vermont​​ at the Arlington Common?

We want you to know that we have no preformed position. We have been hearing a lot of negative feedback from many of you, and we want to make sure that:

(a) YOU know that we are on YOUR side and,
(b) YOUR VOICE reaches those who need to hear it.

We are approaching this with healthy skepticism, armed with the context and knowledge to help you understand why this is important.

Registration is encouraged - We will be providing a free dinner to all participants, and we want to make sure we provide enough for everyone!

Register on our event page: https://www.bccdvt.org/2026-03-19-vermont-conservation-plan-act-59-regional-stakeholder-listening-session-southwestern-vermont

Carpool link: https://groupcarpool.com/t/bz2rwh?fbclid=IwY2xjawQlW6RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeVsh87rY8AYTd1aHM-rYpZqJ-0NS4rZ2hN-JzUhhpyNM1FSUt9Ohmh8Nb3UY_aem_RRKEY5Za9fb-Oivr6UnjMw

See you then!

The Bennington County Conservation District invites community members to participate in a stakeholder-led listening session focused on the Draft…

03/11/2026

Kyrra April, Kate Bryan, and Susan Toth from the Arlington Area Alliance of Non-Profits stop by to talk about the upcoming Volunteer Fair on March 27 from 3:00 to 5:30 PM at the Martha Canfield Memorial Free Library.
The event brings together local nonprofits and community members interested in getting involved. It is a chance to meet organizations working across the Arlington area, learn about their missions, and discover the many ways you can volunteer and make a difference locally.

03/10/2026

Reminder: Join us for a regional listening session on 3/19 at 4:00PM to review the Draft Expanded Framework Report and share your thoughts.

More info here: https://www.bccdvt.org/2026-03-19-vermont-conservation-plan-act-59-regional-stakeholder-listening-session-southwestern-vermont

Please share, and comment below any thoughts you may have