Interview #3

Johanna Paradee, farm resident in St. Alban’s, VT

CC: Could you explain how your farm/surrounding farms have been affected by the attempted prevention of phosphorus runoff into Lake Champlain?

JP: Specifically speaking the state brought us a letter last spring in regards to our manure pit running over. They had run warning after warning in the papers and the news for farmers not to spread because the land had not unthawed. Since the land had not unthawed if the weather changed and a rain occurred (or in some places including our farm the snow melted) the manure would run into the Missisquoi river, the most polluted tributary of Lake Champlain, which borders a large piece our property. We chose to abide by the warning because it would also save damage to our fields from the shifts in frost from warming and cooling that had occurred last spring. Soon, due to the readily snow fall at night and warming days, a trickle of manure ran from our pit into the brook below (which then runs down into the river). A neighbor, who's not very neighborly, called the state and they came. 

 As students growing up in Vermont we are educated from a young age on the Champlain Valley water basin and all the action we can do to prevent the pollution. Tributaries, Buffer strip policies, foreign plant invasions, and in the field community service are all apart of our schooling. However, it comes down to more than that when they're telling you to do one thing and then reprimand you for another. While we simply got a warning, no fines, the hassle to respond to the letter and deal with the state agency took time. And while the time may seem miniscual to many we run a 200 milking cow farm, with additional heifers, calves and dry cows between 6 men, 2 being part time, theres never enough time in the day to get done crop work, barn tending, and maintenance that are necessary to keep the farm afloat. 

CC: What regulations have been pushed onto your farm/surrounding farms?

JP: We report to the government that we are a 200 cow farm, half are milked in one brothers farm, and the other half across the road in the other brothers. Originally owned by the father all cropland is shared as well as equipment. We are considered a medium sized farm so we do not need to abide by the rules of being away from tributaries, or ordered to create buffer zones between our properties. However, we have often been apart of studies to fund these activities like planting various tree species that are not considered to be species and would grow there naturally if our ancestors had not cut them down to prevent erosion along the tributary that runs through land lease named Tyler Branch, running into the river just west of our property. 

CC: Is there concern throughout your town about potential future regulations?

JP: Some day small and medium farms will not exist. We strive hard to get by but without support it is unclear where the Vermont Dairy industry is headed. Before this time it is suggested that all regulations will apply to us, adding more stress to many poor farms, and possibly becoming the quitting point for many families. 

CC: Do these regulations affect the day-to-day functions of the farm?

JP: Time. Time is huge on the farm. To keep things safe and orderly for both farmworkers and livestock we would have to go go go 24/7/365. You never find a farmer wide awake, you never find a farmer wide awake without a few cups of coffee, but you will often find a farmer who will talk about the new rules and regulations. As someone who plans to fight like hell for the farm life, but who spent summer after summer on the shores of the Mississquoi Bay, the bridge between the conservationist and the farmers needs to be built. Farmers aren't opposed to protecting their land they just need to be able to use their voices to speak of why the boneheaded ways of the city men are failing time and again. 

 ​Like our land on Tyler Branch, we planted 1,200 trees, 4 years ago, and there isn't a single one yet. Creating roots in the soil was a good idea, but before the roots had a chance at holding the soil the sandy river bank cut back into the fields, swallowing the trees. If additional stonework, and trust me farmers are always looking to get rid of stone, had been done to the branch bank the trees could have matured. Naturally forests spread, creating a buffer zone, and we maintain our woods for both future maple production and firewood. Time will be needed, there will be assistance required from both sides, but if communication existed things could someday work. Not one person will have the answer, but back to the time issue, when meetings on such topics and grant writing is done it seems to be when most folks get out of work, and farmers head to the barn for their second milking.