All dairies with 200-699 mature animals, whether milking or dry, qualify as a MFO. Other common MFOs include beef operations (300-999 cattle or cow/calf pairs), youngstock and heifer operations (300-999 youngstock or heifers), horse operations (150-499 horses), turkey operations (16,500-54,999 turkeys), and egg facilities (25,000-81,999 laying hens without a liquid manure handling system).

The MFO program provides a common-sense, Vermont-based, cost-effective alternative to a potentially burdensome federal permitting program by allowing medium sized farms to seek coverage under a single Vermont state General Permit. The General Permit prohibits discharges of wastes from a farm's production area to waters of the state and requires manure, compost, and other wastes to be land applied according to a nutrient management plan.

The General Permit for Medium Farm Operations is required to be updated every five years. The latest revision was made available for official public comment on February 21, 2012 and 3 public hearings were held during the comment period. The official public comment period closed on April 3, 2012 and based on written comments received and the public hearings, additional revisions and responses to comments were made

The General Permit was issued effective on July 18, 2012.

Farms Previously Seeking Coverage under the General Permit for Medium Farm Operations (pdf)

Downloads:

General Permit for Medium Farm Operations (pdf)

Medium Farm Operations Responsiveness Summary from Public Comment Period (pdf)

Medium and Small Farm Operation Rules for Issuance of General and Individual Permits (pdf)

Appendices:

Appendix A: Notice of Intent to Comply (pdf)

Appendix B: Notice of Transfer of Operation/Ownership (pdf)

Appendix C: Notice of Termination (pdf)

Appendix D: Annual Compliance Report (pdf)

Appendix E: Incident Report (pdf)

For more information on the MFO Program, contact:

            Franklin, Lamoille, and Essex Counties

            Trevor Lewis at 828-6908 or trevor.lewis@state.vt.us

            Chittenden, Caledonia, Grand Isle, Orange, Orleans, Washington, Windsor, and Windham Counties

            Abbi Pajak at 828-1397 or abbi.pajak@state.vt.us

            Addison, Bennington, and Rutland Counties