On Monday, Governor Scott, along with representatives from the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development(ACCD), participated in the Aerospace Innovation Forum 2018, hosted by Aero Montreal. The Governor and ACCD were joined by seven Vermont businesses in the aerospace industry: MSI, Stephens Precision, Sathorn Corporation, Microwire Transmission, Liquid Measurement Systems, SemiProbe, and Vermont Aerospace.

Vermont agriculture, food, beverage, forest, and fiber product associations provide support to the development of Vermont's economy and the viability of our working landscape businesses. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is committed to assist these organizations by providing funding for marketing projects that enhance the work they are doing.

As part of an ongoing community series, Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) Secretary Julie Moore will host a conversation on April 24th in Montpelier. The series, Tell Me More with Secretary Moore, is a chance for the public to hear from and talk directly with the Secretary and Agency staff about environmental issues that are top of mind for many Vermonters. At next week's discussion, Secretary Moore will be joined by Becca Washburn, Director of Lands Administration & Recreation for ANR's Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Together, they will lead a conversation on the Agency's role in long-term, responsible stewardship of public lands.

Governor Phil Scott and members of his Administration, the Opioid Coordination Council and the Legislature welcomed family members of Vermonters who've died as a result of an opioid overdose to commemorate Vermont's second annual Opioid Overdose Awareness Day.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released the statewide performance results from the 2017 assessments in reading and mathematics.

Governor Phil Scott announced the arrival of an AT&T Cell Site on Wheels (COW) at Grace Cottage Hospital, which will reinforce and enhance wireless network coverage for the hospital and the surrounding area.

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is hosting a meeting to provide an opportunity for public input on the draft long-range management plan for Mt. Philo State Park. The meeting will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Charlotte Central School on Hinesburg Road in Charlotte, Vermont.

The State of Vermont has issued a Do Not Drink order to tenants of the Rutland Airport Business Park after per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were found in the business park’s water system. PFAS are a family of chemicals associated with firefighting foam and other manufacturing processes. PFOS and PFOA are two chemicals that belong to this family. All business park tenants have been offered bottled water and the State is working with the water system operator and consultants to swiftly design and install a treatment system that will remove the contaminants from the water system.

In a new report released by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM), Vermont schools called for an increased sourcing of Vermont-branded milk. While Vermont dairy farmers supply most of the milk served in Vermont schools, respondents reported difficulty finding milk from local distributors that also meet federal nutrition standards. The statewide survey, designed to inform the dairy industry about how Vermont schools engage with fluid milk, provides valuable information to help milk processors, bottlers, and distributors connect directly with schools.

This week the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Boston regional office announced that the Vermont Agency of Agriculture has made significant progress toward meeting the state's water quality goals.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released Vermont's clean water report card today. The report evaluates the state's efforts to implement the Lake Champlain phosphorus reduction goals. The EPA commended the State's work in meeting nearly 90 percent of its water quality milestones, and for making significant progress toward the remaining milestones.

It's almost time for spring turkey hunting in Vermont. Youth spring turkey hunting weekend is April 28 and 29 this year, and the regular spring turkey season is May 1-31.

April 1st marks the end of Vermont's winter manure spreading ban for non-frequently flooded fields in Vermont, but with another cold and wet spring bringing adverse field conditions to most of Vermont, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is issuing a spring stewardship reminder to ensure that farmers are aware that water quality rules will restrict manure spreading activities until the weather and individual field conditions improve. The Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs), newly revised in December of 2016, prohibits the application of manure on frozen or snow-covered ground, or to any fields where field conditions are conducive to runoff into Vermont's waters.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) awarded $74,000 to nine Vermont produce growers making on-farm improvements that prevent or reduce produce safety risks. Prompted by high demand, VAAFM's Produce Program issued a second round of funding to help Vermont producers continue to grow food safely, efficiently, and economically.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is pleased to announce five Local Food Market Development (LFMD) Grants, totaling $50,000, awarded to support projects that will assist Vermont farmers, businesses, and food system service providers in reaching new markets with an institutional or other wholesale focus in Vermont.

The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) announced today that the emerald ash borer (EAB) has been detected in two additional Vermont counties. Samples were collected in Washington County and Caledonia County on March 16th during a survey for the insect. Samples collected from three Vermont counties have now been confirmed to be emerald ash borer by USDA taxonomists.

The Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) is developing the next State Plan on Aging, a guiding document that outlines how the State of Vermont and the network of Agencies on Aging and service providers will strive to meet the changing needs of older Vermonters over time. The draft plan is online at: http://asd.vermont.gov/ under "Latest News."

Vermont Fish & Wildlife has extended its deadline to apply for shooting range improvement grants to April 15.

The Vermont Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of norovirus at The Windjammer Restaurant and its affiliated Upper Deck Pub in South Burlington, following more than 50 reports of illness and nine lab-confirmed cases of norovirus infection.

Next time you toss that banana peel in the trash, you may want to consider composting it instead. Each year, Vermonters throw away almost 100,000 tons of organics, like food scraps and yard debris, all of which could be composted or managed in better ways. This waste adds up, filling landfills and contributing to massive greenhouse gas emissions.