Committee reviews winter manure‑spreading rules, agency outlines exemption process and operational experience

The Agriculture Committee reviewed Vermont’s winter manure‑spreading rules and a seasonal exemption process that allows limited spreading outside the December 15–April 1 prohibition. Laura DiPietro, director of water quality at the Agency of Agriculture, explained the rules’ history and the agency’s recent operational approach.

DiPietro told the committee the earliest versions of the state guidance date to 1986 and were intended to define “accepted agricultural practices.” The winter ban became date‑based in 1995; under current statutory language the default prohibition runs December 15 to April 1, and the agency has authority in some cases to extend the period 15 days earlier or 30 days later.

The agency described two kinds of exceptions: individual emergency exemptions and a seasonal exemption process created…