Let Vermontica Work for You

Need a great way to raise money for your 4-H Club? Want a "piece of Vermont" at a local community fair or event? Then consider hosting an appearance of Vermontica, the state’s official dairy spokes-calf.

Thanks to support from the Vermont Dairy Promotion Council, the Vermont Department of Agriculture offers farmers, or 4-H clubs $100 for each day that Vermontica appears. This program is paid for by dairy farmer check-off dollars, and is overseen by the Vermont Dairy Promotion Council.

The Vermont Department of Agriculture provides coloring books and a banner as well as payment of $100 for any approved Vermontica appearance. Farmers need to comply with the uniform animal health standards recommended for fairs, field days and festivals before taking one of their calves to an event in the role as Vermontica. This standard is available online at www.state.vt.us/agric. Any calf appearing as Vermontica must be vaccinated for rabies.

Vermontica makes an average of 40 appearances each year but there are many more creative opportunities out there. Vermontica is a great way to get kids in the know about dairy products, animals and farming! Contact the organizers of any community childrens’ festivals or harvest days and ask them if they would like to include a dairy calf in their fun.

For more information about Vermontica, contact Denise Russo at 802-828-3835 or drusso@agr.state.vt.us.