Specifications include, but are not limited to: Interview local staff and gather existing research to compliment the contractor’s research from other state NMP standards in search of program options - this may include a compilation of concepts from various states that could be easily administered by VAAFM and implemented by the farm community to improve the current NMP program in Vermont. In conjunction with the research, the contractor will assess various models of NMP development, implementation, and administration from other states and provide an assessment of what these options could mean for Vermont water quality goals and water quality standards if they were implemented here in conjunction with or as replacement to the current NMP standard in Vermont. The results of the research will be shared with AAFM and reviewed with the NMP Commission as a starting place to discuss whether an alternative standard might be preferable or whether fine tuning our current standard is the best option for water quality and a farm’s ability to implement and follow the NMP standards.
