High phosphorus inputs from the Missisquoi Watershed in Vermont and Quebec have made Missisquoi Bay one of the most eutrophic areas of Lake Champlain. Although not the only source of nonpoint source pollution, runoff from agricultural fields contributes to the high phosphorus levels that may cause excessive aquatic vegetation growth and toxic blue-green algae.

To help farmers minimize runoff of excess nutrients from farmland, Bourdeaus' and Bushey Inc., a feed and farm supply store in Middlebury, and UVM Extension teamed up to develop customized nutrient management plans for 30 small livestock farms in the Missisquoi Watershed. Although the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets requires medium and large farms to have such a plan, the same regulations do not apply to farms with fewer than 200 mature animals. The two-year project, which concluded in 2009, was funded by a $200,000 federal appropriation to the International Joint Commission and implemented by the Lake Champlain Basin Program and the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission.

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