Agency Fees

Current Fees for Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Licenses and Certificates

Fee menu:

• Certificate of Free Sale
• Certification of Seed Potatoes
• Commercial Applicators of pesticides
• Dealer Repair Person for weighing devices
• Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
• Fertilizer Tonnage
• Fertilizer & Soil Amendments
• Frozen Dessert Manufacturing 
• General Powers of the Secretary – global late fee
• Heavy Duty Scales
• Hopper Scales
• Insecticides, Fungicides, & Rodenticides - registration of economic poisons
• Laser Scanning Checkout System licenses
• Late Fee for Milk Handlers License
• License for operation of weighing & measuring devices - motor fuel meters (gas pumps)
• Licensing Pet Shops
• Lime Manufacturers
• Livestock Dealers and Packers License
• Livestock Transporter
• Maple Dealers
• Maple Processors
• Meat Handlers License
• Meat Retail prepackaged meats & Farmer’s Market license
• Meat Retail Small Vendor
• Meat Retail Large Vendor
• Medium Capacity, Portable Platform Scales
• Milk Handler Fee Per Pasteurizer
• Milk Handlers License - purchase, sold, assembled, transported or processed in Vermont - per pound/day scale
• Milking Equipment Registration
• Non-commercial applicators of pesticides
• Nursery License - Greater 25,000 sq ft or Smaller 25,000 sq ft
• Pesticide A Dealers
• Pesticide B Dealers
• Pesticide C retail license
• Pesticide Company License
• Private applicators of pesticides – landowners
• Propane Fill Station
• Propane Truck Meter
• Public Warehouses that handle meat & dairy
• Public Weighmasters License
• Registration of Custom Manure Applicators
• Registration of Dosage Forms Animal Health
• Registration of Feed Products
• Seed Dealers
• Small Scales
• State agencies & municipalities & public education institutions applicators
• Vehicle Tank Meters
• Wild Plants – Ginseng

This is a late fee that can be accessed on any Agency of Agriculture license, registration or certification that is late.  The Secretary may assess a late fee of $27.00, provided that the late fee is no greater than the fee due, in which case the late fee shall equal the fee due, for any license, registration, permit, or certification renewal that is received more than 30 days past expiration unless a higher late renewal fee is otherwise prescribed by statute;

Certificates of Free sale are utilized by Vermont companies as documentation required for export of products to counties that require this paperwork.  The certificate of free sale verifies that the product is produced in Vermont and is available for sale.  

Registration of Dosage Form - Animal Health

Registration program that registers feed products distributed in the state – livestock feed and pet food.  The funds support the inspection and testing program to verify that the feed meets standards for energy, protein and fat content as well as responding to issues related to adulterated feed products.

Registers and inspects lime manufacturers in the State.  There are several lime products – granular lime, powdered lime, lime with other nutrients mixed in etc.  Agency analyzes for quality of lime and lime products.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment

Fertilizer tonnage funds support the inspection and testing program to verify that the fertilizer meets standards for Nitrogen, phosphorus and Potassium as listed on the label as well as water quality programs.

Registration of Fertilizer and Soil Amendment Products

This license applies to people who purchase more than 1,000 gallons of syrup a year for any purpose.  People purchasing less than 1,000 gallons do not need to license.

This license applies to businesses or people who purchase more than 2,500 gallons of maple syrup for any purpose.  The Agency verifies records, labeling and proper handling and processing of maple syrup. 

Certifies potatoes that will be used as seed potatoes grown in the state of Vermont.  Verify that the seed potatoes are free of diseases (viruses, blackleg, ring rot) and are varietal pure before the potatoes are sold for seed throughout Vermont as well as out of state.

Registers and monitors businesses that sell seeds in VT.   Inspect seeds for proper germination, purity,  freedom from weed seeds, and also documents Genetically Engineered seed types and quantities sold in the State.

License for people or commercial businesses that buy and sell livestock as well as transport those livestock to a new location.  Does not apply to farmers moving livestock to sale or from pasture.   

License is for people or commercial businesses that only transport livestock for other people.  Do not buy and sell animals just provide transport.   Does not apply to farmers that are moving their own livestock between farms or pastures.

Agency licenses public warehouses that provide commercial space for businesses to store agricultural products.  Storing greater than 1,000 pounds of milk, cream, butter, cheese, eggs, meat, poultry and fruit.  Inspection to determine sanitary conditions. 

Agency registers all pesticides for sale in Vermont.  The manufacturer of the pesticide pays the fee..  Agency verifies that product is legal for sale in Vermont and has proper labeling to meet any additional restriction that Vermont has placed on the use of this pesticide. 

Pesticide A – license for pesticides distributors of restricted use pesticides. Sales and distribution of restricted use pesticides are limited to certified applicators in Vermont.  Inspection to determine proper storage and handling and that all pesticides are legal for sale in Vermont and to ensure sales are being made only to certified and trained pesticide applicators.

Pesticide B – license for retail outlets that market a volume and type of pesticides generally greater than 3% active ingredient and lawn and garden pesticide products.  Inspection to determine proper storage and handling and that all pesticides are legal for sale in Vermont.  Hardware stores, Lawn and Garden Stores etc.

Pesticide C – retail license is for stores that sell prepackaged or ready to use pesticides like Raid, insect repellants, and bleach.  Agency ensures that stores are storing pesticides correctly.

Training, testing and certification of commercial applicators of pesticides – example pest control companies, lawn care services or person working for agricultural company applying pesticides.  Ensures sure properly trained and tested to be able to apply pesticides safely.  There are a variety of categories for certification based on the type of applications being made.  Maximum per individual trained and tested $120 = 4 categories.  So more than 4 categories of certification and $120 is the maximum fee.

Training, testing and certification of non-commercial pesticide applicators.  Example – superintendents of Golf Course.  Application of pesticide is a part of the business but is not intended for use outside of the business or business property.  Makes sure properly trained and tested to be able to apply pesticides safely.  Maximum charge an individual trained and tested $120 = 4categories.  So greater than categories of certification and $120 is the maximum fee.

Training, testing and certification for state agencies and municipalities who make recommendations on pesticide use as well as application.  Examples – Extension Agents making pesticide recommendations to growers.  Makes sure properly trained and tested to be able to use or recommend use of pesticides safely.  Maximum charge for an individual trained and tested $120 = 4categories.  So greater than 4 categories and $120 is the maximum fee.

Training, testing and certification for private applicators – landowners such as farmers, forest owners etc.  Makes sure properly trained and tested to be able to use pesticides safely. 

Companies that purchase pesticides in bulk and mix concentrates as well as apply pesticides commercially.  Agency insures that pesticides are stored and mixed properly.

Milk Handlers license affects those who purchase, sell, assemble, transport or process milk in Vermont.  Sliding scale per license based on volume per day.  Less than 500 pounds per day = on farm cheese makers – lowest rate.  Largest over 500,000 pounds of milk per day (10 tractor trailer loads) will pay $1,500 per year.  Rates have been moved upward over 3 fee bill cycles when they were not changed since the 1970’s.  Rates should stabilize.  Rate capped at $750 for milk haulers.  Farms selling raw milk do not have to have a milk handlers license.

Milk processors that have a pasteurizer need added inspection to ensure food safety protocols are met with the pasteurizer equipment.  There are many raw milk cheese makers in Vermont that do not have pasteurizers so do not pay this additional fee.  Large processors could have more than one pasteurizer on site.

Agency finds a large number of delinquent license renewals.  This license allows for milk and dairy product sales in and outside of Vermont.  Want to make sure all milk and dairy products are properly licensed for sale in and outside of Vermont to maintain reputation.

Agency licenses companies that sell and install milking and dairy processing equipment.  Milking machines, robotic milking machines, bulk tank sales and installation.  All dairy equipment has a food safety component and installation is technical with proper calibration of bulk tanks as well as connections for stainless steel.  All equipment must meet standards for cleaning in place and proper measurement of milk volume.

Agency licenses all creemee machines as well as companies making gelato, ice cream and other frozen desserts such as cheese cake and ice cream sandwiches.  Inspection includes adherence to food safety protocols and proper handling of ingredients.

Meat handlers license not changed since 1989.  Categories of licensure include: commercial slaughterers, custom slaughterers, commercial processors, custom processors, wholesale distributors, meat & poultry product brokers, renderers, public warehouse operators, animal food manufacturers, handlers of dead, dying, disabled, or diseased animals, & any other category established by rule.  Agency has to be on site for inspection during all slaughter activities.  Number of slaughter and processing facilities continue to grow.

Agency works closely with stores that have pre-packaged meats such as beef jerky, bologna, hotdogs etc.  Also those that sell pre-packaged meat at farmers markets.  Inspection for proper storage, ability to determine when pre-packaged meat has gone bad – leakers and bloated packages as well as proper temperature at retail.  Much lower than surrounding states.

License for retail stores that have a deli counter as well as meat display cases.  Make sure meat is handled properly to ensure food safety in display as well as storage, products properly labeled as to species, proper cut, fat claims, etc. as well as overall sanitary conditions.  License and inspection program at all stores. 

License for larger retail stores that have deli counter and large meat display cases.  Make sure meat is handled properly to ensure food safety in display as well as storage, products properly labeled as to species, proper cut, fat claims, etc. as well as overall sanitary conditions..  License and inspection program at all stores.

Ginseng is a regulated wild plant in Vermont.  Ginseng root must be 10 years old before it can be sold.  Only inspected and wild root can be sold.  Buyers of ginseng are looking for certification.  Another category exists for “farm raised” ginseng; these roots do not require age certification prior to sale.  3 year license with number of certifications growing. 

Agency licenses nurseries in VT based on size of the outlet or growing operation.  Inspection to verify pest-free status of plants being sold in Vermont.  Plants may be grown in VT or brought in from out of state.

Agency will train, test and certify custom manure applicators in Vermont as required by ACT 64.  All applicators will need to be trained and certified after completion of the RAP rules surrounding custom applicators are approved – program must begin 60 days after rule approval.  Applicators will need to understand importance of nutrient management plan, tracking volume or loads of manure and requirements for buffers.

Scanners are showing up in more and more stores at the checkout lines and in other locations.  Agency of Agriculture verifies shelf prices with those at the register.  The Agency is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and their program has a statistical formula to determine how many items must be checked to form a random sample for a store – based on size of store and number of scanning units.  Larger store more items to be changed.  Fee is per scanning unit.  All stores that have scanning units should be licensed.

License and verification of employees that work on scales and provide weighing services to the general public for items that will be placed into sale.

License for a company and personnel that sell and repair scales.  Company and employee must be certified to work on scales and provided a seal after weighing device has been repaired to certify that the device has been calibrated and placed in service.  Ensure that weighing devices are accurate.

Agency licenses and inspects motor fuel pumps in Vermont for accuracy of volume measurement.  Program includes travel to all fuel stations in Vermont as well as protective equipment to handle fuels.  Agency affixes golden seal on each gas pump that has been tested.  Follow-up on complaints from consumers on incorrect dispending of fuels.

Agency licenses all small scales in the state – small scale below 100 pounds.  Scales checked for accuracy when used to determine price at retail.

Agency licenses all heavy duty scales in the state – heavy duty scales above 3,000 pounds.  Scales checked for accuracy when used to determine price at retail.  Scales that weigh all asphalt purchased by the state for paving projects!

Agency verifies the accuracy of propane truck meters to commercial sale of propane.  Travel to locations as well as specific safety training and equipment.

Agency verifies the accuracy of propane fill station meters for commercial sale of propane.  Travel to locations as well as specific safety training and equipment.  Filling your tank for the grill.

Agency licenses and verifies vehicle tank meters – heating oil delivery trucks.

Agency licenses and verifies hopper scales for accuracy – scales that have hoppers attached to be able to weigh high volume loose items such as grains.

Agency licenses and verifies medium capacity and portable platform scales.  Many large businesses have platform scales to weigh large loads and portable scales are used at DMV road side stops.

License and inspection of pet shops.