Action Plan Amplifies Strengths, Identifies Vulnerabilities in Vermont Food System
Click here to read the full 2021 Action Plan.
April 18, 2024 UPDATE - Context for the 2023 Supplemental Report
Events over the past year have only reinforced the importance of Vermont’s agricultural economy and the urgent need for a more viable and resilient statewide and regional food system. The historic flooding in July 2023 substantially damaged farmlands, leaving many farmers struggling to recover and continue their vital operations. While all Vermont farms were affected, countless farmers suffered significant losses, with some facing financial ruin. The impacts extended beyond individual farms to communities and businesses that rely on locally sourced food. These losses occurred on the heels of a highly damaging, once-in-a-generation late-season freeze in May, which had already caused significant damage to key crops like apples, berries, and grapes. State and federal programs and disaster relief, while vital, have covered only a portion of the losses, leaving the sector overall facing the prospect of a long and difficult recovery.
It is with these sobering realities in mind that the Commission reiterates its call to implement not just short-term disaster relief but also the critical sectoral initiatives outlined in its 2021 and 2022 reports, which are essential to enabling a vibrant, innovative, and resilient agricultural economy over the long term. Each of the outstanding staffing and funding requests in these reports is critical to building the agricultural sector for climate resiliency.
At the same time, the Commission recognizes that sustained progress on its priorities will require broader coordination and effort among stakeholders beyond state government. For this reason, the Commission has focused its deliberations over the past year on identifying actions or ideas that could advance its recommendations beyond legislative funding, through coalition-building, stakeholder outreach, partnerships, and alternative funding sources, among other approaches. The goal is to identify, within a handful of key areas, the kinds of initiatives where effective and coordinated cross-sectoral action among stakeholders could result in meaningful progress.
Click here to read the Action Plan 2023 Supplemental Report
January 20, 2023 - Pursuant to Executive Order No. 03-21, the Governor’s Commission on the Future of Vermont Agriculture was convened on April 1, 2021 and submitted an initial Action Plan to the Governor on November 15, 2021. The Executive Order further required the Commission to measure and evaluate progress and submit a supplemental report to the Governor assessing the impact of its work and implemented strategies on or before November 15, 2022. This report constitutes the Commission’s fulfillment of its obligation under the Executive Order.
Click here to read the Action Plan 2022 Supplemental Report
February 7, 2022 | Montpelier, VT - As with many societal challenges we have all faced in the past two years, the pandemic uncovered vulnerabilities in Vermont’s food system, while at the same time highlighting our capabilities and strengths. In response, Governor Scott appointed a Commission on the Future of Vermont Agriculture to grow our food economy.
The Governor appointed 12 citizen Commissioners to study the issues and propose solutions, and appointed Secretary of Commerce and Community Development Lindsay Kurrle and Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets Anson Tebbetts as co-chairs to lead the charge.
The Commission’s work was framed by the heightened awareness that Vermont needs to both appreciate, and address, the critical importance of Vermont farms and local food. The annual economic output of Vermont’s entire food system is approximately $11.3 billion. As its first year of inquiry draws to a close, the Governor is releasing the Commission’s report with its recommendations to stimulate rural Vermont farm and food production and provide better access to local food. The report, delivered to the Governor in November of 2021, helped shape the Administration’s budget proposal to the Vermont Legislature for Fiscal Year 2023.
Governor Scott noted, “This comprehensive report highlights the value of investing in Agriculture and our food system. I thank members of the Commission for focusing on strategies that ensure we can feed our people while growing our rural economy. The pandemic has repeatedly challenged us, but we now have access to a rare infusion of resources that can strengthen our agricultural infrastructure and help us innovate and rebuild.”
In creating the report, the Commissioners shared their ideas, and tapped the expertise of young farmers, members of the public, and organizations working on environmentally sound farming practices, climate adaptation and resilience, and diversity. Some of the highlights:
- Vermont is a small state defined by its rural character, but its population and land management practices are changing. Vermont’s iconic brand is defined by agriculture; even though the state is evolving, our red barns, green valleys, black and white cows, and open pastoral lands are still appreciated by Vermonters and help attract visitors and new entrepreneurs to our State.
- Agriculture is a principal engine for Vermont’s rural economy. Small towns cannot thrive without economic opportunity and agricultural innovation; open land must offer Vermonters a sustainable living, or it is vulnerable to development or under-utilization.
- Dairy remains essential to Vermont’s agricultural future. While dairy farms were once ubiquitous, Vermont’s dairy farms still generate approximately 70% of the State’s agricultural sales and utilize over 80% of its working land.
- Times change, and Vermont food and agriculture needs to grow, attract new and diverse farmers and workers, and adapt. Vermont farmers are adapting, diversified businesses are on the rise, value-added producers are evolving and responding to market opportunities, farmers markets are popular, many Vermonters are passionate about their landscape and local food, and the Vermont brand is robust.
Commission Co-Chair Secretary Kurrle noted, “The Commission’s overarching mission is to help ensure that Vermont remains a vibrant agricultural state. It found that while Vermont agriculture is resilient, it needs attention and care.”
Secretary Tebbetts added, “The Commission reiterated that investment in a robust agricultural sector is essential to supporting Vermont’s residents, building its rural economy, employing its citizens, drawing visitors, and maintaining Vermont’s unique character and beauty.”
Moving forward, the Commission will engage the Legislature and all Vermonters on strategies to realize Vermont’s goals.
Click here to read the full 2021 Action Plan.
Click here to read the Action Plan 2022 Supplemental Report - Pursuant to Executive Order No. 03-21, the Governor’s Commission on the Future of Vermont Agriculture was convened on April 1, 2021 and submitted an initial Action Plan to the Governor on November 15, 2021. The Executive Order further required the Commission to measure and evaluate progress and submit a supplemental report to the Governor assessing the impact of its work and implemented strategies on or before November 15, 2022. This report constitutes the Commission’s fulfillment of its obligation under the Executive Order.