Each year, the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets submits reports to the legislature as required by law. You can find these reports on the Agency’s website by going to https://agriculture.vermont.gov/reports-2023-vermont-legislature
Payment for Eco-System Services Working Group Report (PDF)
Over three years, the Payment for Eco-System Services Working Group developed a vision for a payment program which will increase carbon storage, nutrient, soil, and storm water retention, water quality outcomes, and the ability to support biodiversity, thus improving the health of the broader ecosystem for all Vermonters while also supporting the economic health of Vermonters engaged in agriculture. The Working Group recognizes that Vermont farmers can make (and are already making) substantial contributions to water quality through adopting agricultural conservation practices across their farm. Many of these water quality conservation practices also provide a co-benefit of improving soil health metrics.
Vermont Future of Agriculture Commission - 2023 Supplemental Report (PDF)
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, 2021.1 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, 2022.2 This report constitutes the Commission’s fulfillment of its obligation under the Executive Order.
Act 250 Jurisdiction over Accessory On-Farm Business | Final Report (PDF)
As part of Act 182 enacted in 2022, the Legislature directed the Natural Resources Board to issue a report with recommendations on how Act 250 jurisdiction should apply to agricultural businesses, including those located on properties already operating as farms.
New Farmer Resource Coordination Advisory Report (PDF)
As part of Act 185 enacted in 2022, the Legislature directed the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets to issue a report with recommendations on programs and services for new farmers:
This report is prepared with the intention to understand how Vermont can organize its resources to better serve aspiring and new farmers. The report focuses on the existing programs available to new farmers and the degree of coordination across these programs. The report presents recommendations to enhance the network of support for new farmers to get started in Vermont.
2022 Annual Report on Financial and Technical Assistance for Agricultural Water Quality (PDF)
The Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Water Quality Division has submitted this report today to the General Assembly as required in 6 V.S.A. Ch 215 § 4825. This report outlines the Financial and Technical Assistance efforts performed by the Water Quality Division.
Performance Measures for the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Agency of Natural Resources and Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (PDF)
This report is submitted to the Vermont Legislature to highlight measures of success in the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) and the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (AAFM). The Secretaries of ANR and AAFM are required to adopt the MOU for the non-point program describing program administration, grant negotiation, grant sharing, and coordination on watershed planning activities. This MOU, attached, was revised March 17, 2017. The two agencies have chosen several measures to indicate various aspects of our coordination. In this document, AAFM identifies which agency addresses which type of water quality violations, introduces the performance measures chosen, discusses the limitations of these measures, and presents the performance measures.
Annual Agriculture Innovation Board Report (PDF)
The Agricultural Innovation Board must issue a report annually to the General Assembly on or before January 15 that recommends policy solutions to assist farmers in; reducing the use of and exposure to pesticides; and the use of innovative or alternative practices; and propose an annual budget report that provides ideas for funding sources for any new programs recommended in the annual report.
Report on Importation of Food Residuals for Farming (PDF)
As part of Act 41 enacted, the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets must on or before January 15, [annually], submit to the Senate Committees on Agriculture and on Natural Resources and Energy and the House Committees on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry and on Environment & Energy a report regarding importation of food residuals for composting under 10 V.S.A. § 6001(22)(H).