By Anson Tebbetts
Summer. It’s a short time to enjoy all that Vermont has to offer. From the backroads to the store shelves, the taste of Vermont can be found. The quality of freshness and quality can be found in all corners of the Green Mountains. It’s also a month where we celebrate and support our dairy farmers. June is dairy month!
Vermont’s farms are central to what many of us treasure about our state. They set the backdrop for our iconic scenery, feed our families, schools, and workplaces, provide the raw ingredients for the high-quality products for which our state is known, and create spaces for gathering. Farmers are the primary stewards of our working landscape and are on the front lines of building our state’s climate change resilience. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck and the effects of supply chain disruptions were being felt across the country, our local farms were near-by reliably providing fresh, nourishing food to people across the state.
However, as many of you know, running a farm is not an easy endeavor. Start-up costs can be prohibitive, and the costs of maintenance and ongoing inputs are often high. So far this year, prices for farming inputs including fuel, seeds, building materials, packaging, hay, labor, and more have risen significantly.
Now more than ever, Vermont farmers need our support. Look for Vermont products in your local retailer or co-op. These markets play an important role in supporting Vermont agriculture and or farmers. Many farmers rely on these stores for a stable market. Another way you can help is by making a commitment to buy as much as you can directly from your local farmer. This means signing up for a Community Support Agriculture (CSA) share or visiting their farm stand or your local farmers’ market.
CSAs are particularly vital for farms because they provide a more reliable revenue stream and support the up-front costs associated with planting and preparing for a new season. Farm stands have also become an increasingly valuable avenue for farmers to directly provide a growing variety and volume of local products to consumers. Farmers markets continue to serve as a unique community connection and pivotal marketing opportunity for our agricultural community.
We wish you a safe and successful summer and as always thank you for all you do for Vermont and beyond.
Anson Tebbetts
Secretary