By Anson Tebbetts - Vermont Secretary of Agriculture
Welcome 2024. Please be kind to us. While 2023 may be behind us, it’s still with us in many ways.
The flooding and severe weather continues to play a significant role in Vermont. Many of our farmers continue to face a long recovery because of the staggering losses.
Recovery will be a major focus of the 2024 legislative session which is underway. While federal funds may help rebuild much of the state’s infrastructure there will be a significant dollar match needed from Vermont. It will run into millions of dollars which means there will be fewer dollars for other programs across state government. Vermont also faces significant issues around property taxes. The tax department says property owners could see steep increases in their property taxes because education spending has accelerated at a rapid pace. Crafting and voting on school spending plans are underway and communities will face spirited debates about their school budgets in 2024.
Vermont is also facing a housing crisis. It’s not a secret there is a lack of housing and when you can find housing many cannot afford it. This session we encourage farmers and those connected to agriculture to give feedback to lawmakers and the administration. Whether it’s farm worker housing or those who make products, affordable housing is critical to Vermont’s future. We have heard many of our manufacturing plants cannot operate as much as they like because they cannot find enough workers. Many times, it’s because there is not enough housing around the businesses.
Act 250 reform and allowing more on farm businesses to grow will be debated this session. Farmers and small businesses should be at the table in these discussions. I encourage you to follow the bills and offer your advice to Senators and Representatives. If we are going to have a working landscape, we need to offer solutions that allow our small businesses to grow.
As we enter 2024. We will be following the feed situation for livestock. Please reach out to us if you are having issues around securing feed. The severe weather in 2023 has created issues for some. Visit our feed finder on the Agency’s website. There are dozens of businesses that are offering feed for sale, and it could be useful.
Also, if you are having issues managing your manure during the winter months, please contact us. We want to be flexible and offer solutions that help you and protect the environment. While the natural disaster may be gone from the headlines many are still living it because of the severe weather in 2023.
We are hopeful of a calm and productive 2024 for our farm community. Please stay in touch and contact us if you have any questions.
Anson Tebbetts | Vermont Secretary of Agriculture