Committee reviews draft of S 323 to limit municipal bylaws over farming, tweak RAPs thresholds The committee reviewed sections 1–3 of S 323, which would bar municipalities from regulating many farming activities by bylaw, explicitly permit certain backyard food production and poultry, and amend the Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) rule by raising income and changing acreage thresholds; no formal vote was taken.

A new bill could revolutionize backyard farming in Vermont by limiting municipal control and expanding agricultural protections for small-scale operations.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #FoodProduction #LocalGovernance #AgriculturePolicy #VermontFarming

Free Rivers Farm says electric TeraTek harvester slashed harvest time and supports scaling plans Misha Johnson of Free Rivers Farm told the Working Lands Board that a TeraTek baby-leaf harvester purchased with a Working Lands award reduced harvest time for some herb beds from hours to about 10–15 minutes, improving productivity and worker well-being as the farm aims to increase dried-herb output from ~800 to ~2,000 pounds annually.

Free Rivers Farm's new electric harvester has transformed their herb harvesting process, cutting down hours of work to mere minutes and boosting their production goals!

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#VT #LocalEconomicDevelopment #CitizenPortal #InnovationInFarming #SustainableAgriculture #VermontFarming

Senate hearing hears broad support for restoring farm zoning exemption, splits over livestock rules and income thresholds Lawmakers heard unified support for restoring municipal zoning exemptions for farming after a Supreme Court ruling, but witnesses disagreed over livestock rules on small parcels, whether to amend Title 24 or RAPs, and whether to raise the current $2,000 income trigger to $5,000.

A heated debate is brewing in Vermont as lawmakers grapple with restoring farm zoning exemptions and the future of livestock regulations—will they strike the right balance?

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#VT #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #AgriculturalPolicy #ZoningExemption #VermontFarming

Agency of Agriculture urges statutory fix to restore municipal farming exemption after Supreme Court ruling Agency of Agriculture officials told a legislative committee that language changes are needed to restore municipal zoning protections for farming after a recent Supreme Court decision, proposing a $5,000 activity threshold and special treatment for livestock while seeking consensus with towns and farm groups.

Vermont's agriculture is under threat, losing 73,000 acres since 2017, and now officials are pushing for a vital zoning exemption change to protect our farms!

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#VT #RuralDevelopment #AgriculturalPolicy #VermontFarming #CitizenPortal #LandUseRegulations

House advances bill to create Farm and Forestry Operations Security Fund, adds forestry and payment rules S.60 would establish a Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide payments of up to 50% of uninsured losses for farms and forestry operations, with awards capped at $150,000 per application and 5% of funds appropriated per year; the House accepted appropriations committee amendments and ordered third reading.

Vermont's House has just advanced a crucial bill that could provide up to $150,000 in support for farms and forestry operations hit hard by severe weather, aiming to tackle an estimated $94 million in losses!

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#VT #AgricultureSupport #VermontFarming #ForestryManagement

USDA’s Farm Service Agency outlines local services, staffing and hiring in Vermont Wendy Wilton, state executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency in Vermont, told lawmakers FSA operates nine service centers, is collocated with NRCS, has two temporary full‑time vacancies and conducts outreach to beginning farmers and producers in need of emergency support.

Wendy Wilton of the USDA Farm Service Agency highlights the vital support for Vermont farmers through collaboration with conservation programs and local governance.

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#VT #ConservationEfforts #AgricultureSupport #VermontFarming #LocalGovernance #CitizenPortal

Vermont court addresses manure smell ruling amid farming concerns Vermont court declares manure smell a nuisance impacting local farmers and legislation.

A recent court ruling in Vermont has declared manure smell a nuisance, sparking fears among farmers about the future of their livelihoods.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #CommunityStandards #AgriculturalRegulations #LegalChallenges #VermontFarming

Farmers discuss disaster compensation for crop and disease losses at legislative hearing Farmers advocate for bill revisions on disaster loss calculations during legislative discussion.

Vermont farmers are demanding urgent reforms to disaster compensation as severe weather threatens their livelihoods and long-term viability.

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#VT #DisasterRelief #CropProtection #VermontFarming #CitizenPortal #AgriculturalSustainability

Court ruling raises concerns for farmers over compliance burden in manure disposal cases Farmers face increased legal scrutiny as courts shift proof burden to them in nuisance claims.

A recent court ruling has flipped the legal script for farmers in Vermont, shifting the burden of proof in nuisance claims and igniting fears of endless lawsuits.

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#VT #VermontFarming #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalRegulations #LegalCompliance #AgriculturalPractices