Farmers tell Senate panel S.323 should clarify farm exemptions and ease permitting for value‑added activities Farmers and dairy producers told the Senate Agriculture Committee that S.323 should clarify which farm activities are exempt from municipal rules, and witnesses described costly permitting delays — including wastewater and Act 250 interpretations that affected on‑farm kitchens and a dry‑ice business. The committee scheduled more testimony next week.

Farmers are calling on the Senate to refine S.323 to eliminate frustrating permitting barriers that hinder their ability to diversify and thrive.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #VermontFarms #SmallBusinessSupport #AgricultureRegulations #ValueAddedProduction

Land trusts, farmers and Intervale Center urge full $37.6M VHCB funding to protect Vermont farms Land trusts, farmers and the Intervale Center told a legislative hearing the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board’s statutory $37,600,000 allocation is critical to conserving farmland, reducing farmers’ debt burdens and supporting business planning for roughly 900–1,000 Vermont farms.

A coalition of farmers and land trusts is urging Vermont legislators to fully fund the $37.6 million needed to preserve vital farmland and support local agriculture.

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#VT #ConservationFunding #CitizenPortal #AffordableHousing #AgriculturalSustainability #VermontFarms

Vermont farmers tell Senate ag panel VHCB funding keeps family farms and conserved land in production Farmers, land‑trust leaders and housing advocates told the Senate Agriculture Committee that the governor’s proposed $37.6 million for the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board is essential to conserve working farmland, keep small farms viable and enable intergenerational transfers.

Vermont farmers are rallying for $37.6 million in funding to protect their land and ensure the future of family farms—will the Senate answer their call?

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#VT #CitizenPortal #HousingSupport #FoodSecurity #VermontFarms #AgriculturalConservation

Farmers and committee warn Monument Farms tiling case and neonicotinoid rules could shape future regulation Coalition members and committee speakers said they are following a Monument Farms tiling matter closely because a ruling could change whether tile drainage is treated as a point source; the committee also flagged neonicotinoid testimony and expressed concern about rules taking effect in 2029.

A pivotal legal battle over tile drainage at Monument Farms could redefine farming regulations and impact the future of agriculture—are you prepared for the changes ahead?

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#VT #WaterManagement #EnvironmentalPolicy #AgriculturalRegulations #VermontFarms #CitizenPortal

Center for Agricultural Economy highlights Yellow Barn food hub, distribution and farmer support John Ramsey, executive director of the Center for Agricultural Economy, told a legislative committee the newly completed Yellow Barn food hub will handle millions in local food annually, that the Center runs a five-truck refrigerated fleet serving 400 stops weekly, and that revolving loans and food-access programs supported dozens of farms last year.

The newly completed Yellow Barn food hub in Vermont is set to revolutionize local agriculture, routing over $20 million in food products annually while empowering farmers with innovative support programs.

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#VT #VermontFarms #FoodAccess #LocalEconomy #SustainableAgriculture

Agency survey: preliminary results show ~79,000 acres impacted and $15.9 million in estimated drought losses Agency staff reported preliminary results from a farm drought survey covering 200 responses: about 79,000 acres impacted, an estimated $15.9 million in losses reported by respondents, with many farms seeking financial assistance and facing feed shortages.

Vermont farms are facing staggering drought losses, with nearly 79,000 acres affected and a desperate need for financial aid totaling around $15.9 million.

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#VT #VermontFarms #FinancialAssistance #DroughtResponse #AgriculturalSupport #CitizenPortal

Let us out! Waiting to be transferred to new pasture
#sheepfarm #bobolinkfarm #vermontfarms #vermont

Fall Sheep Farm
#boboliinkfarm #vermontfarms #sheep #vermont

Fall Farm Visit - moving sheep fences
#sheep #vermontfarms #bobolinkfarm #vermont

Secretary announces new permit rules for medium and small farm operations Secretary establishes rules for medium and small farm operation permits to ensure water quality compliance.

New permit rules for medium and small farms aim to safeguard Vermont's water quality—find out how these changes will impact local agriculture!

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#VT #EnvironmentalCompliance #VermontFarms #WaterQuality #SustainableAgriculture #LocalGovAI

Vermont mandates permits for large farm operations to ensure water quality protections Vermont requires permits for farms housing over specified livestock numbers to protect water quality.

Vermont is stepping up to safeguard its water quality by mandating permits for large farm operations—what does this mean for the future of farming in the Green Mountain State?

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#VT #CitizenPortal #AgriculturalRegulations #VermontFarms #EnvironmentalProtection #WaterQuality

Local Distributors Innovate Meat Distribution for Small Farms in Vermont Distributors seek grant funding to improve meat packaging and inventory systems for Vermont farms.

Local farms in Vermont are facing distribution challenges as consumer demand for locally sourced meat skyrockets—can innovative solutions save the day?

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#VT #CitizenPortal #SmallAgricultureSupport #LocalFoodSystems #VermontFarms #SustainableMeatDistribution

Union Brook Farm awarded $9000 grant for product diversification initiatives Rose Thackeray discusses grant impacts at Union Brook Farm's diversification effort.

Vermont's farmers are transforming their businesses with innovative grants, paving the way for a vibrant agricultural future.

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#VT #AgriculturalInnovation #LocalBusinessSupport #MarketDiversification #VermontFarms #CitizenPortal

Vermont farmers face EPA scrutiny as inspections reveal compliance issues EPA inspections reveal violations among Vermont's large and medium farms, prompting regulatory focus.

Vermont's farms are under fire as EPA inspections uncover alarming compliance issues, raising questions about the future of agricultural practices in the state.

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#VT #EnvironmentalCompliance #CitizenPortal #VermontFarms #WaterProtection #AgriculturalRegulations