Senate Committee on Agriculture

 

AGENDA

 

Room 28 and Zoom

February 11, 2025 - February 14, 2025

Last Updated 2/13/2025 11:43 AM

 

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are livestreamed at

https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/senate-agriculture.

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

9:30 AM                   Senate  Floor

 

15 minutes after Senate Adjourns                   Working Lands Program Overview

Alyson Eastman, Deputy Secretary, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets - Zoom

Alisha Utter, Vice-Chair, Working Lands Enterprise Initiative

Clare Salerno, Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Program Staff, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

Elizabeth Sipple, Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Program Staff, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

Danielle Fitzko, Commissioner, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation

Elisabeth Nance, Designee, Agency of Commerce and Community Development

Abbey Willard, Director, Agricultural Development Division, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

 

11:25 AM                   Break for Lunch

 

11:30 AM                   Vermont Veterinary Medical Association

Introduction and overview

DVM Karen Bradley, Dr, Chair of the Government Relations Committee, Vermont Veterinary Medical Association

 

12:00 PM                   Adjourn

 

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

9:00 AM                   Farm to School and Early Childhood Day

Dana Hudson, Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Network, Shelburne Farms

Mischa Johnson, Food Service Director, White River Valley School District

Nando Jaramillo, Food Producer, Moon & Stars Artisanal Food

Becca Perrin, Food Hub Account Manager, Green Mountain Farm-to-School

Aziza Malik, Teacher, Champlain Elementary

Shania O'Neill, Student, Champlain Elementary

Maddie Wegner, Student, Champlain Elementary

Ibrahim Mohamed, Student, Champlain Elementary

Sam Bromley, Teacher, Montpelier High School

Brigitte Savard, Teacher, Montpelier High School

Chi-Chi MacVicar-Ceckler, Student, Montpelier High School

Gina Clithero, Farm to Institution Program Manager, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

Kayla Strom, Farm to School Programs Coordinator, NOFA-VT

 

10:00 AM                   Vermont Outdoor Recreation Day

Abigail Long, Executive Director, Kingdom Trails Association, East Burke

Georgia Gould, Kingdom Trails Landowner, Burke, VT

Shelby Semmes, Vice President, Trust for Public Lands

 

10:45 AM                   Break

 

10:55 AM                   Working Lands Enterprise Fund

Recipients of Working Lands grants

Elizabeth Sipple, Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Program Staff, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

Annie Myers, Owner, Myers Produce LLC

Rose C. Thackery, Owner, Union Brook Farm

Mark Goodrich, Part owner, Goodridge Lumber - Zoom

 

12:00 PM                   Adjourn

 

Thursday, February 13, 2025

9:00 AM                   Vermont Conservation Districts

Jill Arace, Executive Director, Vermont Association of Conservation Districts

Katie Stiles, District Manager Rutland Natural Resources Conservation District

Hilary Solomon, District Manager, Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District

Richard Noel, Board Member, Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District

Lauren Weston, District Manager, Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District

 

10:00 AM                   Break

 

10:30 AM                   NOFA-VT

Farm issues

Maddie Kempner, Policy Director, NOFA-VT

Bill Chidsey, Farmer

Jacob Powsner, Baird Farm, Chittenden, VT

Justin Rich, Farmer, Burnt Rock Farm

David Keck, Owner, Stella 14 Wines

Johanna Doren, Direct Markets and Local Food Access Program Director, NOFA-VT

 

11:15 AM                   Manure Spreading Regulations in Vermont

Laura DiPietro, Water Quality Division Director, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

 

12:00 PM                   Adjourn

 

Friday, February 14, 2025

9:00 AM                   Vermont Housing and Conservation Coalition Day

Abby White, Executive Vice President, Vermont Land Trust

Becca Knouss, Owner, The Goat Project

Mike Audette, Co-owner, Ledge Haven Farm

Katie Rose Leonard, Owner, Head Over Fields Farm

Julie Curtain, Director of Homeownership, Champlain Housing Trust

 

10:00 AM                   Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

Report on the 2025 Governor's budget proposals for Agriculture

Anson Tebbetts, Secretary, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

Nicole Dubuque, Chief Operations Officer, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

Amy Mercier, Financial Director, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

 

11:15 AM                   Adjourn

 

11:30 AM                   Senate Floor

 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact

 Linda Leehman at lleehman@leg.state.vt.us

ATTENTION WITNESSES

 

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