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2025-2026 Session

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Senate Committee on Agriculture Room 28

The Senate Committee on Agriculture has jurisdiction over matters relating to agriculture.

Print

Previous Meetings - Full Report

Summary Report
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
10:00 AM

Senate Floor

Elections of Senate officers

Thursday, January 9, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
10:00 AM

Joint Assembly

Receive report of Canvassing Committee

2:00 PM

Joint Assembly

Governor's Inaugural Address

Friday, January 10, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
10:00 AM

Committee Discussion

10:45 AM

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:00 AM

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Senate Chambers

11:00 AM

Break

11:15 AM

Introductions and Discussion

NOFA-VT

  • Johanna Doren, Direct Markets and Local Food Access Program Director, NOFA-VT
  • Maddie Kempner, Policy Director, NOFA-VT
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Introductions and Discussion

Legislative Counsel Staff

  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
9:30 AM

Vermont Fairs and Field Days Association

  • Jackie Folsom, Lobbyist, Vermont Fairs and Field Days Association
10:00 AM

Introductions

Vermont Food Bank

  • Sarah Keblin, , Vermont Foodbank
  • John Sayles, CEO, Vermont Foodbank
  • Carrie Stahler, Government and Public Affairs Officer, Vermont Foodbank
11:00 AM

Break

11:15 AM

Introductions and Discussion

Vermont Farm Bureau

  • Jeannette Cole, President, Vermont Horse Council
  • Jackie Folsom, President, Vermont Farm Bureau
  • Heidi Krantz, Member, Vermont Horse Council
  • Eliza Schraver, Southern Field Representative, Vermont Farm Bureau
  • Mary White, Fort Waite Holsteins LLC, Vermont Farm Bureau
  • Arthur Whitman, Vermont Seed Dealers Association, member, Vermont Farm Bureau
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Thursday, January 16, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Introductions and Discussion

Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

  • Cheryl Achilles, Director, Vermont Agriculture and Environmental Laboratory, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Nicole Dubuque, Chief Operations Officer, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Steve Dwinell, Director, Public Health and Agricultural Resource Management, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Alyson Eastman, Deputy Secretary, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • E.B. Flory, Director, Food Safety and Consumer Protection, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Anson Tebbetts, Secretary, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Abbey Willard, Director, Agricultural Development Division Director, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

Introductions and Discussion

Food Security Roadmap to 2035

  • Maddie Kempner, Policy Director, NOFA-VT
  • Autumn Moen, Legislative Policy Lead, Hunger Free Vermont
  • Carrie Stahler, Government and Public Affairs Officer, Vermont Foodbank
  • Becka Warren, Food Security Roadmap Coalition Manager, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Friday, January 17, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Vermont Economic Development Authority

Introductions

  • Cassie Polhemus, Chief Executive Officer, Vermont Economic Development Authority
9:45 AM

Committee Legislative Review

Discussion of last year's Senate Agriculture Committee work

  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
10:30 AM

Agency of Agriculture Introductions

Water Quality Division

  • Laura DiPietro, Water Quality Division Director, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Anson Tebbetts, Secretary, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
11:15 AM

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

Followed by Discrimination Prevention Training

11:00 AM

Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance

  • Walter Gladstone, Newmont Farm, Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance
  • Chanin Hill, Four Hills Farm, Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance Board
  • Kevin Kouri, Director of Nutrition and Sales, Phoenix Feeds and Nutrition
  • Emma Shouldice, Lobbyist, Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance
  • Amanda St. Pierre, Pleasant Valley Farms, Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee on Lake Champlain's Future

Introductions and overview

  • Breck Bowden, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Karina Dailey, Vice Chair, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Bob Fischer, Water Facility Operator, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Lori Fisher, Executive Director, Lake Champlain Committee, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Andrew Milliken, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Mary Perchlik, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Denise Smith, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee Chair
  • Hilary Solomon, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
9:45 AM

Rural Vermont

  • Caroline Sherman-Gordon, Legislative Director, Rural Vermont
  • Graham Unangst-Rufenacht, Policy Director, Rural Vermont
10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

Herd Management Technology

  • Kristan Doolan, Owner, Does' Leap
  • Ben Notterman, Owner, Snug Valley Farm
  • Jackie Pratt, Green Mountain Stowe Electric Department
  • Dan Smith
12:00 PM

Adjourn

3:45 PM

Legislative Briefing

House Chamber

Thursday, January 23, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Business Emergency Gap Assistance Grant Program Overview

  • Nicole Dubuque, Chief Operations Officer, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Brett Long, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Economic Development
  • Mary Montour, Agricultural Water Quality Program Coordinator Supervisor, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
9:30 AM

New England Dairy Business Innovation Center

Introduction and Overview
Dairy Update

  • Laura Ginsburg, Dairy Strategy and Innovation Manager, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
10:30 AM

Break

11:00 AM

Vermont CAFO Program

Agency of Natural Resources
Department of Conservation

  • Catherine Gjessing, General Counsel, Agency of Natural Resources
  • Peter LaFlamme, Director, Watershed Management Division, Department of Environmental Conservation
  • Julie Moore, Secretary, Agency of Natural Resources
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Friday, January 24, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Vermont Land Trust

  • Tracy Zschau, President, Vermont Land Trust
9:45 AM

Cannabis Control Board

Introductions and Overview

  • Kyle Harris, Board Member, Cannabis Control Board
  • Julie Hulburd, Board Member, Cannabis Control Board
  • James Pepper, Chair, Cannabis Control Board
10:30 AM

Break

10:40 AM

Vermont Cannabis Equity Coalition and Land Access and Opportunity Board

Introductions and Overview

  • Jessilyn Dolan, Co Founder, Green Mtn. Patients' Alliance
  • Jean Hamilton, Director of Program Development, Land Access and Opportunity Board
  • Mark Hughes, Executive Director, Co-Chair, Vermont Racial Justice Alliance, Health Equity Advisory Commission
  • Ornella Matta-Figueroa, Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement, Land Access and Opportunity Board
  • Geoffrey Pizzutillo, Executive Director and CoFounder, Vermont Growers Association
  • Graham Unangst-Rufenacht, Policy Director, Rural Vermont
11:15 AM

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

15 minutes after Senate adjourns

Center For an Agricultural Economy

Introductions and Overview

  • Jon Ramsay, Executive Director, Center for an Agricultural Economy
11:00 AM

Clean Water Performance Report

  • Emily Bird, Program Manager, Clean Water Initiative, Department of Environmental Conservation, Agency of Natural Resources
  • Laura DiPietro, Water Quality Division Director, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Claire Madden, Clean Water Initiative Program Tracking & Accounting Supervisor, Department of Environmental Conservation
  • Julie Moore, Secretary, Agency of Natural Resources
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Hunger Free Vermont

  • Anore Horton, Executive Director, Hunger Free Vermont
9:40 AM

Break

9:50 AM

UVM Extension

Introduction and Overview

  • Heather Darby, Associate Professor, UVM Extension
10:45 AM

Break

11:00 AM

Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association

  • James Buck, Board Chair, Vermont Maple Sugar Makers' Association
  • Allison Hope, Executive Director, Vermont Maple Sugar Makers' Association
  • Mark Isselhardt, Maple Specialist, UVM Extension
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Thursday, January 30, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Security Briefing

This will not be livestreamed due to sensitive content.

  • Emily Grant, Capitol Police Officer
  • Agatha Kessler, Sergeant at Arms, Vermont General Assembly
  • John Poleway, Chief of Capitol Police, Capitol Police Department
  • Joe Tremblay, , Capitol Police Department
10:10 AM

Farm Service Agency Vermont

Introduction and overview

  • Lana Walden, Deputy State Executive, Farm Service Agency
10:35 AM

Break

11:00 AM

Farmers Watershed Alliance

  • Wayne Fiske, Member, Farmers Watershed Alliance
  • Larry Gervais, Gervais Family Farm, Farmers Watershed Alliance
  • Sara Gratz, Program Coordinator, Farmers Watershed Alliance
  • Dan Laravee, Farmers Watershed Alliance
  • Scott Magnan, Board Chair, Farmers Watershed Alliance
  • Roland Rainville, Farmer, Farmers Watershed Alliance
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Friday, January 31, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

To Be Scheduled

Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

  • Jake Claro, Farm to Plate Network Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
  • Ellen Kahler, Executive Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
  • Abbey Willard, Director, Agricultural Development Division Director, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
11:15 AM

Adjourn

Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

15 minutes after Senate adjourns

Vermont Housing and Conservation Board

Introductions and Update

  • Liz Gleason, Farm and Forest Viability Program Director, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
  • Holly McClintock, Agricultural Program Coordinator
  • Gus Seelig, Executive Director, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
11:00 AM

Break

11:15 AM

Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

Agricultural Development Grants final report
FY24 Agricultural Development Division Grant Demographic Report and Investment Data

  • Madison Berry, Grant Program Manager of Agricultural Development Division, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Abbey Willard, Director, Agricultural Development Division Director, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Dairy Pricing

  • Bob Gray, Dairy Policy Advisor
  • Bill Rowell, Board Member, Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance
9:45 AM

Young Farmers

  • Kylie Chittenden, Vermont Dairy Producers Association member, Richville Farm
  • Britney Cyr, Four Hills Farm
  • Keith Lanphear, Farmer, Lanphear Farm
  • Stephanie Pope, North Wind Acres Farm
  • Bradley St. Pierre, Pleasant Valley Farm, Richford
10:45 AM

Break

11:00 AM

Federal Delegation

Update on agriculture-related issues at the federal level

  • Ryan McLaren, Outreach Representative, Office of Senator Peter Welch
  • Haley Pero, Outreach Staff, Office of Senator Bernie Sanders
  • Thomas Renner, Community Liaison, Office of Congresswoman Becca Balint
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Thursday, February 6, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

3SquaresVT Awareness Day

  • "Krystale" Shannon Aloise, SNAP and Crop Cash participant
  • Kayleigh Boyle, Breadseed Farm
  • Johanna Doren, Direct Markets and Local Food Access Program Director, NOFA-VT
  • John Sayles, CEO, Vermont Foodbank
  • Stoni Tomson, Owner, New Tradition Farm
  • Hayley Williams, Manager, Hardwick Farmers Market
9:45 AM

Vermont Farmers Food Center

Introduction and overview

  • Heidi Lynch, Executive Director, Vermont Farmers Food Center
10:30 AM

Adjourn

Friday, February 7, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Farm Inputs

Feed, fertilizer, pesticides

  • Nate Choiniere, Nutrien Ag Solutions
  • Steve Dwinell, Director, Public Health and Agricultural Resource Management, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Brad Lawes, Owner, Lawes Agricultural Services
10:00 AM

Break

10:15 AM

Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition

  • Tim Kayhart, Vice President, Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition
  • John Lucas, Board Member, Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition
  • Ramsay Mellish, President, Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition
  • Holly Menguc, Member, Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition
  • Vijay Nazareth, Executive Director, Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition
  • Lorenzo Whitcomb, Board Member, Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition
11:15 AM

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Convenes

Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

15 minutes after Senate Adjourns

Working Lands Program Overview

  • Alyson Eastman, Deputy Secretary, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Danielle Fitzko, Commissioner, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
  • Elisabeth Nance, Designee, Agency of Commerce and Community Development
  • 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
  • Alisha Utter, Vice-Chair, Working Lands Enterprise Initiative
  • Abbey Willard, Director, Agricultural Development Division, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
11:25 AM

Lunch

11:30 AM

Vermont Veterinary Medical Association

Introduction and overview

  • Karen Bradley, Chair of the Government Relations Committee, Vermont Veterinary Medical Association
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Farm to School and Early Childhood Day

  • Sam Bromley, Teacher, Montpelier High School
  • Gina Clithero, Farm to Institution Program Manager, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Dana Hudson, Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Network, Shelburne Farms
  • Nando Jaramillo, Food Producer, Moon & Stars Artisanal Food
  • Mischa Johnson, Food Service Director, White River Valley School District
  • Chi-Chi MacVicar-Ceckler, Student, Montpelier High School
  • Aziza Malik, Teacher, Champlain Elementary
  • Ibrahim Mohamed, Student, Champlain Elementary
  • Shania O'Neill, Student, Champlain Elementary
  • Becca Perrin, Food Hub Account Manager, Green Mountain Farm-to-School
  • Brigitte Savard, Teacher, Montpelier High School
  • Kayla Strom, Farm to School Programs Coordinator, NOFA-VT
  • Maddie Wegner, Student, Champlain Elementary
10:00 AM

Vermont Outdoor Recreation Day

  • Georgia Gould, Kingdom Trails Landowner, Burke
  • Abigail Long, Executive Director, Kingdom Trails Association, East Burke
  • Shelby Semmes, Vice President, Trust for Public Land
10:45 AM

Break

10:55 AM

Working Lands Enterprise Initiative

Recipients of Working Lands grants

  • Mark Goodrich, Part owner, Goodridge Lumber
  • Annie Myers, Owner, Myers Produce LLC
  • Elizabeth Sipple, Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Program Staff, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Rose Thackeray, Owner, Union Brook Farm
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Thursday, February 13, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Vermont Conservation Districts

  • Jill Arace, Executive Director, Vermont Association of Conservation Districts
  • Richard Noel, Board Member, Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District
  • Hilary Solomon, District Manager, Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District
  • Katie Stiles, District Manager Rutland 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

  • Bill Chidsey, Farmer
  • Johanna Doren, Direct Markets and Local Food Access Program Director, NOFA-VT
  • David Keck, Owner, Stella 14 Wines
  • Maddie Kempner, Policy Director, NOFA-VT
  • Jacob Powsner, Baird Farm, Chittenden
  • Justin Rich, Farmer, Burnt Rock Farm
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
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Vermont Housing and Conservation Coalition

  • Mike Audette, Co-owner, Ledge Haven Farm
  • Julie Curtain, Director of Homeownership, Champlain Housing Trust
  • Becca Knouss, Owner, The Goat Project
  • Katie Rose Leonard, Owner, Head Over Fields Farm
  • Abby White, Executive Vice President, Vermont Land Trust
10:00 AM

Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

Report on the 2025 Governor's budget proposals for Agriculture

  • Nicole Dubuque, Chief Operations Officer, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Amy Mercier, Financial Director, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Anson Tebbetts, Secretary, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
11:15 AM

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:00 AM

S.60 - An act relating to establishing the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide payments for farm and forestry operation losses due to weather conditions

Introduction of bill

  • Sen. Ruth Hardy, Sponsor, Addison District
10:25 AM

Break

10:30 AM

NEK Day

Representatives of the Northeast Kingdom

  • Jennifer Carlo, Executive Director, NEK Collaborative
  • Matthew Linehan, Sparrow Arc Farm
  • Abigail Long, Executive Director, Kingdom Trails Association, East Burke
  • Mark Rodgers, President, Vermont Sheep and Goat Association, Glover
  • Molly Willard, Wood Energy and Forest Products Specialist, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
11:00 AM

Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance

  • Guy Crosby, Board Chair, Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance, Clay Hill Farm
  • Paul Doton, Dairy Farmer and Board Chair, Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance
  • Bill Emmons, Cloudland Farm
  • Walter Gladstone, Newmont Farm, Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance
  • Charles Gray, Owner, Four Corners Farm
  • Elizabeth Kennett, Owner, Liberty Hill Farm
  • Jennifer Megyesi, Fat Rooster Farm
  • Mike Snow, Executive Director, Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance, Post Mills Eggs and Grain
  • Mary White, Fort Waite Holsteins LLC, Vice President, Vermont Farm Bureau
12:00 AM

Adjourn

Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Farm Inputs

  • Jon Gaeta, Senior Director, Government Affairs, Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment
  • Gene Harrington, Director of Government Relations in the Northeast, Biotechnology Innovation Organization
  • Michael Heltzer, Director of State Government Affairs, BASF
  • Margaret Laggis, Lobbyist, Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment
  • Stephanie Pizzoferrato, Director of State Government Relations, CropLife America
  • Jonathan Wolff, Lobbyist, Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC
10:00 AM

Break

10:15 AM

Hemp

Introduction to Vilhemp USA

  • Janet Currie, Co-founder, Vilhemp USA
  • Travis Samuels, COO and Co-Owner, Zion Corporation
11:00 AM

Vermont Fairs and Field Days Association

  • Randy Beams, Lamoille Field Days
  • Robert Congdon, President, Vermont State Fair (Rutland)
  • Jackie Folsom, Lobbyist, Vermont Fairs and Field Days Association
  • Cindy Kayhart, President, Addison County Fair and Field Days
  • Tim Shea, Executive Director, Champlain Valley Exposition
  • Jason Sicard, President, Orleans County Fair
  • Chris Vance, President, Caledonia County Fair
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Thursday, February 20, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Equine Industry Update

  • Mindy Hinsdale, Member, Equine Industry Committee, Vermont Horse Council
  • Heidi Krantz, Chair, Equine Industry Committee, Vermont Horse Council
9:35 AM

S.60 - An act relating to establishing the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide payments for farm and forestry operation losses due to weather conditions

Vermont Farm Bureau Comments

  • Jackie Folsom, Lobbyist, VT Agricultural Fairs Association
9:50 AM

Adjourn

10:30 AM

Joint Assembly

Election of Sergeant at Arms and UVM Trustees

Friday, February 21, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

S.60 - An act relating to establishing the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide payments for farm and forestry operation losses due to weather conditions

  • Roy Beckford, Associate Dean and Director, UVM Extension
  • Nicole Dubuque, Chief Operations Officer, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Douglas Farnham, Chief Recovery Officer, Agency of Administration
  • Andy Jones, Farm Manager, Intervale Community Farm
  • Maddie Kempner, Policy Director, NOFA-VT
  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  • Justin Rich, Farmer, Burnt Rock Farm
  • Charlie Roy, Claims Specialist, NAU North East
  • Mary White, Fort Waite Holsteins LLC, Vice President, Vermont Farm Bureau
11:15 AM

Adjourn

Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Grain Farmers in Vermont

  • Heather Darby, Associate Professor, UVM Extension, Founding Member Northern Grain Growers Association
  • Randy George, Co-owner, Red Hen Baking Company
  • Todd Hardie, Champlain Valley Grain Center, Thornhill Farm
  • Seth Johnson, Morningstar Farm, Glover
  • Elizabeth Sipple, Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Program Staff, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
10:15 AM

Break

11:05 AM

S.124 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Walk-through of bill

-

S.60 - An act relating to establishing the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide payments for farm and forestry operation losses due to weather conditions

  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Thursday, February 27, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

S.60 - An act relating to establishing the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide payments for farm and forestry operation losses due to weather conditions

  • Vern Grubinger, Vegetable and Berry Specialist, UVM Extension
  • Melanie Harrison, Harrison's Homegrown
  • Jake Jacobs, Risk Management Outreach Specialist and Farm Teams Advisor, White River Natural Resource Conservation District
  • Simon Renault, Scott Farm
  • Sam Smith, Farm Business Specialist, Intervale Center
  • Anson Tebbetts, Secretary, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Graham Unangst-Rufenacht, Policy Director, Rural Vermont
10:30 AM

Break

10:40 AM

S.80 - An act relating to establishing Vermont Digital Addictions Awareness Day

Committee discussion

11:05 AM

Adjourn

Friday, February 28, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

S.124 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Laura DiPietro, Water Quality Division Director, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
-

S.60 - An act relating to establishing the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide payments for farm and forestry operation losses due to weather conditions

Possible vote

  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  • Amy Shollenberger, Lobbyist, Action Circles
10:05 AM

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

15 minutes after Senate adjourns

S.124 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
10:25 AM

Break

11:00 AM

S.124 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Eric Guzman, Attorney, Agency of Natural Resources
  • Julie Moore, Secretary, Agency of Natural Resources
  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

An act relating to protection from nuisance suits for agricultural activities

Review of S.45

  • Sen. Robert Norris, Sponsor
9:25 AM

Break

10:00 AM

S.124 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Caroline Sherman-Gordon, Legislative Director, Rural Vermont
10:10 AM

Adjourn

Thursday, March 13, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:15 AM

S.124 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Jared Carpenter, Water Protection Advocate, Lake Champlain Committee
  • Catherine Gjessing, General Counsel, Agency of Natural Resources
  • Julie Moore, Secretary, Agency of Natural Resources
  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
10:15 AM

Adjourn

Friday, March 14, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

S.124 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

vote

  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
-

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Herd Management Technology

  • Rep. John O'Brien, Member, House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
  • Dan Smith, Agritech Institute for Small Farms, Inc
9:40 AM

Adjourn

11:00 AM

Senate Floor

Thursday, March 20, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

S.60 - An act relating to establishing the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide payments for farm and forestry operation losses due to weather conditions

Consideration of amendment

9:15 AM

Adjourn

10:00 AM

Senate Floor

10:30 AM

Joint Assembly

Judicial Retention

Friday, March 21, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Salvation Farms Update

  • Kelly Dolan, Director, Salvation Farms
  • Richie Houriahan, Owner/Operator, Cabot Smith Farm
  • Connie Houriahan, Owner/Operator, Cabot Smith Farm
  • Kim Lipinski, Director of Nutrition and Wellness, Central Vermont Council on Aging
  • Tony Risitano, Program Director, Salvation Farms
9:45 AM

Break

9:50 AM

S.108 - An act relating to the Dog, Cat, and Wolf-Hybrid Spaying and Neutering Program

  • Nicole Dubuque, Chief Operations Officer, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Kaitlynn Levine, Assistant State Veterinarian, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  • Sue Skaskiw, VSNIP Administrator, Vermont Volunteer Services for Animals
  • Nicole Tousignant, Economics Benefits Director, Economic Services Division, Department for Children and Families
10:45 AM

Adjourn

11:00 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Rural Vermont Annual Small Farm Action Day

  • Earnest A. (Buster) Caswell, Farmworker, Champlain Orchards
  • Jean Hamilton, Executive Director, Land Access and Opportunity Board
  • Ethan Kramer, Tilia Hills Farm
  • Beth Levine, Beth The Baker LLC
  • Chris Lillie, Green Mountain Sativa
  • Chris Piana, Fable Farm & Fermentory
  • Caroline Sherman-Gordon, Legislative Director, Rural Vermont
10:20 AM

Adjourn

Thursday, March 27, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Committee Discussion

9:20 AM

Adjourn

Friday, March 28, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Vermont Beekeepers

  • Jeff Battaglini, President, Vermont Beekeepers Association
  • Brooke Decker, Pollinator Health Specialist, State Apiculturist, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Jackie Merriam, West Meadow Apiary
  • Fred Putnam, Recording Secretary, Vermont Beekeepers Association
10:30 AM

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

15 minutes after Senate adjourns

Vermont Food Bank

  • Sarah Keblin, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Vermont Foodbank
  • Carrie Stahler, Government and Public Affairs Officer, Vermont Foodbank
10:35 AM

H.484 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Introduction and walk-through

  • Rep. Richard Nelson, Representative
10:55 AM

Break

11:00 AM

H.486 - An act relating to homestead declarations and the property tax credit

  • Michael O'Grady, Office of Legislative Counsel
11:35 PM

Adjourn

Thursday, April 3, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

H.484 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets testimony

  • Steve Dwinell, Director, Public Health and Agricultural Resource Management, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Stephanie Smith, Deputy Director in the Division of Public Health and Agricultural Resource Management, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
9:40 AM

Adjourn

Friday, April 4, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

NOFA-VT

Crop Cash Plus and Farm Share Funding

  • Kayleigh Boucher, Owner, Green Mountain Blue Cheese
  • Vanessa Rose Bramhall, Owner, Leaping Bear Farm
  • Justin Bramhall, Owner, Leaping Bear Farm
  • Johanna Doren, Direct Markets and Local Food Access Program Director, NOFA-VT
  • Aprille Soons Palmer, Manager, Champlain Islands Farmers Market
  • Ashley Strobridge, Program Participant, via pre-recorded video
9:40 AM

Break

9:45 AM

Working Lands Enterprise Initiative

Budget request

  • Ellen Kahler, Executive Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
10:00 AM

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:10 AM

S.124 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Consideration of Senate Natural Resources Amendment

  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
10:35 AM

H.167 - An act relating to establishing the Vermonters Feeding Vermonters Grant at the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

  • Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, Bill Reporter
10:45 AM

S.118 - An act relating to agricultural economic development

  • Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale, Sponsor
10:50 AM

Break

11:00 AM

S.124 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Sen. Ruth Hardy, Reporter, Addison County
11:20 AM

Adjourn

Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Vermont Association of Conservation Districts

Budget request

  • Sarah Damsell, District Manager, Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District
  • Michelle Monroe, Executive Director, Vermont Association of Conservation Districts
9:45 AM

Adjourn

Thursday, April 10, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Pesticides

Pesticide fee disposal and report proposal

  • Steve Dwinell, Director, Public Health and Agricultural Resource Management, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Jennifer Holliday, Representative, Chittenden Solid Waste District
  • Margaret Laggis, Responsible Industry for a Sustainable Environment (RISE), CropLife America
  • Stephanie Smith, Deputy Director in the Division of Public Health and Agricultural Resource Management, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
9:30 AM

Break

11:00 AM

S.118 - An act relating to agricultural economic development

Walk-through

  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Friday, April 11, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

H.484 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Committee discussion

9:15 AM

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

15 minutes after Senate adjourns

S.124 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

-

H.484 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Committee Discussion

12:00 PM

Adjourn

Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

S.124 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

-

H.484 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
9:50 AM

Committee Discussion

Thursday, April 17, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Vermont Forest Products Association

Overview

  • Evan Dell’Olio, VFPA Member, Synergy Bioproducts
  • Chris Fife, VFPA Board of Directors, Weyerhaeuser Company
  • Ken Gagnon, VFPA Board of Directors, Gagnon Lumber
  • Colleen Goodridge, Vice President, Vermont Forest Products Association
  • Mike Green, VFPA Board of Directors, Green Forest Tree Service
  • Steve Hardy, VFPA President, Green Mountain Forestry
  • Gwynn Zakov, Lobbyist, Vermont Forest Products Association
10:15 AM

Break

10:25 AM

S.118 - An act relating to agricultural economic development

Little Village Enterprise

  • Paul Ralston, President, Little Village Enterprise
11:00 AM

Adjourn

Friday, April 18, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Committee Discussion

9:25 AM

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

H.484 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
9:35 AM

Break

10:30 AM

Rural Vermont Annual Small Farm Action Day

  • Samantha Langevin, Director of Partnerships and Community, Liberation Ecosystems
  • Joseph Morel, Eastman Farm, Barnard
  • Caroline Sherman-Gordon, Legislative Director, Rural Vermont
  • Katie Steere, Wild Earth Farm, Randolph
  • Graham Unangst-Rufenacht, Policy Director, Rural Vermont
  • Ben Wilcox, Off Piste Farm
11:30 AM

Adjourn

Thursday, April 24, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

H.484 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Ellen Czajkowski, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  • Joseph Morel, Eastman Farm, Barnard
  • Chris Piana, Fable Farm & Fermentory
  • Caroline Sherman-Gordon, Legislative Director, Rural Vermont
-

Adjourn

Friday, April 25, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Dairy Delivers Report

  • Anson Tebbetts, Secretary, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
9:40 AM

Break

10:00 AM

H.484 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Ellen Czajkowski, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
-

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

following Senate adjournment

H.484 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Ellen Czajkowski, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  • Joseph Morel, Eastman Farm, Barnard
  • Amy Morel, Eastman Farm, Barnard
  • Chris Piana, Fable Farm & Fermentory
  • Caroline Sherman-Gordon, Legislative Director, Rural Vermont
-

Adjourn

Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:10 AM

SR14 - Senate resolution strongly urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expedite the establishment and implementation of an avian influenza vaccine national reserve and distribution system for small- and medium-sized poultry farms

committee discussion

-

Adjourn

Thursday, May 1, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Committee Discussion

-

Adjourn

Friday, May 2, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

H.484 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Peter Gill, Executive Director, Land Use Review Board
-

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

following Senate adjournment

H.167 - An act relating to establishing the Vermonters Feeding Vermonters Grant at the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

  • Anore Horton, Executive Director, Hunger Free Vermont
  • Michael O'Grady, Office of Legislative Counsel
  • Amy Shollenberger, Lobbyist, Action Circles, Vermont Community Action Partnership
  • Michelle Wallace, Director of Community Health Programs, Vermont Foodbank
-

Adjourn

Thursday, May 8, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

H.484 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Possible vote

  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
-

Adjourn

Friday, May 9, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
11:00 AM

H.484 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Possible vote

  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
-

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Exemptions for food manufacturing establishments

Review of H.401

  • Sen. Martine Larocque Gulick, Sponsor
  • Sen. Virginia "Ginny" Lyons, Sponsor
  • Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  • Elisabeth Wirsing, Senior Environmental Health Program Manager, Department of Health
-

Adjourn

9:30 AM

Senate Floor

following Senate adjournment

Technical corrections for fish and wildlife statutes

H.231 Section 19 (p.25)

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
10:00 AM

Senate Floor

Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:15 AM

H.484 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Allison Crowley, Lobbyist, Crowley Consultants, LLC
  • Michael O'Grady, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  • Sen. Anne Watson, Sponsor of the Amendment, Sponsor
-

Adjourn

10:00 AM

Senate Floor

Thursday, May 29, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
10:00 AM

Senate Floor

Friday, May 30, 2025
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
8:45 AM

S.124 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Joint hearing with Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee
livestreamed here: https://www.youtube.com/@VTSenateNatural/videos

10:00 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
10:00 AM

Senate Convenes

following Senate Floor

Committee Discussion

-

Adjourn

Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
10:30 AM

Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Updates

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Nicole Dubuque, Chief Operations Officer, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Anson Tebbetts, Secretary, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Abbey Willard, Director, Agricultural Development Division, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

2:00 PM

Governor's State of the State Address

Thursday, January 8, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Cannabis Control Board

  • Kyle Harris, Board Member, Cannabis Control Board
  • Julie Hulburd, Commissioner, Cannabis Control Board
  • James Pepper, Cannabis Control Board
9:55 AM

Break

10:00 AM

NOFA-VT

Introductions and overview

  • Johanna Doren, Direct Markets and Local Food Access Program Director, NOFA-VT
  • Maddie Kempner, Policy Director, NOFA-VT
  • Jessica Hays Lucas, Grassroots Policy Organizer, NOFA-VT
10:30 AM

Rural Vermont

Introduction of current programs

  • Caroline Sherman-Gordon, Legislative Director, Rural Vermont
  • Graham Unangst-Rufenacht, Policy Director, Rural Vermont
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Friday, January 9, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Vermont Farm to School

Farm to School Network Awareness Day

  • Karyl Kent, Child Nutrition Director, Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District
  • Olivia Stewart, 12th Grade Student, Champlain Valley Union High School
  • Kayla Strom, Farm to School Programs Coordinator, NOFA-VT
9:25 AM

Adjourn

9:30 AM

Senate Floor

Followed by mandatory training

Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Municipal Regulation of Agriculture

Agricultural Zoning in Municipalities

  • Josh Hanford, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
  • Samantha Sheehan, Municipal Policy and Advocacy Specialist, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
9:55 AM

Break

10:00 AM

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Update of programs available to farmers

  • Wendy Wilton, State Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency
10:45 AM

Break

11:00 AM

Municipal Regulation of Agriculture

  • Bradley Showman, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
12:00 PM

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Thursday, January 15, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA)

proposed changes in structure

  • Joan Goldstein, Chief Executive Officer, Vermont Economic Development Authority
9:30 AM

Break

9:45 AM

Impact of Natural Gas Pipelines on Farmers

  • Jim Dumont, Attorney
  • Nate Palmer, Owner, Palmer Farm
  • Jane Palmer, Owner, Palmer Farm
10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

Farm Inputs

Rock dust and limestone

  • Jonathan Corcoran, Addison County Relocalization Network (ACORN)
  • Trampas Demers, Owner, Shelburne Limestone Corporation
  • Thomas Vanacore, Owner, Rock Dust Local
11:25 AM

Agricultural Land Use

  • Ryan Patch, Agriculture Climate and Land Use Policy Manager, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Friday, January 16, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Updates

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
9:55 AM

Break

10:00 AM

Hemp and Adult Use Cannabis

  • Jessilyn Dolan, Co Founder, Green Mountain Patients' Alliance
  • Amy Lems, Board of Directors Member and Grant Administrator, Vermont Growers Association
  • Graham Unangst-Rufenacht, Policy Director, Rural Vermont
11:15 AM

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:00 AM

Solar on Vermont Agricultural Land

  • Peter Sterling, Executive Director, Renewable Energy Vermont
10:30 AM

Solar on Vermont Agricultural Land

Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

  • Alex DePillis, Energy and Climate, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Ari Rockland-Miller, Senior Agricultural Development Coordinator, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Governor's Budget Address

House Chamber

Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Vermont Conservation Districts

  • Michael Fernandez, District Manager, Bennington County Conservation District
  • Michelle Monroe, Executive Director, Vermont Association of Conservation Districts
  • Hilary Solomon, District Manager, Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District
  • Katie Stiles, District Manager Rutland Natural Resources Conservation District
  • Lauren Weston, District Manager, Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District
10:00 AM

Break

10:10 AM

Vermont Farm Bureau

  • Amber Perry, Policy Director, Vermont Farm Bureau
  • Mary White, President, Vermont Farm Bureau
10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee on Lake Champlain's Future

  • Breck Bowden, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Karina Dailey, Chair, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Bob Fischer, Water Facility Operator, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Lori Fisher, Member, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Andrew Milliken, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Denise Smith, Co-Chair, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Alison Spasyk, Member, Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Thursday, January 22, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Farm to Plate Investment Program

  • Jake Claro, Farm to Plate Network Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
  • Ellen Kahler, Executive Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance

  • Skylar Blaney, Green Mountain Farm, Sheldon, VT
  • Elaine Brisson, Daona Farm, Shoreham, VT
  • David Defreest, Defreest Farms, Warren, VT
  • Jenne Hull, Riverview Farm, Franklin, VT
  • Kevin Kouri, Director of Nutrition and Sales, Phoenix Feeds and Nutrition
  • Oliver Manning, Manning Dairy Farm, St. Albans, VT
  • Stephanie Pope, Iroquois Acres Farm
  • Kylie Quesnel Chittenden, Richville Farms, Shoreham, VT
  • Megan Rowell, Green Mountain Farm, Sheldon, VT
  • Emma Shouldice, Lobbyist, Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance
  • Bradley St. Pierre, Pleasant Valley Farm, Richford
  • Ferdinand Waibel, Brouillette Farms
  • Lance Wood, Woodnotch Dairy, Shoreham, VT
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Adjourn

Friday, January 23, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Farmers Watershed Alliance

  • Larry Gervais, Gervais Family Farm, Farmers Watershed Alliance
  • Scott Magnan, Board Chair, Farmers Watershed Alliance
  • Tim Magnant, Retired Farmer
10:00 AM

Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance

  • Paul Doton, Dairy Farmer and Board Chair, Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance
  • Bill Emmons, Cloudland Farm
  • Walter Gladstone, Newmont Farm, Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance
  • Elizabeth Kennett, Owner, Liberty Hill Farm
  • Howard Prussak, High Meadows Farm
  • Mike Snow, Executive Director, Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance, Post Mills Eggs and Grain
  • Tim Taylor, Crossroad Farm
11:15 AM

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

9:55 AM

Break

Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

15 minutes after the Floor

UVM Extension

Update

  • Heather Darby, Associate Professor, UVM Extension
10:55 AM

Break

11:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Kirby Keeton, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  • Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  • Bradley Showman, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
12:00 PM

Adjourn

Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Food is Medicine

overview of group's work

  • Danielle Allen, Farmer, Root 5 Farm, Fairlee, VT
  • Maureen Boardman, Clinician, Little River Health Care
  • Christine Hadekel, Food and Farm Program Director, Vermont Youth Conservation Corps
  • Mary Kate Mohlman, Director of Public Policy, Bi-State Primary Care Association
  • Stephanie Pinard, Community Resource Director, People's Health & Wellness Clinic
  • Susan Smiley, Addison County ACORN
  • Grace Woroch, Manager of Produce Prescription, Vermont Youth Conservation Corps
  • Tina Zuk, Government Relations Director, American Heart Association
9:45 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

vote on committee bill

9:55 AM

Break

10:00 AM

Champlain Valley Farmers Coalition

  • Tim Kayhart, Vice President, Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition, Kayhart Brothers Farm
  • Brian Kemp, Organic Beef Farmer
  • Kate Longfield, Executive Director, Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition
10:45 AM

Break

10:55 AM

Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

2027 Budget

  • Nicole Dubuque, Chief Operations Officer, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Amy Mercier, Financial Director, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Anson Tebbetts, Secretary, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Thursday, January 29, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Center For an Agricultural Economy

update

  • Jon Ramsay, Executive Director, Center for an Agricultural Economy
9:55 AM

Break

10:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 1

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Abbey Willard, Director, Agricultural Development Division, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
11:15 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Committee discussion of sections

-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Friday, January 30, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Vermont Housing and Conservation Board

  • Stacy Cibula, Associate Conservation Director, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
  • Liz Gleason, Farm and Forest Viability Program Director, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
  • Gus Seelig, Executive Director, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
10:05 AM

Break

10:10 AM

S.60 - An act relating to establishing the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide payments for farm and forestry operation losses due to weather conditions

Walk-through with Sen. Plunkett

-

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Sections 1-3

  • Jake Claro, Farm to Plate Network Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Josh Hanford, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
  • Maddie Kempner, Policy Director, NOFA-VT
  • Amber Perry, Policy Director, Vermont Farm Bureau
  • Samantha Sheehan, Municipal Policy and Advocacy Specialist, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
  • Caroline Sherman-Gordon, Legislative Director, Rural Vermont
10:10 AM

Break

10:15 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

continuation of discussion

-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Thursday, February 5, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

3 Squares Awareness Day

  • Jamie Sky Bianco, Owner, Ramble Bramble Farm
  • Bob Chappelle, Farmer, Chappelle's Vermont Potatoes
  • Seren Dias, Owner, Giant Journey Farm
  • Johanna Doren, Direct Markets and Local Food Access Program Director, NOFA-VT
  • Emmet Moseley, CVOEO, Feeding Champlain Valley
  • John Sayles, CEO, Vermont Foodbank
10:10 AM

Break

10:15 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 12

  • Abbey Willard, Director, Agricultural Development Division, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
10:35 AM

Break

10:40 AM

Vermont Food Bank

  • Carrie Stahler, Senior Government Affairs Manager, Vermont Foodbank
11:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Spencer Blackwell, Elmer Farms, Middlebury VT
  • Paul Ralston, President, Little Village Enterprise
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Friday, February 6, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 1

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Laura DiPietro, Water Quality Division Director, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
9:30 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Sections 4-5, 7

  • Will Baker, General Counsel, Department of Taxes
  • Jill Remick, Director of Property Valuation and Review, Department of Taxes
10:30 AM

Farm First

Overview

  • Mark Adams, LMHC, Director, Invest EAP
  • Angela Shea, Clinical Director, Farm First
-

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

following the Floor

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Sections 14, 15-20

  • Stephanie Smith, Deputy Director, Plant Industry Division, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
10:00 AM

Break

10:30 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Sections 1-3

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Abbey Willard, Director, Agricultural Development Division, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
-

Adjourn

4:30 AM

Agriculture Producers Association Reception

4:30-5:45 in State House Cafeteria

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Working Lands Program Overview

  • Ellen Kahler, Executive Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
  • Clare Salerno, Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Program Staff, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Katharine Servidio, Forest Economy Program Manager, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
  • Elizabeth Sipple, Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Program Staff, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Abbey Willard, Director, Agricultural Development Division, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Sections 1-3

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Bradley Showman, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Thursday, February 12, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Working Lands Enterprise Initiative

Grantees

  • Claire Georges, Founder & CEO, Butterfly Bakery of Vermont
  • Miles Jenness, Owner, Vermont Heavy Timber LLC
  • Mischa Johnson, Co-owner, Free Verse Farm & Apothecary
  • David Keck, Owner, Keck Wine Enterprises LLC
  • Elizabeth Sipple, Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Program Staff, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
10:30 AM

Break

10:45 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 10

  • Rep. Gregory "Greg" Burtt, , House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
  • Greg Cox, Boardman Hill Farm, West Rutland, VT
  • Jesse McDougall, Regenerative Farmer, Studio Hill Farm
  • Annette Smith, Executive Director, Vermonters for a Clean Environment
  • Peter Sterling, Executive Director, Renewable Energy Vermont
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Friday, February 13, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Vermont Housing and Conservation Coalition

  • Guy Goulet, Owner and Operator, Goulet Farm
  • Mark Gutel, Owner and Operator, A Kinder Way Berry Farm, West Pawlet
  • Sam Smith, Farm Business Director, Intervale Center
  • Kathleen Swanson, Resident of South Hero
  • Rosalie Williams, Lifelong Farmer, Diversified Ag, Bakersfield
10:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Hemp

  • Sam Bellavance, Chief Executive Officer, Sunset Lake CBD
  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Kyle Harris, Board Member, Cannabis Control Board
  • James Pepper, Chair, Cannabis Control Board
  • Geoffrey Pizzutillo, Executive Director and CoFounder, Vermont Growers Association
11:15 AM

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:30 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 4-5, 7 walk-through

  • Kirby Keeton, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
10:45 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 10 walk-through

  • Ellen Czajkowski, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
11:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 10 testimony

  • Gregg Faber, Legislative Liaison, Public Utility Commission
-

Adjourn

Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:10 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Committee discussion

9:40 AM

Break

10:15 AM

Vermont Fairs and Field Days Association

Introductions and update

  • Bob Allen, Past President, Member, Vermont Agricultural Fairs Association
  • Randy Beamer, Lamoille Field Days
  • Robert Congdon, President, Vermont State Fair (Rutland)
  • Cindy Kayhart, President, Addison County Fair and Field Days
  • Sarah Noel, Franklin County Field Days
  • Chris Vance, President, Caledonia County Fair
10:50 AM

Break

11:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Farmer comments on all sections of bill

  • Becky Castle, Owner, Sisters of Anarchy Icecream
  • Chanin Hill, Office Manager, Four Hills Dairy
  • Kieran Killeen, Killeen Crossroads Farm
  • Mark Magnan, Magnan Brothers Farm
  • Stephanie Pope, Iroquois Acres Farm
  • Tucker Purchase, Partner, Fairmont Farms
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Thursday, February 19, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Hemp regulation and current use

  • Bradley Showman, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
9:45 AM

Vermonters Feeding Vermonters

Report to committee

  • Chris Meehan, Vermont Foodbank
  • Carrie Stahler, Senior Government Affairs Manager, Vermont Foodbank
  • Abbey Willard, Director, Agricultural Development Division, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
10:15 AM

Break

10:30 AM

Joint Assembly

Election of VSC Trustees and Adjutant and Inspector General
House Chamber

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Friday, February 20, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 1-3

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Josh Hanford, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
  • Maddie Kempner, Policy Director, NOFA-VT
  • Amber Perry, Policy Director, Vermont Farm Bureau
  • Caroline Sherman-Gordon, Legislative Director, Rural Vermont
10:30 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 10

  • Jennifer Blay, Select Board Chair, Lowell VT
  • Thomas Hand, Co-founder, MHG Solar
-

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Sections 1-3

  • Sen. John Morley, Member
10:30 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 10

  • Rep. Gregory "Greg" Burtt, House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Alison Despathy, Vermonters for a Clean Environment
  • Dan Kinney, Lone Oak Farm, Royalton, VT
  • Jesse McDougall, Regenerative Farmer, Studio Hill Farm
  • Adam Necrason, Lobbyist, Renewable Energy Vermont
  • Annette Smith, Executive Director, Vermonters for a Clean Environment
  • Ben Walsh, Climate & Energy Program Director, Vermont Public Interest Research Group
-

Adjourn

Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 6 Accessory On-Farm Structure Permit

  • Brooke Dingledine, Board Member, Land Use Review Board
  • Joseph Morel, Feast and Field, Barnard
  • Jenny Ronis, General Counsel, Land Use Review Board
  • Emma Shouldice, Lobbyist, Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance
9:40 AM

Break

9:50 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 10 Solar siting.

  • Alison Despathy, Co-Director, Vermonters for a Clean Environment
  • Annette Smith, Executive Director, Vermonters for a Clean Environment
10:15 AM

Break

10:30 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Committee discussion

10:45 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section Accessory On Farm Structure Permits

  • Becky Castle, Owner, Sisters of Anarchy Ice Cream
11:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Hemp

  • Sam Bellavance, Chief Executive Officer, Sunset Lake Cannabis
  • Gabriel Gilman, General Counsel, Cannabis Control Board
  • Jesse Harper, Owner, Gram Central
  • Amy Lems, Board of Directors Member and Grant Administrator, Vermont Growers Association
  • Graham Unangst-Rufenacht, Policy Director, Rural Vermont
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Thursday, February 26, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Rural Vermont Annual Small Farm Action Day

  • Earnest A. (Buster) Caswell, Farmworker, Champlain Orchards
  • Seren Dias, Farmer and Owner, Giant Journey Farm
  • Michael Fernandez, Farmer, Regional Commissioner for Conservation, Bennington County Conservation District Manager
  • Henry Harris, Grassroots Farm, Marshfield, VT
  • Mary Linehan, Resident, Strafford
  • Marya Merriam, Chair, Rural Vermont Board of Directors / Farmer Wood Frog Flowers
  • Caroline Sherman-Gordon, Legislative Director, Rural Vermont
  • Kirsten Tyler, Farmer, Rocky Hill Farm
  • Graham Unangst-Rufenacht, Policy Director, Rural Vermont
10:00 AM

Break

10:05 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Bradley Showman, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
-

Adjourn

Friday, February 27, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Vermont Equine Industry Advocacy Group

Update

  • Mindy Hinsdale, Member, Vermont Equine Industry Advocacy Group
  • Alyssa Price, Member, Vermont Equine Industry Advocacy Group
  • Catie Hill Waterman, Member, Vermont Equine Industry Advocacy Group
9:30 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Emma Shouldice, Lobbyist, Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance
  • Bradley Showman, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
-

S.60 - An act relating to establishing the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund to provide payments for farm and forestry operation losses due to weather conditions

possible vote

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

following Senate Adjournment

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Reg Chaput, Owner, Chaput Family Farm
  • Mark Magnan, Magnan Brothers Farm
  • Rep. Richard Nelson, Representative
  • Allan Thompson, Certified Wildlife Biologist and Licensed Forester, Vermont Woodlands Association
11:25 AM

Break

11:30 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Dan Querrey, Burnham Hollow Orchard, Middletown Springs, Vermont
-

Adjourn

Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 9 Solar siting

  • Ellen Czajkowski, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
9:25 AM

Break

9:35 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 9 Solar siting

  • Peter Sterling, Executive Director, Renewable Energy Vermont
  • Arthur Whitman, Vermont Seed Dealers Association, member, Vermont Farm Bureau
10:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Bradley Showman, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Thursday, March 12, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Peter Sterling, Executive Director, Renewable Energy Vermont
9:30 AM

Funding Requests

  • Jackie Folsom, President, Vermont Fairs and Field Days Association
  • Meg Fuerst, Representative, Action Circles
  • Maddie Kempner, Policy Director, NOFA-VT
  • Amy Shollenberger, Lobbyist, Action Circles, Vermont Community Action Partnership
10:00 AM

Break

11:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Bradley Showman, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Friday, March 13, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

committee vote

9:15 AM

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:30 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Committee discussion

-

Adjourn

Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
10:30 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Bradley Showman, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
-

Adjourn

11:00 AM

Senate Floor

Thursday, March 19, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
11:00 AM

Senate Floor

Friday, March 20, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
11:00 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

-

Adjourn

Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Committee Discussion

-

Adjourn

10:30 AM

Joint Assembly

Judicial Retention

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Thursday, March 26, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Friday, March 27, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:00 AM

H.739 - An act relating to prohibiting the use and sale of the herbicide paraquat

-

H.942 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

New bills in committee - committee discussion

  • Anna Seuberling, Environmental Advocate, Vermont Public Interest Research Group
  • Teo Zagar, Lobbyist, Necrason Group
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Professional Logging Contractors

Introduction and brief overview of issues facing logging industry

  • Dana Doran, Executive Director, Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast
9:05 AM

Tile Drainage

  • Heather Darby, Associate Professor, UVM Extension
  • Josh Faulkner, Director, UVM Agricultural and Environmental Testing Lab, UVM Extension
10:00 AM

Break

10:15 AM

Salvation Farms Update

  • Kelly Dolan, Director, Salvation Farms
  • Jon Ramsay, Executive Director, Center for an Agricultural Economy
11:00 AM

H.739 - An act relating to prohibiting the use and sale of the herbicide paraquat

-

H.942 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Thursday, April 2, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Department of Taxes

Farm related issues

  • Will Baker, Director of Legal Services, General Counsel, Department of Taxes
  • Maggie Lenz, Lobbyist, Vermont Equine Industry Advocacy Group
  • Jill Remick, Director of Property Valuation and Review, Department of Taxes
10:00 AM

Break

10:45 AM

Agency of Natural Resources/Department of Environmental Conservation

Farm related issues

  • Julie Moore, Secretary, Agency of Natural Resources
  • Bryan Redmond, Director, Department of Environmental Conservation Drinking Water & Groundwater Protection Division, Agency of Natural Resources
  • Misty Sinsigalli, Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Friday, April 3, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

H.739 - An act relating to prohibiting the use and sale of the herbicide paraquat

  • James Boyd, Professor of Neurological Sciences, UVM Medical Center
  • Rep. Gregory "Greg" Burtt, Representative, House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
  • Heather Darby, Associate Professor, UVM Extension
  • Steve Dwinell, Director, Plant Industry Division, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Charles Gray, Owner, Four Corners Farm
  • Zach Hardy, Senior Government Relations Officer, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
  • Rep. Richard Nelson, Representative, House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
  • Rep. John O'Brien, Reporter of Bill, House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
-

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:00 AM

H.941 - An act relating to municipal regulation of agriculture

walk-through

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Ellen Czajkowski, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
  • Bradley Showman, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
-

Adjourn

Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

Professional Logging Contractors

Logging issues

  • Dana Doran, Executive Director, Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast
  • Rep. Jed Lipsky, , Stowe
9:45 AM

CAFO Stakeholder Group

  • Jonathan Chamberlin, Technical Service Provider, Bourdeau, Inc.
  • Walter Gladstone, Newmont Farm, Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance
  • Tim Kayhart, Vice President, Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition, Kayhart Brothers Farm
  • Brian Kemp, Organic Beef Farmer, Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition
  • Jeff Sanders, Farmer, Franklin Grand Isle Watershed Alliance
  • Emma Shouldice, Lobbyist, Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance
  • Keith Sprague, Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance
  • Amanda St. Pierre, Executive Director, Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Thursday, April 9, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

H.739 - An act relating to prohibiting the use and sale of the herbicide paraquat

  • David Mortensen, Emeritus Professor, Agroecology, UNH-Durham
-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Friday, April 10, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

H.739 - An act relating to prohibiting the use and sale of the herbicide paraquat

Orchardists

  • Dan Bair, Owner, Peck Farm Orchards
  • Rep. Gregory "Greg" Burtt, Representative, House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
  • Lia Diamond, Owner, Southern Vermont Orchards
  • Laura Marks , Southern Vermont Orchards
-

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:30 AM

H.739 - An act relating to prohibiting the use and sale of the herbicide paraquat

  • Eugenie Doyle, Last Resort Farm
  • Scott Faber, Senior Vice President, Environmental Working Group, Georgetown University Law School
  • Bill Suhr, Founder & Orchardist, Champlain Orchards
-

Adjourn

Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

H.942 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 3

  • Patricia Brown, Board Member, Vermont Retail & Grocers Association
  • Matt Cota, Representing, Meadow Hill Consulting
  • Maggie Lenz, Lobbyist, Vermont Retail & Grocers Association
  • Thomas Weiss, Resident, Montpelier
9:30 AM

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

-

H.941 - An act relating to municipal regulation of agriculture

side-by-side comparison of the two bills

  • Bradley Showman, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Thursday, April 16, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

H.942 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 3 Unit Pricing

  • Scott Dolan, Agriculture Weights & Measures Specialist, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Marc Paquette, Chief, Weights and Measures, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
10:00 AM

Break

10:15 AM

H.739 - An act relating to prohibiting the use and sale of the herbicide paraquat

-

Adjourn

1:00 PM

Senate Floor

Friday, April 17, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

H.739 - An act relating to prohibiting the use and sale of the herbicide paraquat

  • Bradley Showman, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
9:30 AM

Break

10:05 AM

Current Use

Equine Industry and new farm structures

  • Maggie Lenz, Lobbyist, Vermont Equine Industry Advocacy Group
  • Jill Remick, Director of Property Valuation and Review, Department of Taxes
10:20 AM

Current Use in Agriculture

farm buildings

  • Jill Remick, Director of Property Valuation and Review, Department of Taxes
-

Adjourn

11:30 AM

Senate Floor

Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Senate Floor

10:00 AM

Current Use

Farm structure use

-

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

proposed Agency of Agriculture language

Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Meeting Record
9:00 AM

H.942 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Section 3 unit pricing

  • Patricia Brown, Board Member, Vermont Retail & Grocers Association
  • Scott Dolan, Agriculture Weights & Measures Specialist, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • Marc Paquette, Chief, Weights and Measures, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
  • David Simendinger, Champlain Farms
  • Christopher Smyly, Champlain Farms
-

S.323 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

proposed language concerning municipalities and farming.

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
9:45 AM

H.942 - An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects

Equine amendment

  • Maggie Lenz, Lobbyist, Vermont Equine Industry Advocacy Group
9:55 AM

H.739 - An act relating to prohibiting the use and sale of the herbicide paraquat

  • Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
1:00 PM

Senate Floor

2025-2026 Session

Change Session

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Senate Committee on Agriculture
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  • Sen. Joseph "Joe" Major, Vice Chair
  • Sen. Brian Collamore
  • Sen. Steven Heffernan, Clerk
  • Sen. Robert Plunkett
  • Linda Leehman, Committee Assistant
  • Information for Witnesses

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