§ 4701. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
(a) The purpose of this section is to promote research and education that will encourage
the development and use of economically and ecologically sound sustainable agriculture
practices, such as organic methods, biological control, integrated pest management,
soil improvement, cultivation, harvesting and irrigation techniques, and transportation
and marketing innovations, through:
(1) the control of pests and diseases of agricultural importance through alternatives
that reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides and petrochemicals;
(2) the production, processing, and distribution of food and fiber in ways that consider
the interactions among soils, plants, water, air, animals, tillage, machinery, labor,
energy, and transportation to enhance the viability of agricultural soils, public
health, and resource conservation;
(3) the expansion of marketing opportunities and promotion of products produced through
the practice of sustainable agriculture that will encourage the purchase of Vermont
grown foods and promote regional food security; and
(4) the coordination of research and education activities on sustainable agriculture among
private and public agencies and individuals within Vermont.
(b) [Repealed.]
(c) The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets is authorized to apply for, accept,
and make use of grants from public and private sources to achieve the objectives of
this section, in accordance with the provisions of 32 V.S.A. § 5. In awarding grants, preference shall be given to individuals, especially farmers,
conducting on-farm research.
(d) [Repealed.] (Added 1989, No. 228 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2009, No. 33, § 16; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 249, 302, eff. Feb. 14, 2014; 2019, No. 61, § 16.)
§ 4710. Vermont Farm and Forest Viability Program
(a) The Vermont Farm and Forest Viability Program is a voluntary program established in
the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets to provide assistance to Vermont farm,
food, and forest-sector businesses to enhance the financial success and long-term
viability of Vermont agricultural and forest sectors. In administering the Program,
the Secretary shall:
(1) Collaborate with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to administer the program
with other State and federal agencies, private entities, and service groups to develop,
coordinate, and provide technical and financial assistance to Vermont farm, food,
and forest-sector businesses.
(2) Secure and coordinate experts to assist farm, food, and forest-sector business owners
in areas such as business and financial planning, succession planning, diversifying,
adopting new technologies, improving product quality, developing value-added products,
and lowering costs of production. Providers may include business management specialists,
University of Vermont Extension professionals, and other experts to deliver the educational
and consulting services.
(3) Encourage agricultural or forest-sector economic development through investing in
improvements to essential infrastructure and the promotion of businesses in these
sectors.
(4) Enter into agreements with private organizations or individuals or with any agency
or instrumentality of the United States or of this State and employ technical experts
to carry out the purposes of this section.
(b) The Farm and Forest Viability Program shall be assisted by an advisory board consisting
of 12 members who shall include:
(1) The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets. The Secretary shall serve as Chair
of the Board.
(2) The Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation or designee.
(3) The Commissioner of Economic Development or designee.
(4) The Manager of the Vermont Economic Development Authority or designee.
(5) The Director of University of Vermont Extension or designee.
(6) The Executive Director of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board or designee.
(7) Four Vermont agricultural or forest-sector business owners appointed by the Secretary
of Agriculture, Food and Markets in consultation with the Vermont Housing and Conservation
Board and the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation. At least two of the four
business owners shall be agricultural-sector business owners.
(8) Two people who have expertise in agricultural or forest-sector economics, financing,
or business development appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets
in consultation with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and the Commissioner
of Forests, Parks and Recreation.
(c) Members of the Advisory Board established in subsection (b) of this section other
than ex officio members shall serve up to three two-year terms and shall be entitled
to per diem expenses pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 1010 for each day spent in the performance of their duties, and each such member shall
be reimbursed for his or her reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out his or her
duties under this section.
(d) In consultation with the Advisory Board, the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets
and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board shall establish performance goals,
performance measures that demonstrate Program results, and other criteria to implement
the Program. The criteria shall include at least the following requirements:
(1) the use of funds available to the Program is likely to succeed in improving the economic
viability of the business;
(2) the enrollees demonstrate commitment to participating in the Program; and
(3) an evaluation shall be completed by the enrollees.
(e) The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets, the Commissioner of Forests, Parks
and Recreation, and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, separately or cooperatively,
may solicit federal funds, grants, and private contributions for the Farm and Forest
Viability Program, but any Vermont Housing and Conservation Board funds used for the
Farm and Forest Viability Program shall be administered in accordance with 10 V.S.A. § 312.
(f) In collaboration with the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets and the Commissioner
of Forests, Parks and Recreation, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board shall
report in writing to the Senate Committees on Agriculture and on Economic Development,
Housing and General Affairs and the House Committees on Agriculture and Forestry and
on Commerce and Economic Development on or before January 31 of each year with a report
on the activities and performance of the Farm and Forest Viability Program. At a minimum,
the report shall include an evaluation of the Program utilizing the performance goals
and performance measures established in consultation with the Advisory Board under
subsection (d) of this section.
(g) [Repealed.] (Added 2003, No. 143 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. June 3, 2004; amended 2005, No. 77, § 2; 2005, No. 201 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2007, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2015, No. 11, § 6; 2017, No. 194 (Adj. Sess.), § 5.)