Each year, Rural Vermont invites our farmer members and ally organizations to learn about and engage in the legislative process, advocacy, and pending policy during the legislative session. This event series offers farmers and the agrarian community at large - homesteaders, gardeners, (urban) farmers, medicine makers, and food activists alike - opportunities to speak with lawmakers, voice their real-life issues, and to empowerment from learning more about the legislative process. In 2025, we’ll be hosting two Small Farm Action Days at the Vermont State House in Montpelier:
Wednesday, March 26th from 8am to 12pm
Wednesday, April 23rd 8am to 12pm
Join us for one event or both! This year’s half-day events are designed for those who are interested in testifying in front of the House Ag or Senate Ag committees. Attendees will build skills, connections, and experience to confidently and effectively advocate for the wants and needs of themselves and their communities. Rural Vermont is not going to be prescriptive on what you are going to testify on. Small Farm Action Day is an open-ended invitation to farm(work)ers to speak to the issues that affect them directly. You can read or listen to our Legislative Update to get an idea about what agricultural issues are currently subject to pending legislation. We welcome you to speak to your own opinion and to bring other issues to the event that are not subject to any legislation as well. Rural Vermont will offer a virtual advocacy training before March 26th for those who are interested. If you plan to testify on March 26 or April 23, it is highly recommended you attend the pre-SFAD virtual training (attending the training is not required).
EVENT SCHEDULE
MARCH 26 & APRIL 23
8:00am - Welcome & Introductions in the Statehouse Lobby
9:00am - 10:00am House Ag Committee
10:30am - 11:30am Senate Ag Committee
11:30am - 1:00pm Meet and Greet with your Legislator and Join Rural Vermont staff
in the Statehouse cafeteria for lunch and discussion
We will begin with a brief orientation in the statehouse lobby where we will give time for introductions and to reach out to your legislators through the State House’s Page messaging system. Afterwards, we will visit the Senate and House Agriculture Committees where participants of our group will have a chance to testify on pending legislation and to express needs and issues they face that may not be reflected in legislation yet. After we visit both committees, your local Senator or Legislator might be interested to meet with you for lunch in the statehouse cafeteria! Alternatively, you are welcome to join Rural Vermont staff for lunch.
We encourage you to sign up for the virtual advocacy training (signup in our registration form) and/or visit our activist toolkit (link below) before your participation in Small Farm Action Day on March 26th or April 23rd. For those interested, show up in solidarity and follow live on YouTube to hear what your peers bring to legislators attention that day! Hope you all may join us for Small Farm Action Day in 2025 - registration required!