Governor’s Investment Priorities for the Future of Agriculture

The Future of Agriculture Commission released their Action Plan earlier this month (click here) that identifies priority strategies for the Governor to leverage the Farm to Plate strategic plan for the Vermont food system. Highlights include: support for institutional local purchasing, investments to realize a Payment for Ecosystem Services Program, valuing apprenticeship programs and further boosting programs like the Working Lands Enterprise Program and the Farm and Forest Viability Program. Another focus will be advancing so-called “climate smart” agriculture strategies. Rural Vermont will monitor and advocate for solutions that foster resilient, bioregional food systems; food sovereignty and farm viability; and which are inclusive of agroecological approaches rather than trends such as market based solutions, consolidation and industrialization.