From VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation Forest Economy-

The Pre-Application for Supply Chain and Market Level Infrastructure Grants opened for reading and reviewing on October 8, 2021. Submittals to this Pre-Application opens on October 22, 2021, and are due on December 6, 2021. These Pre-Applications will be reviewed by the Working Lands Enterprise Board in December, and applicants will be notified in January of denial or invitation to submit Full Applications.

• Supply Chain project activities under these grants will demonstrate how the market or product the applicant is developing or expanding, will positively impact multiple businesses within its own supply chain, for projects ranging from $25,000 - $75,000.

• Market Level Infrastructure project activities under these grants will illustrate how the market or product the applicant is developing or expanding will positively impact multiple businesses and/or create a new market. Only low-grade wood, forest products and/or value-added agriculture product sectors are eligible, for projects ranging from $75,000-$250,000.

The Working Lands Enterprise Board is also currently accepting applications for other grant opportunities, to help Vermont businesses with everything from infrastructure, marketing, meat processing, professional development projects and more.

The following are the funding opportunities currently open:

• Standard Business Grants for projects ranging from $10,000 - $25,000

• Meat Slaughter and Processing Grants for projects ranging from $50,000 - $100,000

• Producer Association Grants for projects ranging from $10,000 - $20,000

NOTE: The $50K baseline for Meat Slaughter and Processing Grants appears a steep entry barrier for small initiatives given the required 1:1 match. Rural Vermont reached out to AAFM regarding this matter and the Agency clarified that small scale infrastructure investments in meat slaughter and processing, e.g. custom slaughter facilities, can apply through the Standard Business Grant, starting at $10K and can also apply for a waiver of the match making requirement with AAFM.

Applications for the above three grants are due by 11:59pm, on November 1st,  2021.

Applications  will also reviewed in December of 2021 by the Working Lands Enterprise Board. Project decisions will be communicated in late January 2022.

Please visit https://workinglands.vermont.gov/ to find out more.

For questions please contact:

Lynn Ellen Schimoler  (she/her) LynnEllen.Schimoler@vermont.gov
Working Lands Enterprise Initiative

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
94 Harvest Lane, Williston Vermont 05495 | https://workinglands.vermont.gov/

During the 2021 legislative session, Rural Vermont and allies demanded that legislators from the House and Senate Natural Resource committees clarify their legislative intent behind the Universal Recycling Law with the Agency of Natural Resources (read the letter here). In a legislative hearing, on April 28 (watch recording here), ANR had stated that the organics management hierarchy would be a menu of options and like the source separation requirement - which mandates that food residuals need to be separated from trash and recycling at the source of generation - would not be enforceable. This is in stark contrast to the letter of the Universal Recycling law. Now lip service has to be followed by action and ANR has to be held accountable for implementing the law!

UPDATE: From October 4th - 14th, the public comment portal for the Cannabis Control Board’s rulemaking process did not accept comments and did not let people know their comments were not received - this includes Rural Vermont’s own comments submitted as a member of the Vermont Cannabis Equity Coalition. PLEASE MAKE THE TIME TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME NOW, OR RESUBMIT COMMENTS YOU ALREADY SUBMITTED. Rural VT and its allies in the VT Cannabis Equity Coalition have submitted our public comments in support of a cannabis economy in Vermont which is racially just, economically equitable, agriculturally accessible, and environmentally sound. Please let the CCB know that you support our recommendations, and provide them with your feedback and personal concerns, ideas, and experiences.

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Rural VT and its allies in the VT Cannabis Equity Coalition have submitted our public comments to the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) for its rulemaking process, and in support of a cannabis economy in Vermont which is racially just, economically equitable, agriculturally accessible, and environmentally sound. Please let the CCB know that you support our recommendations, and provide them with your feedback and personal concerns, ideas, and experiences through the public comment portal.

Rural VT has formally submitted its public comments to the Climate Council, and its Subcommittee on Agriculture and Ecosystems. Though we have done our best to include many things - the document is certainly not exhaustive and we would like to hear your feedback. We begin with suggestions on a Vision and High Level Recommendations, we then discuss the existing Greenhouse Gas Inventory in VT, “tensions and tradeoffs” to consider, and specific ideas, suggestions, and proposals. Please be in touch with Graham, graham@ruralvermont.org and provide your own comments and support for ours through the public portal.

In this piece published by the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, RV Policy Director Graham Unangst-Rufenacht reflects on the struggles small- and medium-sized farmers share in and the need for systemic change, starting with relief for black farmers and passing the Relief for America’s Small Farmer’s Act.

We are fortunate in Vermont to have so many locally owned food co-ops, grocery stores, farm stands and farmers’ markets, which offer fresh produce, meats, milk, cheeses and more throughout the year. But at most supermarkets and convenience stores where the majority of people buy their food, where do you imagine their products come from? Do you picture small, local, independent farms and ranches? That might have been true decades ago, but today, a few powerful corporations dominate the food industry, making it extremely hard for smaller farms to compete…

Rural VT has drafted its public comments for the Climate Council’s Subcommittee on Agriculture and Ecosystems.  There is an opportunity to learn about some of the initial recommendations of this Subcommittee as well to provide feedback this Tuesday, September 14th, at 6pm.  We’ll be attending, listening, and providing feedback as well.  You can register for the meeting here.  We hope to see you there!

Rural Vermont and other members of the VT Cannabis Equity Coalition continue to advocate for a just, equitable, accessible, and agricultural adult-use cannabis marketplace at the Cannabis Control Board’s public meetings.  These meetings provide significant opportunity for public input and we encourage folks to attend as they are able and to share their voices, ideas, concerns, and experience!

ALSO: Rural VT and the VT Cannabis Equity Coalition Seeking Input from, and Site Visits with, Adult Use Cannabis Cultivators -
If you are considering participating in the coming adult use marketplace and you’d like to share your ideas and concerns, we want to hear from you! During the Summer and early Fall, we are doing our best to come to you - so, if you are interested in a farm or site visit, please be in touch with us by contacting our Policy Director, Graham: graham@ruralvermont.org.

Rural Vermont strongly supports the Justice For Black Farmers’ Act and condemns the judicial injunctions halting the implementation of the Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color Act and its distribution of $4 billion in debt relief to socially disadvantaged farmers who have been systematically discriminated against by the USDA for well over a century. Our national partner organization - the National Family Farm Coalition - has joined 25 organizations in signing onto an Amicus Brief to release the Wisconsin Order, and has offered this statement of support. Also check out their recent editorial about the debt relief for Black Farmers. For more information about the history of discrimination against small farmers in the US, and how BIPOC farmers and communities have been systemically and disproportionately impacted, check out the most recent episode in the Disparity to Parity webinar series.

On Friday, ANR sent THIS letter to current composters registered with/certified by the state.

Here is a brief excerpt explaining the impact of S. 102 on composters importing 2,000 cubic yards or less/year of food residuals:

“The new law, which was effective immediately upon signature, applies to two specific importation situations. The changes of note appear in the definition of “farming” in 10 V.S.A. § 6001(22) which has been amended to include the following importation scenarios:

(H) the importation of 2,000 cubic yards per year or less of food residuals or food processing residuals onto a farm for the production of compost, provided that:

(i) the compost is principally used on the farm where it is produced; or

(ii) the compost is produced on a small farm that raises or manages poultry.

This means, if your farm composting operation meets section (H)(i) or (H)(ii) above, then you are exempt from needing a registration or certification from the Solid Waste Management Program. Instead, you will operate under the jurisdiction of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. If you have any questions about if you qualify or what the transition to AAFM oversight could look like for you please feel free to reach out to Cary Giguere directly at (802)828-6531 or cary.giguere@vermont.gov.”

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For more information on S. 102, check out our On-Farm Composting Factsheet!

Rural VT attends meetings of the Agriculture and Ecosystems Subcommittee of the VT Climate Council - the entity charged with developing a plan to achieve the greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets in the Global Warming Solutions Act. We are working on our initial comments, and recommend getting yours in by the end of June as the subcommittees must have recommendations developed by late July for public feedback. There will be more opportunities for submitting comment going forward. All meetings are open to the public and provide opportunity for public comment.

You can submit comments to the VT Climate Council HERE.

The Cannabis Control Board recently hired an Executive Director, and is holding “special meetings” until it solidifies its regular schedule. The June 10th meeting focused on “small cultivators”, and members of the VT Cannabis Equity Coalition (including Rural VT), as well as local farmers and small businesses testified - highlighting many common themes. In one day, the CCB was able to bring in more voices of farmers and small businesses than either the House or Senate Agriculture Committee did in the last 6 years of cannabis legislation in VT. This week’s coming meeting will focus on Racial Equity. Meetings are open to the public and include the opportunity for public comment.

From VAAFM:

The Current Use Advisory Board, established in 32 V.S.A. § 3753, has two vacancies and the Governor's office is actively seeking interested applicants to serve in this critical role. The purpose of the Current Use or Use Value Appraisal Program is to encourage and assist the maintenance of Vermont's productive agricultural and forest land, prevent the accelerated conversion of these lands to more intensive use; to achieve more equitable taxation for undeveloped lands; to encourage and assist in the preservation and enhancement of Vermont's scenic natural resources; and to enable the citizens of Vermont to plan its orderly growth in the face of increasing development pressures in the interests of the public health, safety and welfare.

The Current Use Advisory Board set the Use Values for agricultural and forest land twice annually, with some subcommittee work off season possible. Members are reimbursed for time and mileage for participation in the meetings, which happen during working hours.

Membership of the Board must represent certain factions of Vermont taxpayers, and the two vacancies must be filled by 1) an individual from the private agriculture sector and 2) a selectboard member. To ensure a balance of representation, these members must not own enrolled land, and have no spouse, child, or parent who owns enrolled land.

Interested parties who meet these requirements should apply online at Application for Gubernatorial Appointment | Office of Governor Phil Scott (vermont.gov).

For more information about the Current Use Program, visit Current Use | Department of Taxes (vermont.gov). 

The Current Use Advisory Board, established in 32 V.S.A. § 3753, has two vacancies and the Governor's office is actively seeking interested applicants to serve in this critical role. The purpose of the Current Use or Use Value Appraisal Program is to encourage and assist the maintenance of Vermont's productive agricultural and forest land, prevent the accelerated conversion of these lands to more intensive use; to achieve more equitable taxation for undeveloped lands; to encourage and assist in the preservation and enhancement of Vermont's scenic natural resources; and to enable the citizens of Vermont to plan its orderly growth in the face of increasing development pressures in the interests of the public health, safety and welfare.

The Current Use Advisory Board set the Use Values for agricultural and forest land twice annually, with some subcommittee work off season possible. Members are reimbursed for time and mileage for participation in the meetings, which happen during working hours.

Membership of the Board must represent certain factions of Vermont taxpayers, and the two vacancies must be filled by 1) an individual from the private agriculture sector and 2) a selectboard member. To ensure a balance of representation, these members must not own enrolled land, and have no spouse, child, or parent who owns enrolled land.

Interested parties who meet these requirements should apply online at Application for Gubernatorial Appointment | Office of Governor Phil Scott (vermont.gov).

For more information about the Current Use Program, visit Current Use | Department of Taxes (vermont.gov). 

On May 17th, Governor Scott signed H.89 (Act 31), a bill related to limiting liability for agritourism, into law. Agritourism is a growing sector which allows Vermont farms to diversify their income.

Under this bill, liability is limited for certain activities including: recreational, entertainment, and educational activities, including farming, food production, historical, cultural, pick-your-own, and nature-based activities. Lodging at a farm or shopping at a farmstand are not considered “agritourism activities”, and therefore these activities are not covered by H.89.

The bill protects farms that choose to open themselves up to visitors in the event that a guest is injured due to interactions with animals, conditions of the land, or “ordinary dangers” of farm equipment. This does not absolve the farm from liability if the farmer is aware of a danger and fails to warn the participants, if the farmer intentionally causes harm to a participant, or other cases of gross negligence. 

In order to fall under the protections of this bill, farms must post a sign with the following:

“WARNING: Under Vermont law, an agritourism host is not liable for the injury or death of a participant in an agritourism activity resulting from the inherent risk of the agritourism activity. Inherent risks include the risk of animals, weather, land conditions, and the potential for you as a participant to act in a negligent way that may contribute to your own injury or death. You are assuming the risk of participating in this agritourism activity.” 

Note: The sign must be placed at or near the main entrance to each agritourism activity. It must be clearly visible with black letters at least one inch in height. Any contract signed between an agritourism host and a participant must also include this warning.

As the Vermont legislature adjourns the 2021 session, the time is right for Rural Vermont to share an update, including plenty of good news! Thanks to the leadership and guidance of our farmer members and partners, the strength and resolve of our coalitions, and the support of our broader network, we are excited to report some significant gains over the first half of this year. Read on!

Raw Milk: Act 22 allows for the sale of raw milk by tier two producers at other farms’ farmstands and CSAs in VT as of 7/1/21. This bill provides a meaningful increase in market access for raw producers and in turn significantly increases the economic viability of selling raw milk by increasing consumers’ access to this product. 

On Farm Slaughter and Meat Processing: H.420 awaits the Governor’s signature and doubles the allowances for on-farm slaughter of livestock: from 5 to 10 cattle, 15 to 30 pigs, 40 to 80 sheep & goats or a total combined live weight of 12,000 lbs. Farmers supported increasing the allowances for on-farm slaughter in testimony about the increased bottleneck for meat processing. The bill also repeals the law’s “sunset” and thereby secures this important practice in perpetuity. H.420 also includes the charge to draft future legislation to allow for CSA programs with animal shares to make the practice more accessible. 

Soil Health, Payment for Ecosystem Services, & the Climate Council: We actively attend & inform the Ag. & Ecosystems subcommittee of the Climate Council, helping shape the VT Climate Action Plan. We co-initiated a statewide Soil Health Policy Network that facilitates policy discussions & information sharing. We also informed the PES & Soil Health working group with legal research in partnership with the Center for Agriculture & Food Systems & White River NRCD. H.420 (awaiting the Governor’s signature) extends the working group until 2023. Our aim is to increase farmer voices in decision making. 

Adequate Shelter:  Rural VT, NOFA-VT, and many farmers sought to ensure that existing animal welfare standards related to adequate shelter requirements in VT did not prohibit appropriate grazing and livestock management, proposing alternative language based on the National Organic Program. Based on our advocacy, the Senate Agriculture Committee included language in a related bill - H.421 - which clarified that accepted animal husbandry practices will not be subject to the adequate shelter requirements, meaning that graziers will not be subject to violations of animal welfare if their animals do not have access to shade and shelter at all times.

URL / Poultry Foraging: S.102 has been signed by the Governor and provides a pathway for the agricultural use of food residuals as laid out in the organics management hierarchy of the Universal Recycling Law (URL). The definition of farming in Act 250 & the Required Agricultural Practices now includes composting up to 2,000 cubic yards/year of food residuals. This resolves a jurisdictional dispute & allows farmers who practice compost foraging to regain markets of diverted food residuals. This practice reduces feed costs, produces valuable soil amendments, & incentivises diversification. We also advocated to hold the Agency of Natural Resources accountable for protecting the priority uses of organics more broadly. 

Cannabis:  Act 164, VT’s existing tax & regulate cannabis law, facilitates the development of a consolidated & concentrated cannabis marketplace, without distributing access & wealth by centering small businesses, farmers, & communities of color.  With the VT Cannabis Equity Coalition, we worked to bring racial, economic, & agricultural equity to amend Act 164, as well as move our own bill, H.414, with little success in a challenging environment. In the near term, we will continue to organize and educate in preparation for the Cannabis Control Board's public rulemaking process, as well as municipal decision making around the State.

Ag Innovation Board:  H.434, awaiting the Governor’s signature, assigns many functions of the Vermont Pesticides Advisory Committee to an Agricultural Innovation Board primarily charged with monitoring, researching, and making recommendations related to the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and agricultural plastics. We worked with allies to affect many aspects of this bill, in particular its board membership and refining its focus to three primary areas from what was at first a very expansive mandate.

Healthcare:  H.430 is awaiting the governor’s signature and will expand the Dr Dynasaur Healthcare program to include income-eligible pregnant people & children regardless of immigration status and will be implemented in 2023. The bill also sets up a grant program to assist with medical bills in 2022. Privacy protections & culturally appropriate outreach & language access are also specified. Thank you VT Legal Aid, Migrant Justice, & others for their leadership.

Corporate Land Grabs and Land Access:  Corporate farmland investment & acquisition globally & locally compromises communities’ food and resource sovereignty, & contributes to inequity and consolidation of the food system.  We have been working with a national Anti-Land Grab group to coordinate a response to the VT Pension Investment Committee’s decision to invest $100 million dollars into TIAA’s farmland acquisition subsidiary Nuveen, & to organize & educate about this issue.  We have continued to participate in the Farm to Plate Steering Committee and Chair the Farm to Plate Farmland Access & Stewardship Working Group.

Small Farm Action Days: Our first virtual Small Farm Action Day series in partnership with Action Circles and NOFA-VT created three advocacy training sessions and two joint hearings for farmers to address their concerns with legislators.

This list is not comprehensive, for more information, including our solidarity efforts, visit our website and social media!

We did it! On May 12, 2021 Governor Scott signed H.218 into law. The new law, Act 22, expands raw milk sales for tier two producers to other farms’ farmstands and CSAs in Vermont, and will go into effect on July 1st, 2021.

Congratulations, Everyone! Passing this bill was an uphill battle every single step of the way. Farmers leaders have laid the groundwork on this effort for the past twelve years, and it is thanks to this history, the diligent testimony of producers, and outpouring of support from consumers that got us here. Although this bill only directly effects tier two producers, we do believe that our work this legislative session has successfully elevated the importance of raw milk producers as an integral part of the agricultural landscape and Vermont's dairy community. We will continue work on this issue to support producers of all scales through grassroots organizing and potential future legislative initiatives as directed by farmer leaders.

We'd like to extend a special thank you to Rep. Heather Surprenant, lead sponsor and overall champion on this bill, for her tireless work on this issue, as well as Senator Pollina, who was instrumental in ushering this bill through the Senate.

Please consider thanking Rep Surprenant, Senator Pollina, and other members of the House and Senate Ag Cmtes for their work on this bill.

All House Ag Cmte Members:

Chairwoman Carolyn Partridge
Rep. Graham
Rep. O’Brien
Rep. Bock 
Rep Norris
Rep Strong
Rep Pearl
Rep Surprenant

All Senate Ag Cmte Members:

Sen. Starr, Chair
Sen. Pearson
Sen. Collamore 
Sen. Parent
Sen. Pollina 

What’s in Act 22, the new RAW MILK LAW:

• Tier two raw milk producers would be able to sell raw milk at other farm’s farmstands and CSAs within the state of Vermont (the 30 mile limit was removed)

• The requirement to verbally inform each customer of the need to refrigerate milk is removed

• The CSA or Farmstand selling the milk will maintain the required transaction records and customer contact records required by existing law. Farmstand and CSA owners will transfer this information to the raw milk producer within one week.

• Milk must remain below 40 degree Fahrenheit at all times

• The milk producer must notify VAAFM of any CSA or farmstand locations their milk is being sold. These locations will be subject to inspection by VAAFM.

• The farmstand or CSA where milk is sold must display the 8.5x11 warning sign: “Unpasteurized (Raw) Milk. Keep Refrigerated. Consuming raw unpasteurized milk may cause illness, particularly in children, seniors, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.”

• All labeling and other requirements of the law remain the same

• The cmte added language to the statute to clarify the existing requirement that rabies vaccines, tuberculosis, and brucellosis tests must be conducted by a licensed veterinarian

• These changes go into effect July 1, 2021

Thank you so much. This is your victory and you all inspire us everyday. Stay tuned for what's next!

From VAAFM:

The USDA is now accepting applications for three different grants that support the development, coordination and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and enterprises and value-added agricultural products. Over $93.5 million dollars is available in total.

Special consideration will be given to projects that assist underserved local and regional agricultural businesses, producer networks and associations, and local and tribal government in responding to COVID-19 disruptions and impacts.

$38.5 million is available through the Farmers Market Promotion Program, which supports direct-to-consumer markets like farmers markets and CSAs. The deadline to apply is June 21st.

$38.5 million is available through the Local Food Promotion Program to support indirect-to-consumer markets like food hubs and value-added product incubators. The deadline to apply is June 21st.

$15.3 million is available through the Regional Food System Partnership Program to fund public-private partnerships that build and strengthen viability and resilience of local or regional food economies. The deadline to apply is July 6th.

Rural VT began the session advocating in collaboration with NOFA VT, and many grazing farmers, to amend the existing “adequate shelter” requirements for livestock such that they would be refined from requiring livestock have access to shade and shelter at all times to requiring them have this access under particular conditions.  After much debate but no action in the House, Senate Agriculture did not decide to implement our proposed language - but they did agree that it was unclear in the existing law whether or not those using accepted animal husbandry practices were subject to the law.  They included language to this affect in a related bill - H.421.  This ensures that grazers will not be subject to violations of animal welfare if their animals do not have access to shade and shelter at all times; though it does not implement any of our suggestions for conditions under which this determination could be made. 

H.421 has now passed the Senate with the amendment and we expect it to pass in the House and he signed into law.

The Senate amended H.420, the miscellaneous ag bill, that now doubles the allowances for on-farm slaughter of livestock (in 6 V.S.A. § 3311a): from 5 to 10 cattle, 15 to 30 pigs, 40 to 80 sheep and goats or a total combined live weight of 12,000 pounds. We expect a vote of the House about concurrence any day now. The bill also repeals the “sunset” of the law and thereby secures this important practice of food sovereignty in perpetuity. 

In addition, the bill directs the legislative council to draft legislation by 2022 that will clearly allow for CSAs with animal shares in consultation with the Agency for Agriculture, Food, and Markets (AAFM) "and other interested parties." Rural Vermont is in dispute with AAFM about the interpretation of the current law, especially about the question of whether the current law does or does not allow for CSAs for animal shares when the members become owners of the animal or herd. 

In consultation with legislative council Michael O'Grady, the committee learned last Friday (watch recording here) that their approach to clarify in statute the legality of animal shares for on-farm slaughter - including the shared ownership of a herd and the delivery of meat products - would conflict with the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Services interpretation of the legal barriers of the federal personal use exemption in 9 CFR § 303.1 (a) (1) that states that the federal requirements for meat inspection do not apply to  (*Content warning: sexist language*): “The slaughtering by any individual of livestock of his own raising and the preparation by him and transportation in commerce of the carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products of such livestock exclusively for use by him and members of his household and his nonpaying guests and employees;” Legislative Counsel, Michael O’Grady, referenced FSIS interpretation as effectively requiring any and all owner(s) of the livestock to participate in some ways in the slaughter of the livestock. This interpretation, which FSIS only offered a few days ago, would render the personal use exemption completely impractical. 

The discourse around CSAs with animal shares has revealed that AAFM is in a pickle with navigating taking agency for the on-farm slaughter community while also satisfying FSIS guidelines. In the Senate Committee on Agriculture they raised concern that FSIS's narrow interpretation of the law would impair Vermont's "equal to" status (that equated state inspected meat with USDA inspection) as well as the interstate shipment agreement with the USDA (that allows for out of state sales of state inspected meat), shall the committee proceed with their allowance of animal shares within the on-farm slaughter practice.

Rural Vermont argued in testimony last week (watch recording here) that Vermont’s current state law could be interpreted as already allowing for CSA’s with animal shares since it does allow for multiple owners and also does not prohibit a farmer's delivery of meat products as derived from custom butcher shops. 
In 2019, Rural Vermont successfully advocated for the “multiple owner” amendment - that now allows a farmer to sell a live animal to an individual or individuals to slaughter for their personal use on the farm the animal was raised. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) confirmed back then that this amendment would be permissible under the federal personal use exemption in 9 CFR § 303.1 (a) (1).

Considering the multiple owner rule and the ability to utilize custom butchery, Rural Vermont believes that current law does not create barriers for realizing CSA models with animal shares. CSAs can facilitate what on-farm slaughter requires: a contract pre-slaughter that turns “customers” into “owners” of the animal(s) and thus responsible for the slaughter of their livestock for their own “personal use.” Legally, we argue that the law doesn’t prohibit CSAs so that farmers and their customers/members/stakeholders may design their contracts within the limitations of federal and state law as part of their “freedom of contract” - a doctrine derived from the fourteenth amendment (read more here). That would include that a farmer is allowed to sell a herd of livestock to multiple owners and include also that these owners are free to hire the farmer to maintain care of the livestock and to organize for the hiring of an itinerant slaughterer to perform the act of slaughtering as well as to utilize the services of a custom butcher shop on behalf of the owners. Farmers are also allowed to maintain (co-)ownership of any of the animals and to slaughter the animals they will consume themselves. 

Rural Vermont will engage in finding a legislative solution for the CSA with animal shares for the 2022 legislative session as directed in H. 420. We celebrate the increase in allowances for on-farm slaughter and the sunset repeal that will secure this important decentralized direct-to-owner pathway to local meat consumption. 

For more information please contact caroline@ruralvermont.org

S.102 passed today with a Senate vote in concurrence to the House amendments. While the latest version of the bill is not online yet, consider this side-by-side that highlights the latest House amendments in comparison to the bill as passed by the Senate. The bill means a milestone for soil health in Vermont - allowing farmers to produce the valuable compost they need to enhance soils and support their crops. S.102 is creating a pathway for the priority use of food residuals for the “agricultural use, including the consumption by animals” as laid out in the Universal Recycling Law . 

At the core, S.102 amends the definition of farming in Act 250 and the RAP's to allow for the importation of 2,000 cubic yards per year or less of food residuals or food  processing residuals onto a farm for the production of compost, provided that:

(i) the compost is principally used on the farm where it is produced; or

(ii) the compost is produced on a small farm that raises or manages poultry.

AAFM is charged to initiate rulemaking on or before January 1, 2022. In the interim, practitioners are held to comply with Sections 6–1101 through 6–1111 of the Agency of Natural Resources’ Vermont Solid Waste Management Rules. AAFM has the authority to regulate soil amendments, plant amendments and plant biostimulants aside from fertilizers that are already under their purview. This will allow farmers to Close-The-Nutrient-Loop by creating valuable composts for soil enhancement while also providing AAFM with the oversight to keep plastics out of Vermont soils - ensuring that their rules are “equal to or better” than the current ANR rules with respect to protecting public health and the environment.

To avoid future conflicts with neighbors around projected nuisance complaints, S. 102 prohibits a farm from initiating the production of compost from food residuals or food processing residuals on or after July 1, 2021 within a downtown, village center, new town center, neighborhood development area, or growth center, unless the municipality has expressly allowed composting in the designated area under the municipal zoning or subdivision bylaws or in an  approved municipal plan.

The Poultry Farmers for Compost Foraging and I are excited to celebrate this success with you in spirit today! These pioneering farmers have been operating under a variance from ANR to obtain solid waste permits for years to persistently advocate for their innovative agricultural practice of “compost foraging”  - where poultry is allowed access to forage on the compost piles of food residuals. 

Senate Ag voted unanimously in favor of the amendment to H.420, the miscellaneous ag bill, that will double the allowances for on-farm slaughter (in 6 V.S.A. § 3311a): from 5 to 10 cattle, 15 to 30 pigs, 40 to 80 sheep and goats or a total combined live weight of 12,000 pounds. The committee also charged the legislative council to draft legislation that would effectively allow for CSA's with animal shares in consultation with the agency "and other interested parties." In consultation with legislative council Michael O'Grady, the committee learned last Friday (watch recording here) that their approach to clarify in statute the legality of animal shares for on-farm slaughter - including the shared ownership of a herd and the delivery of meat products - would conflict with the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Services interpretation of the legal barriers of the federal personal use exemption in 9 CFR § 303.1 (a) (1) (*Content warning: sexist language*). The agency of agriculture, food, and markets raised concern that FSIS's narrow interpretation of the law would impair Vermont's precious "equal to" status for state inspected meat as well as the interstate shipment agreement with the USDA (that allows for out of state sales of state inspected meat), shall the committee proceed with their allowance of animal shares within the on-farm slaughter practice.

While Rural Vermont will engage in finding a legislative solution for the CSA with animal shares for the 2022 legislative session - we will celebrate with H.420 the increase in allowances for on-farm slaughter and the sunset repeal that will secure this important decentralized direct-to-consumer pathway to local meat consumption.

For more information please contact caroline@ruralvermont.org