Policy Update

Maddie Kempner, Policy Director

Vermont's 2021 legislative session adjourned on May 21st. We saw progress on several of our policy priorities this year, as well as initiatives championed by some of our partners. Here's what's going on (at the time of this printing):

on June 1. This new law creates an "Agricultural Innovation Board" to replace the VT Pesticide Advisory Council and, among other things, "Recommend[s] practices that reduce the use of and exposure to pesticides and synthetic fertilizers in order to protect soil biology, human health, and environmental health."

RAW MILK

H.218 (now Act 22) expands raw milk sales for tier two producers to farm stands and CSAs of other farms in Vermont.

ON-FARM SLAUGHTER

H.420, the so-called "miscellaneous ag bill," included provisions that double on-farm slaughter allowances, repeals the sunset of the law, and directs legislation by 2022 that will clearly allow for CSAs with animal shares.

SOCIAL JUSTICE & EQUITY

While we are pleased with the progress we saw in several of our priority areas outlined above, unfortunately we saw little (or no) progress on bills that focus in whole or in part on racial equity. S.25, a bill that addresses aspects of the emerging adult-use cannabis market, fell far short of the demands we and our partners put forward in terms of social and economic equity, as well as market access for small cultivators. The lead advocates behind H.273, the BIPOC-Led Land Access and Opportunity Act, were offered only minimal opportunities to testify this session and the bill did not pass out of its initial committee. We will continue to work in partnership with allies to advocate for meaningful and substantial progress around land access and equity across all parts of our food and farming system.

VERMONT LEGISLATIVE RECAP

FOOD SECURITY & SCHOOL NUTRITION

The Local Purchasing Incentive for schools passed both the Senate and the House (via H.106), and was signed in June by Governor Scott. This program provides increased reimbursement rates for schools who source a certain percentage of their food for school meals locally. In addition to language establishing the program, $500,000 was appropriated for FY22 to this initiative. Since the appropriation was made using one-time federal funds (through the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA), we will need to be back at the State House next year to advocate for continuing this program with permanent funding. Companion pieces of this package, including Universal Meals and the Farm to School and Early Childhood grants program, did not make it all the way through this year and we will be back to work alongside our partners on these initiatives in 2022.

ADEQUATE SHELTER FOR LIVESTOCK

An amendment was made in H.421 to clarify that farmers are not subject to enforcement if they do not provide shade/ shelter for animals at all times to "prevent direct exposure to the elements."

AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION BOARD

H.434 was passed by the House and Senate and signed by the Governor

PAYMENT FOR ECOSYSTEM

SERVICES & SOIL HEALTH WORKING GROUP

The "PES" & Soil Health Working Group continues to meet biweekly and has broken into task groups focused on soil health, economics, and program design. In our seat representing small scale, diversified farmers, NOFA-VT tries to be a voice for and connector to those producers, while advocating for an approach to PES that acknowledges and includes "early adopters," and accounts for a broad suite of ecosystem services including biodiversity, both below and above ground. During this session, the legislature extended the life of the Working Group to February 2023 and provided $250,000 in additional funding to support its continuation.

FEDERAL ADVOCACY

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COST SHARE

In more good news for the organic community, USDA will be providing up to $20 million in additional organic certification cost share assistance. This additional funding is a much-needed boost for organic producers after the previous Administration—in the midst of the pandemic—cut organic certification cost share funding part-way through the 2020 growing season. The additional organic certification cost share funding will also include assistance for producers who are transitioning to organic.