Prospective candidates’ positions on agriculture from NOFA-VT

This post is for informational purposes only, from NOFA-VT. 

This post is intended to: 1) to get out the vote, as many people fear voter turnout may be low because of the time of year, and 2) to inform our votes by getting a better sense of the prospective candidates’ histories and their potential for supporting Vermont agriculture.
QUESTION ONE: “What specific bills or programs have you initiated to strengthen Vermont agriculture?”

Chris Bray (Democrat, Lt. Gov.): Agriculture is vital to Vermont. It plays a major role in Vermont’s economy, is an essential repository of hundreds of years of Vermont culture, and is the steward of much of our working landscape. I have worked hard on behalf of farming, particularly in the last four years as a member of the Vermont House Agriculture Committee. In particular, I have authored bills to
· create the Farm-to-Plate Initiative to rebuild our food system over 10 years, adding an estimated $500M per year by year 2010, and creating 2,500 new jobs along the way;
· renew funding for the Farm-to-School program, including grants;
· create the Biomass Energy Development Working Group, to increase the sustainable harvesting of low grade wood for energy use;
· introduce the core bill that became the Farm Viability Bill, supporting diversification; and
· extend the Cow Power program in the Standard Offer to existing farm methane projects.
In addition, as a former president and board chair of the Middlebury Area Land Trust, I have worked to conserve farms and bring a new farm family onto the land.
Phil Scott (Republican, Lt. Gov.): In 2010, I joined other legislative leaders to amend the 2010 Recovery and Reinvestment Act bill to reinstate the Vermont Seal of Quality program. As Chair of the Senate Institutions committee, I included language in the 2010 capital bill that broadened the pool of non-profit entities that could apply for competitive grants available through the Farm-to-Plate Investment program.Â
Over the previous three years I voted to support the sale of un-pasteurized milk and allow industrial hemp to be grown in Vermont. I voted to find better ways to prepare students for careers in Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (AF&H) and determine how to better prepare the next generation of Vermonters to become involved in these sectors.  I voted to support ways to ensure and enhance the viability of Vermont agriculture and successfully introduced an amendment relating to the interim assistance to the dairy industry and the development of long-term goals for a viable agricultural sector.  I also successfully created a $100,000 emergency fund to help farmers rebuild their barns after the 2007 Valentines Day blizzard.
Susan Bartlett (Democrat, Gov.): Most folks are not aware of my long time connections to NOFA and working to diversify the farming community in Vermont.   Many years ago my husband, Bill, and I had a large organic garden and we helped start the Farmer’s Market in Morrisville.  We raised sheep and I did workshops for the NOFA conference.
In the legislature I helped start the Sustainable Jobs Fund that now is doing the work on Farm to Plate and I made certain they had the money to complete the work.  I made sure that the money for the chicken processing equipment was there and for the produce freezing equipment.  I made funding available for us to lobby in DC to get a reasonable way to pay farmers for milk and I have worked to get funding for the expansion of slaughterhouses in Vermont.  We have to create a structural support for diversified agriculture and that’s what I have been doing for years.

Matt Dunne (Democrat, Gov.): During my 11 years in the legislature, I supported a number of bills to benefit farmers.

For example I introduced a bill to encourage and protect the growth of goat farming in Vermont.  I also introduced two separate bills to assist young farmers in building their farming careers.  The first bill would have established a commission designed specifically to support young farmers, while the second bill attempted to acquire direct funding for a broad range of initiatives to help young farmers get started.

I was also a sponsor of an act intended to protect farmers from liability and damages that may be caused by the unpredictable spread of genetically modified crops.  The bill shifted liability  from farmers to manufacturers to ensure that our farmers were not harmed by claims resulting from the unforeseen effects of the manufacturers’ products.

Doug Racine (Democrat, Gov.): Although I did not initiate it, I worked as a member of the Senate Economic Development committee to find the funding for the Farm to Plate initiative last year. This work to focus economic development efforts on the agriculture sector is both necessary and exciting. This year, I fought efforts to decrease the Farm to School funding even more, and worked to get some funds for the Farm to Institutions program that is bringing local food into hospitals and other settings. I also supported the “Chicken Bill” a few years ago, and I voted for the Raw Milk bill this past year. 

Question Two: “What specific plans do you have to enhance the profitability of Vermont agriculture?”
Chris Bray (Democrat, Lt. Gov.): As Lieutenant Governor, I plan to be a champion for our local economies, first and foremost amongst which is more local food.

Through creative partnerships with government entities (legislature and agencies) and with non-profits, associations, and consumers, I plan to continue to support and develop the Farm to Plate Initiative, including its expansion into funding business plans for food processing centers. These centers will enable farms to expand their ability to sell food out of season, take on larger growing contracts that add predictable income, and sell into new value-added markets.

I plan to introduce a Farmer-to-Farmer Partnership Program to pair new farmers with existing farmers. This will help new farmers get on leased land inexpensively, where they can then enhance and develop their growing skills,

Phil Scott (Republican, Lt. Gov.): Farming is so important to our economy in so many different ways.  I feel it is vitally important for Vermonters to learn once again how to become self-sufficient. This will require a stronger focus on educating Vermonters.  I would encourage and expand partnerships between non-profit organizations and schools in developing consumer-based agricultural courses in K-12 schools. I would continue to support and develop more robust and self-sustaining agricultural sectors that promote emerging agricultural industries and work to ensure that the policies and programs of the State will support and promote the Vermont agriculture industry as a vital component of the State’s economy and essential steward of our land.  I would continue to work to increase economic development in Vermont’s food and farm sector, create jobs in the food and farm economy and improve access to healthy local foods. I would also work as I have in the past to market the Vermont brand both outside of Vermont and internally. 

Susan Bartlett (Democrat, Gov.): There are a number of exciting things happening to help make farming profitable and as Governor I would continue these efforts.  Here are a few of the promising areas of diversification 1) discovering those grains that used to grow in Vermont and reintroducing them 2) development of bio-diesel on the farm to grow fuel, but also the bi-produce to feed farm animals 3) development of Vermont grown meats and poultry 4) expansion of produce farming to much larger scale and the growth of cooperatives to market these high quality produces and 5) the continued growth of our specialty foods. In one way or another I have been involved in the above issues for many years. I think agriculture in Vermont has a very bright future.  We can once again become the Breadbasket of New England.Â
 

Matt Dunne (Democrat, Gov.): Growing and protecting our agricultural sector is a key priority for Vermont’s economic well-being. 

As Governor I will help diversify agricultural revenue streams to include agri-tourism and alternative fuel production.  These efforts must be coupled with a dedicated investment in the Land Trust and the protection of ‘use value’ appraisal so we can ensure the availability of affordable, high-quality agricultural land.

I will also invest in innovative agricultural projects like the Intervale, Farm to School, and Farm to Plate programs, to facilitate sustainable farming practices and strengthen the reputation of Vermont’s agricultural offerings.  We can then engage with nearby commercial centers, such as Boston and New York, and leverage Vermont’s unique brand to broaden our markets and generate more exports. Finally, I would expand our agricultural infrastructure by directly supporting the development of appropriate slaughter houses and processing facilities around the state.

Doug Racine (Democrat, Gov.): My plan is to broaden the focus of the Agency of Agriculture. I will appoint a Secretary of Agriculture who has a broad knowledge of agriculture, not just dairy. During my campaign, I have heard from many farmers that they have no relationship with the Agency of Agriculture. I would like to change that, and I’d like the relationship to be positive. What I hear most is that the state could help with marketing and with help for young farmers who are trying to get started. Also, we need to take a look at our regulations and make sure they make sense for the scale of farming in Vermont. Finally, when farmers have problems with water quality or other environmental issues, we need to make sure they are getting technical assistance and other help from the state so they can comply with our laws.