[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6388902,"mediaKeyId","2113732-a49ebe48455db45532416a9b65a5cce0","parentId",2113732,"title","Vermont to receive share of $220 million federal disaster block grant; state readies outreach and eligibility process","audioSeconds",765,"startMs",215000,"endMs",980000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113732-a49ebe48455db45532416a9b65a5cce0&start=215&end=980","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113732-a49ebe48455db45532416a9b65a5cce0/thumbnail_215000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6388902/Vermont/Vermont-to-receive-share-of-220-million-federal-disaster-block-grant-state-readies-outreach-and-eligibility-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388902-bd43e9e76a7919e584ad820487610985/orig.mp4?Expires=1772865395&Signature=eP0n6TkbqVgYJan3PziiKfUZeoSRlRuaHbvU8LCQKXtzXQUpuoewyKxLObTtVGGS15caPbI0lUeIGmc4~SZz3IDCKfZpj4ebGsPjkzBOBvLyXMdVyiu9G07g1cF9wnJ0fEPl6VtvRaUPoU3i~Q1tUmN3muq6wr4qeYocLazE2kv64Yxl4ikTPCSTaDBppUxilWog6Pm6dmQk2Bedcob34QMJ1VolYtAt3h-EsDmd1lvuIku2HWMkk43~yE9Mh326gcC83pYz7Db2P6YuCSLjU4rY6CAB~iLAC~8aq7oNTwYciz-BbiSp2-h28r7e7xs-rut-qjCl7jZ9ozrs7Q6VpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-15T16:58:58.99Z","article","Secretary Anson Tebbetts, head of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, told the House Agriculture committee that late-December federal legislation secured $220,000,000 in disaster block grant funding for eligible states to address agriculture and forestry losses from severe weather in 2023–24.

Tebbetts said the block grant covers New England states plus Hawaii and Alaska and that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will determine each state’s allotment after the agency submits consolidated loss data. “We will submit that to the United States Department of Agriculture. They’ll come back to us and say this is your dollar figure, State of Vermont,” Tebbetts said.

Why it matters: Committee members were briefed on how the state will move quickly to distribute money to farmers and foresters who reported losses in 2023 and 2024. Officials said prior data collection under the state Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BGAP) and ongoing surveys will form the basis of Vermont’s request to USDA.

Tebbetts summarized statewide loss estimates reported in committee: he said post‑2023 data collection showed losses “growing upwards of $69,000,000 across agriculture and forestry” and “another $2,800,000 in damages in the forestry economy alone.” Chief Operating Officer Nicole Dubuque, who chairs the state’s agriculture recovery task, described BGAP and the state’s outreach: “We received about a 100 applications,” Dubuque said, adding that the 2024 applications reported roughly $13,500,000 in physical damages and that estimated awards paid from the state program were about $2,700,000 because BGAP covered about 30% of reported physical losses.

Dubuque said BGAP only counted physical damages for eligibility decisions and that economic injury reported by applicants was considered but not eligible for BGAP payouts. She told the committee the state has conducted weekly drop‑in sessions with federal and local partners to coordinate outreach and avoid duplicate surveys.

Committee members asked how farmers will be notified and whether earlier small awards mean farmers will be recontacted. Dubuque said the agency will conduct “significant outreach” through industry associations, social media and a press release once Vermont’s USDA allotment and eligibility requirements are confirmed.

On whether the new presidential administration could affect the money, Tebbetts said USDA officials told the agency the funds are committed under the prior federal legislative package and “there’s little or no chance that they could be swept” for other uses.

Next steps: Agency staff said they must submit consolidated loss totals to USDA by the states’ deadline, then await Vermont’s specific allotment and eligibility guidance before launching the state application and distribution process.

Ending: Committee members asked for notification plans for constituents; the agency said it will coordinate with legislators, commodity groups and regional partners to reach producers when the program opens.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Agriculture Committee's Zoom Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Secretary Anson Tebbetts, head of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, told the House Agriculture committee that late‑December federal legislation secured $220,000,000 in disaster block grant funding for eligible states to address agriculture and forestry losses from severe weather in 2023–24.","taxTitle","Agriculture, Food Resiliency, & Forestry, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",36721,"location","Vermont","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6388884,"PHARM division previews pesticide regulation changes, pollinator work and Eastern equine encephalitis surveillance",399,3048000,3447000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113732-a49ebe48455db45532416a9b65a5cce0&start=3048&end=3447","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113732-a49ebe48455db45532416a9b65a5cce0/thumbnail_3048000.jpg","/articles/6388884/Vermont/PHARM-division-previews-pesticide-regulation-changes-pollinator-work-and-Eastern-equine-encephalitis-surveillance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388884-2c97e330b9cc558d2977bd7faa3a5038/orig.mp4?Expires=1772865395&Signature=JeoXPxc4WyCKYrdxGIRpdVREQCeQU4wkQ7WPyTJCLRi5ZvgHUYqhDJUO1Zh0R02cHIPF6VpcKjP-7P4aVhyjoGto1sYxDw~RnSjsnqjH8Ka5BcqOAI3jHHJp42D4Y0GBV5frRdED1DzshDoZk16cjRQZIUNxV8wuu43QfQ5du8zw7Qjb6m3RKDTTxy9F7ylY7RMKS~MAV0aSFPwGg9u26tM0kADj3uvjqSjJ8o1gKHVYLdlEB-HJpwrVtOc~p2BSyJYqp45Dov7RKFvaondA-5LLKnFw8JwRczZKItzf2s5K5A4AXgtVYL0QndyJkHse7WgGLDqIDBMnD188aUCclw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Steve Duenal (Steve Gwenll in transcript), director of the Public Health and Agricultural Resource Management (PHARM) division, briefed the committee on the division’s regulatory scope and priority projects.

Duenal said PHARM registers and inspects agricultural inputs including fertilizer, commercial feed, seed and pesticides; registers and inspects nurseries and ginseng harvesting; supports beekeepers; certifies pesticide applicators; and conducts mosquito and tick disease surveillance.

Why it matters: Duenal highlighted several near‑term initiatives. The division is implementing Act 182 (a recent state prohibition on use of certain treated seeds referenced in testimony), expanding online pesticide‑certification exam options (previously all exams were in person), and pursuing enforcement of online sales of regulated inputs to ensure materials sold into Vermont meet state requirements. He also said the division will work with the Department of Health on surveillance for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in mosquitoes after a year with record detections; last year the state had two human cases and one human death linked to EEE.

Duenal said PHARM will continue pesticide surveillance in surface and ground water and coordinate with grower groups and registrants to respond to an EPA endangered‑species compliance strategy that may affect pesticide use. He invited the committee to request more detail on any of these areas.

Ending: Duenal offered to return with more information and to support committee questions about pesticide policy, pollinator habitat programs and disease surveillance.","Steve Duenal, director of the Public Health and Agricultural Resource Management division, briefed the committee on regulation of agricultural inputs, pollinator and habitat work, online exam options and mosquito surveillance for Eastern equine encephalitis.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6388889,"Vermont Ag & Environmental Lab expands testing, wins PFAS method 533 certification",466,2510000,2976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113732-a49ebe48455db45532416a9b65a5cce0&start=2510&end=2976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113732-a49ebe48455db45532416a9b65a5cce0/thumbnail_2510000.jpg","/articles/6388889/Vermont/Vermont-Ag-Environmental-Lab-expands-testing-wins-PFAS-method-533-certification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388889-2fc06ad2b527764c8593e4681dc3a4ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1772865395&Signature=Dt1w92u4Vq7zdC97tRHdK0-ggfHPQvcvjDDqvMJaGdYhVe3yvzrtuEwQ9McJPx3Ywc14eubKdYFtBsUEHGuEnGHqKWXm3bb3aUPbFywyIZVXTxSu7L5a4VxNvL~bJmcogXU54PoZZ1nkwLsF~QUh8IPMnmHIBPLoSFQZkx8dyH7vkQDDfQfz6BcKOBw7JLK~IUwnYyaKvbu~Bv7~KOcozjSci88BcN0F0Z0nI2ktHoZqqI9Jny6pu5gZhwik-pvmVJJ7Z7dFbz~bRc24CZWLco~Se~JwgaOePn9cTSu3Isk6iyKxyGkp10PtayFj6WJFX1FajlA6OvBCpQcOvuoUTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cheryl Achilles, director of the Vermont Agricultural and Environmental Laboratory, told the committee the laboratory serves both the Agency of Agriculture and the Department of Environmental Conservation and provides analytical testing for water chemistry, cyanobacteria (harmful algal blooms), pesticides, tick pathogens, milk and dairy product safety, animal infectious disease, feed and fertilizer testing, and other public‑health and agricultural analyses.

Why it matters: Achilles said the lab expanded surface‑water cyanotoxin testing this summer to four algal‑bloom toxins and modified drinking‑water methods to give regulators more information. She told the committee the lab received EPA method 533 certification for PFAS in drinking water “as of yesterday,” enabling in‑state PFAS drinking‑water testing and broader support for DEC and public water systems.

The lab building houses roughly 35 staff in total and is co‑located at Vermont State University’s Randolph campus. Achilles said the lab plans to upgrade its laboratory information management system and to purchase an instrument that improves staff safety and eliminates an unsafe manual acid‑lifting task for total fiber analysis. The lab also supports tick‑pathogen surveillance (testing ticks for up to four pathogens), pesticide surveillance, milk testing for drug residues and pasteurization checks under FDA Grade A Appendix N, and works with universities on research testing.

Ending: Achilles invited committee questions and noted the lab’s new PFAS capability will help state-level monitoring and public‑health responses.","The Vermont Agricultural and Environmental Laboratory in Randolph Center described expanded cyanotoxin testing, new PFAS method certification for drinking water, and other lab upgrades that increase the state’s capacity for water, food and agricultural testing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6388893,"Water‑quality division outlines inspection rules, enforcement follow‑ups and data dashboard",474,1996000,2470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113732-a49ebe48455db45532416a9b65a5cce0&start=1996&end=2470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113732-a49ebe48455db45532416a9b65a5cce0/thumbnail_1996000.jpg","/articles/6388893/Vermont/Waterquality-division-outlines-inspection-rules-enforcement-followups-and-data-dashboard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388893-16ca27d885a84dee700c5e52a9e27f35/orig.mp4?Expires=1772865395&Signature=SVRyv0INI9QC7ShuIXgMd8zIkJEbWi6fP5YbFDjRHoA~7KrRRuWAbq57ctRElg8CJvAxuYLDEtMINYdZc2UwQEypdTSUrltV-QthTt-hPjjz1Zd5J0PzqnUDe-PCOTTuXN6t1MaI0MeXczoLlGIb4jVKPv9-fQdm4KkShMNyDhto9EoFVsUkYvzNwKn5lNr3eNiqYjVy7XYrtx74G8ILdLzuqoxAvDtTt1ym0ll3dLfXDayVV5sZVimh8R1kdKmoqyL4Q1sVRBVx4IqVrKcWcOTo8fAixBqT1c2ldOPKXwEjkm1WW5BjKxLb8qMA77poU-g1feeRR4PSB49VZE4URA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Laura DiPietro, director of the Water Quality Division at the Agency of Agriculture, told lawmakers the division focuses on technical assistance, financial programs and regulation to ensure farms comply with water‑quality rules.

DiPietro explained inspection categories and timelines for routine visits: large farms (predominantly dairies with at least 700 mature cows) receive annual inspections; medium farms (about 200 head for dairy categories) are inspected at least once every three years; and a category the agency calls certified small farms (set roughly at 50 cows and equivalent thresholds for other animal types) is inspected at least once every seven years. She said routine cycles often result in more frequent visits because enforcement follow‑ups require additional checks after violations are found.

Why it matters: DiPietro said farms have been responsible for 80–90% of measured nutrient‑pollution reductions tracked by the agency’s data systems since the program began; she said this year farms account for about 87% of reductions. The division has invested in a database and a public dashboard to manage inspections, enforcement and records requests.

DiPietro described significant administrative workload arising from records requests and said the division has built systems to respond. She said the division partners with conservation districts and UVM Extension to collect and verify on‑farm practices and that partner‑verified data feed the agency’s nutrient‑reduction calculations for Lake Champlain’s phosphorus TMDL and other impaired waters.

Ending: DiPietro said she will bring the committee the online dashboard and additional data at a future meeting and invited members to follow up with questions.","The agency’s Water Quality Division described inspection thresholds for farms, enforcement follow‑up practices, a public dashboard and the division’s role in tracking nutrient reductions tied to Lake Champlain and other impaired waters.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6388897,"Ag Development Division reports record demand: $11.4M granted in FY24 amid $108M in requests",594,1313000,1907000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2113732-a49ebe48455db45532416a9b65a5cce0&start=1313&end=1907","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2113732-a49ebe48455db45532416a9b65a5cce0/thumbnail_1313000.jpg","/articles/6388897/Vermont/Ag-Development-Division-reports-record-demand-114M-granted-in-FY24-amid-108M-in-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6388897-009293f480fd55c8c065dceae6491121/orig.mp4?Expires=1772865395&Signature=VxcwjCCYIzfw4JbT9rxlmhGXBF-y9wnGaGVB4Kd2A3D5aR08haYPc~jMalRp5lNh1P0SU0yjkzFiIoZ0~qmvVyzu8FDntu2tNM9RIGghKSTcBM6tMRFoVv9ZICeYK6AS8OLfJKNuTcoDNl6vT2h6Z5lRtdSSByxJaI9jsMn8broCwGrvXK5uSzLA3uPogToYYyK84h0F5XWG6f9yFMIxeS-MgTH1fQcQNN2JVRwOShJE2g9D4mhmsUZDFms98~8fhd6Uv9SSpTW0hDvpQZsPtV8Aj~yFxsGMShFXk2mTASPJX1LsDa6~uNHaSg6VP2EmLX0-MTt5xGQqSNF7uwCraA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Abby Willard, director of the Agency of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division, told the committee the division is a “small but mighty” nonregulatory team that focuses on grantmaking, market development and partnerships to support Vermont producers and food businesses.

Willard said the division has 23 staff and that about one‑third are supported with general funds while the remainder are financed by special or federal funds. In fiscal year 2024, the division offered 22 funding opportunities and granted $11,400,000 to over 260 recipients, she said. “We had over a $108,000,000 in requests just in fiscal year 24 alone,” Willard said, noting that applications came from about 1,290 businesses and organizations.

Why it matters: Willard told the committee the unprecedented demand reflects strains across the food system; the agency uses targeted grants to support different sectors and market channels, including dairy, meat, maple, produce and specialty crops, as well as farm‑to‑institution and export support.

Willard described signature programs and accomplishments: the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (a regional, 11‑state program based in Vermont), farm‑to‑school and farm‑to‑institution work, and grants that supported reinstating fluid milk service in all six state correctional facilities. She said the division also provides trade show assistance, market‑channel specific grants and grants aimed at small‑farm diversification and transition.

Willard told the committee that fiscal year 2025 funding is “quite a bit less” than FY24, leaving many proposals unfunded and elevating demand for limited resources. She highlighted recent federal appropriations coming to Vermont separate from the disaster block grant: roughly $5,500,000 for items including organic dairy in institutions and a Local Food Purchase Assistance Program targeting marginalized populations and increased local food access in schools and childcare.

Ending: Willard invited the committee to request more detailed briefings on specific programs such as Working Lands, the Dairy Business Innovation Center and targeted sector grants.","The Agency’s Ag Development Division told legislators it awarded $11.4 million to more than 260 recipients in fiscal year 2024 but received requests exceeding $108 million from about 1,290 applicants, leaving many proposals unfunded; staff described grant programs, market development and regional partnerships.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Vermont to receive share of $220 million federal disaster block grant; state readies outreach and eligibility process

PHARM division previews pesticide regulation changes, pollinator work and Eastern equine encephalitis surveillance

Vermont Ag & Environmental Lab expands testing, wins PFAS method 533 certification

Water‑quality division outlines inspection rules, enforcement follow‑ups and data dashboard

Ag Development Division reports record demand: $11.4M granted in FY24 amid $108M in requests