Advocates ask legislature to require regional future land‑use maps that protect farmland

Samantha Langevin, a Bristol resident and representative on the Land Access and Opportunity Board, told the House Committee on Agriculture that regional planning commissions should be required to produce future land‑use maps that identify and protect farmland.

"Future farmland protection and access has to go hand in hand with our work to provide plans for how our communities will grow," Langevin said, arguing that maps and regional planning should consider farmland located within historic settlement patterns because such locations provide better access to housing, transportation and markets. She cited the Intervale in Burlington as an example of in‑town farmland that supplies thousands with local food and benefits from nearby housing and services.

Langevin said the New England Feeding New England regional plan has identified a need to double the land currently in agricultural production to improve food security. She urged a consistent, statewide approach so that all regional planning commissions address farmland protection, rather than leaving it to commissions that choose to prioritize the issue.

Why it matters: Testimony connects regional planning choices to long-term food security and farm viability, suggesting that mapping and land‑use policy can either enable or hinder future farming and access to markets.

Details and context: Langevin described how town‑center farmland can reduce barriers to farmer housing and customer access, and recommended unsiloing housing and farming in regional planning. The committee did not take action on the recommendation during the hearing.