Committee chair highlights right‑to‑farm progress as Rural Vermont Action Day brings farmers to State House

The Senate Agriculture Committee chair opened the March 26 meeting by briefing members on recent legislative activity and welcoming Rural Vermont’s small‑farm Action Day attendees.

The chair said the House Agriculture Committee gave a “good” hearing to a right‑to‑farm bill that would shift the burden in nuisance complaints, requiring complainants to prove harm rather than forcing farmers to prove they are not harmful. He described the bill as long‑sought and said it had broad support at a recent hearing.

“We are an agriculture state above all things,” the chair said, noting the sector’s economic contribution and the resurgence of small farms. He told the committee the state agriculture economy contributes roughly $4.2 billion, a figure he used to underline the sector’s statewide importance.

Carolyn Sherman Gordon, legislative director for Rural Vermont, told the committee Action Day gives members and allies an opportunity to learn the legislative process, make their needs known and build relationships with legislators. She said the format is open and includes members of multiple agricultural groups.

Why it matters: Committee leaders framed the day as both informational and an opportunity for small farmers to press for policy changes ranging from licensing caps to land‑use clarifications. The chair also noted demographic shifts in the sector, including an aging average dairy farmer age of about 58 and a trend toward younger farmers entering diversified operations.

Ending: The committee asked presenters to provide written testimony and specific language for proposals so staff can examine statutory impacts and unintended consequences before drafting bills.