Lawmakers discuss farm security special fund, consider $7.5 million one-time appropriation

Committee members and staff in a meeting reviewing an agriculture bill debated whether to add a $7.5 million one-time appropriation to a proposed Farm Security Special Fund, how the fund would be administered, and who should sit on the fund’s review board.

The discussion focused on three items: whether to single out small and medium-scale farmers in the bill’s findings, whether to replace proposed review-board language so seats are filled by representatives of three agricultural organizations, and whether the bill should keep a formula that would direct annual appropriations equal to 50% of average documented farm losses from eligible weather events.

Committee member 1 said, "So my motion, I guess, would be to just strike out from r naught equitably distributed to small and medium scale farmers and then leave the rest of that sub 2 n," proposing that the findings avoid singling out particular farm sizes. That wording change drew general agreement among participants who said they wanted the findings to refer to "all farms."

The meeting included a read‑in of an email from Jackie Folsom, who described herself as having "been a grant reviewer to the agency of AG for almost 15 years" and proposed changing review-board language on page 7 so that vacancies be filled by "representatives of 3 agricultural organizations, which can demonstrate expertise in dealing with all sizes and types of farm in Vermont, whether through granting funds, offering technical assistance or advocacy, and have a proven track record of working with farmers, appointed by the secretary of agriculture, food, and markets." Committee members responded they were comfortable with that replacement language as a way to include broad expertise.

Participants also reviewed a formula in the draft (page 9, section 3) that would make the fund receive an annual appropriation "equal to 50% of the average documented farm losses from eligible weather conditions as defined in 6 VSA chapter 207, subchapter 4 averaged over previous years." Several members said the formula made budget committees nervous. One participant said the group could instead propose a one-time $7,500,000 appropriation to start the fund and watch how the program operates before committing to an ongoing percentage formula.

A timeline and application process in the draft drew attention. The bill text currently requires awards to be made "within 10 days of receipt of an administratively complete application." Committee member 3 raised a point that "administratively complete application" is not defined in the bill and that the 10‑day period might be understood differently (calendar days versus business days). Some participants suggested changing the language to "10 business days" to clarify expectations for rapid disbursement after a weather event. The draft also references a streamlined application with four criteria and a 10‑day reset for appeals or re‑submissions.

Other procedural details discussed included recusal language for farmers on the review board, carryforward of fund balances at fiscal year end (page 4, line 9), and allowable funding sources in the fund (public and private donations). Several speakers emphasized the need to have some initial money in the fund so it could function as an insurance mechanism; others warned that putting a large sum up front could make other committees reluctant to approve the request.

No formal vote was recorded in the transcript. Participants directed staff to produce a revised draft incorporating agreed changes and to bring that revised language back at the next meeting. Committee member 2 said the sponsor would see the revised bill the following day and that copies would be available for review.

The draft bill sets internal deadlines for executive recommendations and committee reports: the secretary of agriculture, food and markets would recommend a deposit amount to the Farm Security Special Fund by Dec. 15, 2025, and the fund review board would submit recommended appropriations to relevant Senate and House committees on or before Jan. 15, 2026, per language read aloud during the meeting.

Participants repeatedly framed the proposal as aimed at giving farmers quick access to relief after eligible weather events while balancing fiscal concerns in the broader budget process. The committee scheduled further consideration of the revised draft at its next meeting.