Farmers, housing groups urge full VHCB funding, cite repairs and new farmworker housing

Farmers and housing advocates told a legislative committee Friday that fully funding the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board at $36,900,000 for fiscal 2026 — the amount in the governor’s budget — is necessary to keep farmland affordable, expand farm businesses and finish a state‑funded program that repairs and replaces unsafe on‑farm worker housing.

Abby White, vice president for engagement at Vermont Land Trust and co‑chair of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Coalition, said the coalition represents more than 50 organizations and is asking the General Assembly to maintain the program’s full statutory share. “With the full property transfer tax continuing to rise because of high end real estate transactions, we think the full statutory share for VHCB, which is all about permanent and perpetual affordability, is really the right investment for this year,” White said.

The request follows several farm testimony pieces that described how VHCB‑funded programs and partner organizations have supported conservation easements, business planning and direct grants or loans that let small farms expand operations or secure long‑term…