Vermont agriculture leaders brief committee on governor’s FY26 budget; federal funding pause raises anxiety

Secretary Anson Tebbetts and senior staff from the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets presented the administration’s fiscal 2026 budget request to the Agriculture Committee on Feb. 14, detailing how state, federal and fee revenues are expected to flow through the agency and cautioning that a temporary pause in some federal reimbursements has created uncertainty for producers and grant recipients.

“Our mission: facilitate, support, and encourage the growth and viability of agriculture while protecting the working landscape, human health, animal health, plant health, consumers, and the environment,” Secretary Anson Tebbetts told the committee as he opened the presentation.

Committee members heard that the agency’s proposed FY26 operating budget totals roughly $59 million and is funded by a mix of general fund (about 21%), federal funds (about 40%), special funds from fees and licenses (about 35%), and interdepartmental transfers (about 4%). Nicole Dubuque, the agency’s chief operating officer, walked members through those fund flows and line-item changes, including a $1.7 million increase tied to USDA Dairy Business Innovation Center (DBIC) grants and a $450,000 increase in Lake…