Vermont Agriculture Agency outlines largely level FY26 budget, highlights grants, lab fees and bird‑flu testing

Secretary Anson Tebbetts, head of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, and agency finance staff presented the agency’s fiscal year 2026 budget and program updates to the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 6.

The agency requested a total FY26 budget of $59,994,387 and described the proposal as “a bare bones budget” that contains no new one‑time asks and is intended to maintain essential programs, Secretary Tebbetts said. “Our mission is to 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,” he told the committee.

Nicole Dubuque, the agency’s chief operating officer, gave a line‑item overview. “Fiscal year 26 total budget is 59,994,387,” she said. She reported roughly $12.7 million in general‑fund support, about $23.99 million in federal funds, roughly 35% from special funds derived primarily from licensing and lab fees, and interdepartmental transfers tied to lab services.

Amy Mercer, the agency financial director, told members the agency’s federal funding picture is mixed but that one key change is a…