Vermont housing board tells senators its farm programs protect land and help new farmers

BURLINGTON, Vt. — The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board told the Senate Institutions Committee on Feb. 4 that its agriculture programs are protecting farmland, lowering purchase costs for new farmers and helping draw federal grants to rural communities.

"We're here not just to talk, but also to listen to hear your concerns," said Gus Seelig, executive director of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, at the start of the presentation. Seelig and staff described three tied programs: the conservation (development rights) program, the Farm and Forest Viability program, and the Ready (rural economic development) initiative, plus separate work on farmworker housing and water-quality grants.

Seelig said the board currently spends roughly $13 million a year on those agriculture programs and related development-rights work and that the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service matches many of the conservation purchases dollar for dollar. He and staff presented examples from across the state, including conserved farms in Newport and Whitingham, and noted that, after selling development rights, average purchase costs fell by about 60% on projects shown in the board's chart.

Liz Gleeson, program director for Farm and Forest Viability, said the viability program operates like a…