Vermont dairy producers tell agriculture committee they need help on pricing, workforce, neonics and energy projects

Members of the Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance and local dairy operators said Tuesday the state should act to help farms remain viable as milk prices, workforce shortages, state seed rules and energy transitions squeeze margins.

The producers appeared before the Senate Agriculture Committee in Montpelier to outline priorities for the 2025 legislative session including fiscal supports, workforce development, access to technical expertise and clarity about state regulations such as the recently passed restriction on neonicotinoid-treated seed. "We want Vermont to have a vibrant agriculture sector and the decisions you make affect our dairy businesses the very most," said Amanda Saint Pierre, who identified herself as a dairy farmer in Berkshire and a representative of the Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance.

The producers urged the committee to coordinate more with extension and research programs in neighboring states and with Cornell’s ProDairy to bring expertise into Montpelier. Kevin Corey, director of nutrition and sales at Phoenix Feeds in New Haven, said his company serves dairies across New England and worries that Vermont producers are at a competitive disadvantage because neighboring states provide more tax and programmatic supports. "We primarily serve dairy, but we also serve some other sectors," Corey said. "When it comes to the state dairy still is king." Phoenix Feeds, he said, employs about 65 people in Vermont and another 20 in Maine and is midway through converting to an employee stock ownership plan.

Large producers described similar pressures. Walt Gladstone, who identified himself as a multi-site dairy operator, said his operation now milks roughly 2,300 cows across two sites after buying a neighbor’s herd and that labor, feed and capital costs are central challenges. "One of the most best long term solutions to help dairy farmers...was how she dealt with taxes on our farmsteads," Gladstone said, referencing past tax treatment that lowered property tax burdens for farm operations and helped competitiveness.

Committee members and producers discussed several specific policy levers. Speakers urged the committee to examine federal milk-pricing rules and state options to boost returns to farmers. Amanda Saint Pierre said Vermont’s dairy industry continues to shrink — a figure cited from UVM Extension showing a drop from about 850 farms to roughly 440 — and that the industry’s stated $2.2 billion economic impact figure is outdated. "That scares me, and I think it should scare you as well," she said.

Several witnesses pressed the committee about the state’s neonics seed restriction. Committee members explained that the measure’s effective date was amended during floor debate to align with New York’s 2029 schedule; producers said the change will raise seed costs and complicate seeding choices. "If we don't have that trace of that neo on that seed we will have to spray more often and in fact we will actually do more harm to the bees than what they're suggesting is happening now," said Walt Gladstone, describing agronomic concerns he said could arise if certain treated seed is unavailable.

Producers also raised workforce and insurance obstacles to bringing younger workers into farming and trucking roles. Kevin Corey and other speakers said insurance companies sometimes restrict younger workers from driving heavy trucks or performing certain tasks, which limits programs that funnel high-school-aged students into ag careers.

Energy and on-farm renewable projects were discussed as potential growth and diversification areas. Amanda Saint Pierre described a methane-digester project that she said will convert to natural gas and come online in 2025 with approximately $20,000,000 in private investment; several farms described digesters or plans to convert biogas as part of on-farm renewable efforts.

Speakers asked the committee to arrange field visits and bring additional technical witnesses — including Bill Rowell and Cornell ProDairy experts — to help the legislature evaluate pricing options, seed availability and other technical issues. Shannon Hill, interim executive director of the Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance, said the group formed to ensure farmers’ voices are heard before policy and regulatory decisions are made.

The committee did not take votes during the hour-long discussion, but members agreed to follow up, consider testimony from technical experts and arrange farm visits. Several senators encouraged continued engagement as bills and rulemakings move through the session.