Vermont Farm Bureau outlines agenda on labor, water quality and current-use at Southern Agriculture meeting

Representatives of the Vermont Farm Bureau told members of Southern Agriculture that their top priorities this legislative session include farm labor and housing, water-quality rules, protections in the current-use tax program and outreach to grow membership and legislative contacts.

Jackie Balsam, president of the Vermont Farm Bureau, spoke for the organization and summarized its role. “We want to advocate for our members. We wanna educate people who don't understand what we're talking about, and we also follow our policy,” Balsam said, outlining a membership of about 1,500 farms that spans dairy, beekeeping, crop, and forestry operations.

The Farm Bureau identified several policy areas it will track. On worker issues, members said a recent study committee shifted focus from unionization to wages and housing and that any future bills will be watched closely. Balsam said committee discussion included whether farmers should be allowed to count employer-provided housing as part of wages; Farm Bureau leaders expressed concern about that approach and…