UVM research chief asks lawmakers for input on ag priorities, flags PFAS and dairy facilities needs

Eric Von Weberg, director of the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station, told a legislative panel he is seeking input on research priorities set under the federal Hatch Act and on how the station should use limited state and federal funding to address emerging problems such as PFAS, farm resilience and dairy infrastructure.

Von Weberg said the station’s work is funded through a federal–state partnership under the Hatch Act and related laws, and stressed the need for stakeholder input to set priorities that reflect Vermont’s agricultural needs. “I am here to seek input on the research priorities of the Agricultural Experiment Station,” he said.

Nut graf: The discussion centered on how a small state land‑grant program can target scarce dollars — roughly $1.5 million in Hatch funding matched by state dollars under a baseline 50/50 arrangement — to urgent local problems. Von Weberg and committee members flagged PFAS research, revitalizing dairy teaching and research facilities at UVM’s Miller Farm, and maintaining staff and graduate‑student capacity as near‑term priorities.

Von Weberg outlined the station’s mission and assets: about 38 faculty in the agricultural experiment station complement UVM Extension; four on‑campus or affiliated farms receive AES support (Miller Research and Education Center, Proctor Maple Research Center, the Horticulture Research and Education Center, and the Morgan horse farm); and AES provides roughly $750,000 annually in seed grants to faculty and support for graduate students. He said the Miller Farm teaching herd is in the “40s” and requires about 100 farmable acres worth of feed support.

On funding mechanics, Von Weberg said Hatch allocations use a formula tied to state size, agricultural area and workforce, and noted that the Hatch appropriation and similar federal lines have been stable but not inflation‑adjusted. “It is the baseline is 5050,” he said when asked about the federal–state match for Hatch funds. He also said Smith‑Lever extension funding and McIntyre‑Stennis forestry funds are related but handled separately.

Several legislators pressed for specifics. Committee members and Von Weberg discussed cooperative work with the Minor Institute in Chazy, New York, for specialized dairy training, and articulation agreements with Vermont State University and Vermont Tech for student pathways. Von Weberg noted Katie Ballard’s affiliation enables graduate students to cross‑train at Minor, and Tim Rademacher’s recent hire as scientific director at the Proctor Maple Research Center was highlighted as a staffing boost for maple research.

PFAS and biosolids emerged as a recurring concern. Von Weberg said UVM is considering experiments — some jointly with the University of Maine — to measure PFAS transfer from soil to plants and to better predict risks to livestock and people. “Plants are selective in what they take up,” he said, describing the need for experiments that account for plant type, growth stage and soil texture. He and members agreed more research is needed before recommending policy actions on biosolids.

Facility and competitive grant opportunities were another focal point. Von Weberg described the Research Facilities Act within the farm bill as a potential source for large infrastructure grants; he said UVM’s horticulture site received an initial RFA award to build a three‑season barn. He described strategic planning at Miller Farm aimed at positioning UVM for such federal grants and for USDA NIFA competitions.

Von Weberg also discussed priorities beyond production: research and extension collaborations on farm resilience, labor and childcare, mental‑health and safety issues for farm families, and tools such as GPS collars and biodigesters that could be piloted in partnership with farmers. “I am very interested in talking about that and listening to that,” he said when members raised on‑farm technology trials and ways to reduce early adopter risk for farmers.

The director repeatedly asked for input from farmers and legislators, saying AES intends to preserve an open funding pool to respond to emerging questions and to use advisory groups, public meetings and targeted outreach to capture on‑farm needs. He emphasized that faculty hires are often broad by design and that the AES uses seed grants and graduate support to direct research capacity toward state‑relevant problems.

Ending: The exchange closed with Von Weberg offering to continue outreach and technical discussions with committee members, farmers and extension staff as UVM completes strategic planning. No formal votes or motions were taken during the session.