Wendy Wilton, state executive director for the USDA Farm Service Agency in Vermont, told a legislative committee that FSA maintains a network of nine service centers across the state and works in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. "If you're getting calls from folks that are in farming and they have some issues, they probably will call the agency," Wilton said.

Wilton said FSA shares offices with NRCS and collaborates on conservation programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). She described FSA as focused on operational, farm‑level programs while NRCS emphasizes soil and watershed conservation.

On staffing, Wilton said the state has 31 county employees and eight staff associated with the state office, and she reported two full‑time temporary positions open with benefits (Newport and St. Albans). She encouraged lawmakers and constituents to refer prospective applicants: "If any of you know anybody who has an interest, they could send me a resume," she said.

Wilton also described FSA's county committee structure: county committee members — elected by producers — provide a local layer of review for program applications, including disaster program approvals, and can appeal denials. That local governance, she said, is "a very unique" feature of FSA program delivery.

The presentation closed with an outreach calendar: Wilton said January–March is a heavy outreach period and listed upcoming conferences (dairy, no‑till, vegetable grower meetings) where FSA staff and partners will engage producers.

The committee did not take formal action on staffing or office changes; Wilton offered follow‑up assistance for constituents with specific issues.