Vermont
New Vermont Farm and Food Industry Stakeholder Listening Sessions Announced
The 2024 listening session events include seven events in eight locations, covering eleven counties, and one state-wide virtual event
Our primary goal is to create space with Vermont’s agricultural producers, processors, and distributors; hear directly about their experiences, needs, priorities and concerns; and utilize this feedback to inform and guide our programs and future funding opportunities. (Courtesy photo)
MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is developing a series of in-person and virtual listening sessions for the agricultural community over the 2023-2024 winter. Our primary goal is to create space with Vermont’s agricultural producers, processors, and distributors; hear directly about their experiences, needs, priorities and concerns; and utilize this feedback to inform and guide our programs and future funding opportunities. We welcome your participation in one or more gatherings!
Upcoming Listening Sessions
The 2024 listening session events include seven events in eight locations, covering eleven counties. We will also be having a state-wide virtual event to conclude the series in March. Unless indicated, each of the following events will be held in-person, with on-site parking and ADA accessible spaces. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided for each in-person meeting. Registration is required if noted with an asterisk.
February
Addison county
**ACORN will provide childcare services during this event.
Orange and Windsor counties (virtual)
- When: February 22nd from 6:30 – 8:00pm
- Where: Virtual meeting – sign up here
- Co-host: White River Natural Resources Conservation District
***For this session, we are attending an existing Local Working Group meeting; learn more about the event structure here.
March
Statewide (virtual)
-
When: March 18th from 12:30 – 2:00pm
-
Where: Virtual (register here)
Rutland county
*Registration is required for this event – register here.
Franklin and Grand Isle counties
-
When: March 25th from 4:00 – 6:00pm
-
Where: St. Albans Bay Town Office
-
Co-hosts: Franklin & Grand Isle Counties Natural Resources Conservation Districts and Farmers’ Watershed Alliance
Logistics and Feedback Form
The Agency greatly values the in-person components of these sessions, but we want to be transparent that we are not able to offer stipends, childcare (unless indicated), or translation services. It is our hope that as this program develops in future iterations that those services can be offered, but unfortunately there is not capacity currently. We acknowledge this will impact individuals’ ability to attend and we apologize for this.
If you are unable to attend for any reason but would like to share your experiences, we welcome you to fill out this form. We also welcome feedback on the structure and accessibility of this process.
Past Listening Sessions
November and December 2023: Windham county (co-hosted with Food Connects); Chittenden and Washington counties; one virtual event.
Early 2024: Orleans and Essex counties (co-hosted with Essex and Orleans Natural Resources Conservation Districts); Caledonia and Lamoille counties (co-hosted with Caledonia Co. Natural Resources Conservation District and Center for an Agricultural Economy); Bennington county (co-hosted with Bennington Co. Natural Resources Conservation District and Merck Forest and Farmland Center)
Questions
If you have questions about this process or want to offer direct input, please reach out to Sarah McIlvennie at Sarah.McIlvennie@vermont.gov or 802-261-5866.
–Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets