Rep. Heather Surprenant: Big wins for small farms | March 22, 2021
Friend,
This is Rep. Heather Surprenant from Barnard with another legislative update! We’ve been working on some exciting things in the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry that I want to share with you, from expanding Raw Milk sales for farmers to creating new agriculture oversight committees that will center resiliency and sustainability.
Raw Milk Bill
I’m excited to let you know that my first Bill, H.218, an act relating to the sale of unpasteurized raw milk, has been successfully passed through the house as of Friday! I wrote a bit about this bill in my last update, but to summarize: this bill will allow dairy farmers who produce raw milk to sell their products at farm stands and CSA’s, not just at their farms. This will make raw milk more accessible to communities and allow farmers to sell more of their products to offset the cost of production. I’m thrilled that my first bill as a legislator is one that helps uplift farmers and rural communities, and I hope to continue to push for more positive reforms this biennium.
Agricultural Innovation Board
Another bill from the Agriculture committee that was passed through the house this week is H.434, a bill that creates an Agricultural Innovation Board that will replace the Pesticide Advisory Council. This board is a 15 member team that will focus on reducing agricultural pesticide use and approach the topic from a much more holistic, inclusive, and regenerative angle than the Pesticide Advisory Council.
This board is one step closer to centering resiliency in our state’s farming narrative. It establishes incentives for farmers to help ease the transition from and dependence on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. It addresses the need to protect and restore our soil biology through reduction measures and regenerative practices.
Each member of this board will get a monetary stipend, allowing a more diverse group of voices to have a seat at the table. Asking farmers, especially women, low-income, and BIPOC producers, to apply to be on a board that does not pay would be an economic injustice. Compensation and lack of resources have proven to be a significant barrier to challenging the dominant discourse within the field of agriculture. By paying folks, they no longer have to forgo the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations around pesticide use and soil health because they couldn't step away from paid labor.
I’m excited to see how this board will help shift the narrative of agriculture in Vermont towards a more regenerative, sustainable future.
On-farm Slaughter
A big win for small farms-- included in H.420, an act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects, is the repeal of the sunset provision for on-farm slaughter. This is huge for small farms and our rural communities. It allows for a more direct consumer relationship with the land farmers, and processes through which their food is produced. In addition to USDA inspected commercial slaughterhouses that farmers may schedule at, farmers may now continue to process their products in their own facilities indefinitely-- which are still subject to registration and reporting requirements to ensure product safety. This will help boost the livelihoods of small farms and foster deeper connections between farms and the communities that they provide for. You can read even more about the importance of this provision repeal on Rural Vermont’s blog!
Universal School Lunch
Another key bill over in the Senate right now is S.100, a bill that not only aims to provide universal school breakfast and lunches for students but would also incentivize schools to purchase locally produced food. Providing food for students from low-income families is incredibly important in setting them up for success-- it promotes better student health and learning. Incentivizing schools to purchase locally is also a huge step in uplifting Vermont farmers and lowering our carbon footprint.
Thank you for tuning in for this week’s update. We’ve got a lot of bills coming to the floor over the next few weeks, so be sure to look out for more updates from us!
In solidarity,
Heather Surprenant, Windsor 4-1
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