Vermont’s newly appointed ag secretary, Anson Tebbetts, and Deputy Secretary Alyson Eastman have begun hosting a statewide listening tour. The first of four was held Friday in Lyndonville as part of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets effort to open more lines of communication between the farming community and the public.

The sessions open with a brief overview of the status of Vermont agriculture, then shift to hear ideas from attendees. They’re also a good place to meet Tebbetts, who previously served as a deputy ag secretary.

“I am inviting all farmers, and all Vermonters interested in agriculture, to attend these meetings, to share thoughts and ideas about the future of farming in our state,” he says. “I want to learn about the issues that matter most to our farmers and how the agency can support them.”

“We hope to hear from farmers of all types, and sizes — from maple to meat, to produce and dairy,” adds Eastman. “This is an opportunity for us to listen and learn from the people who are driving Vermont’s agricultural economy.”

The remaining meetings will be held from 10 a.m. to noon in the following locations:
• Friday, Feb. 17: Vermont Agricultural Business Education Center in Brattleboro
• Monday, Feb. 27: Middlebury Parks and Recreation gym
• Thursday, March 2: St. Albans City Hall Auditorium

For complete location details and directions, visit agriculture.vermont.gov/listeningtour2017.

Catch more on $200,000 specialty-crop block grants
The VAAFM is now receiving specialty-crop grant proposals for fruit, vegetable, tree nut, dried fruit and horticulture crops (including honey, hops and maple syrup), plus nursery crops (including Christmas trees and floriculture). These funds are awarded through a competitive review process guided by industry, nonprofit and government stakeholders.

Learn more about program at the meeting or visit the agency’s website: go.usa.gov/3JGBG. VAAFM is encouraging projects with these funding priorities:
• development of innovative horticultural production practices to enhance farm viability (including improved efficiency, production or human resources management) and/or natural resource conservation
• pest and disease management
• food safety, including the handling, preparation, transport and storage of specialty crops in ways that reduce foodborne illness
• value chain enhancement, including strengthening relationships between individuals, businesses and organizations building specialty-crop value from production to consumption
• market access (local, regional, national or international), marketing, branding and consumer education
• producer collaboration, including establishing or strengthening producer associations and cooperatives