Connecting the Dots Between Good Food and Good Public Policy:
Rural Vermont’s Farmers Tell Their Stories
Monday, June 22nd at 7pm
Ilsley Library, MIDDLEBURY
Hosted by the Addison County Democrats

Rural Vermont will tell the story of the wild and jam-packed 2015 legislative session with particular focus on the bills and discussions that have, or will have, the biggest impact on small-scale farmers and the communities they’re feeding.

Some of these bills have since become law (i.e. water quality, raw milk improvements, current use), and some will continue to be discussed when the legislature reconvenes in January for the second half of the biennium (i.e. poultry processing, more raw milk, hemp production, on-farm slaughter).

Rural Vermont farmer members, including dairy farmer Mike Eastman of Addison, will share the personal stories of their farms and the reasons they choose to farm as they do, and at the scale they do. Their stories will highlight some of the public policy and regulatory barriers that limit economic opportunities for farmers and access for farmers and their customers.

Following the farmers’ stories, Rural Vermont director Andrea Stander will facilitate a discussion about these public policy roadblocks, and provide some hope for the future! Meaningful change is possible, and Rural Vermont’s 30 year history of educating, organizing, and advocating has proven that. Find out how you can get involved and support Rural Vermont’s efforts to advocate for commonsense public policy that helps, rather than hurts, our family farms and preserves our working landscape and Vermont’s cultural heritage of neighbors feeding neighbors.

This event is free and open to the public. Bring your own stories, bring your questions, and bring your friends!