Current Issues
Free Enterprise Farming - Current Use - Compost - On Farm Slaughter - Farm Fresh Milk - Agricultural Hemp - More BelowFree Enterprise Farming
Farmers across Vermont are producing value-added food with dignity that consumers want to buy and farmers want to sell, but in many cases, these farm fresh products become illegal when the farmer puts a price tag on them because they were made under conditions that don’t satisfy the prohibitively expensive, time-consuming regulations designed for industry. We believe that farmers and consumers should have the right to engage in informed and honest transactions!
On Farm Slaughter
Many farms eat meat from animals they have raised and slaughtered on their land. However, they are not allowed to sell this meat to their neighbors. Find out how Rural Vermont has worked to help farmers slaughter animals on their farm for direct sale to customers.
Current Use
Resources from our work around Current Use
Compost
Read more about why and how composting, an age-old practice vital to the nutrient management and soil health of farms, has created an uproar in Vermont. Find out what Rural Vermont is doing to protect farmers' ability to continue composting, and how you can help.
Agricultural Hemp
Hemp farming is an agricultural issue and related issues are health, environment, and economic development. Hemp is a legitimate agricultural crop with many high quality food, fiber, and fuel products made from it.Farm Fresh Milk
Find out about what Rural Vermont has done to promote the ability of farmers and consumers to sell and buy farm fresh (raw, unpasteurized) milk.
Other Issues
Farmers' Market Insurance
Read more about why some markets have required mandatory insurance for vendors at Farmers' Markets, and why, while supporting vendors who wish to find insurance, Rural Vermont is opposed to mandatory insurance.Genetically Modified Organisms
Some current GMO news, as well as information from our 2005/2006 campaign for strict liabilityRecent Issues
Working Farm Dogs
Read more about why and how working farm dogs, long used on farms to gurad against predators, or assist with herding, were becoming the unfortunate target of town regulations. Find out what Rural Vermont did to protect farmers' ability to keep these vital animals.Farm to Plate
Read more about the Farm to Plate initiative.NAIS
Read about the National Animal Identification System, and what Rural Vermont did to help Vermont farmers avoid the negative effects of its proposed implementation.