Each year, Rural Vermont invites farmer members and ally organizations to learn about and engage in the legislative process, advocacy, and pending policy during the legislative session. This event series offers farmers and the broader agrarian community—homesteaders, gardeners, urban farmers, medicine makers, and food activists—opportunities to speak with lawmakers, voice their real-life concerns, and gain empowerment through learning more about the legislative process. We will be hosting Small Farm Action Day at the Vermont State House in Montpelier:
Thursday, February 26th, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
This year’s event is designed for those interested in observing or testifying before the House Ag or Senate Ag committees. Attendees will build skills, connections, and experience to confidently and effectively advocate for their own wants and needs and for their communities. Rural Vermont is not going to be prescriptive on what you are going to testify on. Small Farm Action Day is an open-ended invitation to farm(work)ers to speak to the issues that affect them directly. You can read or listen to our Legislative Update to get an idea about what agricultural issues are currently subject to pending legislation. We welcome you to speak to your own opinion and to bring other issues to the event that are not subject to any legislation as well. Rural Vermont will offer a virtual advocacy training session on Tuesday, February 24th (evening) for those interested. If you plan to testify on February 26th, it is highly recommended that you attend the pre-SFAD virtual training (attendance is not required) or watch the recorded 2025 virtual advocacy training.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, February 26th
8:00am - Welcome & Introductions in the Statehouse Lobby
9:00am - 10:00am Senate Ag Committee
10:30am - 11:30am House Ag Committee
11:30am - 1:00pm Meet and Greet with your Legislator and Join Rural Vermont staff
in the Statehouse cafeteria for lunch and discussion
We will begin with a brief orientation in the statehouse lobby, where we will give time for introductions and to reach out to your legislators through the State House’s Page messaging system. Afterwards, we will visit the Senate and House Agriculture Committees, where participants of our group will have a chance to testify on pending legislation and to express needs and issues they face that may not be reflected in legislation yet. After we visit both committees, your local Senator or Legislator might be interested in meeting with you for lunch in the statehouse cafeteria! Alternatively, you are welcome to join the Rural Vermont staff for lunch.
We encourage you to sign up for the virtual advocacy training (sign up in our registration form) and/or visit our activist toolkit (link below) before your participation in Small Farm Action Day on February 26th. For those interested, show up in solidarity and follow live on YouTube to hear what your peers bring to legislators’ attention that day! Hope you all may join us for Small Farm Action Day in 2026 - registration required!