VT 30x30 update: Listening session means you get to listen!

After months of radio silence from the Vermont Conservation Strategy Initiative (30x30/ 50x50) about when the planning phase of Act 59 is going to launch its public engagement, the process went live at the end of July and early August under another name and acronym - the “Vermont Conservation Plan” (VCP).  Four regional listening sessions were held around the state, as well as one virtual session which was recorded and is available online.  At the virtual meeting, citizens got to hear a series of presentations from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, American Farmland Trust and others about the plan itself; however, despite this being advertised as a “listening session”, there was little to no time for questions and discussion from the public. Instead, participants of the virtual session got a link to a short survey that was only live for 24 hours and not intended to be shared with anyone who didn’t participate in the meeting.  We do not feel this process has honored VT’s public meeting laws or environmental justice policy, and has not adequately facilitated public participation.  Rural Vermont has requested a formal public comment period to support the meaningful engagement with, and inclusion of,  stakeholders; empowering their questions, comments and ideas to shape the development of the conservation plan. 

Materials with substantive information are challenging to find online and the thin framework shared suggests they may plan to proceed with land acquisitions and the expansion of conservation easements with little consideration for how such a strategy (to bring 50% of the state into permanent easements) would affect issues like property price inflation, and land and housing access and affordability, on a macro economic level. Rural Vermont understands the importance of equitable and ecological land reform efforts, and we continue to align with many food, climate, indigenous and other organizations around the world which see the international 30x30 / 50x50 processes and frameworks as market and corporate driven false solutions to climate change and environmental repair.  We continue to support and advocate for a more holistic assessment of, and planning for, how we can equitably meet human needs (food security, farmland access, affordable housing, etc.) and non-human needs (mature forests, water quality, habitat connectivity, ecosystem function, etc.) together at the state and / or regional levels.    

Existing tools supporting more accessible or affordable agricultural land access and ecological protection, such as easements, have been helpful for many producers and for many functions - but, as has been identified in the  Farm to Plate Strategic Plan, and by many producers and organizations over the years, these mechanisms have not halted the loss of farmland or reversed this trend.  Though easements reduce the potential cost of land - that does not mean it is affordable to farmers, and there are issues such as housing development restrictions in easements which make it challenging for farms to adapt and grow into successful businesses. We feel it is important to look at easements, and the many other mechanisms used to support farmland and farm housing access and affordability, as a community to understand what works, what doesn’t, what could be adjusted, and what could be developed to achieve the goals we have.  We will participate in conversations led by the Land Access and Opportunity Board this fall about alternative farmland access policies and ideas and want to hear from members who want to engage in advocacy about holistic land planning, and affordable farmland access for farmers.