Bill > S0060

This bill establishes the Farm Security Special Fund to provide financial support for Vermont farms experiencing losses from extreme weather events. The fund will offer grants covering up to 50% of uninsured losses (maximum $150,000 per farm annually) for damages caused by conditions like flooding, drought, excessive heat, high winds, and other climate-related impacts. The bill recognizes that existing state and federal crop insurance programs often fail to adequately support smaller and more diversified farming operations. A newly created Farm Security Special Fund Review Board, composed of agricultural experts, state officials, and farmers, will oversee grant applications and evaluate claims. The fund aims to maintain farm viability, enhance climate resilience, support rural economic health, and provide a permanent relief mechanism for farmers facing climate emergencies. Eligible expenses include lost wages, crop and livestock replacement, debt payments, infrastructure repairs, and other farm-related costs. The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets will administer the fund, ensuring language accessibility and developing a streamlined application process. The fund will be financed through state appropriations, public and private sources, and federal aid, with unused funds carrying forward annually. The program is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, providing a proactive approach to supporting Vermont's agricultural community in the face of increasing climate-related challenges.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/S.60