Agriculture and Vermont's Future

When we think of Vermont agriculture, we think of green pastures full of grazing cows, with lush cornfields in the background.  That has always been part of our heritage and it will remain part of our future agricultural landscape. 

We know that dairy farmers have had a number of very difficult years and that is caused by the price they receive for their milk.  This price is set by a totally ridiculous pricing system set in Washington. It has nothing to do with the cost of producing mile.  There is little that the state can do to address this issue, but our federal delegation is hard at work to change this system.  As a state Senator I have been active in working with them and as Governor I would remain an active participant in getting the federal government to develop a reasonable reimbursement rate for the milk from our dairy farms. 

There is a great deal more to agriculture in Vermont and here are some of the actions I would take to help in the continuing diversification of our farming economy.  As you will see, the free market is alive and well in the redevelopment of Vermont agriculture.  I believe that the government can lend some assistance in possible access to capitol, but what we really need is a governor who understands that agriculture is alive and well and diversifying rapidly in our state.  This is where a governor can use the office to promote the many wonderful and exciting things that are happening in Vermont.

• There are a number of small beef, lamb and pork producers in our state.  They have said for several years that they could produce 80% of all the beef and pork we consume in Vermont if they had access to the proper processing facilities.  As Governor I would work with private business and the producers to see that this issue is addressed and help these producers more towards their goal of supplying more and more of the meat we consume.  The same issue applies to poultry.
• The success of our Vermont artisan cheeses is well known.  The growth of the program at the University of Vermont and the sale of Vermont cheese all over America is an excellent example of what our future in Vermont agricultural products can become.  As this sector continues to grow, I would listen to their plans and where the state can be of assistance, I would make certain the support was available.
• Vermont wine makers and our breweries continue to grow.  The Agency of Agriculture needs to become knowledgeable about the cultivation of grapes and hops.  These are two crops that can become a very important part of cash crops that will keep agricultural land in farming for years to come.  The demand for the basic supplies of grapes and hops that are grown in Vermont is growing and we should work to meet that demand.
• Many years ago, Vermont was the breadbasket of the East.  There is no reason why we cannot return to that claim.  As farms became larger and larger and all the grain was grown in the mid-west, the strains of wheat and other grains that used to be produced in Vermont have been lost.  The University of Vermont Extension Service has been working with Vermont farmers to redevelop strains of wheat and other grains that grow well in our climate and in our soils.  As governor I would make certain that this work continues and we provide the necessary support to take back the claim of being the breadbasket of New England.  Working with Vermont businesses such as King Arthur’s Flour and the Red Hen Bakery, Vermont agriculture can return to its roots and grow crops that are suited for our climate and do not require heavy fertilizing and do not require high transportation costs for the finished product.  It will be important to make certain that financing is available for these developing agricultural businesses and as governor I would make certain that the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has the necessary capitalization to help these agricultural based businesses grow. 
• Throughout Vermont there are some very exciting projects with bio-diesel.  At Roger Rainville’s farm he is successfully producing all the fuel he needs for this farming equipment.  The sunflowers that are grown produce the oil that is processed into bio-diesel and the processed sunflower seeds produce high protein feed for the calves.  The total cost of producing the bio-diesel on the farm is $1.70 a gallon.  The cost of purchasing that bio-diesel is $2.70 a gallon.  This is an excellent example of a win for the farmer with a number of cost savings and a win for the environment.  The transportation costs are reduced and the need to purchase feed from out-of-state is greatly reduced.
• In times gone by it took 20% of a farmers land to produce the feed to take care of the horses and oxen that provide the “work” for the farm.  It turns out that it takes 20% of the farmers land to produce the bio-diesel to run the machines of today.  It seems that farmers are simply relearning the farming practices of their grandfathers.

Buying local and farmer’s markets are helping fruit and vegetable growers all over the state find outlets for their products.  I believe that what is necessary to help producers sell their products not only locally, but regionally is a series of cooperative type organizations.  

There is a business in Lamoille County called Deep Roots, and they have been in business for many years.  They are a cooperative that grows organic vegetables and then sell them in Boston and New York.  This allows the farmers to do what they do best, grow crops. The marketing is taken care of by that part of the business.  Each year every farmer knows what they will grow and that the sale of those crops is taken care of. Deep Roots is in the process of building a storage facility to facilitate year around access to many of its fruits and vegetables.  

A series of these types of businesses around the state would assure that an on-going supply of fruits and vegetables would be available to markets and restaurants throughout the year.

Agriculture day

Susan and I had a completely packed, agricultural day Friday. We met in Hardwick and carpooled to Jasper Hill Farms in Greensboro, which I had never actually seen or known much about. It turns out that they run a incredible facility producing world class cheese, with their own cows as well as others cheese products, and is built literally into a hill. At Jasper Hill we met the two brothers who owned the company, Andy and Mateo Kehler and Susan talked to them about how they started their company, how they are expanding rapidly, and how they make ridiculously good cheese. 

It was a really great conversation to listen to, as they exchanged ideas how they believed the future of Vermont agriculture was the exact opposite of the future of California agriculture. Everyone in the room believed that Cabot and Jasper Hill had the right idea, that we will never be able to compete with California and the incredible quantity of food they are able to produce in a single year. What Vermont will always be able to produce is the some of the highest quality food on earth. That will bring back high quality jobs into Vermont, and the financial growth that comes with it. With the tour at Jasper Hill, it became clear that this is exactly what they have produced. 

We were joined after the bulk of the conversation by the news crew from WCAX Channel 3. They had been covering the election and joined us for the rest of the day. The first thing that they did with us was to come along for the tour of the factory that Andy took us on. It was a very cool place, with rows of cheese wheels stacked on shelves. They explained the great deal of care that goes into cheese at Jasper Hill, how they vacuumed cheese for dust mites, manually rubbed and cleaned the wheels every few days, and that they were not just left to sit and age. I was very impressed with the entire tour, and the operation as a whole. They seemed very impressed with Susan and her commitment of not only her time, but her support of the goals they strive toward.

We left after thanking the Kehler brothers and headed to Hardwick to the Center for an Agricultural Economy where we met Monty Fischer over coffee. Monty and Susan talked and I learned about the mission and goals of the program, how they try and make sure Vermonters have access to good, locally grown food. He handed us a few papers with names of all the business in Vermont which they are associated with, and it seemed like they were helping out every locally owned business in Vermont, including Barre's own LACE. After about an hour the meeting ended and we headed to Cabot, while the news team interviewed Monty Fischer. 

In Cabot we stopped at Harry's Cabot True Value, which like many places in Vermont, was a little bit of everything. It was a hardware store with a diner in the back which was being used to hold a meet and greet for Susan. They had a really good assortment of food laid out for us when we got there, and had a pretty good turnout, plus the store's staff as well. Most of the people who turned up were farmers, and like the rest of the day, they asked Susan questions about farming and food policy, with Susan asking question's of her own. The news crew was there shortly after we were, and they were interviewing people about what they thought about her and the answers she gave. They got a massive amount of footage traveling around with us, it will be interesting to see what bits they use, and how it turns out. 

We were at the diner for probably 2 hours, with Susan doing what she does best, talking to the average folks who turned out to see her. I don't think the news crew expected to wait that long for her, but so me of the people who were talking to her were having such a good conversation, they didn't want to leave! We thanked our hosts, and then the final bit of the day was the news crew wanted to interview Susan outside after all of our events. That lasted for probably 5 minutes and we thanked them and headed off back to Hardwick so I could get my car and go home. It was a very successful day for Susan, and a great learning experience for me. 

It was a great day, and when we win the election, I will attribute it to days like this. Ever since I have been traveling with the campaign, I think that's what makes Susan different, Susan is going out and meeting people and learning what they care about, not staying at home raising money. People of Vermont know this, and its why we are going to win August 24th.

Andrew Desmarais

How to help Southern Vermont and the Northeast Kingdom

I do not believe that government creates jobs; I believe that our citizens create jobs. It is the individuals who are already in business or who have an idea that they want to turn into a business that create jobs and prosperity for the entire state. The state can help create an environment and provide infrastructure that helps business grown. As governor I would look at all of the existing programs that give money to businesses and make sure these dollars are really creating jobs. I would make certain that money would go to the new, small businesses that are our future.

As governor I would fund the regional economic development groups properly so they could spend their time helping local business. It is these regional organizations that can best assist local business people. It is also these regional groups working locally that can best develop an economic development plan for their region.

The Northeast Kingdom has suffered higher unemployment rates than most of the state for sometime. The area has been very dependent upon Ethan Allen and the severe negative impacts can be seen when the Beecher Falls plant was closed. The expansion at Jay Peak and the interest in a high tech company building in the area are positive signs that more jobs and opportunity are coming to that part of the state. This part of the state has been the champion of getting funding through a federal program referred to as the EB5 program. This allows foreign investors to make investments into targeted programs that create new jobs. As governor I would work to have other parts of the state take advantage of this source of capital.

I believe that innovation and intellectual property will be the answer for good jobs all over Vermont. The interest in renewable energy poses opportunities for regions of Vermont to become the center of excellence for research and innovation. The rapid growth in bio-diesel and growing our own fuel can provide ways to keep our farmlands all over the state as farmland, not houses. I would form an office of Innovation and Intellectual Property that would train all the regional partners in these areas so local businesses would learn of these opportunities and be helped in getting the patents of their ideas. This office would also work to assist in finding new sources of revenue for businesses.

These ideas apply to our entire state. As I am traveling the state, I find so many pockets of good ideas for job growth. I believe that we are poised to come out of this recession in a way that will ensure slow but steady job growth for all of Vermont.

Tuesday in the North East Kingdom

Yesterday Susan and I traveled to the NEK to meet people and talk to them to see how business was, and what they were concerned about. The first stop of the day was at the St.

Johnsbury senior center, where we stopped in to have lunch. It was a really nice place, and we were given a very warm reception as we talked to all of them about the challenges and problems they face from day to day.

After lunch we started around St Johnsbury talking to businesses and residents, and from Aquarealm to town clerk, we told them about the campaign, and they told us what was concerning them. We stopped at a little cafe in St Johnsbury for cold drinks, and once we were done we were back in the cars and off to Lyndonville.

In Lyndonville we met a great deal of the business community as we fought the heat (and common sense). It was well worth the trip however, as we met everybody from the pharmacists who had a little bit of everything in their store, to a woman who just bought a fabric store, and was starting to become successful because of all of the sales she made online.

After touring downtown we continued our quest for the perfect ice cream in Vermont at Carmans in Lyndon. Neither me or Susan was in the mood for a creemie, and we both went for cookie dough which was fantastic at 5pm. We saw a clock downtown display the temperature, it was still 93 degrees.

After Lyndon we traveled to East Burke to a house party that a friend of Susan's was hosting for her. Suzanne Masland was a very nice woman who had clearly been friends with Susan for a very long time. I had a burger Suzanne made (delicious), and helped set up. Soon other people started to show up.

The great thing about house parties is that they are so simple for me. Susan loves to talk to people, and she loves to make a connection and really get to the root of what people are thinking, and wants to know how she can help Vermonters. If you put her in a room full of people who are there to discuss exactly those issues with her, there is really nothing else that needs to be done.

I headed out probably a half hour before everybody else did, went for a swim above the waterfall in East Burke, and headed down to Bradford to visit my girlfriend. It was a long day, but a very successful one for Team Bartlett.

Andrew Desmarais.