The Vermont Working Lands Coalition members are united in support of the farm, forest, and value-adding businesses that are at the foundation of the working landscape that benefits all Vermonters. The Coalition represents the Vermont Working Landscape Partnership made up of nearly 1,000 individuals and organizations who together supported legislation to build the Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) structure and its appropriation. The Coalition formalizes a leadership structure for the Partnership and unites leading organizations for the promotional work ahead.
2025 Vermont Working Lands Coalition Platform (for FY’26)
The Working Landscape Coalition stands together in committed support for investment through the Working Lands Enterprise Fund and encourages legislators to prioritize funding for WLEF in the FY’26 State Budget. Review the Coalition’s 2025 Legislative Platform.
WLEF funds are crucial leveraged investments for the renaissance of Vermont’s working lands economy. In addition to promoting the WLEF budget, the Coalition shares its success stories, encourages applications, and helps to leverage assistance to the key businesses advanced through this initiative. Visit https://workinglands.vermont.gov/ to learn more about the WLEI program and its impacts.
The thousand-member Working Landscape Partnership, which the Coalition represents and leads, also supports a strong Current Use program that provides fair and predictable taxation for enterprise lands and continued conservation investments through VHCB, especially for farm and forest lands. These long-term policies and investments are essential, but not sufficient, for the sustained growth of Vermont’s working lands economy.
Members of the Coalition include:
- Jill Arace, Vermont Association of Conservation Districts
- Charlie Baker, Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies
- Will Belongia, Vermont Community Loan Fund
- Megan Camp, Shelburne Farms
- Ben Doyle, Preservation Trust of Vermont
- Jackie Folsom, Vermont Farm Bureau
- Katherine Forrer, Vermont Woodlands Association
- Katie Gallagher, Vermont Natural Resources Council
- Ellen Kahler and Jake Claro, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
- Nick Managan, Cabot Creamery Cooperative
- Travis Marcotte, Intervale Center
- Grace Oedel and Maddie Kempner, NOFA Vermont
- Jon Ramsey, Center for an Agricultural Economy
- Abby White, Vermont Land Trust
- David Simmons, Woodstock Foundation
- Denise Smith, Vermont Council on Rural Development
To contact the Vermont Working Lands Coalition, reach out to VCRD Executive Director, Denise Smith at 802-232-2513 or [email protected].