Current News

Vermont Business Magazine What does the dairy industry mean to Vermont?  The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is pleased to introduce a new report that helps answer that question. The report, entitled “Vermont Dairy Delivers”, identifies the annual economic impact of Vermont’s dairy industry as $5.4 billion dollars, growing from $2.6 billion ten years ago. This is just one data point among many in the new report, showing how dairy has evolved and sustained itself, through the hard work of our state’s dairy farmers, the producers and processors that provide and create great nutritious dairy products, and the thousands of employees keeping our working lands productive and vital.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Mutual Insurance Group, a leading Property and Casualty insurance company, recently held its 198th Annual Meeting at its home office in Montpelier, VT. In 2024 the Group’s assets reached $1,648,357,635 and policyholders’ surplus increased during the year to an all-time high of $840,295,632. Reviewing the results for 2024, Mark McDonnell, President and CEO of Vermont Mutual, stated “I am pleased to report that despite the challenges of 2023, including the flooding of our home office in July of that year, Vermont Mutual has quickly returned to profitability, and even historic operating results for 2024. McDonnell continued "This past year we wrote over $88M in new premium and achieved a record high of over $811M in total written premium. Additionally, we grew policyholder surplus by over $95M, the most ever in a single year at Vermont Mutual."

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State University (VTSU) and Community College of Vermont (CCV), the two institutions that make up the Vermont State Colleges system (VSC), are pleased to share a collaborative initiative and further partnership aimed at expanding educational opportunities for transfer students and adult learners. This partnership offers, through CCV, a pathway to the flexible VTSU Professional Studies program that caters to students’ specific career goals, combining the strengths of both institutions to provide a seamless avenue toward a four-year degree.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.09 per gallon, down 4 cents per gallon from last week, also down 4 cents/g from last month and down 38 cents/g from last year, according to AAA. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.61/g while the highest was $3.29/g. Prices generally get more expensive the farther north you go. Economic uncertainty and supply issues have driven gas prices up nationally.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Law and Graduate School continues to lead impactful research and advocacy work through its innovative programs and partnerships. Developed in partnership with the National Farm to School Network, the newly published “State Farm to School Policy Handbook: 2002-2023” is a vital tool for those seeking to enhance food systems through education and nutritional initiatives. The handbook identifies, summarizes and analyzes bills and resolutions introduced across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. It provides a detailed snapshot of the evolving farm-to-school policy landscape.

Vermont Business Magazine National Life Group today released its 2024 Annual Report, which highlights new sales records and an expanded reach as the company grows by double digits. Among the accomplishments noted in the 2024 Annual Report: Set new sales records:$635 million in life insurance policies; $3.2 billion in Single Premium Deferred Annuities; $57.4 billion in assets under management; $507 million in core earnings; $175,000 raised by the National Life Group Do Good Fest® in support of kids’ mental health and cancer patients in Vermont and Texas; and $914,000 to over 595 organizations raised via Share the Good, the company’s employee donation matching program.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, today released the following statement on President Trump's Executive Order targeting the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, a major long-term cost-saving feature of the Inflation Reduction Act which grants Medicare the authority to negotiate prices for up to 60 medications and help make life-saving drugs more affordable to patients: “Since day one, Big Pharma has been trying to tear down the Inflation Reduction Act's drug pricing provisions—they're trying to increase their profits. And now, President Trump is bending to Big Pharma's will and giving them exactly what they want in this Executive Order."

Vermont Business Magazine It's finally spring and Vermonters are not only getting outside to appreciate the warmer weather, they’re also making plans for next winter's firewood supply. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has a few tips on how to properly dry or season firewood to reduce costs, smoke, and fuel use. “Burning wet wood can harm your family, neighbors, and the environment because it does not burn well and creates a lot of smoke,” said DEC Commissioner Jason Batchelder. “Burning properly seasoned wood saves you money and energy and protects your health because it burns hotter and cleaner than wet wood does.”

by Hannah Head, Community News Service Shelburne Farms is experimenting with a charcoal-like material known as biochar in its dairy operations as part of reaching a net-zero emissions goal. The 1,400-acre working farm and education center is primarily using biochar on the surface of its manure pits, with early indications suggesting it has reduced odors along with potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Biochar is a kind of a charcoal, made from excess organic material that is often used for its ability to sequester carbon. Studies also suggest biochar can help soils retain moisture and nutrients.

Vermont Business Magazine The Forest Business Accelerator is seeking innovative start-up and seed stage ventures that are focused on commercializing new and improved products, services, and technology in the forest and wood products industry. During the 2025 program, entrepreneurs will connect with industry experts, customers, suppliers, and investors. Over four months, the program includes intensive work sessions, two online sessions and two in-person intensive sessions (each 2-4 days in duration), weekly assignments and bi-weekly webinars, as well as frequent 1:1 engagement with mentors. 

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont’s (UVM) new Soil Health Research and Extension Center (SHREC) will begin accepting soil samples and offer local testing tailored to Vermont's unique soil conditions on Earth Day, April 22. SHREC will advance soil health research and provide invaluable resources to Vermont farmers by supplying specific insights with advanced soil health tests, including biological tests, carbon and organic matter analysis, and the ACE protein test for organic nitrogen. SHREC will take a farmer-focused approach, ensuring that research and test results are accessible and useful to farmers. 

Vermont Business Magazine Watching wildlife is enjoyable, especially when young animals appear in the spring.  But it is best to keep your distance.  Picking up young wildlife can do more harm than good, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, and it is also against the law. When people see young animals alone, they often mistakenly assume these animals are helpless or lost, in trouble or needing to be rescued.  Bringing young wildlife into a human environment often results in permanent separation from their mothers and a sad ending for the animal. Handling wildlife could also pose a threat to the people involved.  Wild animals can transmit disease and angry wildlife mothers can pose significant dangers.