Working Together to Create a Unified Voice for Vermont’s Equine Industry: Horses, Vermont Agriculture & Tourism
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Horse Council is preparing to host equine professionals, business owners, and organizations at its 6th Equine Industry Summit to be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA) in South Woodstock, Vermont.
The conference provides an opportunity for equine professionals to hear from industry experts from the Vermont Farm Bureau, the Vermont Law School, and the Vermont Dept of Tourism & Marketing. The keynote speaker, equestrian legend Denny Emerson, kicks off the event, followed by five sessions featuring seven speakers. The sessions focus on the role of equine businesses in agriculture, tourism, trail access, and identifying industry-wide priorities.
How equine businesses fit into the definition of Vermont agriculture is on the agenda. Agritourism is a steadily growing segment of Vermont’s agricultural industry, and farms with horses are playing a growing role in tourism. From sleigh and horse-drawn rides at events to breeding and training farms, such as the UVM Morgan Horse Farm, horses help to draw visitors to the state. According to the 2018 Equine Economic Impact Study Vermont’s equine industry generated $37 million in revenue from out-state-visitors who came to Vermont to show, ride and spend.
The equine industry is also an important economic driver in Vermont generating 1.3 million in annual tax revenue in 2018. It provides jobs and income for feed and equipment suppliers, service providers such as vets, farriers, equine dentists, insurance agencies, and retail businesses such as tack shops and boarding, breeding, and training stables. The summit brings the equine community together to network, share concerns and successes, and to help envision the future of this growing industry.
According to Vermont Horse Council (VHC) board member and summit director Heidi Krantz, “The collaboration between VHC, GMHA, VEDA and our lead sponsor the Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Program, along with the support of many other sponsors, demonstrates the interest in and support of this important piece of the changing agricultural scene in Vermont.”
South Woodstock, VT—The Vermont Horse Council
