Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Law and Graduate School continues to be a leader in addressing key challenges facing agriculture, environmental protection and energy policy. Through innovative programs, partnerships and academic events, the school emphasizes innovation in legal education, policy development and advocacy.
Center for Agriculture and Food Systems Expands Farmland Access Toolkit
Farmers grappling with the complexities of preserving or managing family-owned land can find new inspiration and guidance through personal stories in the recently updated Farmland Access Legal Toolkit, a resource developed by the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems. The latest edition includes stories of a family of 13 who used a conservation easement to safeguard their shared farmland, another family who formed an LLC to protect their heirs' property and a third family who successfully resolved a legal dispute over land ownership. These accounts not only provide legal solutions but also highlight the personal and emotional aspects of keeping farmland in family hands.
Center for Agriculture and Food Systems Partners with USDA to Support Urban Farmers
In a new collaboration, the USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) has partnered with CAFS to create a suite of resources for urban farmers navigating complex local policies. This partnership aims to help farmers better understand and work through municipal regulations that impact urban agriculture.
The resources — including a policy scan, case studies, city snapshots and issue briefs — are designed to empower farmers and policymakers alike. By identifying and reducing policy barriers, these tools will support urban producers in growing sustainable food systems while aiding USDA staff and service providers in improving their support for urban agriculture.
Tuholske Institute for Environmental Field Studies: Hands-On Coastal Learning
Students from Vermont Law and Graduate School took their environmental law education to the coast of Maine this summer, participating in the Tuholske Institute’s Balancing Coastal Resources course. Led by alumni Benjamin Leoni JD’11 and Lindsay Leoni Bourgoine MELP’15, the course immersed students in the legal, economic and environmental complexities surrounding coastal resources.
Students gained hands-on experience, including collecting zooplankton alongside scientists from Bigelow Laboratory and engaging with fishermen and offshore wind stakeholders. This experiential learning program offers a deep dive into the real-world challenges and legal frameworks that shape coastal resource management.
Environmental Law Center Celebrates 15 Years of Scholarship Colloquium
Marking a milestone in legal scholarship, the Environmental Law Center hosted the 15th Annual Colloquium on Environmental Scholarship on Sept. 26. The event brought together environmental law scholars worldwide to present their research and receive feedback from peers. With 32 panelists and more than 50 attendees, the colloquium fostered collaboration and knowledge exchange on emerging issues in environmental law.
Institute for Energy and the Environment Hosts Energy Symposium During Climate Week NYC
The Institute for Energy and the Environment hosted its 11th Annual Energy Law and Policy Symposium during Climate Week NYC 2024. Titled "Powering the Future: 24/7 Clean Electricity, Green Finance, and FERC Order 1920," this year's symposium was held on Sept. 26 at the NYC offices of Bracewell LLP.
The event explored cutting-edge topics in energy law and policy, with proceeds benefiting the Kevin B. Jones Fund, which supports academic and professional opportunities for VLGS energy students.
About Vermont Law and Graduate School:
Vermont Law and Graduate School, a private, independent institution, is home to a law school that offers ABA-accredited residential and online hybrid JD programs and a graduate school that offers master’s degrees and certificates in multiple disciplines, including programs offered by the Maverick Lloyd School for the Environment, the Center for Justice Reform and other graduate-level programs emphasizing the intersection of environmental justice, social justice and public policy. Both the law and graduate schools strongly feature experiential clinical and field work learning. For more information, visit vermontlaw.edu, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: SOUTH ROYALTON, Vermont (October 24, 2024) — Vermont Law and Graduate School
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