Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets As we turn the calendar, this month naturally becomes a time to look back and reflect. There’s no doubt that 2025 was a challenging year — from unpredictable weather to affordability pressures affecting families and businesses alike. We know there is significant volatility and disruption impacting everyone who works the land. As we begin 2026, there is uncertainty and worry, but January is also a time when many of us set intentions and resolutions for the year ahead. Here are mine.
Let’s start with Mother Nature. This year, let’s hope for just enough snow, just enough rain, and just enough sun — and no major weather events. A boring weather year would be a welcome change.
Let’s also hope that those producing our food receive a fair price for their work. From milk to maple to fruits and vegetables, growing and producing food takes commitment, hard work, and more than a little luck. May everyone along the food chain be treated fairly and continue doing what they do best: producing high-quality Vermont products.
A few other wishes for 2026:
- Snowmobilers: Enough snow to ride the trails and support our rural communities.
- Visitors: To all who come to ski and enjoy our state — may they savor Vermont’s world-class products and bring some home with them.
- Maple producers: A sweet season ahead, with cold nights and mild days, so Vermont remains the nation’s top producer.
- Taste of Vermont 2026: A perfect year to celebrate our farmers, food producers, and especially our pure Vermont maple.
- Spring: A gentle snowmelt and just enough warmth and sunshine to give the 2026 growing season a strong start. Farmers deserve a good stretch of weather.
- Festivals and farmers markets: Great weather and strong attendance. From spring through fall, there’s something happening nearly every week that celebrates agriculture — check the calendars and make a commitment to enjoy the best of Vermont.
- Fairs and field days: These events run on volunteer power. Let’s support them — or better yet, lend a hand in 2026. And if you can, enter one of the many contests. There’s nothing quite like winning a ribbon.
Let’s also hope 2026 is a kind year for agriculture when policymakers consider new laws or regulations. We should be listening closely to the people who work the land every day. Decisions made in Montpelier and Washington can shape their world in profound ways.
And finally, let’s hope this year brings real progress on affordability — from taxes to housing to agriculture.
These are just a few items on my wish list. There are many more. But most importantly, I wish you health and happiness in 2026. You deserve it.
- Secretary Tebbetts
Upcoming Dates & Deadlines
January
1/21 - Trade Show Assistance Grant application due
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Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
116 State St. Montpelier, VT 05620
https://agriculture.vermont.gov
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