Vermont Business Magazine With the 2025 legislative session now behind us, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets is proud to announce the enactment of Act 61, a significant update to Vermont’s Right to Farm (RTF) law. While all 50 states have some form of RTF law, Vermont’s previous statute lacked clarity and strength. Act 61 changes that—providing clearer standards and stronger protections for responsible farming.
Why It Matters
Farmers across Vermont face the risk of nuisance claims, including that farm-related noise, odors, runoff, or dust interfere with a neighbor’s property use. These lawsuits can result in costly civil damages or even shut down farms. Under the old law, farmers had to defend themselves by proving they met a set of vague legal standards. They had to show their farm predated surrounding non-agricultural uses and that their practices hadn’t significantly changed—an unrealistic hurdle for evolving farms and new operations.
Key Improvements Under Act 61
1. Clearer Definitions and Stronger Protections
Farms that follow generally accepted agricultural practices are now considered not a nuisance. This protection can be overcome only if the plaintiff proves the farm caused substantial harm or acted negligently.
2. Shifting the Burden of Proof
Previously, the burden of establishing nuisance protection was on the farmer. Now, the responsibility shifts to the plaintiff, who must demonstrate that the farm acted improperly.
3. Support for New and Evolving Farms
Farms are no longer required to prove they were there first or that their practices have remained unchanged. This change encourages innovation, diversification, and the growth of new farms.
4. Mediation First
Before filing a nuisance lawsuit, property owners must attempt to resolve the issue through dialogue and mandatory mediation with the farmer.
5. Good Standing Requirement
To receive nuisance protection, farms must be in good regulatory standing—meaning they have no unresolved final enforcement actions with the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets or the Agency of Natural Resources.
A Stronger Future for Vermont Agriculture
Farming is a demanding, highly regulated profession. Act 61 affirms that farms following sound practices should not be punished for simply doing their jobs. While the law doesn’t prevent lawsuits, it gives responsible farms a stronger legal defense.
We’re grateful to Governor Phil Scott for his leadership, and to the legislators, farmers, and agricultural groups—including the Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance—who worked tirelessly to make this reform a reality.
Note: This summary is not a legal interpretation.
What are current farmers market prices? What is the minimum price for a pound of carrots? How do prices compare to last week? How about a year ago? Are they similar in different parts of the state?
The Vermont Agency for Agriculture, Food & Markets has developed the Local Food Data Tracking program to collect and analyze prices on select categories of agricultural products. We currently have over 14 farmers markets participating in reporting prices of more than 30 plant products and and more than 20 animal products.
View the price reports
Cold Storage Available in Hardwick
The Center for an Agricultural Economy is proud to offer storage to farmers and food producers at their new facility. Farm Connex has refrigerated and frozen storage available.
Conveniently located in Hardwick, the Food Hub is a state-of-the-art facility that can easily accommodate all types of delivery vehicles. Producers can reduce their carbon footprint by taking advantage of this climate-forward facility that is fossil fuel free with zero carbon emissions.
Contact FarmConnex to learn more
Resources for Vermont Beginning Farmers
Join the USDA, UVM, and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets on July 23 from 4:30-7:00 pm for an informative workshop about the resources available to beginning farmers and ranchers in Vermont.
Participants will hear a farmer’s perspective on utilizing programs, have the opportunity to sign up or speak with agency staff on-site, and network with other farmers. Light snacks and refreshments will be available. This is a hybrid event. You can attend virtually or in person at the UVM Horticultural Center.
Register now
Riparian Buffer Repair Workshop
Join NOFA-VT and restoration ecologist and educator Jess Rubin of MycoEvolve on July 24 for a workshop on riparian buffer repair.
Participants will walk a previously degraded riparian buffer that has been transformed using myco-phytoremediation—a collaborative restoration approach using microbes, fungi, plants, and human stewardship.
The workshop will cover site history, ecological reconciliation principles, methodology, results from the pilot and Year 1 of this study, and how to replicate these strategies elsewhere.
Register now
Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
August
8/14 - Dairy Processor Modernization Grant deadline
View the VAAFM Grants Calendar
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
116 State St. Montpelier, VT 05620
https://agriculture.vermont.gov
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