H.229 is a proposed bill aimed at establishing the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund in Vermont, which will provide financial assistance to farms and forestry operations that have suffered losses due to adverse weather conditions. The bill outlines the need for such a fund, citing the extreme flooding and climate-related disasters that impacted Vermont's agricultural sector in 2023 and 2024. It highlights the challenges faced by small- and medium-scale farmers in accessing existing state and federal support programs, particularly noting that federal crop insurance does not adequately cover their needs. The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining the viability of farms and forestry operations to ensure food security, climate resilience, and rural economic vitality.

The bill includes specific provisions for the administration of the fund, which will be overseen by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets, and will consist of appropriated funds, private contributions, and federal aid. Grants from the fund will reimburse eligible farms and forestry operations for up to 50% of uninsured losses, with a maximum award of $150,000 per year per applicant. The bill also establishes a Review Board to evaluate applications and ensure the fund meets the needs of the agricultural community. Additionally, it expresses the intent of the General Assembly to provide annual appropriations to the fund based on documented farm losses from eligible weather conditions. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 6-207