Vermont Woodlands Resources
Under the Golden Dome July 13th 2022
The following is an update related to bills and conversations that have an impact on our Agricultural Landscape. ACT 155 (S.161) An act relating to extending the baseload renewable power portfolio requirement Although VTFB was not tracking this bill, it does contain…
Broadband Resolution
Despite unanimous support from the Senate Judiciary Committee, S.166 (a bill focusing on utility worksite cleanup and consumer protection) did not make it out of the Senate Finance Committee intact. Introduced by Senators Hardy, Pearson, MacDonald and Starr, the language would have…
NEW STATE LAW REQUIRES VERMONT FARMERS TO REPORT SURFACE WATER USAGE FOR 2022
Vermont farmers who withdraw any surface waters (definition 10 V.S.A. Section 1002(20)) for farming are advised to begin keeping records of irrigation events this summer if a farm does not already do so. A new state law went into effect on July…
A WHITE PAPER ON ACT 145 (H.626) From Under the Golden Dome
Click here to read the White Paper on Act 145 (H.626)
A WHITE PAPER ON THE SENATE AND HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEES HOUSEKEEPING BILLS
A WHITE PAPER ON THE SENATE AND HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEES HOUSEKEEPING BILLS Every year, the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets reviews legislation previously passed and requests changes from the two Agriculture Committees to either update or clarify existing statute. These are known…
Act 146. Act 146 changes Vermont’s Use Value Appraisal (UVA)
As you may know, the Governor signed H.697 into law – now Act 146. Act 146 changes Vermont’s Use Value Appraisal (UVA) Program by adding a subcategory to Managed Forestland called ‘Reserve Forestland.’ Appropriately, folks have questions. I’m writing to provide an overview of the…
A WHITE PAPER FOR ACCESSORY ON FARM BUSINESSES- Under the Golden Dome
Governor Scott vetoes S.234 A WHITE PAPER FOR ACCESSORY ON FARM BUSINESSES S.234 was another attempt by the Legislature to make major changes to the Act 250 language currently in statute, based on a year long process of public hearings by the…
Carbon Glossary of Terms
ADDITIONALITY To avoid giving credits to projects that would have happened anyway, rules have been specified to ensure additionality of the project i.e. to ensure the project reduces emissions more than would have occurred in the absence of the project. A project…
Carbon FAQs
What to consider when choosing a carbon program Carbon projects are now accessible to small landowners in Vermont and neighboring states. As more options become available, it is important for both landowners and their foresters to explore the array of opportunities, including…
Under the Golden Dome May 13, 2022
Read the Under the Golden Dome May 13, 2022 edition here.
Under the Golden Dome May 6, 2022
Read the Under the Golden Dome May 6, 2022 edition here.
Under the Golden Dome April 29, 2022
Read the Under the Golden Dome April 29, 2022 edition here.
Under the Golden Dome April 22, 2022
Read the Under the Golden Dome April 22, 2022 edition here.
Under the Golden Dome April 8, 2022
Under the Golden Dome April 8, 2022 Read the Under the Golden Dome April 8, 2022 edition here.
Under the Golden Dome April 1, 2022
Read the Under the Golden Dome April 1, 2022 edition here.
Under the Golden Dome March 25, 2022
Read the Under the Golden Dome March 25, 2022 edition here.
Under the Golden Dome March 18, 2022
Read the Under the Golden Dome March 18, 2022 edition here.
Under the Golden Dome February 25, 2022
Read the Under the Golden Dome February 25, 2022 Read the correction to the February 25 edition.
Under the Golden Dome January 28, 2022
Under the Golden Dome January 28, 2022 Read Under the Golden Dome January 28, 2022
Current Use: Mechanics
Ironing out some frequently asked questions about the UVA program The Current Use program can at times be a complicated subject. Participants and others interested in the program sometimes have questions about how the program works, its effects on taxes, and other…
Current Use: The Licensed Consulting Forester’s Role
In our latest installment about Vermont’s Current Use program, we would like to take some time to focus on where the consulting forester fits into the mix. In addition, we’ve included some qualities that landowners should look for in a forester working…
Myths About Current Use- Part 2
In our ongoing look at Current Use this article is a continuation in debunking myths surrounding the program (Read the first article here). To quickly review, the Use Value Appraisal program (UVA), commonly known as Current Use, is a property tax incentive…
Timber Tax
According to the well-known saying, there are only two certain things in this life: death and taxes. The latter of the two applies to your woodlands in the form of Timber Tax. Timber Tax is a complicated topic, and the purpose of…
Gypsy moth resources
Invasives on land: Gypsy moths – VTInvasives Gypsy moths are making a comeback in Vermont – by Judy Rosovsky, Vermont State Entomologist Gypsy moth outbreak in VT fact sheet – UVM Extension Gypsy moth fact sheet – USDA Gypsy moth quarantine map…
Current Use: Maintaining Enrollment
This next installment of our look at the Current Use program goes over actions landowners should take and considerations to keep in mind in order to keep their forests enrolled in the program. As was previously stated in earlier articles, for forestland…
Forest Service assessment delivers research on invasive species
One-stop resource for land managers who are looking for information on invasive species. USDA Forest Service scientists have delivered a new comprehensive assessment of the invasive species that confront America’s forests and grasslands, from new arrivals to some that invaded so long…
Legislative Update for Week Ending January 29, 2021
This publication is for the benefit and education of Vermont Farm Bureau members. Please do not forward or copy this for any purpose other than to promote the farm bureau. Thank you. Week Ending January 29, 2021 Bills of Interest Introduced Due…
Submitting FMARs on eCuse
As you know, Forest Management Activity Reports are due by February 1st , 2021 on UVA forestland parcels where activity was implemented in 2020. I want to remind folks that FMARs can now be submitted on eCuse by both landowners and consulting foresters. Submission…