EAST DUMMERSTON — Voting has begun for the August primary, and I'm supporting David Zuckerman for governor.
For more than two decades, I have been actively involved in the local food movement. I have worked with farmers, local businesses, tourist organizations, and marketing teams to create connections that build our rural economy while creating opportunities for those who want to farm and grow healthy food right here in Vermont.
I have met and worked with David, our current lieutenant governor, on many initiatives, and he is the leader we need to further expand these connections.
In June, I joined him for a roundtable conversation on the future of agriculture here in Vermont. Roger Allbee, former Vermont secretary of agriculture, and Clark Hinsdale, former president of the Vermont Farm Bureau, were also part of this discussion.
We addressed the extensive opportunities for Vermont farmers and our rural economy and talked about some of the support that would be needed to grow this industry. David's personal experience as a farmer and small-business owner and his deep knowledge of past legislation and current challenges are a great asset to Vermont as we develop new programs.
Vermont farmers are resilient, and the history we discussed together proves farmers can and will adapt and continue to work the land they love. But farmers are an aging demographic, and we must find ways to support younger farmers, more diverse agricultural businesses, and creative entrepreneurs if we want to expand opportunities in rural parts of our state.
David knows we must expand broadband connectivity to rural communities for farms and businesses to survive. As chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, David was instrumental in our Vermont Farm to School program, now a national standard.
Currently, food producers are needing support in processing and storage. David has creative ideas of how we could utilize school kitchens or restaurants that are currently shut due to COVID-19 to meet these needs.
Vermont needs a goveror who will connect the different aspects of our economy and communities - someone who is dedicated to our rural landscape and those who work it. David's personal and legislative experience makes him my choice.