By Kevin Kouri
Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance (VDPA) 2026 Lobby Day was held January 22nd in Montpelier, VT at the Vermont Capital Building. We had a great young group of dairy producers representing four dairy counties in the State with a total of twelve dairy farms represented.
The group had an opportunity to testify in front of the House Agriculture Committee on two bills that the Alliance opposes while in the Senate Agriculture Committee they had a chance to answer questions from the Senate Committee on the “State of Farming” in Vermont. The Senators were most interested in what issues they can address and what sort of support they can provide with protection and legislative actions.
During lunch, VDPA membership was able to talk more with members of both the House and Senate Agriculture Committee’s in a less formal manner allowing for a deeper dive into the struggles we face in the industry. Legal Counsel for the Department of Agriculture attended as well, Steve Collier, to discuss current issues with Conservation Law Fund and watershed issues and the impact this will have on dairy. Collectively all parties are working hard towards environmental protection that is sustainable and can work within the current construct of the industry.
Discussion leaving the Capital with VDPA membership was that they felt the most welcomed in the Capital in long time with very supportive House and Senate Committee’s and optimistic for collaboration moving forward. Engagement level continues to remain high since our visit, and this has peaked increased membership into VDPA from non-members as they see the impact we are having in promoting and supporting the industry that supports all of us.