Lt. Governor David Zuckerman Focuses on Food Security

PRESS RELEASE: June 11, 2020

Lt. Governor David Zuckerman Focuses on Food Security

BURLINGTON: Today, the Zuckerman for VT campaign released its second group in a series of key endorsements in the 2020 Vermont gubernatorial race: Vermont farmers. This follows two round table events where Lt. Governor Zuckerman engaged agricultural leaders and farmers in conversations around food security, local food production and the future of agriculture in Vermont.

“Food security must be a pillar of Vermont's Economic Recovery Plan and Vermont farms play an important role,” said Lt. Governor Zuckerman. “When I'm Governor, I will make sure our state has a long term and sustainable program that links farmers and hungry Vermonters and we support local food production to ensure our agricultural economy will prosper in the decades ahead.”

The first event, The Future of VT Agriculture: Where we have been and what lies ahead, was held on June 3rd and featured Roger Allbee, former Secretary of Agriculture, Orly Munzing, founder of Strolling of the Heifers, Clark Hinsdale, former President of the Vermont Farm Bureau, who shared the following endorsement quote:

“I have known David for over 20 years. David has the hands-on experience that speaks to so many Vermonters’ day-to-day successes and struggles—from starting a farm to meeting payroll and finding efficiencies in his small business. As Chair of the Agriculture Committee, I watched David develop strong working relationships with folks across the state, really listen to their thoughts and suggestions, and move forward on policy and proposals that would help all Vermonters. That is the experience we need in the Governor’s Office.”    

- Clark Hinsdale, former Vermont Farm Bureau President

Yesterday, the second event Voices From The Farm: Expanding local food production, included three farmers and focused on the connection between farms and the local economy, as well as the work farmers do in their communities.

Dave Chapman, who has been farming in Vermont for 40 years, and joined the Lt. Governor on the round table shared:

“David will be the first active farmer elected Governor in over 50 years. As we face the climate crisis, pandemics, and the fragility of industrial agriculture, this is truly our time to build a thriving agricultural economy in Vermont and for Vermont. It’s time to put agriculture back into leadership in Vermont.”

- Dave Chapman, Long Wind Farm, East Thetford

Fellow farmer, Christa Alexander, who worked to build support for Vermont’s GMO labeling law, offered the following remarks with her endorsement:

“I have known and worked with David as both a farmer and policy leader. In both realms, David is dedicated, hard working, and thoughtful. He effectively worked across the political spectrum, with a wide variety of farmers and with diverse business leaders to help build a unified coalition on a number of issues. In particular, David’s persistent and unifying leadership was critical as Vermont worked to pass the first-in-the-nation GMO labeling law. David will be a great Governor of Vermont.”

   - Christa Alexander, Jericho Settlers Farm, Jericho

Additional farmer endorsements include:

Christa Alexander & Mark Fasching, Jericho Settlers Farm, Jericho

Mia Allen, Mountain Yard Farm, Ripton

Peter Burmeister, Burelli Farm, Berlin

Jeff & Melanie Carpenter, Zack Woods Herb Farm, Hyde Park

Emmett Dunbar, Anjali Farm, South Londonderry

Dave Chapman, Long Wind Farm, East Thetford

Michael Collins, Old Athens Farm, Putney

Greg Cox, Boardman Hill Farm, Rutland

Kristan Doolan & George van Vlaanderen, Does’ Leap Farm, East Fairfield

Tonya Gunn, Natural Earth Farm, Vershire

Jake Guest, Killdeer Farm, North Thetford

Paul Harlow, Harlow Farm, Westminster

Clark Hinsdale, former Vermont Farm Bureau President

Mike Isham & Helen Weston, Isham Family Farm, Williston

Andy Jones, Burlington

Bruce Kaufman, Riverside Farm, East Hardwick

Anne & Jack Lazor, Butterworks Farm, Westfield

Lisa McCrory & Carl Russell, Earthwise Farm & Forest, Bethel

Taylor & Jake Mendell, Footprint Farm, Starksboro

Melissa Pierce, North Branch Alpaca Farm, Montpelier

Joy & John Primmer, Wildstone Farm, Pownal

Howard Prussack, High Meadows Farm, Westminster

Heather Surprenant & Nicholas Benson, Moonlighting Farm, Barnard

A full list of endorsers, including more than 50 current and former legislators, can be found on the Zuckerman for VT website. 

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