Thanks to Paul Costello of the Vermont Council on Rural Development for sharing this news.
The Vermont Working Landscape Partnership is excited by the implementation of the Working Lands Enterprise Bill that we worked so hard to advance and the news today announcing the terrific leadership team that will lead the Enterprise Board’s efforts!
On Sept. 24, the Agency of Agriculture announced the creation of the newly appointed Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) which will lead the investment in Vermont’s working landscape through the Working Lands Enterprise Fund.
WLEB members include:
•Chuck Ross, Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets (Chair)
•Mike Snyder, Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation
•Lawrence Miller, Secretary of Commerce and Community Development
•Kurt E. Zschau, Forester/Vermont Real Estate Manager
•Emma Marvin, Butternut Mountain Farm
•Mike Rainville, Maple Landmark
•Brian Kemp, Mountain Meadow Farms
•Amanda Ellis-Thurber, Lilac Ridge Farm
•Kathleen Wanner, Executive Director of the Vermont Woodlands Association
•Eleanor Léger, Eden Ice Cider
•Eric DeLuca, National Cooperative Business Association
•Steven P. Marsh, Community National Bank
EX Officio, non-voting members include:
•Jo Bradley, Manager of VT Economic Development Authority
•Ellen Kahler, Executive Director of VT Sustainable Jobs Fund
•Gus Seelig, Executive Director of VT Housing Conservation Board
Administration includes:
•Colleen Leonard, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
•Alex Ibey, Agency of Commerce and Community Development
•Noelle Sevoian, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
The Board, staffed by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, is in the process of determining the funding criteria for the requests for proposals (RFP’s) and plans to announce the first round of RFP’s in November. Read the full press release for more information about the board and fund.
