and thanks for the convo! I can't speak to southern VT, or parts below #15 even FTM; despite having traipsed across the State to the point of knowing it blindfolded.

Farming and forestry is what makes VT special, what accounts for its pastoral beauty. VT does grass very well. Sadly the industries that use it are under stress, specially dairy; which started feeling the strain in late 80's early 90's with ops moving first to western NY, then later (with advent of reverse osmosis) to the southwest. Trying to compete with economies of scale elsewhere is a losing proposition.

Going organic, niche specialty dairy products, and the like helps to some degree but can't stem the trend of consolidation, which further erodes the prospect of more farmers via succession.

Thing is, if normal working class folk made a livable wage they could afford to buy produce/meat at those farmers' markets usually reserved for better off tourists and 2nd home owners. They could more directly support their neighbors; though I know that like me, many probably get their whole milk, eggs, beef even, from their neighbors operation.

But the elephant in the room is how little food security there is in Vermont despite being fertile and abundant. Not too different from how many kids would qualify as 1st gen to go to college.

They/it has not been a top priority, despite the bounty of advocates calling it out.