§ 4963. Regenerative farming; Vermont Environmental Stewardship Program

(a) Establishment of Program. There is created within the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets the Vermont Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP) to provide technical and financial assistance to Vermont farmers seeking to implement regenerative farming practices to achieve certification as a Certified Vermont Environmental Steward.

(b) Program standards; application. The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall establish by procedure standards for certification as a Certified Environmental Steward. Application for certification shall be made in the manner required by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets.

(c) Program services. The VESP shall provide the following services to farmers voluntarily seeking to transition to achieve certification as a Certified Vermont Environmental Steward:

(1) information and education regarding the requirements for certification, including the method, timeline, and process of certification;

(2) technical assistance in completing any required application for certification;

(3) technical assistance in developing plans and implementing practices to achieve certification from the VESP; and

(4) technical assistance in complying with the requirements of the VESP after a farm is certified.

(d) Financial assistance; eligibility. An owner or operator of a farm participating in the VESP shall be eligible for financial assistance from existing Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets financial assistance programs for costs incurred in implementing any of the practices required for certification as a Certified Environmental Steward.

(e) Revocation of certification. The Secretary may, after due notice and hearing, revoke a certification issued under this section when the owner or operator of a certified farm fails to comply with the standards for certification established under subsection (b) of this section.

(f) Administrative penalty; falsely advertising. The Secretary may assess an administrative penalty of up to $1,000.00 against the owner or operator of a farm who knowingly advertises as a Certified Environmental Steward when not certified by the Secretary. (Added 2019, No. 64, § 11.)