John Rodgers

What do you believe is the role of state government, if any, in ensuring that everyone living in Vermont has the food they need to thrive?

I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts on food security and the future of agriculture in Vermont.

I believe I'm the only candidate for this office who has spent a lifetime working directly in agriculture, forestry, and food production, and who continues to work the land today. My understanding of these issues doesn't come from reports or meetings, it comes from firsthand experience and the challenges that Vermont farmers face every day. I know what it means to depend on the land, to deal with unpredictable weather, rising costs, and changing markets, and I believe our policies should be shaped by those real-world experiences.

In a modern society, no one should go hungry. Ensuring Vermonters have access to healthy, nutritious food begins with supporting the people who produce it. The strongest path toward long-term food security is not simply creating more programs, but strengthening Vermont's agricultural economy so that we grow more of the food we consume right here at home.

Across the state, I've been working with farmers and landowners to promote practices that build deep, organic soils. Healthy soil is one of our greatest tools for the future. It absorbs rainfall during periods of flooding, stores moisture during times of drought, improves crop yields, and helps make our farms more resilient to a changing climate. Investing in soil health is good for our environment, good for our farmers, and good for every Vermonter who depends on a reliable food supply. It's also an investment in the next generation of farmers, ensuring that the land we pass on is healthier and more productive than the land we inherited.

I also believe Vermont has an opportunity to play a larger role in meeting New England's goal of producing 30 percent of the region's food by 2030. By growing more food here, we strengthen local farms, create new economic opportunities, keep more dollars circulating in our rural communities, and reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting food from thousands of miles away. Agriculture has always been one of Vermont's greatest economic and cultural strengths, and we should continue finding innovative ways to help our farmers succeed.

Increasing local food production also creates more opportunities to help those in need. When our farms are thriving and producing more, there is greater potential for donations, gleaning programs, and partnerships that ensure surplus food reaches Vermont families instead of going to waste. Supporting agriculture is one of the most effective ways to improve food security while preserving our rural heritage and strengthening our local economy.

My priority will always be to support the people who work the land, ensure no Vermonter goes hungry, invest in practices that make our farms more productive and resilient, and ensure that agriculture remains one of Vermont's greatest strengths for generations to come.

What would be your policy priorities to move Vermont toward food security for all?

What do you believe are the root causes of hunger, and what should the state do to address those underlying factors?

How would you help strengthen the state’s agriculture and food economy to ensure Vermont farms can continue to grow the food we all need?