Vermont Statutes Title 6. Agriculture, § 4607. Powers and duties of the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Board

(1) optimizing the agricultural and forest use of Vermont lands and other agricultural resources;

(2) expanding existing markets and identifying and developing new profitable in-state and out-of-state markets for food, fiber, forest products, and value-added agricultural products, including farm-derived renewable energy; and

(3) identifying opportunities and challenges related to access to capital, infrastructure, product development, marketing, training, research, and education.

(1) to design and conduct an ongoing public engagement process, which may include taking testimony and receiving information from any party interested in the Board's activities;

(2) to gain information through the use of experts, consultants, and data to perform analysis as needed;

(3) to request services from State economists, State administrative agencies, and State programs;

(4) to obtain information from other planning entities, including the Farm to Plate Investment Program;

(5) to serve as a resource for and make recommendations to the Administration and the General Assembly on ways to improve Vermont's laws, rules, and policies in order to attain the goals set forth in section 4604 of this title;

(6) to establish an application process, eligibility criteria, and criteria for prioritizing assistance for awarding grants, loans, incentives, and other investments in agricultural and forestry enterprises and in food and forest systems;

(7) to award grants and other investments, which may include loans underwritten and administered through the Vermont Economic Development Authority;

(8) to enter into performance contracts with one or more persons in order to provide investment and services to agricultural and forestry enterprises, including:

(9) to identify workforce needs and programs in order to develop training and incentive opportunities for the agriculture and forest product sectors after consulting with the Department of Labor;

(10) to identify strategic statewide infrastructure and investment priorities considering:

(11) to develop an annual operating budget, and:

(12) to identify growing markets and opportunities for the livestock and poultry sectors, including promoting independent animal welfare certification programs.