Agriculture & Sustainability

Sam Douglass is a PRO-AGRICULTURE candidate and supports the Northeast Kingdom's long-held traditions of agricultural living.

• Sam Douglass is pro-dairy and supports legislation that protects Vermont's dairy industry.  
• The number of dairy farms has been falling for decades but overall milk production has been consistent.  
• As of 2024, there are 486 dairy farms in Vermont.  78 are located in Orleans County.  Orleans County has the 2nd highest number of dairy farms per county.  Franklin County is 1st. 
• The average number of cows per farm has been increasing.  As of 2022, the statewide average number of cows per farm was 214.
• As of December 2023, the average milk price was $22.40/hundredweight.  This is $3 less than December 2022.  
• In 2021, Vermont's dairy industry produced 2.564 billion pounds of milk.
• As of 2022, organic milk totaled 5.5% of statewide milk production.
• Many costs are associated with milk production.  These include electricity, water, bulk feed (TMRs), feed seed and fertilizer, equipment, diesel, loan repayments, payroll, transportation, insurance, state fees, veterinary care and vaccinations, and other assorted costs.  
• Shifts in farm totals are mostly attributed to generational transfers, consolidation, changing business structures, and financial difficulties.  
• Milk production costs continue to outpace market price, forcing milk producers to operate at a deficit.  
• To offset losses between milk and feed prices, dairy farmers may enroll into the federally managed Dairy Margin Coverage Program.
• Milk price/cwt is volatile and puts many farmers in tough decisions about taking on debt and the future direction of the farm.  

• Sam Douglass supports Vermont's Maple Industry 
• Vermont produces more maple syrup than any other state.   
• In 2023, Vermont's maple syrup production totaled 2.05 million gallons. 
• Vermont maple syrup producers put out 6.35 million maple taps in 2023.  Syrup yield per tap is estimated to be 0.322 gallon.  
• In 2022, Vermont syrup production totaled a record high $84.5 million.  The average price was $33.10 per gallon.  

• Sam Douglass supports Vermont's bee farms and supports reasonable legislation to protect pollinators. 
• As of 2023, there were 1,213 bee farms in Vermont.  
• As of 2023, there were 17,145 colonies registered in Vermont.
• ~90% of beekeepers own <20 hives.  ~3% classify as commercial operations with >100 hives.
• Beekeeping and honey production is at an all-time high in Vermont.

• Sam Douglass supports the private and commercial ownership and raising of chickens, steer, hogs, buffalo, and other animals for meat, wool, and eggs.

• Sam Douglass supports Vermont's large producers and cottage producers and encourages communities to purchase locally produced agricultural products in support of local agriculture.  
• Processed Maple/Honey Products (e.g Candy, Meat Rubs, whipped honey, etc)
• Dairy Products (e.g Cheese, yogurt, kefir, butter, ice cream, etc)
• Goat's Milk Soap
• Beeswax Candles
• Pickles, Jams, Jellies, Relishes, etc