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The awardee must be a resident of Vermont, be actively managing or working on a commercial farm operation in Vermont and have not received the award in the past. The applicant does not have to own a farm. Members of the award selection committee and current VLT staff and board members are not eligible to apply, nor are their immediate family members (including spouses, civil union partners, parents, siblings, children or any other relatives residing in the household).
The project should exemplify:
Use of award funds: Please include a clear description of recent or planned project(s) on the farm related to the award criteria that will be supported by the award funds.
Please note that award money does not need to be used for a new project created specifically for the award. The funds can be applied to a current project or one that has been recently completed. However, the funds must be directly applied to the project described in the application.
Those who apply but do not receive it are encouraged to reapply in future years.
A Selection Committee consisting of leaders in the Vermont agricultural community will review and score all eligible applications and select a final awardee. The 2024 Selection Committee members were:
Each year’s awardee will be announced at that year’s Vermont Land Trust’s annual meeting. Applicants must indicate that they understand that VLT will also publicize the awardees, and, if chosen as an awardee, they must agree to cooperate in publicity initiated by VLT. Publicity may include press releases, newsletters, and website and social media posts.
Applications for the 2025 award are being accepted until midnight February 28, 2025. Applications received after this will be asked to resubmit next year.
We ask that people apply for the award online. However, we offer the option of mailing your application if requested – please contact Jessie Estes for more information.
The 2024 award went to Sara and James Donegan of Trillium Hill Farm for growing a successful and sustainable operation in the heart of Hinesburg that integrates regenerative farming practices and serves the community through trails, a CSA, and farm stand.
Kara and Ryan of Evening Song Farm in Shrewbsury won the 2023 award. They grow organic vegetables and herbs together with a team of farmers and offer a year-round CSA. They’re focused on developing a farm ecosystem that can thrive in a changing climate, prioritizing the health of the land, farm team, and community.
A first-generation farmer, and a first-generation American with a Dominican mother and Puerto Rican father, Jennifer Rodriguez of Triple J Pastures in Irasburg won the 2022 award. Jennifer planned to use the award to invest in energy-efficient refrigeration at their farm stand, and to subsidize the cost of products for their local neighbors.
The 2021 award went to Christine Bourque of Blue Heron Farm in Grand Isle. Christine’s award helped subsidize CSA service to 85 families and food programs and donations to the community.
Thanks to a generous donor, there were two awardees in 2020: Amanda Andrews of Tamarack Hollow Farm in Plainfield and Tom Gilbert of Black Dirt Farm in Greensboro Bend. Amanda’s award supported food donations and the development of a contact-less produce box program and reach customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tom used the award to share composting knowledge and skills with others, hosts field trips, and donate food and compost.
The first Eric Rozendaal Memorial Award was given in 2019 to Corie Pierce of Bread & Butter Farm. Corie’s award supported ecosystem health and community engagement on her 143-acre property.
Jessie joined VLT in January of 2022 as the Executive Assistant to the President and Corporate Secretary for the Board of Trustees. Before coming onboard at VLT, Jessie worked as Director of Operations for a small meadery in St. Albans, and previously as Manager of Youth & Family Initiatives at the Vermont Foodbank. She earned a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development from Prescott College in the Fall of 2021. In her spare time, Jessie is an enthusiastic home baker who is always planning her next baking project.
EmailJessie joined VLT in January of 2022 as the Executive Assistant to the President and Corporate Secretary for the Board of Trustees. Before coming onboard at VLT, Jessie worked as Director of Operations for a small meadery in St. Albans, and previously as Manager of Youth & Family Initiatives at the Vermont Foodbank. She earned a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development from Prescott College in the Fall of 2021. In her spare time, Jessie is an enthusiastic home baker who is always planning her next baking project.
EmailJessie joined VLT in January of 2022 as the Executive Assistant to the President and Corporate Secretary for the Board of Trustees. Before coming onboard at VLT, Jessie worked as Director of Operations for a small meadery in St. Albans, and previously as Manager of Youth & Family Initiatives at the Vermont Foodbank. She earned a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development from Prescott College in the Fall of 2021. In her spare time, Jessie is an enthusiastic home baker who is always planning her next baking project.
EmailJessie joined VLT in January of 2022 as the Executive Assistant to the President and Corporate Secretary for the Board of Trustees. Before coming onboard at VLT, Jessie worked as Director of Operations for a small meadery in St. Albans, and previously as Manager of Youth & Family Initiatives at the Vermont Foodbank. She earned a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development from Prescott College in the Fall of 2021. In her spare time, Jessie is an enthusiastic home baker who is always planning her next baking project.
EmailJessie joined VLT in January of 2022 as the Executive Assistant to the President and Corporate Secretary for the Board of Trustees. Before coming onboard at VLT, Jessie worked as Director of Operations for a small meadery in St. Albans, and previously as Manager of Youth & Family Initiatives at the Vermont Foodbank. She earned a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development from Prescott College in the Fall of 2021. In her spare time, Jessie is an enthusiastic home baker who is always planning her next baking project.
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