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Since 2005, the Vermont Land Trust has recognized outstanding high-school juniors and seniors who are dedicated to agriculture and forestry. Instructors from Vermont’s farming, forestry, and natural resources programs can nominate students for the award each spring. This year, seven students were honored with $500 checks.
Brailey’s work with animals is more than academic. It’s part passion and part family legacy. She grew up on her family’s dairy farm in New Haven, Rail View Dairy. Today she is an active participant on the farm, involved in farm chores and decision-making around nutrient management, Required Agricultural Practices, and dairy herd genetics.
During her time at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center in Middlebury, the graduating senior expanded her understanding of sustainable agriculture, livestock care, water quality, and cover cropping. She has been active in the local chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA) and won prizes for showing cows at FFA and 4-H events across the region.
Her Sustainable Agriculture Instructor, Kelley Mills, speaks highly of Brailey’s knack for bringing out the best in her peers, be they animal or human. “Brailey is one of the kindest, most generous students I have ever had the pleasure of working with,” said Kelley. “She is always willing to help anyone. Brailey excels at breeding, raising, and showing animals, and she does so with style, class, and grace.”
Brailey plans to continue her education at SUNY Cobleskill next fall, majoring in Animal Science: Dairy Cattle Production. For Brailey, continuing her education furthers her goal to be a caretaker of the land she loves.
“Vermont is not just our home. The working landscape of farms is a treasure we have been blessed with,” said Brailey. “Preserving our farms means protecting our communities, our state heritage, and the very heart of what makes Vermont so special. To be a caretaker of the land honors the past, sustains the present, and protects the future of our fields, forests, streams, and our lakes.”
In the fall of 2024, Jacob Swartz-Reiner was studying at the Center for Technology (CTE) in Essex and working full-time at a hardware store in Malletts Bay. In between his work and classes, Jacob took the time to read Axed Out, a SevenDays article about the decline of the forest products industry in Vermont. His CTE instructor, Brian Japp, said Jacob found the article motivating. “He wants to be part of the solution to the problem this industry faces,” said Brian.
After he graduates from CTE this spring, Jacob will spend a year furthering his forestry education at the Community College of Vermont and potentially at a program in Maine to learn about mechanized logging. He then plans to enroll in Paul Smith’s College in the Adirondacks.
Brian, who teaches Forestry & Horticulture, describes Jacob as naturally curious and self-driven. “Jacob has shown dedicated attention to the topics we explore. Despite our work occurring in a dynamic environment (it can be loud, dirty, snowing, or raining), he always finds a clarifying question to ask.”
Those questions pay off. Despite working a full schedule at the hardware store where he is responsible for stocking shelves, point of sale, and customer service, Jacob has excelled at CTE, earning a spot in the National Technical Honor Society this spring.
For Jacob, it comes down to supporting the land that supports all people. “We all need to remember our roots. The land takes care of us, so we need to care for the land,” said Jacob. VLT’s Al Karnatz met Jacob to give him the award (see photo).
Many high school students begrudge waking up early to get to school, but not Kierstin Moulton. Her days start with the animals in the barn at the family farm, Knox Ridge Holsteins, which is conserved with VLT.
“As a high school student and dairy farmer in Vermont, working the land means more to me than just chores or a job — it’s a way of life that’s deeply rooted in who I am,” said Kierstin. “Farming has taught me that stewardship matters. I’m proud to be part of a tradition that respects and protects the land for future generations.”
That real-world experience has helped her excel at Newport’s North Country Career Center and beyond. She is an FFA officer in Orleans County and a National Honors Society member. Emily Dehoff, her Animal & Environmental Systems Science Instructor, says, “her ability to blend science with hands-on experience and emotional intelligence makes her an outstanding young farmer and an inspiring example of the next generation of agricultural stewards.”
Emily also said that Kierstin recently participated in a Climate Change Summit, deepening her understanding of the direct impact of climate change on all aspects of farming. “She brought practical, firsthand farming experience into high-level conversations about climate resilience,” said Emily.
After she graduates, Kierstin plans to enroll at UVM on a pre-veterinary track. Her ultimate goal is to become a large animal veterinarian and return to work on her family’s farm. “I want to bring my skills back home and give back to the community that raised me,” said Kierstin.
Max Wagner earnestly approaches everything he does, whether he’s helping on the family dairy farm or scoring runs on the varsity baseball team at Swanton’s Missisquoi Valley Union High School (MVUHS).
That diligence has helped him excel, both at MVUHS and the Cold Hollow Career Center (CHCC) in Enosburg. The junior has also been nominated to the National Technical Honor Society.
His dedication has also been an asset to the family farm. Max plans to manage the family’s woodlot for maple sap production. His Forestry & Natural Resources Instructor, Josh Goss, said Max brought his land management ideas to class and solicited opinions.
“Growing up on my family’s farm, I learned to love the land and everything it has to offer,” said Max. “Sugaring, hunting, fishing, exploring the woods with my dog, raising cattle and grazing them all became very big interests of mine. Loving the land that I grew up on has made me want to keep it the best that it can be for the future.”
After his final year at MVUHS and CHCC, Max plans to pursue a degree in forestry and become a Consulting Forester. In the meantime, he’s constantly seeking to deepen his understanding, in and out of the classroom.
“Max is hard working, dependable, and honest,” said Josh. “He is always asking questions and opinions of his ideas to better his understanding of managing land for its future.”
Paul Tipper is a fourth-generation logger and beef farmer. Following in his family’s footsteps was a natural choice for Paul, but he doesn’t take it for granted. Even though he’s been out in the woods all his life, he loves learning new skills and deepening his understanding of forestry.
“I enjoy working the land,” said Paul. “I don’t see myself doing anything else. It doesn’t feel like a job, more like a lifestyle.”
In addition to attending the Green Mountain Technology and Career Center (GMTCC) Forestry Program as a junior, Paul works for an excavation company. That’s furthered his skills with tools and machines. His Forestry Instructor, Corey Hathaway, said he goes to Paul when he needs tools repaired at the school.
“Paul cares about what he is doing, no matter the task,” said Corey. “He puts thought into his efforts. He is the type of person we need to lead [these] industries moving forward in this world.”
Corey described Paul as an active participant in all aspects of the Forestry program. “Paul always has a story to share about the day’s project or lesson,” said Corey. “He helps all of us relate to what is happening in the moment.”
Paul already helps out with the family’s farm and logging operations outside of school. After graduation, he’ll increase his work, using the skills he’s gleaned to carry on the family tradition for the next generation.
If he’s not in the classroom, you’ll probably find Raymond Powers in the woods. He grew up exploring the forests around the Northeast Kingdom. Today, he works for his father’s logging company in addition to attending the Lyndon Institute, an independent high school.
Raymond thrives in the classroom; he is eager to learn about anything related to forestry. He was recently selected for induction to the National Technical Honor Society. His Land and Resource Management Instructor, Rob Heath, said Raymond has a knack for translating classroom concepts to real-world work.
“I like land and resources management because it’s where stewardship meets strategy — caring for the earth while planning for a sustainable future,” said Raymond.
He plans to follow in his father’s footsteps and seek a career as a logger. But he wants to get his forestry credentials first.
“He would like to [use the forestry degree to] make himself a productive, efficient, effective, and ethical steward of the woods,” said Rob, “to make sure he is leaving them healthier than when he finds them on each job.”
As a junior, Raymond has already been a leader in the Land & Resource Management class. He’s certified in the Game of Logging Levels 1-4, Wilderness First Aid and CPR, and he’s completed tractor and implement safety trainings. After he graduates, he is considering college to pursue a degree in forestry.
Randy Laird’s interests are as diverse as Vermont’s working lands themselves. Currently a junior at the Hartford Area Career & Technology Center (HACTC) in White River Junction, he has studied logging, sheep raising, dairy farming, and vegetable growing. His instructors at HACTC, Dan Gibson and Martha Linnebur, described him as eager to learn about environmental issues, sustainable practices, and conservation efforts.
His passion has made him a leader among his peers. He’ll always raise his hand to volunteer, whether supporting members of the local farming community or mentoring youth at the HACTC Summer Technology Camp. He was elected Chapter President of the local FFA group, thanks to his hard work and leadership skills.
Randy also attends Hartford High School, where he is valued on the football field and off. “Randy perseveres and works hard academically,” said Dan and Martha. “He keeps pushing through challenges to earn his high school credits; this perseverance reflects his diligence and intellectual curiosity, and is one of the reasons he is looked up to by peers.”
Randy’s vision is a strong, stable farming community in Vermont. “I know it’s going to be hard, but I hope to keep the dairy industry alive here in Vermont,” said Randy. “I want to encourage future generations to get into farming.”
He plans to attend sheep shearing school in the fall, along with completing Levels 3 and 4 of the Game of Logging course. After he graduates, he hopes to continue his natural resources education at Paul Smith’s College.
“With his passion and determination, Randy is setting himself up well to realize his dream of owning and operating his own farm,” said Martha and Dan.
