Brooke Paige on Environment

Fund program for fertilizer runoff to reduce water pollution

Brief Outline of the Issues: Agriculture and Farming
• Continue Support for "Vermont Made" and "Farm-to-Table" promotion efforts.
• Amend Inheritance Tax Law to provide exemptions for closely held and family owned farms and businesses.
• Continue Property Tax Relief for Vermont Farmers through the land use program.
• Encourage and Support Farm Education Programs through youth groups including Future Farmers of America and 4-H Clubs.
• Provide Financial Support to Improve Control of Fertilizer Run-off to Reduce and Eliminate Water Pollution.

Farmers are unfairly blamed for fertilizer pollution

Brook Paige offered a different take, claiming that farmers are being unfairly blamed for phosphorus in the Lake. "Unfortunately, the news media and the advocates have all pointed to the farmer, as if the farmers' biggest desire is to pour the valuable phosphates that are supposed to feed his crops into the river and allow his topsoil, his big investment, go the same way."