VT H0229

Establishes the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets to provide grants to farms and forestry operations that suffer financial losses from eligible weather conditions including flooding, drought, extreme heat, hail, high winds, and abnormal freezes

Grants reimburse up to 50% of uninsured losses, with a maximum award of $150,000 per year per qualified applicant, with award amounts based on the farm or forestry operation's annual net income relative to the statewide median

Creates an eight-member Review Board including the Secretary of Agriculture (chair), State Chief Recovery Officer, three representatives from agricultural/forestry relief organizations, two farmers, and two forestry operators to evaluate applications and recommend improvements to the fund

Requires streamlined application processing with Review Board evaluation within one week of complete applications and grant issuance within two weeks of approval

Intends annual appropriations equal to 50% of average documented farm losses from eligible weather conditions over previous years, with the Review Board submitting funding recommendations to legislative committees by January 15, 2026; effective July 1, 2025