Our Land, Our Work, Our Families.
Vermonters are awakening to a pattern in state legislation that threatens the viability of rural life as special interest laws and regulations make our lives unaffordable.
Rural Vermont Rising unites Vermonters in a citizen coalition to protect our land, our work, and our families. We stand together as neighbors to restore rural ethics to state authority now and for future generations.
We are shaping a future for Vermont where rural voices matter to policymakers, and we need your help.
What is Rural Vermont Rising?
- Rural Vermont Rising (RVR) unites Vermonters to protect our land, our rights, and our families.
- The true stewards of Vermont’s landscape live and work on the land itself. We respect and rely on the natural environment. Responsible ecological conservation and landowner property rights should reinforce each other.
- Meaningful labor must earn a fair living to sustain rural life. We stand for our communities’ farms, trades, and small enterprises over investor interests.
- Our communities survive only if families can stay. We embrace innovative partnerships for access to homes we can afford, schools that serve our children, and care within reach for our loved ones.
What does Rural Vermont Rising do?
RVR uses fact-based education, respectful action, and collective advocacy to engage lawmakers and state officials to represent rural Vermonters. We envision a Vermont where rural voices shape decisions in Montpelier and in our towns, where families can thrive on their land for generations, and where state government serves neighbors rather than distant interests.
Is Rural Vermont Rising a political party?
RVR is nonpartisan and focused on principles over political parties or candidates. RVR is a grassroots movement with no centralized leadership, office, or permanent staff. We are organized around regional chapters across Vermont that gather supporters for local and statewide action.
Who funds Rural Vermont Rising?
RVR has no structure or mechanism to accept or expend funds. We are a “potluck” organization that relies on the work of our members to pursue our mission. We are motivated by the actions of state lawmakers and regulators, the practical needs of rural families and towns, and the vision of a thriving Vermont that nourishes its rural roots.
Who belongs to Rural Vermont Rising?
RVR includes people from all walks of life who share a commitment to making Vermont a good and affordable place to run a business, raise a family, or build a house. Rural communities are often hit hardest by expensive fees and regulations. The strength of our rural communities is vital to Vermont’s economic success.
What has Rural Vermont Rising accomplished so far?
RVR sprang spontaneously from every corner of Vermont in response to the regulatory overreach of Act 181, identifying it as a top-down restriction of land and property rights that threatens farmers, businesses, and families. RVR member engagement spearheaded a broad-based movement that persuaded lawmakers to repeal the Act 181 Road Rule and Tier 3 designations.
What is next?
Much of Act 181 is still in place, so there is more to be done on this and related legislation. At a time when Vermont urgently needs new businesses and more housing, even the smallest rural business or home-builder cannot escape the complex, expensive, time-consuming regulations. Freeing up Vermont’s rural economy can grow our businesses, secure our land and homes, and allow our families to flourish. Protecting our community schools gives young families a reason to stay.
What can I do?
Your voice matters. Keep an eye on legislative and regulatory action that affects you, your family, or your community. Bring it to the attention of a friend or neighbor active in RVR. Come to one of our chapter meetings to see what others think. Reach out to learn more below.
Send me RVR Alerts
RVR Alerts update you about important State House activities on rural issues. You do not need to join RVR to sign up. Your email address will not be shared.
Join a Local RVR Chapter
We are building out local chapters across Vermont. If you’re interested in joining an existing group — or starting one in your area — please let us know. We will reach out to you. Let us know about your skills and experience to help with special events, public speaking, writing, outreach, legal or policy knowledge, graphic design, or anything else you feel could be useful.
Join Our Facebook Group
Join more than 18,000 fellow Vermonters on Facebook to share, celebrate and plan.