$5,000 Award Available for Vermont Farmers  

Vermont Land Trust accepting applications for 2023 Eric Rozendaal Memorial Award to recognize business innovation, environmental practices, and giving back 

What: $5,000 award for land stewardship, innovation, and service to community 

Who: Farmers who are actively working on or managing a commercial farm operation in the state, are residents of Vermont, and have not received this award in the past 

When: Applications accepted until June 30, 2023 

How: Details and application can be found at www.vlt.org/eric. A selection committee consisting of leaders in the Vermont agricultural community will review and score the applications and select a winner. The award will be announced at the Vermont Land Trust’s annual meeting in the fall.  

For more information, contact: Abby White, abby@vlt.org or (802) 793-7282 

About the award 

Now in its fifth year, the Eric Rozendaal Memorial Award was created to honor the life and legacy of Eric Rozendaal, a thoughtful and enterprising farmer known to many as the face of Rockville Market Farm in Starksboro, who built community with those around him. After he passed away in 2018, his family and friends raised funds to create an award in his memory, which is now managed by the Vermont Land Trust. 

The first Eric Rozendaal Memorial Award was given in 2019 and the award will be given annually, through 2028. Past recipients include Corie Pierce of Bread & Butter Farm in Shelburne and South Burlington, Amanda Andrews of Tamarack Hollow Farm in Plainfield, Tom Gilbert of Black Dirt Farm in Stannard, Christine Bourque of Blue Heron Farm in Grand Isle, and Jennifer Rodriguez of Triple J. Pastures in Irasburg. 

About the Vermont Land Trust 

Rooted in Vermont since 1977, the Vermont Land Trust unites land and lives for the enduring benefit of people and the place we share. We have protected more than 620,000 acres of land and foster life-long connections to farms, forests, and community spaces that define Vermont. For more information, visit www.vlt.org