Love your snowmobile trails? Thank a farmer

It’s no secret that Vermonters love snowmobiling, but did you know that more than 2,400 miles of VAST (Vermont Association of Snow Travelers) Trails cross Vermont farmland? That’s more than half of all the VAST trails, statewide.
“Without farmers, the VAST trail system as we know it would not exist,” according to Matt Tetreault, VAST’s trails administrator, who oversees VAST’s statewide network of 4,700 miles of trails. “VAST relies on the generosity of private landowners who allow the trail system to cross their property. We are especially grateful to the farmers who make their land available in wintertime, for our club members to enjoy.”
In fact, 64 percent of all the private land in the VAST trail network is farmland. (Private land accounts for about 80 percent of the total VAST trail network.)
According to the USDA Census of Agriculture, there are more than 7,300 farms in Vermont, encompassing over 1.25 million acres.
“Farms add to the beauty and character of Vermont’s landscape, and many provide fun recreational opportunities for Vermonters, too,” according to Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts. “Thanks farmers, for all you do!”
“Be safe, enjoy the snow, and have some fun,” he added.