Apply for $5,000 Vermont farmer award by March 1

Vermont Land Trust accepting applications for 2026 Eric Rozendaal Memorial Award 

Award recognizes a farm leader in business innovation, environmental practices, and giving back 

Applications for the 2026 Eric Rozendaal Memorial Award are open until March 1.  

Farmers can learn more and apply online at vlt.org/eric.

The $5,000 award recognizes land stewardship, innovation, and service to community. 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 are encouraged to apply. Applicants do not have to own a farm.

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. 

About the award

Now in its eighth 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 Eric 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 will be given annually through 2028.  

Past recipients include Hannah Doyle of Boneyard Farm, Sara Armstrong Donegan and James Donegan of Trillium Hill Farm in Hinesburg, Kara and Ryan Fitzbeauchamp of Evening Song Farm in Shrewsbury, Jennifer Rodriguez of Triple J. Pastures in Irasburg, Christine Bourque of Blue Heron Farm in Grand Isle, Amanda Andrews of Tamarack Hollow Farm in Plainfield, Tom Gilbert of Black Dirt Farm in Stannard, and Corie Pierce of Bread & Butter Farm in Shelburne and South Burlington.