Vermont Governor Phil Scott and U.S. Senator Peter Welch were among the dignitaries on hand to help retired U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy and the University of Vermont celebrate the official opening of the Patrick Leahy Building and launch of the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships at a ribbon-cutting on the morning of Friday, November 10th.

Leahy, who recently retired to his home state after a 48-year career in the Senate, said it was a humbling experience to return from the nation’s capital to Vermont to carry on his life’s work as a President’s Distinguished Fellow at UVM.  “Marcelle and I feel at home here,” he said, referring to his wife Marcelle Leahy.

“My highest priority is to give young people a bright future in Vermont,” Leahy said, reflecting on the work ahead for the new institute that bears his name. “I’ve challenged us to see what we can do to help address strengthening food systems, revitalizing our downtowns, developing our work force and sustainable energy, building affordable housing, maintaining our infrastructure, building broadband connectivity and support entrepreneurs.”

UVM President Suresh Garimella said connecting the institute with resilient rural communities honors Leahy’s legacy as a devoted servant to Vermonters.

“Today we’re proud to say his spirit infuses all we do, and his presence continues to make those efforts stronger,” he said. “This new Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships connects the knowledge, talent and innovative spirit of UVM with the people working for a strong future in treasured communities across Vermont,” Garimella said. “Patrick Leahy worked every day of his career for every corner and county of the state. He was a representative of every Vermonter, and he championed their collective spirit.”

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack sent a congratulatory video address.

“None of this would have been possible without the support and work of Sen. Patrick Leahy,” Vilsack said. “He knows that a zip code shouldn’t determine if a community can access critical services like health care, internet, or reliable affordable energy. Sen. Leahy’s advocacy for rural communities—even beyond those here in Vermont—has been critical getting legislation through Congress that helps rural America find economic prosperity.”

Because of Sen. Leahy’s tireless advocacy for the Department of Agriculture’s Farm to Food program, Vilsack said, the program was recently renamed The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program.

“The Leahy Institute for Rural partnerships will serve as a beacon of hope for rural communities and set the stage for a promising future for rural sustainability,” said Vermont Governor Phil Scott. “The work done here will have meaningful and direct impact on rural cities and towns that many millions of Americans call home. As one of the most rural states on the country, Vermont is in a unique position to lead in rural studies and support rural communities in meeting the mark.”

The Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships was made possible by a $9.3 million award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, with leadership and support from Senator Leahy. The work of the institute will result in a template that can be replicated for other rural areas across the country through a national educational consortium including UVM and fellow NIFA awardees Auburn University and University of Wisconsin.

Under the umbrella of the new institute, UVM, as the state’s land-grant university, will bring to bear the combined resources and expertise of multiple UVM entities to help find solutions to the most pressing problems that rural communities face.

One such example is the upcoming pilot program focusing on flood recovery and resilience. In spring of 2024, faculty and community organizations will provide applied service learning opportunities at UVM and other colleges and universities around Vermont focused around this goal

“The Leahy Institute will bring financial and technical assistance, access to UVM research, faculty expertise, student projects and internships, and established UVM startup and engagement programs,” said Patricia Coates, who took up her duties as The Leahy Institute director last summer. “Together, we will collaborate on impactful solutions that drive positive change for Vermont and beyond.”

The building will house the Patrick Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships and UVM Food Systems Research Center (FSRC) and the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Food Systems Research Unit (FSRU). 

Two upper floors of the Leahy Building will be dedicated for use by The Food Systems Research Center, established in 2019 as a collaboration between UVM and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. The center focuses its work on understanding all facets of the regional food system, from production agriculture to food security, with a special focus on small- and medium-sized farms. The research collaboration was enabled by an appropriations commitment secured by Sen. Leahy.

The USDA-ARS has also established a Food Systems Research Unit at UVM as part of a long-term commitment to collaborative food systems research with the university, recognizing the expertise UVM has developed in this area.