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 this morning.
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.”
In the course of his remarks, he noted that a nearby campus building was named for the late U.S. Sen. Robert Stafford, whom Leahy called a mentor early in his Senate career.
“Senator Stafford took me under his wing, though we were from opposite parties. It feels special being next to Bob Stafford. And of course, we have neighboring buildings named for James Jeffords, George Aiken and Justin Morrill—it’s good company.”
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.
“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.
In his opening remarks, Garimella welcomed visitors on campus for the concurrent UVM Food Systems Research Center Summit.
“The innovative work of FSRC at UVM is critical to the success of our state and meaningful for communities around the world,” Garimella said. “At UVM we have long contributed important work across colleges on different elements of food systems. This works spans agriculture, research faming practice, economic development, food access, climate change impacts and education and community programming.”
The USDA has contributed over $29 million to the renovation of the Leahy building, said Polly Ericksen, FSRC director. “The co-location of the FSRC and the USDA-ARS FSRU will enhance our collaborative partnership. We are so grateful for the beautiful, open and modern space.”
Christian Peters, Supervisory Research Biologist/Research Leader, USDA-ARS FSRU noted that “The renovation of the Hills Building is an important development for the ARS Food Systems Research Unit. Proximity is crucial to collaboration, and this space will enhance our scientists’ ability to pursue interdisciplinary research on how food systems impact human nutrition and environmental, economic, and social sustainability.”
The Patrick Leahy Building is located at the heart of campus at 105 Carrigan Drive. The building is deeply connected to UVM’s land-grant history. In its original form, it was named for longtime Dean of UVM’s agricultural science program and director of the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station Joseph L. Hills.
The renovated building includes new laboratory space, elevator access, improved landscaping, accessible walkways, and revitalization of the west courtyard including an expanded connector to the Benedict Auditorium in the adjoining Marsh Life Sciences building.