Contacts:
Kelly Loftus, Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

Thursday, January 6, 2011

“Governor Peter Shumlin appointed Chuck Ross as the Secretary of Agriculture for Vermont. I feel this is an excellent choice. Chuck has exhibited a commitment to agriculture in the state and nationally. This appointment shows further commitment to the work that the agency does to support our producers and the open, working landscape so important to our state. Mr. Ross has the background, experience, knowledge, vision and connections to work aggressively to move Vermont agriculture forward on every level.”

Roger Allbee

Biography of Chuck Ross:

Chuck Ross has served as U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy’s State Director for the past 16 years. Prior to joining Leahy’s staff, Ross was a farmer and legislator from Hinesburg, Vermont. During his six years in the Vermont State Legislature, Ross served as Chair of the House Natural Resource and Energy Committee. He has served on the Board of Directors at Shelburne Farms; on the Advisory Board of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont; as an advisory member of the Vermont Council on Rural Development; and as Vermont’s National Democratic Committeeman. Ross formerly served as a trustee at Fletcher Allen Health Care; a trustee at the University of Vermont; a member of the Hinesburg Planning Commission; and a member of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission. Born in Burlington, Vermont, he graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in Geography in 1978 and from the University of Washington with an M.A. in Geography in 1982. Ross is married with three children and lives in Hinesburg, Vermont.