RANDOLPH, VT —U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Agriculture Committee, spoke at ReuseVT’s ReuseApalooza conference on the importance of allowing farmers the right to repair their equipment.

ReuseApalooza is a celebration of reuse in Vermont and an opportunity to learn about, promote, and engage with those working in reuse and repair. Organized by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, the event was held at the Randolph campus of Vermont State University (VTSU). While on campus, Senator Welch visited the Repair Lab, where students were hard at work repairing broken technology, kitchen equipment, and home goods. 

“My Right to Repair legislation is simple: it empowers and allows our farmers to fix their own equipment, saving them time and money,” said Senator Welch. “It was great to join savvy and talented Vermonters at ReuseApalooza, and hear more about how folks are using their skills and expertise. There was a great sense of community and a desire to learn and grow today from folks of all ages—it was really inspiring.” 

After the event, Senator Welch toured VTSU’s state-of-the-art 3D printing, production, and automation labs, and met with researchers studying microbes and permafrost in the arctic. 

View photos from the event here: 

Senator Welch introduced the Freedom for Agricultural Repair and Maintenance Act (FARM Act), bicameral legislation to give farmers the right to repair their own equipment and restore competition in the agricultural repair market. The FARM Act would require farm equipment manufacturers to share documentation, parts, and software with farmers and independent repairers, giving farmers back the autonomy to fix their own equipment and support their farms. He also cosponsored the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act (REPAIR Act) to ensure car owners and independent repair shops have expanded options for automobile repairs.  

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