MEET MIKE

Mike Rice was elected to represent the Bennington-Rutland district (Danby, Dorset, Landgrove, Mt. Tabor, and Peru) in the Vermont House of Representatives in 2022. A Democrat, he serves on the House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry, where he works to support Vermont’s working lands, sound stewardship, and community food security. He also serves on the leadership team of the Climate Solutions Caucus, the legislature’s largest issue-oriented caucus, where he helps to advance policies related to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Born and raised in Upstate New York, Mike received his BA in English, with an interdisciplinary minor in Environmental Policy, from the State University of New York at Albany, graduating magna cum laude. He first came to Vermont to work on a farm and cidery. While there, he helped with the harvest, learned to make value-added products to support the farm’s viability, and witnessed Vermont farmers of different backgrounds and generations coming together to steward the land and help feed their neighbors.

Later, Mike earned his Master’s in Food and Agriculture Law and Policy, with distinction, from Vermont Law School, where he also served as a Research Assistant with the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems. He has worked in operations for a small Vermont dairy farm and creamery and on regional policy and funding solutions for projects in food security, soil health, pollinator protection, and food system equity with the Northeast Organic Farming Association.

Mike and his partner live in Dorset. Together, they’ve been thrilled to settle into the community here. Now, Mike is working hard and fighting for us in Montpelier. He is part of the next generation of leadership for our towns, our region, and our state.