Economy and Politics

Agriculture dominates the Vermont economy; nearly one and a half million acres of Vermont land are farmed. Dairying is the primary industry, producing more than two billion pounds of milk annually. Vermont is America's largest producer of maple syrup and also produces substantial crops of apples, potatoes, eggs, honey, vegetables, wood and greenhouse nursery products.

Tourism is very important to the state. In winter the ski resorts Mount Snow, Jay Peak, Burke Mountain, Stowe, Smugglers' Notch, Killington, Mad River Glen, Sugarbush, Stratton, Okemo, Suicide Six,  and Bromley host skiers from around the globe. Summer camps in the state are well known for fishing and hiking, and an increasing number of luxury hotels, spas and golf courses are being established.

A growing part of Vermont's economy is the manufacture and sale of artisan foods and specialist goods trading in part upon the Vermont "brand". Examples of these specialty exports include Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, Cabot Cheese, the Vermont Teddy Bear Company, Burton Snowboards, Lake Champlain Chocolates and Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream.

Vermont has two senators, Patrick Leahy (Democrat) and Bernard Sanders (Independent) and one representative in the U.S. Congress, Peter Welch (Democrat).