GUILFORD — Matt Clark, a Guilford student, was honored by the Vermont Land Trust for his exceptional commitment to land stewardship in agriculture.
The award was presented to Clark on June 13, at his family's dairy farm in Guilford, by Joan Weir of the Vermont Land Trust.
Clark is one of 10 outstanding students from around the state to be recognized by the land trust. He received a $250 cash award that can be used for education, equipment, or materials.
He is a junior at the Windham Regional Career Center in Brattleboro. He lives and works on his family's dairy farm, the Clark Farm, helping his dad with all aspects of the business, including planting, haying, and milking. He also helps with the family's 3,000-tap sugaring operation. An honor roll student and an Eagle Scout, he placed first in the Vermont Future Farmers of America winter forestry contest. He hopes to continue the family business as the fifth generation to work on the farm.
This is the sixth year that the Vermont Land Trust has been giving this award to students who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the fields of forestry or agriculture.
The intention of the award is to acknowledge outstanding student achievement, encourage future land stewards, and increase the visibility of Vermont's vocational agriculture and forestry programs, which are vital to Vermont's future.
The Award Fund was created in memory of the late Kathleen O'Dell and to honor her service as vice president of community relations at the Vermont Land Trust. She devoted much of her life's work and energy to education, community revitalization, and land conservation.
“We here at the Vermont Land Trust are proud to honor these students for their commitment to excellence in land stewardship,” said Gil Livingston, president of the Vermont Land Trust. “The future of Vermont's farms and working forests depend on the talents of young people like these honorees.”