An article written and read by Gus Seelig.

Gus Seelig is the founding Executive Director of Vermont Housing & Conservation Board. He worked with Senator Leahy to implement the Farms for the Future program as a pilot project, which led to the national Farm Protection Program. As a direct result of Gus’ leadership, Vermont now has some 460,000 acres of conserved land, including over 800 conserved farms; 16,000 permanently affordable homes; conserved town forests and new state parks, and multiple additions to state forest and Wildlife Management Areas. Much of this work has been implemented by supporting a nonprofit network to achieve Vermont’s land use/community development vision of compact settlement surrounded by a working landscape.

Read the full article and discover additional content in the Fall 2025 Issue of From the Ground Up.