Roger Allbee, born on January 4, 1945, in Brattleboro, Vermont, is a distinguished Vermonter with a lifelong commitment to agriculture, public policy, and community development. Raised on a hilltop dairy farm in Brookline, Vermont, where his family has farmed since 1794, Allbee developed a deep connection to the state’s agricultural heritage. His twin brother, Ronald, also served as Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture, making their family’s dedication to the field notable.

Education

Allbee earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Vermont in 1967 and a Master of Science from the University of Massachusetts in 1970. His academic background in agricultural economics and dairy farming laid the foundation for his extensive career.

Career Highlights

Allbee’s professional journey spans local, national, and international levels, reflecting his expertise in agriculture, trade policy, and natural resource management:

• Early Career: After completing his education and serving in the military, Allbee worked as an Extension Specialist at Cornell University. He later served as a professional staff member for the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, working under Representative Jim Jeffords, where he contributed to agricultural policy development.
• Farm Credit Banks: Allbee held the position of Vice President at the Farm Credit Banks of Springfield, Massachusetts, a major Northeast cooperative lending organization. He played a key role in drafting amendments to the federal Farm Credit Act, ensuring the institution’s long-term financial viability.
• International Trade: As a senior international business consultant, Allbee participated in the Seattle Round of Multinational Trade Negotiations as an NGO representative. He co-founded Agtec, the first U.S. company to market cranberries and cranberry products in Hungary and the Czech Republic, demonstrating his innovative approach to agricultural trade.
• USDA Farm Service Agency: Allbee served as Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency in Vermont, overseeing farm loan and program delivery. His leadership earned the Vermont FSA loan team an USDA FSA Administrator’s Award.
• Vermont Secretary of Agriculture: Appointed by Governor Jim Douglas in 2007, Allbee served as Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture, Food, and Markets until 2010. He managed a diverse portfolio, including animal health, agricultural development, water quality, food safety, and international trade. During his tenure, he fostered strong relationships with Quebec and France on terroir and place-based food systems, promoting geographic indicators for Vermont products.
• Grace Cottage Hospital: From 2014 to 2017, Allbee served as CEO of Grace Cottage Family Health and Hospital in Townshend, Vermont, where he emphasized the importance of rural healthcare and local food systems for community health.
• Vermont Technical College: In 2012, Allbee was named Senior Scholar in Residence at Vermont Technical College, advising on agricultural education and supporting the state’s growing interest in diversified agriculture and local food systems.

Other Contributions

Allbee’s influence extends beyond his official roles. He has served on numerous advisory boards, including the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and U.S. Trade Ambassador’s Advisory Committee on Trade, the National Geographic’s study on nonpoint source pollution, and the National Agricultural Landscapes Forum. He chaired the Northeast Commissioners of Agriculture Group, the Working Landscape Council of the Vermont Council on Rural Development, and the Advisory Committee to the University of Vermont’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

He is also the author of Turning the Soil: 250 Years of Vermont Agriculture (published 2025), a comprehensive history of Vermont’s agricultural evolution, reflecting his deep knowledge and passion for the subject. Allbee has written extensively on Vermont’s agricultural history through commentaries for VTDigger and his blog, What Ceres Might Say.

Awards and Recognition

Allbee’s contributions have been widely recognized:

• Lifetime Achievement Award (2020) from the Vermont Council on Rural Development for his transformative work in agriculture and community development.
• Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Vermont’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
• Honor Award from the Soil and Water Conservation Society of America.
• Finalist for Vermonter of the Year (2010) by the Burlington Free Press.

Personal Life

Allbee resides in Townshend, Vermont, with his wife, Ann, on part of the family farm where he was raised. They have been married for over 50 years and have three children: Kathleen, Douglas, and Karen. His commitment to Vermont’s working landscape and rural communities remains a cornerstone of his legacy.