It aims to meet the needs of dairy farmers, beekeepers, orchardists, maple sugarmakers, and related industries.
The VAAFM promotes agricultural trade and production, work to assure food safety, protect natural resources, and preserve the culture of rural communities.
The butterfat content of Vermont butter exceeds USDA minimums and equals those of the French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the highest standards set by a national government.
Vermont-grown and -produced agricultural products meeting the agency's standards may display the Vermont Seal of Quality in its packaging and promotion.
In 2015, Act 64 required the agency to revise all Required Agricultural Practices to include small farms, nutrient storage (usually manure), soil health, buffer zones (from runoff areas), livestock exclusion, and nutrient management.