This commentary is by Evan Carlson of Sutton.
Vermont has assumed numerous identities throughout its 230-year history as a state, yet the enduring facets have always been the deep-rooted connections to agriculture and logging ingrained within its people.
While I strongly believe both of these industries are ripe for innovation, the primary innovation that has been seen over the past 20 years is in the manufacturing of equipment that has been quietly stripping away our ability to be self-reliant.
Our independence as a people is rooted in self reliance. Self-reliance is a trait deeply ingrained in Vermonters. With manufacturers exerting near total control over repair processes — dictating who, how and what can be repaired on products that we own and pay for is a direct infringement on our independence.
When I got my first car in the late ’90s, I put in a stereo system that drew more power than the Oldsmobile Silhouette could handle. The first repair I ever made was a head-scratcher for a 16-year-old, but one trip to the local parts store and I found out it was probably a fuse. That led to the first of many fuses I pulled in that van.
While one of the easiest repairs to make, I felt empowered by this basic skill. Today, most farming and logging equipment requires manufacturer permission to replace simple parts or requires an authorized dealer to conduct those repairs, which can take weeks, halting work in the field or forest.
That ability to conduct basic repairs and the empowerment to fix it yourself has been taken away from our business owners, only to the benefit of the manufacturers. It’s not right and we as a state shouldn’t stand for it.
H.81, the Right to Repair bill, is currently stuck in committee with Senate Agriculture. Contact your senator and urge them to support this critical legislation.
Let’s empower Vermont farmers and loggers to fix their own equipment, keep these industries thriving and preserve the spirit of self-reliance that defines us.
