20240701_172306.jpg

 

 

Amanda Ellis-Thurber
West Brattleboro District 7 

A Democrat for a Vibrant Economy

Amanda believes in taking a pragmatic fiscal approach to ensuring Vermont is affordable for all Vermonters. She recognizes that our young people need a future in Vermont that allows them to find stable, meaningful work that not only pays the bills but allows them to build equity toward buying their first home. She is focused on improving the lives of our aging residents through problem solving strategies toward more housing choices and increasing affordability in retirement.

““From my career in farming, I understand the importance of work, and the mutual dependence in communities. I have the honor and privilege of working on our certified organic diversified family farm; I believe that my 30 years of experience living and working in West Brattleboro, Windham-7 will bring a balanced perspective to Montpelier. My aim is to listen to and serve the residents of our large and rural slice of Brattleboro, speaking up for the workers of our community””
— Amanda Ellis-Thurber

Amanda Believes in…

  • Supporting tax policies that promote economic vitality without hurting our middle class

  • A strong and stable voice for tradespeople who build our future and agriculture that feeds it

  • Sustaining our older Vermonters with housing & systems to thrive

  • Creating competitive opportunities to prepare our young people for success 

  • Supporting a systematic approach to stabilizing school spending 

  • Revitalizing our health care workforce to whom we owe so much

Community Support

Vermont Digger Article about the Race

CLICK TO READ MORE

Why I’m Running

“Our district here in Brattleboro is a special place, made up of hard workers. We have farmers, mechanics, electricians, teachers, professionals, shop owners and artists. We call this place home, help each other and volunteer to make this town unique.

Our family farm stand is a hub of hikers, cow visitors, veggie seekers and maple creemee enthusiasts. There must be something about the power of ice cream that encourages conversation. Again and again, they tell me they don’t feel heard, and they share these main concerns:

Affordability: Businesses bring innovation and energy to our communities. They are the economic engines of our state, and how we pay for essential programs. When elected, I will support policies which encourage entrepreneurship and improve business profitability to create tax revenue.

Drugs: Many people tell me they are scared by the open drug use in our town. We need to review our laws and practices. Our legislators pushed for a safe injection site to open in Brattleboro. From my training as a mental health counselor, I don’t believe safe injection sites help people in recovery. Nor do I believe they are good for our town, especially with no voter input. When elected, I will vote against safe injection sites in Brattleboro.

Housing: We know we need more housing for everyone at all levels. Our older Vermonters especially deserve housing and systems to thrive. When elected, I will vote for policies that support housing for all ages and incomes.

Education finances: Vermont has seen declining student enrollment for 25 years with increasing per-pupil costs. In addition, many schools have major infrastructure needs. This year, legislatures passed education funding policies that caused one third of Vermont school districts to vote down school budgets and raise property taxes by double digits. The plan for next year is the same, another committee talking about the statewide systemic challenges we've known about for decades. Legislators have enacted 38 education studies since 2000, how many more do we need? When elected, I will insist on transparency in the education funding formula and support policy changes that keep taxpayers and students at the center.

Moderate voices. My neighbors support social programs and compassion. They also want balance and accountability. When elected, I will listen to all voices, and seek to find a middle ground.

I am running for Windham 7 State Representative with love and dedication, and when elected, it will be my utmost honor to serve you.”

—Amanda Ellis-Thurber, West Brattleboro

About Me

My husband, Ross, and I are partners in stewarding Lilac Ridge Farm in West Brattleboro. We are the third generation of couples managing the farm. We chose to conserve our farmland through the Vermont Land Trust in 1997. I added organic Vegetable farming at that time and we transitioned the dairy operations to organic in 2007.

The economic challenges of farming in Vermont are considerable. Yet, this is the history of this land and this state. That’s why I strongly believe that having a working farmer in the Vermont Legislature is vital. I know our community well, and everyone depends on each other. That’s how Vermont works. When Irene hit West Brattleboro, we relied on each other–regardless of politics. 

We need to talk to each other, and truly listen to each other. Listening is how I have already started this campaign and it's the foundation of how I intend to serve.

Amanda first came to Vermont in 1989 as a junior in high school attending the Mountain School semester program in Vershire, VT. In 1990 she entered UVM majoring in plant and soil science and received her BS from the UVM School of Agriculture and Life science in 1994. She met her husband Ross at UVM, also an agriculture major. In 1996 they married and joined Stuart and Beverley Thurber in a four way partnership of Lilac Ridge Farm LLP. In 1997 Amanda introduced organic vegetable farming to the already diversified farm, selling at farmer’s markets, to restaurants, growing flowers for weddings and independently created a CSA for low income seniors at Melrose Terrace, Hayes Court and Elliot St. apartments.

Amanda received her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University NE in 2015, Through her training she worked for a non-profit clinic in Keene, NH where many of her clients were homeless and struggling with substance use disorders and poverty. Amanda was hired at Clinical and Support Options in Greenfield, MA, and worked as an outpatient therapist in community mental health from 2016-2020. When Covid hit, Amanda returned to Lilac Ridge Farm full time to work alongside Ross and support their children in their remote schooling as well as the older adults in their family.

Amanda has served on many local and Vermont State Boards as well as a federal appointment to The Vermont Farm Service Agency Board of Directors by President Barack Obama. Local and State Board positions include: Brattleboro Farmers Market Board of directors, Windham County Farm Bureau, Advisory Board for The Mountain School of Milton Academy, Brattleboro Ag advisory committee, Vermont Farm to Plate Steering Committee, Vermont Working Lands Board of directors.

Ross and Amanda have three children who helped on the farm during their childhoods, attended Academy School in West Brattleboro, Hilltop Montessori, Brattleboro Union High School and Deerfield Academy.

Get Involved

There’s so much we need to do to get to where we’re going. Your support means the world to me. Click on the links below to get involved.

Volunteer

click here to volunteer

Get a Lawn Sign

click here for your lawn sign

Endorse Amanda

click here to endorse

Register to Vote

click here to register to vote