Representative Mike Rice was born and raised in Upstate New York. He received his BA in English with an interdisciplinary minor in Environmental Policy from the University at Albany, SUNY, graduating magna cum laude. After coming to Vermont to work for a farm and cidery, Mike received his master’s degree with distinction in food and agriculture law and policy from Vermont Law School. While there, he served as a research assistant at the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems.
Mike has worked in operations for a small Vermont dairy farm and creamery and has collaborated on regional policy and funding solutions for projects on food security, soil health, pollinator protection, and food system equity with the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA). He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and serves on the leadership team of the Climate Solutions Caucus. He lives in Dorset with his partner.