Study “Food Writing from the Farm” with Ruth Reichl, Scott Peacock, Corby Kummer, Kim Severson, and more at The School of the New American Farmstead at Sterling College
The School of the New American Farmstead at Sterling College is offering a new class in “Food Writing from the Farm” that will suit the tastes of those who savor eating, drinking, and writing. This intensive summer course is designed for skilled writers who are passionate and thoughtful about food. Attendees will spend two weeks in rural Vermont, learning from some of the most widely-read and renowned food writers of our time. In this course, students will be mentored by food media luminaries and connected with some of the area’s most intriguing farmers and artisan food producers, providing ample inspiration for written work.
Read More Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Announces Grant Funds to Enhance the Competitiveness of Vermont Specialty Crops
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) announces the availability of grant funds for the purpose of enhancing the competitiveness of Vermont specialty crops, defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture crops (including honey, hops, and maple syrup), and nursery crops (including Christmas trees and floriculture).
Read More Consumer Night at the Vermont Farm Show Highlights Local Producers, Emerging Meat Goat Industry, and Ag Agency’s Culinary Chops
Farmers, producers, and localvores from across Vermont converged on Wednesday, January 27 for the 5th annual Consumer Night at the Vermont Farm Show in Essex Junction. Held on the second night of the Farm Show, Consumer Night celebrates the diversity of Vermont agriculture with the Winter Buy Local Market and Capital Cook-Off.
Read More 5th Local Food & Local Specialty Crops Trade Shows - Boston, MA, March 8, 2016
On Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at Northeastern University in Boston, MA, the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts will present its 5th Local Food Trade Show with the Local Specialty Crop Trade Show. These trade shows offer open floor trading between wholesale buyers and producers of locally grown food as well as expert panel seminars led by local food industry leaders. This event is FREE for Specialty Crop Farmers (as defined by USD). It will connect restaurants and institutional buyers interested in trading with local food suppliers and who desire to buy more locally produced products from growers, fishermen, and value added producers from New England.
Read More Seeking Burlington-Area Chefs and Buyers for Project with New American Farmers
Are you a chef or buyer in the greater Burlington area? We're seeking restaurant and retail buyers who are interested in: * New and familiar ingredients that have great flavor and are high quality * The chance to provide their customers with food that has a special cultural story and legacy * Supporting these experienced, knowledgeable farmers as they learn the local Vermont market's needs and opportunities
Read More 2016 Vermont Farm Show opens on January 26!
The Vermont Farm Show, the state's annual winter event showcasing the state's most important industry, will open its three day stand on Tuesday, January 26, at 9:00 a.m. Over 150 vendors will be on hand to promote new technology and information to visitors of all ages. The Miller Buildings on the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds – as well as outside space – will be full of a variety of exhibits that include 3 different sizes of robotic milkers, 16 agricultural associations, 4 insurance companies, 4 lending institutions and a variety of large and small equipment dealers. Forestry and solar companies will also be in attendance! This show absolutely has something for everyone!
Read More Farmer and Public Feedback will Shape the Agency of Ag's New Draft "Required Ag Practices"
Over the past four months, Vermont’s Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM) has embarked on an extensive outreach effort to solicit feedback on the new draft Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs). The response from the farming community and the public-at-large has been significant. Nearly 800 people attended more than 30 meetings across the state to voice their opinions, and 169 Vermonters submitted written comments. The Agency is now in the process of consolidating this feedback and re-drafting the RAPs to reflect the community’s input.
Read More Vermont at five year mark implementing Farm to Plate food system plan
2015 Farm to Plate Annual Report reviews progress and challenges facing Vermont’s food system from economic, social and environmental perspectives
Read More Sterling College Launches “School of the New American Farmstead”
Renowned visiting instructors for short courses include David Asher, Andrea Chesman, Pete Colman, Sandor Katz. Sterling College has launched the School of the New American Farmstead, offering a variety of classes and workshops for aspiring agrarians and artisan food makers. These hands-on short courses in small-scale food production and sustainable farming offer one-on-one mentorship, inspiration, skills, and new perspectives that will feed the body, the mind, and the spirit.
Read More Call for Proposals: UVM Food Systems Summit
The 2016 Summit will feature several rounds of concurrent sessions organized by Summit participants. We invite you to propose ideas for concurrent sessions in response to the 2016 Summit theme: "What Makes Food Good?" Submissions will be accepted January 25 - February 29.
Read More Farm food loss study likely to show opportunity to dramatically increase local food consumption
Salvation Farms, a non-profit dedicated to managing Vermont’s farm surplus, is conducting a study to determine how much food is lost annually on Vermont farms. Rough estimates indicate that millions of pounds of crops never leave the farm due to market conditions, labor shortages and unpredictable environmental factors, but there is no official number of how much quality food is lost each year.
Read More Bob-White Systems Launches Campaign to Support Small Farms in Vermont to Generate Support to Block, Amend or Repeal ACT 64
Steven Judge, a well-known Micro Dairy farmer with over 50 years of experience in the dairy industry and founder of Bob-White Systems, is on a mission to ensure that new Vermont legislation, ACT 64, doesn’t put small farms out of business. And now the Vermont Agency of Agriculture is starting to listen. Judge and his supporters are working to block, amend or repeal ACT 64 and replace it with a law and a set of regulations that makes sense for all of Vermont and effectively improve the water quality of Lake Champlain and other bodies of water. The campaign is quickly gaining momentum with requests pouring in for a support materials from the new website: IsupportSmallFarms.com as more and more farmers in Vermont and across the country learn about this issue.
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