USDA Announces $50,000 Farm to School Grant for 2015 Farm to Institution Summit
The Northeast Regional Steering Committee of the National Farm to School Network has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the USDA to host a Northeast Farm to School Leadership Forum in partnership with Farm to Institution New England (FINE) and Farm to Institution New York State (FINYS) as an integral part of the Northeast Farm to Institution Summit. The Summit will be held on April 7-9, 2015 at UMass Amherst in collaboration with Health Care Without Harm, Real Food Challenge and other partners. Learn more at www.farmtoinstitution.org/summit.
Read More Sterling College is #1 in the Nation for Healthy, Fair, & Green College Food System
Sterling College, already known for growing 20% of its own food on campus, has been confirmed as the top college in the U.S. that eats food that is local, sustainable, humane, and fair-trade. This ranking comes from the Real Food Challenge, which surveyed over 160 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. After reviewing all of the food used in the Sterling College kitchen from June 2013 to June 2014, the college found that 76% of its food met the real food qualification for production methods. In comparison, the next-highest ranked institution eats only 34% real food.
Read More Registration Open for Healthy Food Access Workshop in Newport, VT
Please join a community conversation related to healthy food access for the Orleans and northern Essex area on Thursday, February 5, 2015, 5-9 PM at the North Country Career Center, Newport. Facilitated discussions will focus on nutrition education, gardening, food access and affordability, as well as the local food system and distribution. The workshop will consider the challenges and develop a plan to move forward to better meet the needs of all in Orleans/northern Essex counties for healthy food. All voices are welcome. A light supper will be served.
Read More Colleen Leonard Joins VACC as New Agricultural Loan Officer
The Vermont Agricultural Credit Corporation (VACC), a program of the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA), welcomes a new Agricultural Loan Officer, Colleen Leonard of Barton.
Read More Trade Show Grants Available to Help VT Working Lands Businesses Expand Their Reach
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets has created a new matching grant program to help agriculture and forest product businesses attend domestic trade shows and expand their presence in other U.S. states. In total, $25,000 in matching funds are available.
Read More Stories and Poems Sought for NOFA Vermont Winter Conference
Sunday’s keynote address to be replaced by a storytelling “slam” on issues of food justice! The theme of this year’s conference is Growing the Good Food Movement. In support of the theme, NOFA Vermont seeks stories or poems focused on food equity, race, class, farm worker rights, or food sovereignty.
Read More Farm & Food Tech Social Meet-up at Generator in Burlington, VT
Makers, Hackers, Farmers, Foodies & Techies invited to explore economic and innovation opportunities in Vermont’s farm and food sector at Generator’s January Social Hour
Read More City Market Donates Over $11,500 to COTS
Burlington, VT – For the past 17 years, City Market has held a COTS Tree Sale to benefit Burlington’s Committee on Temporary Shelter. This year, City Market once again sold fresh balsams from Moffatt’s Tree Farm in Craftsbury, Vermont. The Co-op sold 656 trees from Wednesday, December 3 through Thursday, December 11 and the net proceeds were all donated to COTS. City Market staff, Co-op Members, and community volunteers assisted customers with trees throughout the sale.
Read More NOFA-VT and VTC Offers Workshops for Farmers on Human Resources
NOFA Vermont and Vermont Technical College will be offering 1/2 day intensive training sessions this winter that will cover a wide array of labor management issues for farmers.
Read More Agency of Ag Issues Winter Reminder to Farmers
Winter requires farmers to operate with great care and also abide by season-specific rules. "Winter presents all of us with weather-related challenges, but for farmers, there is a heightened need for vigilance," according the Chuck Ross, Vermont's Secretary of Agriculture. "Safety, stewardship practices, and advance-planning must remain top-of-mind for all our farmers this winter."
Read More Practical Produce Safety Plan Writing Workshops Announced for February 2015
This plan clarifies the specific meaning of produce safety on your farm. It can be used to train your employees or can be shared with interested retail customers, local, and wholesale buyers. The workshop is appropriate for both organic and conventional growers, and is fully compatible with the VVBGA Produce Safety Accreditation currently being developed.
Read More New book explores food systems in Vermont and beyond
"Food, Farms, and Community: Exploring Food Systems" is a new book by UVM Extension faculty Lisa Chase and Vern Grubinger. The book examines critical issues, successful programs, and challenges for improving food systems in Vermont and around the country.
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