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"There is no beginning too small." Thoreau
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Meet up with Honest Body Granola for "grain free" granola. Made simply with prepared seeds, fruits and honey and more! Find them at the Middlebury farmers market or online.
Shop for holiday artisan-made gifts on Saturdays at Middlebury Farmer's Market. Bring a chef's artistry to your gift giving with Suzanne's Sweet Savories! 
eat your greens (even if they are other colors!)
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Bake More & Share!
Tis the season to cook  up a storm! Start with fresh local flour. Find Gleason flour at Bristol's Mountain Greens and the Middlebury Coop. |
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Greetings!
Here we are in the season of giving. One does not have to travel far for gifts of Addison County. As a matter of fact, you may not have to leave your home at all! For instance...use your smart phone, tablets or computer to shop our local businesses. Many area producers have their own websites designed to ship their products widely. If you want to send a wreath sharing a touch of Vermont to a family member out of state,  look up Vermont Trade Winds. Each handmade wreath is a work of art! Perhaps too, a Shaker style box from Old Orchard Woodcrafts in New Haven, VT? Contact Clayton for details on where to find these beauties. Consider making your own gift basket of scrumptious foods to hand deliver by shopping Yourfarmstand.com, an online farmers market serving Vermont communities. You can find out what towns they serve on the website. Another interesting online option is to purchase "bistro" dinners delivered to your home in select areas. With a storefront in Vergennes, Graze Delivered offers unique meal options. When in Vergennes visit them on Green Street. We encourage you to shop Middlebury Winter Farmers Market or Vermont's Own, a shop on Main Street in Middlebury. Both are promoting small and emerging businesses; by shopping all area businesses you are supporting ACORN's mission to create and maintain a relocalized economy. ACORN recently partnered with the Addison County Economic Development Corporation and Addison County Regional Planning supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses gain traction creating stronger businesses through the second Financing the Working Landscape Conference. Look to next November for our third conference!
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ACORN is a Vermont non-profit currently working on specific projects to broaden Addison County's impact in the arena of food, agriculture, capitalization of small businesses and renewable energy resources. We build connections; the links are meant to show the array of Vermont-based resources. Kindly share ideas that can support our effort. JOIN ACORN shop the bounty of the county at the Middlebury winter farmer's market!  | | Doolittle Farm Yarn |
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Farm Labor Workshops
The Vermont Agricultural Labor Management (VT ALMa) was created to address the specific needs of Vermont farms that employ Hispanic workers. Farmers and managers are invited to attend a series of workshops aimed at teaching better techniques and strategies for managing their Hispanic employees. On-farm consultation is available for farms that have attended two or more workshops. Workshops are free but require pre-registration by contacting Christi Sherlock (802) 223-2389 x200. What topics will be covered in the workshops?
Hiring, job descriptions, initial training and legal issues December 8, 10, 12, 2012 and 18 from 1-4pm at locations around the state Worker training and standard operating procedures January 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 29, 31, 2012 & February 1, 2013 from 1-4pm at locations around the state On-farm consultation is available for farms that have attended two or more workshops. Workshops are free but require pre-registration by contacting Christi Sherlock by email or (802) 223-2389 x200.
Vermont Department of Labor has many online business resources.
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F2G:Farm to Garuka Bars
 
Thousands of bees are at work helping mountain gorillas in Africa. How is this happening?
Champlain Valley Apiaries is a primary ingredient of Garuka Bars. In case you were wondering, Garuka is named for a rare and endangered gorilla living in Rwanda. Garukas need protection and you need all-natural energy. Mike Rosenberg is working on both with the bees of Addison County. He buys honey and in small batches crafts the very ultimate in chewy, fresh, fulfilling bars for skiing, snow shoeing, hockey and sitting in the fishing shanty. They are decidedly NOT just for hikes. Providing energy for all winter activities- including a snack while sitting in a meeting.
Find the bars in Addison County at Mountain Greens in Bristol online,or check out the locations. Find CVA honey in all fine retailers and online. With each granola bar sale a donation is made to the International Gorilla Conservation. Taste what is being called Vermont's best granola bar, one bringing together bees and gorillas.
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B2B: Orb Weaver Cheese
What do you get when you mix seven Jersey cows, two women and 100 acres? Orb Weaver Cheese of coarse!
Long a staple of Addison County, Marion Pollack  and Marjorie Sussman and their fifteen generations of cows consistently create amazing cheese. With 7 pounds of milk per pound of cheese, in six months 7,000 pounds of cheese are produced from the happy lifestyle of seven cows. The cows are milked twice a day from November until May- then they head out to pasture to roam and graze. You can find the cheese year round at the Middlebury Coop, Mountain Greens and other area locations. |
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F2S:Ferrisburg Lunches Rooted in Health!
Long known for the creative lunches served to the students, the kitchen at the Ferrisburg Central School continues the tradition.
The menu meets all the new regulations which added levels of complication to preparation and service. With greens picked from the new greenhouses and local roots still available, just look at how tasty the December menu is! There are some unusual options served up paving the way to healthy eating.
November 7th the school hosted a Harvest Meal to give thanks to all who help out in the garden especially during the summer. The dinner was fabulous; it shows it takes a village to feed a school.
 Support for the kitchen work also shines through the curriculum. Extensive contributions by teachers with engaging classwork ties to the very productive garden foster a deeper understanding of food. Additionally, FCS held a Hike for Hunger donating over $1200 for VT Campaign to End Childhood Hunger. Gratitude for all you do FCS!
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B2U:Resources for Growth
 No matter what type of business you operate here is a fabulous resource to lean on. New and emerging businesses become more viable by utilizing this comprehensive service. From scaling in operations to helping you source the appropriate capital this local organization is a must-go-to! As farmers, crafters, visionaries, or entrepreneurs we all need outside perspectives to retool momentum and clarify decision making.
As a partner in supporting relocalization, ACEDC provides keen leadership to our business owners. Email Robin or call 388-7973 to arrange a consultation and inquire about the broad range of services that just might help your business gain efficiency or find a new location.
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Mark Your Calendars for Events & Opportunities
Building a Sustainable Business New Farmer Program Series December 5, 12, & 19, and January 9, 16, 23 & 30, from 1-4pm Berlin, Middlebury, Morrisville, and White River Junction Cost: $175 The Building a Sustainable Business course guides participants through developing a business plan for farm businesses. For more information or to register go to UVM's New Farmer website. Scholarships and financial aid are available to those who are eligible. Whole Farm Planning for Beginning Women Farmers Application Deadline has passed but get on the waiting list Course runs from January 8th to May 21st UVM Extension Office in Berlin This course offers in-depth training in goal setting, time management, and multiple aspects of business planning and development for women farmers with 2-10 years of farming experience. Full scholarships are available. Apply online. For more information, visit the course website or contact Jessie Schmidt at the UVM Extension New Farmer Project by email or (802) 223-2389 x203. Upcoming Sessions: February 6, 13& 20, 2013 from 1-4 pm in Berlin, Middlebury and St. Johnsbury, VT. Sessions will be held simultaneously in all three locations using a combination of distance technology and on-site instructors. Learn the basics of budgeting and skills to anticipate the financial needs of your operation. Offered at multiple locations in Vermont. Participants will complete balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements. Course Info
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Thanks to all of you for sharing links and information. Because of your input, we keep growing and catalyzing our network. Please share our website to build the network widely!
Annie Harlow
ACORN Network
802-922-7060
ahhannieahh@yahoo.com
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