Congratulations to all the cows, farmers, farm laborers, cheesemakers and production assistants who helped make The Cellars at Jasper Hill "Winnimere" the Best of Show at the American Cheese Society 2013 competition! Cheers also to the other Vermont winners
Apple season is upon us time to PYO around the county
Need some probitics? Now's the time to drink some Kombucha made in Bristol!
It is said that "teamwork divides
Get new threads at Tour de Farm on Sunday!
the task and multiplies the success." This speaks directly to ACORN's work. This weekend's Tour de Farms, our sixth partnership with the VT Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition is a great example of success. Join us this Sunday September 15th in Shoreham for the Tour and Vermont's Premiere Apple Fest!
ACORN's August Bounty of the County fun-raiser was a great success and again, team work plays a role. We value all the players- farmers, producers, restaurants, community members, our host Rebel Farm and our active Board members who helped make this happen. Thank you for supporting our work!
Other working relationships that grow success include Share the Harvest. Participating restaurants and stores will donate a portion of sales on October 3rd to help limited-income Vermonters afford to purchase CSA (community supported agriculture) shares of fresh produce from their local farmers. Donations to the Farm Share Program go into a fund which helps subsidize CSA shares to needy Vermonters.
Right now there are seven Addison County businesses but more are encouraged to sign up. All area food stores and restaurants can participate in this event. ACORN supports this excellent program and details can be found here.
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
Eat the bounty of the county
What's Up...Down on the Farm
Here's the availability list for Addison County Produce. September is the month of tomatoes-please enjoy them in your business, school and of course at home.
ACORN is promoting Green Mountain Farm to School and Food Connects "Harvest of the Month". We are in the early stages of building a promotional campaign for schools, retailers, restaurants and institutions to promote a monthly crop. In case you want to jump in- This month is TOMATOES!
Another "Hit Parade" is melons...large, sweet juicy melons include standbys like cantaloupe but also heirloom and specialty varieties. The best place to buy them are at famers' markets and farm stands. Stop by and check out the local offerings while we still have them to enjoy.
There is an abundance of wonderful summer ingredients available- if you are a buyer looking for something special, use the local food guide as a starting point. This is a partial list Addison County produce currently being sold. Combine with other fresh ingedients for the best meals of the year.
fennel
zucchini
Local produce served up at Robinson School
summer squash
beets
kholrabi
onions
CORN!
TOMATOES by the zillions
melons-nothing is better
peppers by the gazillion
eggplants- great colors!
turnips
Peer to Peer learning among school food service teams
strawberries YUP! Norris & Lalumiere have them
lettuces baby & head, mesclun
all types of greens
fresh garlic
potatoes - you want them, Addison County has them!
broccoli, cauliflower
cabbages of all types
cucumbers of all types- including the remarkable LEMON!
carrots
herbs of all types
spinach
let's just say fresh foods are at their peak
Stop by your local roadside stands for great choices of specialty varieties. And of course stop in at any farmstand or farmers market for fresh cheese, meat and specialty products anywhere in the state! FARMERS DO YOU HAVE PRODUCTS NOT ON THIS LIST....SHARE WITH Annie!
Team PESTO!
For five years the Mt Abe Garden has grown wonderful produce for the school cafeteria. Each year things evolve just a bit. This year students along with adult mentors Walter O'Donoghue and Kathy Alexander, made pesto from the school's basil. This is an example of the "nudging" that takes place with our students, our food service and our community coming together. Just look at this proud team!
This type of teamwork benefits the lunch program, clearly builds self confidence and a sense of connections among the the team. Cheers to you all.
Better Business Workshops: Farmers Stay Tuned!
ACORN's farmer workshop series is once again in development. We heard your recommendations to fine tune your farm's business and are fine tuning the schedule.
Marketing, labor laws, the farmer as employer, accounting, business, and food storage are among the many workshops soon to be formalized. ACORN has teamed up with the excellent techincal assistants in Vermont and we are happy to host in Middlebury. Have workshop ideas you want to share? ....email Annie
And there's more! New farmers need business skills along with production management. Sign up for the excellent short course series 'Growing Places' sponsored by UVM Extension & the Women'a Ag Network. Take the time to learn about business goal setting, wholistic decison making, and the 'big picture" in daily tasks. In essence, you will come out with basic financial managerial skills to apply to your operations. Find out more here including financial aide info and course details.
Financing the Working
Landscape & Resources
Are you looking to make changes to your business plan? Perhaps you are seeking money to capitaize your business. We are hosting the 3rd Annual Financing the Working Landscape on November 7th in collaboration with many excellent partners. Save the date and stay tuned for details to become more familiar with ways to capitalize your WL business.
Other funding sources include partnerships with The Center for an Agricultural Economy. The Vermont Farm Fund provides no-hassle, friendly-term loans to local farmers and food producers. A true revolving loan fund, as the community of recipients pays back their loans, funds are replenished for the next cycle of borrowers. So if you are in need of working capital, there are plenty of opportunities to team up.
Vermont Farm Share Offers CSA Shares to Low Income Families
The Middlebury Office of the Department of Health has been teaming up with a wide network to help promote this program. If you are in position to help spread the word that fresh produce can be made available to low income Vermonters... join the team! Deadline to enroll is October 1. This is a trial run we anticipate the program will continue for 2014 spring/summer shares.
Harvest Workers Needed
Other working relationships that grow success include 
production management. Sign up for the excellent short course series '
you are seeking money to capitaize your business. We are hosting the 3rd Annu
