Do you love jam? If you have not yet tried Dream in Color's combinations, sign up and order online and get some unusual blends for yourself or gifts. Yourfarmstand.com
Elmer Farm has a wonderful December mesclun mix to serve up with their winter squash  ..again head to the Middlebury Farmers' Market for fresh winter greens in many colors
Harvest of the Month: Nearly every school in Addison County has signed the PLEDGE!
New Leaf Farm Hakurei turnips....tender white bulbs are wonderful roasted or shaved in a salad. Get them at the Coop in Middlebury! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vern Grubinger wants to know what crops you are harvesting...send him an email by 5:00 Sunday. He records our statewide bounty and seeks more reports.
Get the UVM Extension Crops, Soil and Pasture Newsletter sign up here
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The holidays are in full swing with our local producers. a favorite piece of Vermont is a gift from Vermont Trade Winds.  Each handmade wreath is a work of art.
 For the cooks on your list, how about the ultimate unique gift...waxed paper made with the wax of our local honey bees! Bees Wrap, located in New Haven, VT sells their products locally and nationally to discerning customers.
 We encourage you to shop Middlebury Winter Farmers Market for produce and for homemade gifts. Another great idea,a Homeward Bound Dining Card. When you present your card at a participating restaurant and purchase one entree, your guest will receive an entrée of the same or lesser value free. They only ask that you base your gratuity on the value of both (wait staff must eat, too!). This is a fundraiser for our local humane society.
 A final thought on gift giving, ACORN's first annual capital campaign is under way. We value and appreciate all the donations we have received and we have made it easy to donate online. Just click the green tab in the upper right hand corner and support our work with a financial gift.
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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!  Windfall Orchard Ice Cider |
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F2S: Robinson School Cooks Up Local Favorites
 Mollie Silver loves to cook. She also loves kids. Lucky for her there was an opening at the elementary school in Starksboro, part of the Addison Northeast Food Service Cooperative. Being part of the coop allows her to learn the ropes of school cooking without the encumbrances of the USDA paperwork requirements. Her specialty is scratch cooking and last week, she made an all-time favorite: Chicken and Biscuits.
Her ingredients were primarily sourced here in the county and augmented by USDA commodity foods. She made a wonderful stock for the gravy with chicken bones from Misty Knoll Farm, carrots and vegetables for the stew came from Lewis Creek Farm, a minute walk from the school. The crispy, crunch
 kale chips- a true favorite of the older kids, were made that morning from freshly harvested December kale. Staying true to local purchases, daikon radish, apples, greens, root crops, Gleason Grain and Smith Farm beef were ready for prepping later in the week.
Mollie is part of a dynamic team working together to forge change. She works closely with her assistant Doreen and a local food coordinator, Kristen Andrews, who helps teach food and-food culture in the classroom. Teachers and administration help out in the cafeteria and the food service director Kathy Alexander makes sure all the details of menu planning, training, and administrative compliance are taken care of in six schools. This cooperative model is gaining momentum for the efficiency it offers as a system.
Mollie is more than a cook in this system. She is an integrated part of the change to healthier food, higher levels of wellness and she is on the front line of positive change.
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ACORN Farmer Workshops
 The Vermont Community Foundation has provided funding for ACORN to host business workshops for farmers and small businesses. This series covers merchandising, marketing, food safety, law, accounting and many other topics. They are offered as tools to help producers think creatively and gain new resources to strengthen business practices. We are just finishing up the fall classes with winter classes in food storage, business modeling and marketing, labor to be scheduled.
Our next workshop, January 23, is focused on small business development strategies to improve efficiency in operations, marketing and finances. The tools taught will help you gain a comprehensive view of your farm and food business. Taught by Steve Paddock of SBDC this may be just the ticket to improving your profitability. Save Your Space Now!
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B2B: Farm Tool Innovations
Rob Rock is an innovator, a farmer and a man with a plan. In 2014 Rob is going to begin production of farm equipment he's been designing, testing, and refining over the last six years. As part of Farm Hack (open source community for resilient agriculture), he is taking his do it yourself inventions and modifications to other small farmers. His workshop in Burlington will be able handle a wide variety of fabrication jobs and repairs - from welding broken aluminum irrigation pipe to building custom toolbars, etc.
Vermont is home to such a talented and innovative group of farmers, and he's already learned a lot from so many of you over the years. Now you have an opportunity to formally add your
input to his business planning.
If you are a small producer, you can help him with his planning over the next couple of months by taking this quick survey. His goal is to create equipment to fit your needs.
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Mark Your Calendars
Events & Opportunities
2014 Farm Manager Positions Full Moon Farm in Hinesburg 802-598-1986 or email info@fullmoonfarminc.com ACORN Small Business Workshop with Mark Cannella Cashflow: managing & record keeping tips
December 13; 8:45-11:30 ish Extension Office Middlebury Sign up Here cost is 10.00 check or cash New Farmer Program Series Dates and course details 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. Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition
January 8th 6:30
American Legion, Vergennes
Environmental Regulations: Be Part of the Solution
Champlain Valley Cover Crop & No Till Symposium
SAVE the Date: February 19 & 20
Details to follow or sign up for the newsletter
SAVE THESE DATES
ACORN Sustainable Living Expo
March 8th more details coming soon
ACORN Stone Soup Farm to School Summit
March 27 more details coming soon
Middlebury College
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Thanks to all of you for sharing links and information. Please share our website to build the network widely!
Annie Harlow
ACORN Network
802-922-7060
annie@acornvt.org
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