April 2015  ACORN logo
Cultivating Connections 
ACORN's mission is to help revitalize the health of our land, our local economy and our local communities so they can provide sustainable sources of  food, water, energy, employment, capital and other essential resources. 
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 MUMS Rock Solid Chefs  JIC 2015 

 


Fairy Tale Farm in Bridport  is happy to have sunshine on the lambs!  With the milk flowing,  the cheese is not far behind! 

 

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Permacullture is is a holistic design system used to create healthy, vibrant human communities and natural ecologies. Keyline Vermont  permaculture design principles  guide their work, resulting in beautiful, productive, elegant human ecologies. 

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Migrant Justice hosted the Coalition of Immokalee Workers  in building a vision to transform Vermont's  food laborers.  CIW Fair Food Program is a unique partnership among farmers, farmworkers, and retail & contract food companies that ensures humane wages and working conditions for workers 


 

Just Eat It - A food waste story (Official Trailer)
Just Eat It - a food waste story 

An award winning film about food waste & rescue, Showing in Randolph April 12

   
Please Support  ACORN's 
Local Food Guide Advertisers!
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06 - Farm to Plate
Increasing local food sales through a strong network that includes ACORN
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Is your farm or food business listed on the 
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Signs of Spring! 
  
 The sap is still running!
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How do leafy greens get cleaned minimizing post harvest & pathogen contamination? A three-sink wash with a sanitizer are used by many VT growers. UVM Extension has a flier on safe handling of sanitizers. 

 
When traveling Route 7 in North Ferrisburg, remember to stop by for a VT Creemee & some Love on a warm spring day!
ahhh the end of a nice summer day! 
VERMONT MAPLE SYRUP --
VERMONT MAPLE SYRUP 
 "The Story of Maple"
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Weybridge School encourages students to plan ahead for the 2016 Junior Iron Chef teams. The Chefs of Steel share their experience before the entire school!
Congratulations to 2013 ACORN intern Linnea Burnham and her emerging Double Star cheese business.  
Keep us posted on your cheese!

Sustainable Living Expo
Coming Right Up! 
ACORN's Sustainable Living Expo at MUHS on Saturday, April 11, from 9 am - 4 pm  
explore, experience and share ideas for sustainability

Over 50 exhibitors demonstrating their products and services, delicious local foods, and a full day of children's hands-on energy activities. 
 More than 30 workshops covering Local Food, Renewable Energy, Green Housing, Integrative Health, Empowered Communities, Healthy Ecosystems.  Contact Elizabeth to volunteer. 

Middlebury Union High School, 

73 Charles Avenue, Middlebury, Vermont


 
Saturday, April 11th, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

(Snow date: April 18th, 9am to 4 p.m.)

Set up: Friday April 10th, 4pm-9pm

ACORN Hosts Curriculum Workshop April 13
VT-FEED & ACORN are hosting a Farm to School Curriculum Workshop at Cornwall School on Monday, April 13 from 4:30-7:30pm.  They will be sharing resources, looking at CCSS and NGSS requirements in the garden, and working with Cornwall's fabulous cook, Susan Pratt, as participants explore new ways to engage students in issues of sustainability. This is a great opportunity to explore and learn from some great thinkers.  Please contact Emily Hoyler at [email protected] for more information or to register.

 

Addison County Took to the Kitchen!
The famed Junior Iron Chef Competition was represented by 37 students from 4 Addison County Schools.  Each team produce exemplary dishes showcasing extraordinary skills and kitchen adeptness. This event clearly is one of the states' greatest events. ACORN is a big fan of the cooking skills  and leadership the student chefs exhibit. Here is a feast for your eyes! 


 
Harvest of the Month
EAT YOUR BEANS! Chili, dips, burritos, sauteed salads dressed with savory spiced beans and the ever novel yet delish Black Bean Brownie recipe from VT Bean Crafters! Beans are intricately woven into the fabric of human history. Make your own history this month by creating dinners that embrace cultures & from every corner of the world. Find local beans at the MNFCoop and seek out VT Bean Crafters dips at many stores. 
06 - Farm to Plate
ACORN is part of Vermont's Farm to Plate NetworkWe are a volunteer board with a hired communications director working on specific projects to broaden Addison County's impact in the arena of food, agriculture, capitalization of small businesses and renewable energy resources.  The links are meant to show the array of Vermont-based resources. Kindly share ideas that can support our effort. Thank you for supporting our work. 
JOIN ACORN    
Spring Barn Dance Benefit
Footprint Farm in Starksboro is hosting its 3rd Annual Barn Dance on Thursday, April 23rd; 6-9:00 PM at the Common Ground Center

Let's celebrate the end of the snow, the beginning of the mud, and the promise of fresh, local food! Join Footprint Farm, Common Ground Center, and the Vermont Young Farmers Coalition on April 23rd to meet, mingle, and most importantly, dance. The annual barn dance is now in the springtime so that proceeds can help support The Farm Share Program. This program allows low-income residents become Footprint Farm CSA members. Through the program, NOFA-VT will match each dollar that our Barn Dance raises to offer reduced rates to income eligible individuals and families. 

Tickets are available on a sliding scale. Suggested donation for dinner and dancing is $10-$20 for individuals and $20-$40 for families.  Remember, ticket prices are donations and can be made as a tax-deductible donation if paid by check. Contact Taylor for more info &RSVPWe all know it has been a long slog till warm spring arrives. Take this opportunity to get out, kick up your heels for a good cause. 
Events, Opportunities & Jobs 

Maple sap is still running! Stop by your local shack to enjoy the Golden Season in Vermont and a little laughter   

Drive Vermont asks: Thinking about going electric? See if a charging station is right for your business! Check out their info & resources


April 6, 2015 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Smokey House Center

Danby, VT


Welcoming Customers on Your Farm    

April 7 & April 8  12:00 

Rutland, VT


Saturday April 11 9:00-4:00
MUHS

April 12, 2015 2:00 to 4:00

73 Main St

Randolph, VT


Tuesday, April 21 
Gardening with Young Children
With Suzanne Young of MJCC, special farmer guest to be announced...

April 24-May 3 

Slow Money VT Entrepreneurs Showcase 
May 7 White River Junction
Similar to Financing the Working Landscape, a great opportunity to learn about capitalizing your food business for growth

A New Twist for 2015! 
ACORN's Farm to School Annual Gathering

Thursday May 7, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT

RSVP

Join ACORN in an evening of fun! We will celebrate past accomplishments, share Harvest of the Month with the community and enjoy the bounty of the county with spring-inspired appetizers. Think of this as a spring gathering where we meet and mingle with friends. Lincoln Peak Vineyard,

New Haven


Farmers, check this out! Great for CSA's and farm stands

Bees Wrap has a new product, vegetable ties for greens & things

Perhaps you are looking for some summer work...Basin Harbor Club is accepting applications for several positions

April 15 

Register online

 

Vermont Food Systems Summer Study

May 31-June 20 
3 College credits for 3 weeks of studying Vermont's food system Many VT colleges & UVM are participating

UVM Extension Pesticide 

Application Workshop April 9th Randolph Center 

Pesticide applicator training and the written examination for initial certification for anyone required to have a Vermont pesticide applicator license. This includes farmers, lawn care specialists, greenhouse or nursery owners and employees, university personnel, municipal employees, pest control operators and anyone else who uses restricted-use pesticides to produce agricultural commodities. Register here

Thanks to all of you for sharing links and information. Keep me posted of things of interest to relocalization and Addison County!  

 

Annie Harlow

ACORN Network

802-922-7060  

[email protected]