ACORN's mission is to promote the health and growth of local food and agriculture in Vermont's Champlain Valley.
NEW ISSUE!
Farm to Plate is increasing local food sales through a strong network that includes ACORN!

Is your farm or food business listed on the  Vermont Food System Atlas?  Sign up today!

ACORN presents each Ferrisburg Junior Iron Chef with a pan in celebration of their commitment to learning kitchen skills and begin a love of the culinary arts! A shout out to the Basin Harbor Club for their support.
ACORN is part of the preschool consortium hosting workshops for early-childcare educators. The workshops are designed to help kids become food-aware at an early age by training the educators on food, gardening and outdoor activities. 

Families... you do know MiniBury, don't you? A family resource for events and activities around Middlebury.
FARMERS SIGN UP NOW! Open Farm Week - Spotlight your farm and showcase your products in this annual event.  Register NOW to take advantage of statewide marketing. Based on what we've heard, Addison County will have some excellent events with a kick-off at Champlain Orchards. Let's make AC the most represented county! 

making goat milk cheese!
(AWA) is a food label for meat and dairy products that are made from farm animals raised to the highest animal welfare and environmental standards. More consumers & institutions are seeking humanely raised meat. Learn why the consumer trend is for more humanely raised meat. 
Meeting Place Piglet

Do you have an event you need catered? Or perhaps you are interested in having lunch with a friend...Bristol's Almost Home can satisfy your needs! 
Just in time for gardening! 
Vermont Soap Tent Sale
the month of May
50% off Seconds, Bubbly Labels & Overstock!  
Mary Hogan Garden 2013  
School Gardens are under way! 
 

ACORN is now on Instagram
Follow us to stay up-to-date on our local food initiatives in the Southern Champlain Valley and around Vermont  
#AcornNetwork

Send events & items of interest for this newsletter to  [email protected]

Stone Soup Soiree: Our Spring Gathering
The annual spring gathering was a wonderful evening to be out at Lincoln Peak Winery. With a focus on farm to school in Addison County, members of our school communities and the general public heard updates and insights on Harvest of the Month, national Farm to School updates from Senator Leahy's office, local food trends, PAHCC students compilation of food system jobs in the county and comprehensive experiential and inspirational learning at the Cornwall school. 

We thank all who attended expressing  interest in both farm to school in the county and our effort to "network the network". Big thanks go out to Lincoln Peak for allowing us the space. Basin Harbor Club, Almost Home Market, Susan Pratt Catering cooked up fabulous food for the event!  
ACORN's Passport Program
ACORN's Passport Program connects our local food producers and growers with the wider community. By donating $50 to ACORN, you'll become an ACORN Member and receive a Passport card with valuable discounts at farm stands, CSAs, restaurants, cafes and even a brewery, winery AND distillery! 

This month we feature Shoreham's Golden Russet FarmWill and Judy Stevens have been growing organic vegetables commercially since 1981. The season starts in May with vegetable and flower plant sales for sale and the Farm-to-Kitchen Connection CSA  program. Judy  specializes in flowers for cutting, adding color to the fields and habitat for beneficial insects. Their produce is available at the farm stand, their CSA, at food markets in Middlebury and Burlington, and at Addison County restaurants.

Carols' Hungry Mind in Middlebury and a NEW LOCATION on Route 7 in New Haven is a coffee house creating the best of community. It is a long- time friend of ACORN, with the ability of folks like us to meet over coffee and light fare. Carol's is a unique place to meet up and grab a bite. We wish them the best as they expand with the new location at the former Hilltop RV. 
Harvest of the Month: Greens
Spring TONICS! Sweet greenhouse spinach or bitter early ephemeral greens are a harbinger of the season. 

Need some inspiration for cooking greens? There are plenty of recipes and resources at the HoM website.  Check out the new recipes from Eating Well's partnership with Harvest of the Month! 
Sustainable Living Expo: May 14th! 
What: Sustainable Living Expo
When: May 14th 9:00-4:00
Where:Middlebury Union Middle School 
Admission is $5 for adults and children 16 and older, children under 16 are free

The Sustainability Expo builds on the success of the previous 2015 Sustainable Living Expo, which was attended by over 500 residents and local businesses. The purpose of the Sustainability Expo is to explore the myriad ways to create a more vibrant, self-sustaining future, by adopting innovative technology, becoming more self sufficient, and working together with others in our community. 

600 people are expected to participate in this year's Expo, which offers a unique opportunity to learn from each other, explore new opportunities, and access the tools and materials needed to create a more sustainable future for everyone in Addison County.
Marketing Organics: 
Please be aware that there are federal standards that regulate the use of the term organic.  In order to label, sell, or represent a product as organic, the operation must be certified through a USDA accredited certification agency or meet the following exemption:

(a) Exemptions. (1) A production or handling operation that sells agricultural products as "organic" but whose gross agricultural income from organic sales totals $5,000 or less annually is exempt from certification and from submitting an organic system plan for acceptance or approval but must comply with the applicable organic production and handling and labeling requirements. The products from such operations shall not be used as ingredients identified as organic in processed products produced by another handling operation.

In addition, the National Rule also addresses operations that sell product as organic that do not meet the above exemption:

(1) For those operations that knowingly sell or label a product as organic, except in accordance with the Act, shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 per violation.

Often, people are unaware of these regulations.  Please visit the  VOF website or the NOP website for more details. 
NEW! Shacksbury in Cans
Just in time for fair-weather barbecues, hikes, and beach outings Shacksbury is bringing cans to market!  This month they celebrate the launch of "Dry" and "Semi-Dry" blends. Crafted with apples from Sunrise Orchards in Vermont and Dragon Orchard in Putley, UK, and containing far less residual sugar than most ciders on the market (just 4 and 8 grams, respectively, in our "Dry" and "Semi-Dry" blends), these are bold, adventurous ciders we think you'll be reaching for all summer long. 
Events, Opportunities & Jobs 

Join the UVM Extension Cover Crop Team! or simply attend the soil building workshops! 


Summer Composting & Ecology Course UVM: 3 credits. Looks like a great way to learn! Find more details here

Middlebury Farmers' Market is now outdoors at the Marble Works on Saturdays 

Grab a picnic and enjoy the evening!

Lots of upcoming cheese making workshops! Sponsored by  the VT Cheese Council

Summer Camps for Kids: Check out Willowell in Monkton

Basin Harbor Club is hiring! Lots of positions are open. 

Looking for work? Check out this list of jobs in Addison County

ACORN is a proud member of Vermont's Farm to Plate Network We strive to network the network and our e-news links are meant to show the array of Vermont-based resources.

Thanks to all of you for sharing links and information. Keep me posted of things of interest to relocalization, Addison County and the Champlain Valley. 

 

Annie Harlow

ACORN Network
802-922-7060

  

[email protected]