ACORN's mission is to promote the health and growth of local food and agriculture in Vermont's Champlain Valley.
|
|
JIC Chefs of Addison County
WIN BIG TIME!
Congratulations to the Vergennes Middle School team; the annual statewide culinary competition is a tough act. The Jalapeno Hotties won for their Vegetable Pot Pie with Mashed Potato and took home the title for Mise en Place recognized for their team work, cleanliness and exceptional professionalism. ACORN is so pleased to have a second win within the county.
The Bean Queens of MUHS won in 2014 for best use of local ingredients.
Winning recipes are meant to be easily replicated in school kitchens. This year the mentor for the Jalapeno Hotties was Executive Chef Christian Kruse of Basin Harbor Club (no doubt he is training future staff!)
|
|
Migrant Justice:
Advocates for Milk With Dignity
In case you missed the news, a group of determined Vermont farmworkers and their allies were waiting at the front door of Ben & Jerry's South Burlington, VT headquarters April 11 & 12th as B&J's board members arrived for a two-day meeting. They were there to deliver a clear message: dairy workers' human rights cannot wait.
Speaking to the board "We work hard, every day, putting the cream in your ice cream. And we want our rights protected, dignified wages, respect, a voice. I want to repeat what others have said. We will not give up. We will continue this fight.
Ben & Jerry's has yet to sign the Milk with Dignity agreement, as it promised nearly two years ago. Join their effort to support this campaign.
On Point a program of NPR recently had Abel Luna on representing this and other labor issues in the VT dairy industry. Catch it here.
|
 Students Take Note!
For students aged 14-21, UVM Extension is offering an innovative, one-of-a-kind, year-long Youth Agriculture Individual Development Account program. Learn business financial management, on-farm workshops, networking and mentoring, and matched savings toward buying a productive asset for their business.
For more information: contact Liz Kenyon, 4H Youth Ag Project Coordinator
|
Thank you for supporting ACORN's mission & sharing in our work.
|
Follow us #AcornNetwork
Send events & items of interest for this newsletter to Annie@acornvt.org
|
Support ACORN through your Amazon purchases! Log in through Smile.Amazon.com
Then choose us as your charity.
A portion of your purchase will go directly to us!
|
Farm to Plate is increasing local food sales through a strong network that includes ACORN!
|
Celebrate & share your food stories with Vermont's new campaign!
|
Claire Bove, welcome to Addison County!  She is the newest addition to the Middlebury UVM Extension office, hired in February as the Vermont Coordinator for the High School Equivalency Program (HEP). HEP helps eligible migrant and seasonal farm workers and members of their immediate family obtain the equivalent of a high school diploma, and subsequently gain employment or pursue post-secondary education. Here is info about farm worker programs and resources through Extension.
|
Outdoor Journal featured our very own Tour de Farms!
If you are unfamiliar with our annual fundraiser, check it out! Produced by award winning videographer and friend of ACORN, Wendy Erikson.
|
|
|
RESILIENCE: The Film
Calling all parents, early childcare educators!
Coming up May 2nd, a film sponsored by Building Bright Futures, Integrating Family Services, and VT Dept of Health are partnering with Middlebury College to bring this dynamic film to Addison County. Learn more about this award winning film about the long term impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences
|
| | Resilience Trailer - KPJR Films |
|
|
April Seed Swap in Middlebury
Addison County gardeners will gather at 6:30 on April 20th at the Isley Library Community Room for conviviality and biodiversity. The evening is a wonderful opportunity to meet with other gardeners and share the glory of seeds. Flower and vegetable seeds from recent years are most desired as seed viability decreases with age. Seeds. Swap. Share.
|
|
Hired Hand Brewing
The creation of chef/brewer Ian Huizenga, Hired Hand Brewing  Co. uses locally sourced ingredients whenever possible to craft a family of exceptional beers, beer cocktails and farm-to-table foods that are a true taste of Vermont.
Join your friends for some of the best locally brewed beers, spirits and food Vermont has to offer in a light-filled tap room in historic downtown Vergennes, Vermont.
The sister to Bar Antidote, Chef Huizenga is recognized by the Chamber of Commerce as an exceptional business adding much to the community, and the wider economy through their purchasing power.
|
|
Harvest of the Month:Carrots
Carrots! The last of the storage vegetable. Slather with maple syrup and roast till tender. How's that for Spring! Farmers and retailers are encouraged to use the great resources to push your sales. Easy recipes & promotional material are free to download.
Harvest of the Month: for EVERYBODY!
|
|
Norris Berry Farm Changes Hands to
Full Belly Farm
Norma Norris, renown local fruit grower has been tending the earth for as long as she she can remember. From a dairy background to becoming one of the states' preeminent berry and fruit growers, Norma is on to the next adventure. After working with the VT Land Trust, she found a young couple to take over the acreage and to call their own at this well known farm in Monkton .
Many a summer vacation began with picking strawberries, the very first day school let out. Following that was the abundant gatherings of families to pick their annual share of raspberries and blueberries. Always one to experiment, for the more adventurous were currants and of course a wide variety of produce and bedding plants was grown by her team.
ACORN has had a long and supportive relationship with Norma who has advertised in our Local Food Guide, attended our workshops and hosted two Tour de Farms. We wish her the best and truly hope the transition from farmer to retired farmer is filled with relaxation. We know she shares her good will to the new owners, Sarah and Stephen Park of the new Full Belly Farm!
|
|
Bees are Back Pollinating!
 A glorious time of year is April, the bees come around with the early crocus. Followed by the spring and summer seasons of bees. If you get the chance go to an orchard when the sky is blue, the sun is shining and the trees are in full bloom. It is a mighty day to take in the pollination. Each bee is loaded and coming back to the hive. If you are a bee keeper consider taking part in the national honey bee survey.
Keep your eyes peeled for the wonderful chocolate honey comb produced by the Ice House Farm in Goshen. The micro goat dairy produces wonderful eggs and honey products along with happy chickens and bees. Feel like drinking some honey? Try the Apis Kombucha now in area stores! Order a CSA share if it from Golden Well Apiaries on the River Road in New Haven.
 |
| | Photo: Ice House Farm |
This July, Addison County will host the annual Vermont Beekeepers Association Summer meeting sponsored by the Addison County Beekeepers Association at the Middlebury Union High School. July 8th, 2017. More details of speakers and workshops can be found here.
|
|
Events, Opportunities & Jobs
Just a reminder UVM Extension offers a free service for commercial veg growers. Feel free to send samples/pictures if you are trying to guess a problem! They recently rec'd a spinach sample from the grower who thought their crop might be infected with spinach white rust, but it was spinach downy mildew.
Ann Hazelrigg, Ph.D. Extension Assistant Professor
Jeffords Hall 63 Carrigan Drive
University of Vermont Burlington, VT 05405
 Mother's Day is fast approaching...New this year Monkton's New Leaf Farm hosts a flower delivery service Home Sweet Blooms perfect for businesses, homes, and to share with loved ones! Vermont organic flowers all season long, how nice is that!? Plan ahead...You can pre-order for Mother's day too!
Other farms are still taking Summer CSA sign-ups, such as Lewis Creek Farm in Starksboro
April 19: Business Succession Planning
ACEDC sponsored workshop from 2-5:00 at Kennedy Brothers, 11 Main St Vergennes; FREE
April 20: Middlebury Inn Community Open House
4:30-7:30 Enjoy Hors D' Oeuvres, tour the refurbished facility, enjoy the camaraderie of the county and the Inn. rsvp: todd@middleburyinn.com
Tandem Pop-Up Dinners on Main St in Bristol are popping up all over the calendar. Check out the stellar meals with high caliber chefs and menus!
2017 Dining Cards to Benefit Homeward Bound now available! Great gift, great food, great cause
Looking for food system work? Check out jobs at
|
|
|
|
|
