ACORN's mission is to promote the health and growth of local food and agriculture in Vermont's Champlain Valley.
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Addison County is THE beverage capitol of Vermont!
Just look what we have going on! A variety of great hard ciders, fresh-pressed ciders, kombucha producers both large and small, world class spirits and wines, milk, maple sap beverages and of course fresh milk!
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has a new location at
530 Exchange Street! Stop by on Saturdays from 9-12:30
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Pesky Outbreaks of Seed Corn Maggot
 Lots of growers are reporting maggots in onion transplants. According to Veg Pest Alerts, in several NE states, this is probably seed corn maggot rather than onion maggot. They will likely become a wider problem in late May and early June.
When you see little wrigglers in your plant roots it is disheartening and you might not care which maggots are causing the problem. In general you are right. A maggot is a maggot. But there are a few differences that may make it worth figuring out which problem you have. Cabbage and onion maggot stick to their namesakes. Cabbage maggot attacks all mustard family crops (cabbage, broccoli, mustards, turnips, as well as weedy crucifers) and onion maggot attacks alliums. When overwintering pupae emerge as adult flies they look for their host and lay their eggs at the base of the plant. Cultural controls such as rotation and floating row cover may work for cabbage and onion maggot. In contrast seed corn maggot has a wide host range and seems to be attracted to freshly turned organic matter. Seed corn maggots might already be there waiting when you transplant. Historically we have seen significant damage from seed corn maggot in sweet corn and beans planted from seed, and muskmelon placed in the ground as transplants.
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 Great News for Farm to School!
The Senate and House passage of S.33, the Farm to School bill expands the state grant and technical assistance program to Early Care and Education, addresses sustainability of school nutrition programs and raises the state threshold for formal bidding in school food purchases to $25,000.
The Governor is expected to sign the bill.
Thanks for all your letters to the editor, attendance at FTS Awareness Day and budget hearings, and supporter cards. It makes a difference! Don't forget to thank your legislator for their support and invite them to your next Farm to School event.
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Follow us #AcornNetwork
Send events & items of interest for this newsletter to Annie@acornvt.org
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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!
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Thank you for supporting ACORN's mission & sharing in our work.
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Farm to Plate is increasing local food sales through a strong network that includes ACORN!
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Celebrate & share your food stories with Vermont's new campaign!
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August 6th in Bristol: Join Us for our
10th Year of Tour de Farms!
A beautiful bike ride in and around Bristol with mouth watering farm fresh foods. This is a fabulous time to get out with friends while visiting local farms of all sizes in a relaxed atmosphere. Sign-up now for early-bird pricing!
Help us spread the word! If you refer TWO friends who register for the Tour, you'll receive a FREE Tour de Farms T-Shirt at registration on August 6th! (Only applicable to 2017 Tour de Farms registrants). The Tour de Farms is run by volunteers and any help promoting the event goes a long way. Register now as we are capping the number of riders to 400 people.
MANY THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS!
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Our Local Food Guide is Out & About
 Find out more about our local farms, food businesses and all the great things going on in and around Addison County, Vermont. We distribute widely to businesses and tourism outlets. We thank ALL who help make this happen with very special thanks to Susan Smiley and her dedication for 10 years reaching out to each producer who is listed. Our advertisers are lined up by the equally dedicated Jonathan Corcoran. Enjoy the great reading and keep it as a resource for PYO, farm markets and please visit our supporting advertisers!
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Harvest of the Month: Spring Radish
Resources available through HoM are great for farmers, retailers and YOU as a consumer. Check out the fabulous recipes and other info to help promote seasonal eating!
Harvest of the Month is all about seasonal eating for EVERYBODY!
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UVM Extension Crop, Soil, &
Pasture Team Spring Farm Tour
 The Spring Farming Celebration and Bus Tour of Addison and Chittenden Counties is Tuesday, June 13th from 9:30am to 4:00pm.
Look at practices farmers are implementing that protect water quality, improve farm viability, and protect the working landscape. Participants will see and experience practices that farms are currently implementing.
Pre-registration: 802-388-4969 x 348
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MUHS Ag Students On-Farm
Skills Training
In 2016, students from Casey O'Meara's high school class helped build worm composting boxes. This was a great farm to school effort in Addison County.
Experiential learning and community engagement provide students with unique perspectives of job opportunities and applied learning related to their course work.
Elmer Farm takes part in many community and school related activities. The worm composting project undertaken last year is proving to be great addition to the farm's successful composting program under the direction Jacob, who is in his fourth season with the Elmer Farm crew. He came to the farm with extensive knowledge of composting, especially with worms. He and Spencer have worked together to implement a worm composting project on the farm which Jacob now manages. ACORN is proud to be a friend of all the Elmer Farmers!
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Drop In Brewing
 New at Drop In and just in time for summer road trips and back yard BBqs.... CANS!
Currently available are three different beers available in 16 oz cans at the brewery while supplies last. Available by 4-packs for $12.20 a piece.
Sunshine & Hoppiness - Belgian Golden Ale - 5.1% ABV ; Heart of Lothain - Scottish 90 Schilling Ale - 5.6% ABV; Fetchez La Vache - Milk Stout - 6.0% ABV; soon to be had a new single hop pale ale brewed with Celia hops from Slovenia, 5.5%ABV
Even though Middlebury might be hard to navigate with changing traffic patterns, make a beer run to Drop In!
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Is Your Business Growing Too Fast?
ACEDC has some ideas to help you! Read their blog from May 25th and accompanying resource links, then begin the process of following up on the advice to stay focused. 
Sometimes we forget the basics as a company grows. Knowing your customer and understanding the role your services play that are entwined with your products. Your core customer is where your efforts should be best directed. Robert H. Bloom describes the core customer as, "The 'Who' that is most likely to buy your product or service in the quantity required for optimal profit."
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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! Sign-up for e-news from
Ann Hazelrigg, Ph.D. Extension Assistant Professor
Jeffords Hall 63 Carrigan Drive
University of Vermont Burlington, VT 05405
This & That 
Do you enjoy people, food and conversation? Sign up for multi-cultural dinners at Tandem in Bristol or enjoy a wonderful Italian feast at Agricola Farm in Panton
Save the Date:
August 19th Ciderstock at Woodchuck! Middlebury's new "must-do event!"
Jobs in the food, farm or natural products industry
Bees Wrap in Bristol is hiring! They are expanding and seeking motivated folks for this innovative business receiving national acclaim!
Full Sun in Middlebury is Hiring : Craft Oil Production Work and Production Manager
Middlebury College Catering Department
Looking for food system work outside of Addison County? Check out more jobs at VT Farm to Plate!
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