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This letter from Eileen Growald, long-time friend of the Farm, was published last week in the Burlington Free Press, along with an extensive interview with Farm president Alec Webb by writer Sally Pollack. Read Eileen's letter below and the article about Alec here. The Farm was a perfect place to apply my degree in early childhood education. Between weaving rugs and blankets, I poured over education plans with Alec, Marilyn and Stevie Spencer (Farm’s first education staff), drafted monthly themes for school children, and led early field trips. I also taught poetry writing to visiting elders (probably no older than I am now!) and a group of battered women. The pastoral scenery inspired nostalgia and hope. Beauty is its own healer. My desire to be a broad ambassador was realized when Shelburne Farms hired me as its first director of development and communications. This was an interesting twist of history, as Alec’s grandfather had been Chief Counsel for my grandfather, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Now, at age 28, I was working for Alec. We had come full circle! I rented a farmhouse on the property called Valley View. When Alec’s father, Derick, decided to sell it, I was overjoyed to become the first in-holder at Shelburne Farms. It was the best investment I ever made. Around this time, Paul Growald showed up. Impressed by his experience on the California Board of Agriculture, I agreed to show him around. That tour changed my life. Five months later we were engaged and we’ve been married almost 31 years! Shelburne Farms gives us much to be thankful for. This is fertile ground for more than vegetables and green pastures. It was my first fundraising cause, where I learned to enjoy start-up projects. It is our home, where Paul and I met, where we raised our sons, Adam and Danny. Today, we continue contributing as neighbors and funders because Shelburne Farms is an increasingly valuable resource for all of Vermont and the wider world. I am proud to play a role in its evolution. Eileen Growald Farm earns Preservation Trust of Vermont award
PHOTO: Patricia O'Donnell (left) of Heritage Landscapes, which developed the Formal Gardens Restoration Plan, together with Paul Bruhn and Meg Campbell of the Preservation Trust of Vermont. Want to support the ongoing restoration of the Formal Gardens? Contact Sue Dixon.
Thursday-Sunday, AUGUST 2-5, University of Vermont, Burlington Visit farmtocafeteriaconference.org to register for three days of skill-building workshops, enlightening speakers, networking opportunities and energizing events. Registration closes July 13. If you're a food service professional, farmer, educator, policy maker, entrepreneur, student, or just an interested community member, come delve into all aspects of Farm to Cafeteria work. Hosted by National Farm to School Network and VT FEED, a partnership of Shelburne Farms, NOFA-VT and Food Works at Two Rivers Center. We're part of UVM Food Systems Summit On June 28th, as part of UVM's Food Systems Summit, Shelburne Farms Program Director Megan Camp and Burlington School Food Service Director Doug Davis wil present on Farm to School at the Sustainability Academy. Also on June 28th, UVM's Continuing Education will webcast a public conference “The Necessary (r)Evolution for Sustainable Food Systems Amplified” live from Burlington, VT. Find out how to host a viewing party here.
After Sally Fallon, author of the cookbook "Nourishing Traditions," presented to standing-room-only audiences in early June, many of you wanted to learn more and stay in touch. Now you can! There's a new blog to share ideas, recipes, and news. It's still in the works, but keep an eye on Vermont Nourishing Traditions Blog. If you missed the presentations, keep on eye on Vermont Community Access Media. They're doing post-production work on their videos of the series, which should be ready next week. Launch of VT Nutrition Education Institute Next week, teams from ten Vermont schools will converge at Shelburne Farms for a 3-day launch of the Vermont Nutrition Education Institute. It’s the start of two years of imagining and creating integrated food and nutrition education curricula, to rise to the HealthierUS School Challenge. These teams of teachers, food service staff, nurses and others will sharpen their skills as well as their knives as they learn the science behind good nutrition and how to prepare healthier school meals. Each school will develop its own Nutrition Education Action Plan. At the end of the two years, a Guide of Vermont Food and Nutrition Education Best Practices will be compiled for other schools to use across the state. The Institute is funded by a USDA Team Nutrition grant awarded to the VT Dept. of Education in collaboration with VT FEED (we're partners), and School Nutrition Association of Vermont. Saving Grassland Birds Noah Perlut has conducted grassland bird research at the Farm and area fields for more than a decade. His findings have changed farm policy and practice. Read more in these great Burlington Free Press articles: "The mysteries of the bobolink," and "Who will save these birds?" Watch this video, too!
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Why did we just bump up to more than 8,000 fans on Facebook? Here are a few reasons:
I first came to Shelburne Farms in 1978 to rent a weaving studio. Alec’s mother had told me about the Farm and the new nonprofit. Soon I was moving three large looms into a large, sunny room above the bakery, where the Farm Barn offices are now. Smells of sourdough bread wafted through the floor. Chuck and Carla had been in business for a year.
At a ceremony last week, we were awarded a 2012 Preservation Award from the 
Nourishing Traditions series.
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