A Busy Week...er, Month!

The Center held it's first Open House!

On Thur, August 27, The Center held its first, official Open House. We had snickerdoodles, cider and then showed a documentary called The Red Wagon: Facing Hunger. It's is a compelling look at the face of hunger in Vermont and those who are struggling to meet the need of food security. Tom Stearns, our Board's President, joined us in leading a discussion among a lively and interactive group. Eventually, the evening set upon us and we either headed over to Claire's for dinner and music or to the comforts of home. Although the Open House will be an annual (or bi-annual?) event, we plan to continue to have an open door gathering the last Thursday of every month until December.

Senator Leahy visits Hardwick-August 28

The next day was a busy one with a visit from Senator Leahy. He was in Hardwick to announce the granting of funds to both the Vermont Food Venture Center towards building its new facility here as well as the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund for its biofuel projects. He visited our office for a potluck lunch of salads, sandwiches, cookies and conversation where Tom and our Executive Director Monty Fischer got a chance to explain our purpose and vision for Hardwick's food system directly to the Senator.

Foreign Agricultural Attache comes to Vermont-Sept 2-4th

This Friday, the 3rd, we are welcoming approximately 30 or 40 representatives of a Foreign Agricultural Attache hosted by the VT Department of Agriculture, to lunch at Claire's where Monty and others will discuss the role of agriculture in revitalizing Hardwick and its surrounding communities. The group will be in Vermont for a total of 3 days and will visit many places including Pete's Greens, Jasper Hill Cellars, High Mowing Seeds, Butternut Farm in Morrisville, as well as talk with such notables like Enid Wonacott, the Executive Director of NOFA-VT.

Vermont Land Trust Annual Meeting-Sept 12

Mark your calendars for this special event at Jasper Hill! See their website for more information.

High Mowing Seeds 2009 Field Days-Sept 13th

Come join us for this special free event! This is the first year The Center has co-sponsored this event and we are so very excited to have Jeffrey Ferrell and the New England Culinary Institute create this year's Local Foods Showcase. Tours, workshops, food, music, Young Farmer's Mixer and bonfire. Join us at 11am on the Marsh Rd at the Trial Gardens.

Emeril Lagasse and Planet Green-Sept 14th-18th

Yup, they really are coming. We are looking forward to seeing what they do, how they do it and what they cook up for this week long "on site shoot" of a food town. Look for updates soon!