CAE Welcomes New Executive Director

The Center for an Agricultural Economy Announces Sarah Waring as New Executive Director

Program Director for the Farm & Wilderness Foundation joins progressive food center in Hardwick

Hardwick, Vermont – January 24, 2013 – The Center for an Agricultural Economy’s Board has announced Sarah Waring of Montpelier, as the incoming Executive Director for the CAE.

Ms. Waring leaves her position as Program Director for the Farm & Wilderness Foundation, a 73 year old non-profit outdoor education organization, to join CAE as the new Executive Director, overseeing a dynamic organization that operates the Vermont Food Venture Center, a multi-purpose processing facility and incubation kitchen.

 “Sarah brings a wealth of strategic experience”, says Andy Kehler, Vice President of the CAE Board and co-owner of Cellars of Jasper Hill, “Our organization will reach new heights under her guidance and leadership”.  Over the last eight years, the Center for an Agricultural Economy has evolved from a young, start-up to an expanding and maturing organization with two major properties and growth in several program areas. 

 “I am thrilled to join this team, and do my part to help strengthen local resilience and opportunity through our local food system”, says Ms Waring, “There is an impressive breadth of knowledge and experience embedded here, all pulling towards a common goal.” The CAE will continue to innovate, lead and deepen its commitment to fulfilling its mission of a healthy and local food system.

Since 2004, the CAE has encouraged the development of a local system that meets the needs and aspirations of the community and ensures economic and ecological stability and abundance. Through community involvement, integrated and responsible agri-business, and a commitment to economic, ecologic and nutritional health, the Center for an Agricultural Economy supports a vibrant regional food system.

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Press Release: CAE Seeds New Growth

Center for an Agricultural Economy Seeds New Growth

Seeks an Executive Director

For Immediate Release

Hardwick, Vermont – November 28, 2012 -- Today, the Center for an Agricultural Economy’s Board announced new staff changes that will enable the organization to meet the growing opportunities in local, healthy food systems.  Monty Fischer, the CAE’s Executive Director has been named the new Director of Development, as the call for a new executive director was made.  Elena Gustavson, CAE’s Program Director will serve as Interim Executive Director while the search for a new Executive Director is underway.

“Monty has been instrumental in helping us grow from a young, start-up to an expanding and maturing organization with two major properties and growth in several program areas,” says Andrew Meyer, member of the CAE Board and a local business owner. “We are excited about his new role and look forward to his continued leadership.”  Over the last eight years, the Center for an Agricultural Economy has been a leader in the statewide local healthy food system movement.  

 “We are reinvesting in our food system”, says Tom Stearns, owner of High Mowing Seeds in Wolcott and President of the Center for an Agricultural Economy’s Board, “and we will continue to innovate, lead and deepen our commitment to fulfilling our mission of a healthy and local food system.” The CAE has formed a Transition Team to search, interview and hire the new Executive Director.  The position description is available on the CAE’s website at www.hardwickagriculture.org or on its blog.

Since 2004, the CAE has encouraged the development of a local system that meets the needs and aspirations of the community and ensures economic and ecological stability and abundance. Through involvement within the community and local businesses and a commitment to economic, ecological and nutritional health, the Center for an Agricultural Economy supports a vibrant regional food system.

Media Contact:

Elena Gustavson

Center for an Agricultural Economy

elena@hardwickagriculture.org

802-472-5840

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Save the Date! A Harvest of Words - Local Authors' Reading in Hardwick, Vermont

For Immediate Release

Save the Date! A Harvest of Words - Local Authors' Reading in Hardwick, VT


Hardwick, VT, November 8, 2012 –Say good-bye to stick season and prepare for the coming snow with our annual gathering of agricultural authors and producers who will read original works on Friday, December 7th, at 6:30pm at the Center for an Agricultural Economy, 21 Mill Street, Hardwick, Vermont.

Join local authors Shari Altman, Bethany Dunbar, Ben Hewitt, and Julia Shipley as they share their stories on agrarian life, food and being human.

Co-sponsored by Taproot Magazine and the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE), there will be a raffle of local books and a one-year subscription to the beautiful Taproot publication, a quarterly magazine that engages the mind, the hands and the heart. We also encourage you to bring a non-perishable item for the Hardwick Food Pantry or monetary donation to benefit the CAE's Food Access Fund.

For questions, please contact Elena Gustavson at elena@hardwickagriculture.org or call 802-472-5840.

Media Contact:

Elena Gustavson

Center for an Agricultural Economy

elena@hardwickagriculture.org

Other Info:

Hardwick Area Food Pantry - www.vtfoodbank.org/FindFoodShelf/FindAnAgency/HardwickAreaFoodPantry.aspx

Taproot Magazine – www.taprootmag.com

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The Vermont Farm Fund Launches Innovative Loan Program

The Vermont Farm Fund Launches New Innovative Loan Program

Getting back to their roots, VFF refocuses on moving local food system forward

Hardwick, VT, May 31, 2012— On June 1st, the Center for an Agricultural Economy and Pete’s Greens will launch the Vermont Farm Fund Innovative Loan. Offering a low interest rate and quick response, the Innovative Loan Program will benefit farmers and food producers who are “innovating” to increase the diversity of local foods produced in Vermont.

Examples of innovation include development of a new crop, product, process or market; business and/or financial planning for diversifying product lines; new kinds of infrastructure and equipment that would increase the amount of local food or local ingredients in a commonly used product. Like the Vermont Farm Fund (VFF) Emergency Loan Program, the VFF Innovative Loan Program will be a simple application process for $10,000 loans payable over the course of 24 months with a low interest rate.

Although in the planning stages since early 2011, the Vermont Farm Fund Advisory Board halted planning for the Innovative Loan in August 2011 and quickly established the emergency loan program to meet the immediate needs of farmers effected by the catastrophic flooding from Tropical Storm Irene.  This zero interest revolving loan program of $5,000 and $10,000 loans has been highly successful, resulting in over $100,000 in loans to a dozen farmers in Vermont. “We are very pleased with the progress we are making” says Mary Skovsted of Joe’s Brook Farm in St. Johnsbury. “It has been a very good spring for growing and the Emergency Loan has put us in a position to take advantage of the good weather.  Our hope is that by the end of 2012 the flood will be a distant memory.”

The Vermont Farm Fund (VFF), created by Pete’s Greens in Craftsbury, VT in partnership with the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE), was inspired by the outpouring of support Pete's Greens received when the farm's barn and processing facility, burned to the ground in January 2011. The VFF is guided by a group of independent advisors of farmers and community leaders.

To make a tax deductible donation, please visit hardwickagriculture.org/donate.html or write a check to the Vermont Farm Fund and mail to the Center for an Agricultural Economy, PO Box 451, 21 Mill Street, Hardwick, VT 05843. 

To apply for a loan from the VFF, please visit hardwickagriculture.org/thankyou.html to view and download the application after June 1^st or contact elena@hardwickagriculture.org.

Joe's Brook Farm, St. Johnsbury, Vermont

Better days are here

Join us for Hardwick's SpringFest 2012

Join the community of Hardwick for SpringFest on Saturday, May 26, 2012!

Beginning at 8:30am with the Spring Festival Run and ending with fireworks at dusk at Hazen Union High School, the day is chock full of activities, a Big Parade on Main Street, crafts, vendors, food and rides. Kiwanis will be on hand with their famous chicken bar-b-que and hosting a children's carnival of rides, cotton candy and more!

Join us, the Center for an Agricultural Economy and Buffalo Mountain Cooperative, at Atkins Field after the Big Parade, as we host local exhibitors, vendors, food, music and a dunk tank in celebration of agriculture, sustainability and community. Find us across the field, next to the Barn.

the Big Parade

Many thanks to the following vendors and exhibitors! 

Food: Buffalo Mountain Cooperative, KIS Kombucha, Sumptuous Syrups, the Skinny Pancake, Vermont Kale Chips, Vermont Peanut Brittle

Green Building and Energy: Metruk's Electrical Contracting, Vermont Natural Coatings

Agriculture: Caledonia Grange #9, High Mowing Organic Seeds, Highfields Center for Composting, Snug Valley Farm, Walden Mountain Alpaca Farm

Community Development and Education: Center for an Agricultural Economy, Central Vermont Solid Waste Management, Hardwick Food Pantry , Northern Rivers Land Trust, PACE-Vermont,  REACH - Hardwick Hub, Sterling College, and WGDR/WGDH - Goddard College

 The day's events can be found here and you can download a map too!

SpringFest!

Swapping Spaces

For Immediate Release

The Center for an Agricultural Economy and Galaxy Bookshop Take on Transplanting Project

Hardwick, VT – December 6, 2011 – The Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) and The Galaxy Bookshop are energized by changes planned for the beginning of 2012, when the two enterprises will swap spaces in downtown Hardwick.

As an organization, CAE has seen much growth since moving into their office on South Main Street. With the move around the corner to the first floor of the Granite Trust building on Mill Street, CAE will have a space better suited to their staff and operations. CAE will also enjoy the company of their neighbor non-profit, The Highfields Center for Composting which is located on the second floor of the Granite Trust building.

The Galaxy Bookshop makes the move to Main Street to be closer to neighbors Buffalo Mountain Coop and Claire’s Restaurant & Bar. The move also reflects the changing climate of bookselling in the age of internet sales and digital books. By moving to a busy spot on Main Street, Galaxy is positioned to be a thriving gathering place where books, ideas and people meet. “Customers can look forward to evening hours, and more events in cooperation with Claire’s,” said owner Linda Ramsdell.

The Center for an Agricultural Economy has out-grown its current space with an expanding staff and program needs. “It is an exciting time to be in Hardwick,” says executive director Monty Fischer. “The additional space in a beautiful and historic building will allow the CAE to continue and expand our agricultural-based work within the community. We were very pleased to be approached by Linda about exchanging spaces.”

The CAE is a non-profit organization based in Hardwick, VT, that focuses on supporting a healthy, ecological and economical local food system, through community involvement and education as well as research and small agricultural business support. In 2012, CAE will operate the newly built Vermont Food Venture Center, an incubator kitchen with a focus on value-added agricultural products. More information is available at www.hardwickagriculture.org.

The swap is planned for the beginning of January. To keep apprised of the progress, contact Elena at the Center for an Agricultural Economy, elena@hardwickagriculture.org, 472-5840 or Linda Ramsdell, www.galaxybookshop.com, 472-5533.

We are on the move!

Dec. 2nd, Local Authors Reading in Hardwick, VT

For Immediate Release

Local Authors Reading in Hardwick, VT

Hardwick, VT – November 17, 2011 - Say good-bye to Stick Season and prepare for the coming snow with a cozy gathering of agricultural authors and producers, who will read from  their original work on Friday, December 2nd at 6:30pm at St. John's Episcopal Church on Five West Church St. (catty corner from Hardwick Electric)

Co-sponsored by the Galaxy Bookshop and the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE), the authors are Bethany Dunbar, Ben Hewitt, Pete Johnson, Annie Myers and JuliaShipley. An informal discussion will follow at Claire’s Restaurant at 41 S. Main Street.

Please bring a non-perishable item for the Hardwick Food Pantry or monetary donation to benefit the CAE's Food Access Fund.

For questions, please contact Elena Gustavson at the CAE or call 802-472-5840, ext 2

CAE and Sterling College - Who is Ready to Bake Some Pies?

For Immediate Release

 

The Center for an Agricultural Economy and Sterling College get ready for the fourth annual “Pies for People/Soup for Supper”

Craftsbury, Vermont – With donated organic squash puree from local farms, volunteer labor and the donated facilities at Sterling College, the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE), located in Hardwick, VT, is gearing up to bake 150 pies and 50 gallons of soup for area food pantries, community dinners, schools and senior centers.

On November 15^th and 16th volunteers from Sterling College and the surrounding community will turn gallons of sweet squash puree into pies and soup. The CAE will then distribute the pies and soup to eight organizations in the area, including the Hardwick Food Pantry and the Hardwick Community Dinner.

Since its inception in 2007, Pies for People/Soup for Supper has strived to raise awareness about hunger and food insecurity in Vermont by capturing high quality vegetables destined for the waste stream, utilizing donated labor and facilities and, most importantly, collaborating with area organizations and businesses to highlight how a community can feed its own community in times of need.

For more information, to donate or volunteer, please contact Elena Gustavson at elena@hardwickagriculture.org or visit www.hardwickagriculture.org.

Media Contact:                                                         

Elena Gustavson                                                         

Center for an Agricultural Economy                          

elena@hardwickagriculture.org                                 

(802) 472-5840, ext 2                        

Tim Patterson

Sterling College

tpatterson@sterlingcollege.edu

(802) 586-7711, ext 124

Vermont Farm Fund Awards $35,000 in Emergency Loans

 Within days of receiving applications, VFF Committee awards loans to farms in need after Irene.

Hardwick, VT, September 20, 2011— Thanks to a dedicated group of advisers, the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) has administered $35,000 in zero interest loans through the Vermont Farm Fund (VFF), to four Vermont farms of varying size. 

• Little Village CSA, a small farm in Proctorsville, had seven weeks left to deliver to their 30 family membership when Irene hit. They lost all three of their fields, effectively ending their season. 
• Harlow Farm in Westminister, a farm established in the early seventies that employs over 30 people, lost dozens of acres of produce, while incurring hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. 
• Jericho Settlers Farm in Jericho raises animals and vegetables on 200 acres, running a year round CSA and selling all the food they produce within 25 miles of their farm. When the Winooski River rose suddenly in the middle of the night, they lost animals, forage, crops and equipment in a field that hadn’t flooded in 84 years.

The first to receive a VFF loan, Kingsbury Market Garden in Warren, lost 10% of their tillable land to the river, lost a fall planting season to contaminated soil and the bulk of their crops to the widespread flooding that resulted from Tropical Storm Irene. “The first substantial relief money that we received after the flood was from the Vermont Farm Fund. In less than a week after applying for $5,000 we received word that the money would soon be in our bank account. When the fund increased their maximum loans to $10,000 total, we requested and received another $5,000. “, says Aaron Locker, who works the Kingsbury Farm with his wife and partner Suzanne Slomin. “While I expect to receive relief money from other sources, the Vermont Farm Fund enabled us to get to work quickly rebuilding our existing soil so that we are in the best shape we can be for the 2012 growing season.”

The VFF was established in the spring by Pete’s Greens, in honor of the donations gifted to them after the devastating fire that brought the farm to a standstill in January of this year. To start the fund, Pete’s Greens paid forward $40,000 of those donations and at this printing, a total of $70,000 has been raised for the emergency loan program.

To make a tax deductible donation, please visit hardwickagriculture.org/donate.html or write a check to the Vermont Farm Fund and mail to the Center for an Agricultural Economy, PO Box 451, 41 S. Main St., Hardwick, VT 05843.

To apply for a loan from the VFF, please visit hardwickagriculture.org/programs.html to view and download the application or contact elena@hardwickagriculture.org.

Media Contact:

Elena Gustavson             

Center for an Agricultural Economy

elena@hardwickagriculture.org 

802-472-5840

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The Vermont Food Venture Center is Open for Business.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 16, 2011, Hardwick, VT - The Vermont Food Venture Center (VFVC), a program of the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) is open in Hardwick and ready to support food based entrepreneurs. “The VFVC can support diverse food manufacturing processes with our wide selection of commercial processing equipment,” said George Keener, who serves as Operations Manager.

 In the shared use kitchens, available for rent by the hour,  the VFVC has slicers, mixers, grinders, several types of ovens, tilt skillets, blast freezers, vacuum sealers, labellers, and a variety of other equipment to process and package almost any type of food. Additionally, technical assistance is available for recipe development, business development, packaging selection and distributor access.

Lisa Johnson, owner of YummyYammy, in Norwich, VT creates dips made from northeastern grown sweet potatoes.   “I have worked for three years to develop my food company.” Johnson said in a recent interview, “The VFVC helped me launch my product from a crockpot in my kitchen to a business prepared for national distribution.” Packaging company representatives brought to the area by the VFVC have significantly reduced Johnson’s container costs  “I still have to put in long days of processing” said Johnson, “but thanks to the VFVC, I can efficiently turn out cases of product at a time.”

Carmella Ram, owner of the Magic Spoon Bakery in Hardwick, VT has operated a successful bakery from her second floor apartment for five years, but has outgrown her tiny space; she will be using the bakery at the VFVC to increase her production capacity, freeing up critical time for sales calls and distribution. Ram stated “I couldn’t grow any more in my space; the VFVC will let me increase the size of my company and offer more jobs to local people.” Like Johnson, Ram has utilized the diverse technical assistance offered through the VFVC. “I have learned about labeling and packaging that will help as my business expands” Ram said.

Heidi Krantz of the Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) works with companies to grow and develop their businesses. Many of the food processors using the VFVC have accessed her services including Linda Fox of Sumptuous Syrups of Vermont, a manufacturer of “farm to bar” products for mixed drinks. “The VtSBDC has been such a help,” said Fox.  “:Heidi coached me on my business plan which allowed me to access grant funds for web site development.”

Annie Rowell of the VFVC is developing the processing capacity to make the VFVC a resource to all Vermonters by increasing the accessibility and year-round availability of local food.  Through minimal processing of local fruits and vegetables, the equipment and facilities at the VFVC can be used to bring more local produce into local markets, through both retail as well as farm to institution sales.

The VFVC is able to support recipe development and food safety procedures for food processors thanks to funding provided by the Vermont Agriculture Innovation Center. Dale Conoscenti, a research chef employed part time by the VFVC is available to processors using the facility to fine tune their use of ingredients, scale up production batches and develop quality control steps.

In addition to processing and technical assistance the VFVC rents dry storage, freezer, and cooler space to local businesses. Helm Notterman and his son Ben of Snug Valley Farm and the Frozen Butcher use freezer space to store their grass fed beef. “We are in a growth phase right now,” the elder Nottermann explained, “It is really helpful to rent freezer space while our business is expanding.”

Keener is overseeing the on-going development of the processing and storage capacity at the VFVC. “We are finishing up the final section of the building and can accommodate food product businesses that need to rent larger space on a long term basis.” The VFVC has a total of 2500 square feet that can be configured to accommodate flexible needs for potential clients. “At this point we can be creative in how the space is completed” Keener explained.

For more information or to arrange use of the facility,  contact George Keener at george@hardwickagriculture.org of 802-472-5362 ext 1.

Media Contact:

Elena Gustavson

elena@hardwickagriculture.org

802-472-5840

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“Stock the Pantry” is a success at the Vermont Food Venture Center

September 9, 2011, Hardwick, VT  – Over Labor Day weekend, the Vermont Food Venture Center (VFVC) gathered summer squash from local gardens  and shred them for area food pantries. The lightly processed vegetables allows pantries to stock fresh, nutrient rich food for their clients, especially through the winter months, while making use of excess produce in neighbors’ gardens. With the newly built facility, The Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) can continue to support its Food Access programs by providing opportunities for processing through the Vermont Food Venture Center. The VFVC, along with volunteers, shredded, packaged, and froze 448 servings of summer squash. This food was distributed to the pantries in Morrisville, Johnson, and Woodbury, while all other donated vegetables were delivered to the Vermont Foodbank.  

The Center for an Agricultural Economy sees this event as the first of many to support their mission to increase access to local food.  “Collecting and lightly processing donated summer squash for pantries worked as a great way to initiate important relationships with the area food pantries that really are on the front lines of fighting hunger in our community,” said Annie Rowell, Program Associate at the VFVC responsible for coordinating the event.  Ms Rowell will continue to support Food Access and Security through her work with Farm-to-Institution and minimal processing at the VFVC, so that more locally grown food can be incorporated into the immediate community. 

“This event highlights one of the roles we envision the VFVC will play in the community – a center for fresh, local fruits and vegetables to be collected and redistributed back into the community in a ready to use form,” explained Monty Fischer, Executive Director of the Center for an Agricultural Economy.  Keeping local food affordable and of the highest nutritional quality is no small feat and the VFVC continues to develop and refine processes that make this goal a reality.

Media Contact:

Elena Gustavson

elena@hardwickagriculture.org

802-472-5840

Kingdom Farm & Food Days is August 20 - 21

Kingdom Farm & Food Days is August 20-21, 2011

Hardwick, VT, August 4, 2011 - The Center for an Agricultural Economy, High Mowing Organic Seeds, Pete’s Greens, New England Culinary Institute and Craftsbury Outdoor Center are once again hosting the Kingdom Farm & Food Days, a weekend celebration of local food and Vermont agriculture. This mostly free event will take place on August 20 & 21, 2011.

Tours!

On Saturday, August 20, you will get the chance to visit many of the area’s farms, nurseries and other agricultural businesses. From 10am to 3pm, these businesses will open their doors and offer a range of activities, including tours of their farms, workshops, product samples and more. Pete’s Greens will have scheduled guided tours in the afternoon, followed by music and a picnic starting at 4pm.

Food!

The 2nd Annual Kingdom Farm & Food Days Bike Tour, hosted by the Craftsbury Outdoor Center, celebrates the beauty of our working landscape. Two bike tours, one 15 miles long and a more strenuous 30 mile long tour, will be offered on Saturday, August 20.

On Sunday, August 21, the celebration continues at High Mowing Organic Seeds’ Trials and Showcase Garden in Wolcott. Starting at 10am there will be guided tours of their Trials and Showcase Garden, workshops on pickling and seed production, and much more. A Local Foods Showcase will follow at 4pm, presented by New England Culinary Institute students and Chef Ryan O’Malley. This meal is prepared using all local products and ingredients, and is made possible due to the many food donations we have received from area farms and businesses.

Please visit the event’s website www.KingdomFarmAndFood.org for a full schedule of events, bike tour registration, participating farms and businesses as well as directions.

Gorgeous summer days in Vermont!

Contact:
Elena Gustavson
Center for an Agricultural Economy
(802) 472-5840
elena@hardwickagriculture.org

Announcing the Vermont Farm Fund!

Pete's Greens and The Center for an Agricultural Economy 

Partner to Create the Vermont Farm Fund

Partnership will create fund to support Vermont farmers.

Craftsbury, VT., March 9, 2011—A new fund, organized by Pete’s Greens and the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE), aimed to help Vermont agricultural organizations, is on the fast track to becoming a reality. Pete Johnson, owner of Pete’s Greens, and Monty Fischer, Executive Director of CAE met recently to outline the details to create the Vermont Farm Fund. Plans include the creation of an advisory board by the end of March and focusing the funding towards innovative and progressive agricultural efforts by Vermont farms, including support for farm-to-school initiatives, emergency farm relief and exploring the establishment of small farm loan funds.

“We are setting an aggressive pace to get the Vermont Farm Fund going so donations can be received immediately,” said Pete Johnson. “In addition, a few years from now, Pete’s Greens will begin to reinvest the money that was donated by the community to help us rebuild. We are committed to paying that money forward and to making sure that the funding donated to us will do more good work down the line.”
Pete’s Greens barn which housed its processing facility, equipment, supplies and food burned to the ground in mid-January. Since then the farm has received over $130,000 in donations as a result of statewide community efforts and individual donations, including a large online auction, a concert, local dinners and events. As donations began to roll in, Johnson and his staff embraced the spirit of supporting Vermont agriculture for which the donations were given and the idea to “pay it forward” was born. As a non-profit dedicated to supporting the efforts of small farms and progressive agricultural pursuits, the Center for an Agricultural Economy will house the fund and oversee the process.

Pete's Greens is a four season organic vegetable farm located in Craftsbury, VT and owned by Peter Johnson. The farm's top priority is growing a wide variety of crops to feed Vermonters year round. The weekly food delivery program Good Eats is based on the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model in which customers pay up front for vegetables and other farm products receiving a share each week. Shares at Pete’s Greens save members an average of 18% per week over retail prices. Pete’s Greens vegetables are also sold at regional stores and restaurants as well as local farmers’ markets. More information is available at www.PetesGreens.com.

The Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) is a non-profit organization based in Hardwick, VT that focuses on supporting a healthy, ecological and economical local food system, through community involvement and education as well as research and small agricultural business support. In the spring, CAE will operate the newly built Vermont Food Venture Center, an incubator kitchen with a focus on value-added agricultural products. More information is available at www.HardwickAgriculture.org.