Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Molly Gray, Executive Director of the Vermont Afghan Alliance released the following statement in response to President Trump calling for a “re-examination” of all Afghan nationals who came to the U.S. following the withdrawal from Afghanistan: “The Vermont Afghan Alliance condemns the horrific shooting of national guard members in Washington, DC by a suspected Afghan national, living in the United States. An act of one individual, on his own, cannot be attributed to an entire community or nationality. 

by Alana Dutcher-Hirsch, Community News Service You might expect a high-end bourbon to come from Tennessee or Kentucky, yet innovatively, High Drive Distillery in Hardwick is proving that fine whiskey can be made right here in Vermont. Operating out of North Hardwick Farm, the distillery has released its first fully organic, farm-grown bourbon, crafted entirely from grains grown on-site. For over 50 years, North Hardwick Farm operated as a dairy operation. The 300-acre farm on Bridgman Hill Road was founded by Steve and Patty Meyer in the 1970s. Brothers Nick and Taylor Meyer had grown up on the family farm. In 2019 they decided to chart a new course for the business which was struggling financially.

by Elise Coyle, Community News Service Surrounded by a sea of blue waves, the 220-foot steamboat Ticonderoga looks like it is ready to leave port. But the waves aren’t from nearby Lake Champlain; they’re made from yards of festive lights. The Shelburne Museum’s winter display came alight Nov. 21. It’s the fifth year for the experience, this time featuring updates such as an interactive station for kids, a model train and weathervanes on the round barn. The museum invites visitors to “bundle up and stroll the museum’s grounds, where iconic landmarks are transformed into a glittering wonderland.” The event coats the museum’s buildings and gardens in twinkling strands of lights – from a glowing big top circus tent to a garden of multicolored baubles.

Vermont Business Magazine As the holiday season begins and kitchens across Vermont warm up with great food and wine, 5th Quarter Butcher + Provisions (Waitsfield) and The Local: Wine + Beer (Middlesex / Waitsfield) are teaming up to give back with a weeklong online auction and a one-night-only benefit dinner. 100% of proceeds will directly benefit Community Harvest of Central Vermont. The centerpiece of the fundraiser is an online auction running December 1–7, featuring an extraordinary lineup of rare and vintage wines generously donated from the private cellar of Mad River local Larry Consenstein. The auction provides an accessible way for wine enthusiasts from Vermont and beyond to contribute to the critical work of feeding Vermonters this holiday season.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets As many of us prepare to spend time with family and friends this holiday season, we naturally pause to give thanks. For many Vermonters, the dinner table will feature a fresh Vermont turkey, local produce, a selection of Green Mountain cheeses, or baked goods made with pure Vermont maple from a family recipe. We are fortunate to enjoy this abundance—made possible by those who work on the land. Our farmers put in long hours year-round so we can enjoy fresh, local food. Their work is demanding, and their commitment unwavering. And this year has been no exception. In fact, 2025 has been a roller coaster for many. One thing is clear: farmers are not operating in a predictable landscape. Uncertainty has become the norm. Yet Vermonters—especially our farmers—know how to rise to the moment. They are strong, smart, and resourceful.

Vermont Business Magazine The holiday season officially arrives in downtown Burlington as the Church Street Marketplace prepares to welcome its beloved Christmas tree and host the community’s favorite lighting celebration. The Marketplace will proudly welcome the arrival of its 30+ foot Christmas tree, a cherished symbol of the season. This year’s tree comes from the Whitney Family of South Burlington, Vermont. The tree will be delivered directly to Church Street, and its installation marks the beginning of the festive transformation that brings lights, celebration, and holiday spirit to the heart of Burlington. 

Vermont Business Magazine From snow-capped mountains and cozy cabins to twinkling lights and café-lined streets, America has no shortage of destinations that could double as Hallmark movie sets. New research from Betway Casino has revealed the U.S. towns that most embody that magical, movie-like Christmas feeling. The study explored towns and cities across the country, ranking them on festive factors such as the number of Christmas-related Google searches, holiday rentals with indoor fireplaces, cabin rentals, average December snowfall and temperature, and local cafés. The results reveal where in the U.S. you can find that picture-perfect winter escape - no movie studio required.

by Lauren Milideo, UVM A new count of Vermont’s bee species has identified nine species not previously reported in the Green Mountain State, bringing the total number of species in Vermont to 352, more than any northern New England state. “It surprises absolutely everyone to hear what the total number of bees is,” says University of Vermont pollination expert Taylor Ricketts, director of UVM’s Gund Institute for Environment and coauthor of the new paper published in the journal Northeastern Naturalist.  Recent counts of bee species across New England identified 325 species in New Hampshire and 278 in Maine. Greater diversity was found further south in Connecticut (386 species) and Massachusetts (397). The appearance of new species likely stems from several factors.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Gasoline prices are holding steady above $3 despite expectations that they should decline, which has been a common refrain this year. Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.13/g, unchanged from last week, 4 cents/g higher than a month ago and 2 cents/g lower than a year ago. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.83/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 46.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline is $3.04/g, down 5 cents/g from last week, down 1 cent/g from last month and down 2 cents/g from a year ago.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets In response to ongoing and worsening drought conditions across the state, VAAFM has launched a 2025 Agriculture Drought Impact Survey to understand its effects on Vermont farms. This year's drought is the third consecutive season farmers have suffered severe weather impacts, including frost and floods, and now drought.  Many Vermont businesses, still not fully recovered from the 2023 and 2024 frosts and flooding, are once again facing uncertainty and impacts.   

Pride Center of Vermont (PCVT) is humbled and grateful to share that we have received an anonymous $350,000 gift to help stabilize the organization and support the important work ahead. This gift arrives at a time when we are listening deeply, rebuilding intentionally, and working to shape the future of PCVT based on what our community tells us it needs. We have already received incredible financial and moral support from values-forward organizations like Ben & Jerry’s and Vermont’s own Noah Kahan. It is a powerful expression of trust in the 2STLGBQIA+ community we serve and in the Board’s efforts to move forward with clarity, accountability, and purpose. 

Vermont Business Magazine Hunters will still have several days of archery and muzzleloader deer hunting to enjoy in Vermont after the regular deer season ends on November 30. Archery deer hunting continues December 1-15, and muzzleloader deer hunting will occur December 6-14. An archery deer license and a hunting license are required to hunt during the archery season.  An antlerless deer, or a legal buck, if you did not take one earlier, are allowed during the archery season. A muzzleloader deer license and a hunting license are required to hunt during the muzzleloader season.