Current News

Nature Notes by ANR Secretary Julie Moore I recently finished Bill Gates’ new book How to Avoid a Climate Disaster. It was a worthy read. I was particularly struck by one of his concluding remarks: “I hope you will spend more time and energy supporting whatever you’re in favor of than opposing whatever you’re against.” I am an optimist by nature, and so perhaps it is for that reason this quote spoke to me.

Vermont Business Magazine Representatives Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), and Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today re-introduced bipartisan legislation that requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take enforcement action against manufacturers labeling non-dairy products as dairy. The DAIRY PRIDE Act would stop the use of dairy terms such as milk, yogurt and cheese on the labels of non-dairy products made from nuts, seeds, plants, and algae. The legislation does not prevent the sale of non-dairy products, only their mislabeling as dairy products.

Vermont Business Magazine Customer reviews earned Green Mountain Power top spots on the 2021 Environmental Champion Utility List, joining 30 other utilities from around the country as ‘best-in-class’ for dedication to the environment. GMP earned the No. 1 spot among utilities in the east region and the No. 6 spot overall. The study of customers was conducted by Escalent, a behavior and analytics firm, which released the list in conjunction with Earth Day.

Vermont Business Magazine OneCare Vermont has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)(3) organization operated for non-profit purposes. OneCare filed an application with the IRS seeking 501(c)(3) status, in recognition of its commitment to supporting Vermont’s health care delivery and payment reform efforts. This designation by the IRS that OneCare and its provider partners are acting in furtherance of non-profit purposes is a major milestone for the organization, and a testament to the organization’s commitment to transparency and value based reform efforts.

Vermont Business Magazine Harbour Industries LLC, a Marmon | Berkshire Hathaway company announced Wednesday they have achieved qualification to MIL-DTL-25038/3 from the Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency. With a continuous operating temperature rating up to 260 C AeroPOWER Firezone M25038/3 wire and cable are high-temp solutions for harsh environments such as aircraft engines.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Plank Flooring is one of those businesses that seems quintessentially “Vermont.” Family-owned for three generations, VPF is hidden in plain sight right off of Putney Road in Brattleboro. VPF uses selectively cut, sustainably harvested wood that is “as local as possible” to create wide plank, hardwood flooring for customers all over the country.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Dairy Industry Association (VDIA), in partnership with the A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund, has announced the 2020 Vermont Milk Quality Awards. Traditionally presented at the Vermont Farm Show each year, the 2021 awards were announced on the UVM Extension program “Across the Fence” Wednesday, recognizing the dairy farmers who produced Vermont's best quality milk in 2020.

Vermont Business Magazine Next month, the Composting Association of Vermont and the Agency of Natural Resources will be hosting the Vermont Organics Recycling Summit (VORS). This event will bring together leaders and learners from across the state to discuss creative ways to keep organics out of the trash and transform organics into valuable products. The free online Summit is a great opportunity for anyone interested in how Vermont communities and organizations manage their food scraps successfully and overcome challenges. It is also a great way to learn more about compost, anaerobic digestion, and building healthy soil. The event runs from May 3-7 during International Compost Awareness Week.

Vermont Business Magazine Recent news articles (Vermont tourism industry out $700 million already) have highlighted the financial blow that Vermont’s ski resorts felt this winter. Nonetheless, through Vermont’s robust net metering program, Green Lantern Solar has helped keep the economic engines running at various Vermont resorts including Sugarbush, Mount Snow, Smugglers' Notch and Pico, and will do so for 20 years.

Vermont Business Magazine The Intervale Center and the Vermont Foodbank are partnering to construct a cold storage building onsite at the Intervale Center to store gleaned and rescued produce for donation. The produce stored will come primarily from the gleaning of the Intervale’s tenant farms as well as from the People’s Farm, which was started by the Intervale Center last year in response to growing food insecurity in the community.

Vermont Business Magazine The Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) has announced that the first Supplemental Environmental Project for the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is approved. The first project is in partnership with Green Up Vermont, which orchestrates Vermont's annual Green Up Day each year. Green Up Vermont will receive $64,616 from CSWD, which will help fund the organization's 2021 and 2022 Green Up Days.

Vermont Business Magazine This year the Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame celebrates 19 years of honoring farmers, producers and people dedicated to supporting Vermont’s working landscape. Nominations will be accepted in three categories: Emerging Leaders, Ag Innovators, and The Lifetime Achievement Award. Who is eligible? Anyone who is significantly contributing to farming in Vermont – whether they own or work on a farm, or provide direct support. Individuals, partners, families and collectives – including members of the farmworker community – are candidates, all vital to growing Vermont’s food, fiber and fuel.