Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Act 83 of 2019 directed the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets to convene a Soil Conservation Practice and Payment for Ecosystem Services Working Group. The purpose of this Working Group is to recommend financial incentives designed to encourage farmers in Vermont to implement agricultural practices that improve soil health, enhance crop resilience, increase carbon storage and stormwater storage capacity, and reduce agricultural runoff to waters.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Under a rare sun of late summer, two F-35s of the Vermont Air National Guard's 158th fighter wing came roaring out of the West at 1:20 pm to a smattering of applause, circled Burlington International Airport, simulated a couple of touch-and-goes and finally landed at their home base for the first time. They sported a VT and Guard logo on the tail and a new symbol for a new mission on the fuselage, the Yellow Scorpions. The question of how loud they are cannot yet be answered until they eventually take off, but one observer offered that they sounded "throatier" than their predecessors the F-16s, while another said they didn't seem louder, "just different."

Vermont Business Magazine In support of the Global Climate Strike on Friday, GMP employees on Friday afternoon will donate and plant 40 trees in Barre, the winner of GMP’s Climate Week Tree Giveaway contest.

Vermont Business Magazine Wheel Pad L3C was honored in Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards for 2019 as a finalist in the Health category and was given Honorable Mention in the Best Design North America category. Wheel Pad is a universally accessible 200 square foot modular bedroom/bathroom suite designed to connect to an existing home. Wheel Pad provides the opportunity for elders or someone newly experiencing mobility challenges to remain at home, and/or to return home following an accident.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) is now offering a $250 bill credit to members who purchase a Level II electric vehicle charger. As part of the credit, members will be asked to refrain from charging their cars from 5pm-9pm on weekdays, when demand for electricity typically peaks and electricity is generated from dirtier and more expensive sources.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott recently joined local, state, and federal partners to announce more than $2.7 million in community development grants to 10 communities throughout Vermont, including the Town of Castleton in partnership with Castleton University. Castleton University was awarded a $130,000 subgrant through the Town of Castleton to assist with the development of the Early Childhood Lab, a public childcare center that will be located on the Castleton University campus.

The Early Childhood Lab will be located in the current President's House, and funds from the grant will be used to renovate the building to turn it into a first-rate learning lab and childcare center, as well as to create an outdoor playground.

Vermont Business Magazine iSun Energy, a participant in the upcoming Horizon19 Sustainability Conference in Boston, Mass, from Sept 19th and 20th, 2019 has announced its partnership with Northern Reliability, Inc of Waterbury, Vermont, in the combination of its advanced solar power canopies with Northern’s battery systems.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program, a program of the VT Housing & Conservation Board, has grant funds available for on-farm capital improvement projects that have a positive impact on water quality. Eligible farmers can apply for a Water Quality Grant, which provides $5,000 to $40,000 in funding. Matching funds are required and may include federal or state grants as well as cash, loans, or labor. Application deadlines are November 8, 2019 and February 7, 2020. More information, eligibility requirements, and applications are available on the Viability Program Website.

Vermont Business Magazine Sunsoil, a vertically-integrated, nationally distributed manufacturer of whole plant hemp CBD oil, today announced expanded retail availability of its organically farmed CBD oil products in partnership with The Vitamin Shoppe, Earthfare, Lucky's Markets, and Fresh Thyme retail locations. The nationwide distribution of Sunsoil CBD products through these retail partners includes Sunsoil's full-spectrum CBD oil in capsules, softgels, and tinctures. The expansion through more than 400 Vitamin Shoppe stores brings Sunsoil's total U.S. distribution to over 1,200 retail locations across the United States.

Vermont Legislative Climate Solutions Caucus Students across Vermont and around the world are mobilizing for the Global Climate Strike, and the Vermont Legislative Climate Solutions Caucus wants activists to know lawmakers support their efforts. Peaceful strikes will be held September 20, followed by a week of events to highlight the urgency of climate action.

Supported by many environmental advocacy groups, the student-led statewide coalition has organized a major strike at Burlington City Hall at noon. Smaller strikes are set for Montpelier, Brattleboro, Middlebury, Rutland, Chester, Manchester, Bennington and other towns, highlighting the need for local leadership to combat the climate crisis.

Vermont Business Magazine To support Burton’s efforts to make its Stash parks as sustainable as possible, STIHL will contribute outdoor power equipment and funding to help build new features, create new chain saw art and help the Stash park become more sustainable through the use of STIHL battery-powered equipment. Currently, STIHL equipment is being used in the development, maintenance and construction of new features and renovation of the Stash runs in Killington, Vt. and Jackson Hole, Wyo.