Current News

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.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Vice Chairman of the US Senate Appropriations Committee, Wednesday announced that the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM) will soon receive funding from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create regional a Dairy Business Innovation Initiative.

by Stephen Leffler, MD, Interim President, UVM Medical Center Earlier today, UVM Medical Center sent an official letter to HHS that continues to respectfully, but firmly disagree with many of the allegations and conclusions made in their notice of violation. It also informs them that in an effort to better serve both our patients and our employees, we’ll be taking steps to strengthen our policies and operations surrounding abortion procedures. 

Vermont Business Magazine The first two F-35A Lightning II fighter jets are scheduled to arrive at the Burlington International Airport on Thursday, September 19, 2019, according to a statement from the Vermont National Guard. The 158th Fighter Wing will be the first Air National Guard unit to field a squadron of F-35As. Brig Gen Greg Knight, adjutant general, Vermont National Guard, said in a video accompanying the announcement that the planes will not be nuclear capable and that the Vermont Guard will not include a nuclear mission. He also reiterated that the planes will take off without afterburners 95 percent of the time.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan and a coalition of 14 other attorneys general have a message for the Trump Administration: Comply immediately with the court-ordered injunction in California v. Azar. The injunction, secured earlier this year, stopped the Trump Administration’s attempt to remove cost-free birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Despite the injunction from the court, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has yet to update its website and inform the public about the injunction and its impact on their contraceptive coverage.

Vermont Business Magazine After two decades as Music Director, Jaime Laredo has decided that he will retire after the 2020/2021 season. His final concert with the VSO will be in May 2021. Laredo has built a high level of musical excellence within the orchestra, brought esteemed guest artists to perform with the VSO, and impacted Vermont's classical music community in ways that will last for years to come.

Vermont Business Magazine The Lyndon campus of Northern Vermont University will remain open, the Vermont State Colleges System Board of Trustees confirmed today. In a resolution passed unanimously at its annual retreat in Fairlee, the VSCS Trustees directed the chancellor to make specific recommendations before December 3 that will position the System for a strong future. Specifically, those recommendations are to include strengthening the newly-unified, two-campus Northern Vermont University. They also voted to cap tuition increases to 2.9 percent.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University begins its 200th birthday celebration today with thousands of alumni and their guests during the university’s annual Homecoming Weekend at the Northfield campus from September 18-22. The public is invited to take part in Norwich’s bicentennial by attending the special commemoration events, viewing a spectacular fireworks display on Friday night, visiting the food trucks on Friday or Saturday, and attending the athletic competitions throughout the weekend.