Current News

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is funding projects to harness wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric power to reduce energy costs for farms and small business across rural America. Funding was also announced to conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy systems. Funding is made available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which is authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. Rural Development Deputy Under Secretaries Doug O'Brien and Dallas Tonsager made the announcements on the Secretary's behalf.

The challenges of 2011, from barn fires to epic floods, revealed much about the strengths and vulnerabilities of Vermont’s farms. It also presented a lot of questions ‘ namely, what’s the best way to create a stronger, more resilient food system? How can farms plan for the increasingly severe weather that we are likely to see? How do home gardens and homesteads fit in? What is the role of consumers and communities as farmers take risks and try new ideas?
These are some of the questions that will be tackled at the 30th annual Winter Conference put on by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) this February. As the largest agricultural gathering in Vermont, the Winter Conference has long been a key opportunity for farmers, gardeners, homesteaders, and localvores to increase their skills and knowledge.

The University of Vermont and United Academics, the union representing fulltime faculty, announced today that they had reached a collective bargaining agreement, subject to ratification by the United Academics membership.
In response to the news of an accord between the parties at the bargaining table, Interim President John Bramley said, "I am very pleased that we were able to get this done. The process has not always been easy, and I want to thank everyone involved for their persistence, creative thinking, and willingness to work tirelessly to reach a workable agreement. These are challenging times, to be sure, and I think that everybody recognized that in finding reasonable approaches to resolve differences. I congratulate all involved at the bargaining table for their efforts."

Everybody knows the outlandish combination of chunks and swirls that put Ben & Jerry’s on the map over 30 years ago but few people correctly guess the first flavor the two real guys ever churned out. Mint with chocolate cookies? Cherry Garcia? Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough? The answer may surprise you.
Co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield knew there needed to be a creamy, delicious ice cream that could stand on its own before adding any chunks and swirls. Since 1978 the duo stirred up every imaginable flavor combination ‘ many that had never been tried before. Still, Greenfield and Cohen are quick to point out that the first flavor an ice cream maker must perfect is the one without any chunks or swirls whatsoever. That’s why their first flavor was: Vanilla.

More very low-income senior citizens in Vermont will have access to affordable supportive housing thanks to $4,885,200 in housing assistance announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This grant will help Cathedral Square Corp., a non-profit organization produce accessible housing, offer rental assistance, and facilitate supportive services for the elderly.
VERMONT GRANT
Section 202 - Supportive Housing for the Elderly
Project Location : Burlington, VT
Non-Profit Sponsor : Cathedral Square Corp.
Capital Advance : $4,543,800
Three-year rental subsidy : $341,400
Number of units : 28

The holidays make December all the more enticing in Vermont's snowy mountains with festivals, events and good natured cheer emanating from the resorts. Here is a sampling of some of the resorts' holiday packages, events and deals.
Holidays at Stratton are Spectacular
Enjoy traditional celebrations like the Gobble Gobble Wobble 5K, feasting and fireworks and partake in events you won’t find anywhere else, such as Snowboard Celebration Week and Stratton’s Fiftieth... Read More
Jay Peak Resort Invents Weather-Proof Ski Vacation
The team at Jay Peak Resort has invented a weather-proof winter vacation for your holiday pleasure. Using a quarter of a billion dollar investment, the resort began working on the innovation three years ago announcing various... Read More
The Stowe Points Card Offers Year-round Discounts and Rewards

The mobile home de-construction team assembled by Lt. Governor Phil Scott and Secretary of Commerce and Community Development Lawrence Miller finished up work at Weston's Mobile Home Park earlier this week, and the first new mobile home will be delivered to the park tomorrow.
A major donor will also attend to announce their $50,000 contribution to the project.
DATE: Thursday, November 17
TIME: 9:30 AM
PLACE: Weston's Mobile Home Park, Berlin
(Route 12, 2 miles south of Montpelier)
In addition, several people who have been involved in the rehabilitation of the park will also be there to say a few words:
Ellery Packard (Weston's park owner)
Bob & Patty Goodell (owners of the new mobile home)
Lt. Gov. Phil Scott
Susan Gretkowski (Chair, Berlin Select Board)
Housing Commissioner Jennifer Hollar

Burton Snowboards and Mountain Dew today announced a new partnership focused on improving sustainability in apparel and outerwear. Specifically, for the 2012 and 2013 product seasons, the two brands are working together to change the way outerwear and apparel are made, by creating sustainable fabrics out of recycled plastic bottles and implementing this material into key products within the Burton line.

The holidays are right around the corner along with the busiest shopping days of the year. In all the excitement of buying and receiving gifts this holiday season, the Vermont State E-Cycles Program is reminding people to properly dispose of their old items. Amongst this year’s top gifts are likely to be TVs, laptops, computers, and computer assessories, along with all the other latest electonic toys and devices. When disposing of electronics, remember that electronics don’t belong in your trash. Instead, use one of more than 90 drop off locations in the state that participate in the Vermont E-Cycles Program.

Grants are now available to support projects focused on Lake Champlain through the Lake Champlain and Tributaries Restoration Fund and the South Lake Champlain Fund, both housed at the Vermont Community Foundation.
The Lake Champlain and Tributaries Restoration Fund was established by Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) in 2009 as part of a comprehensive settlement agreement with the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) for the Lamoille River, Carver Falls, and Silver Lake Hydroelectric Projects. CVPS contributed $500,000 to the fund.
Matching funds are required, and grants will be awarded for new initiatives, one-time special projects, or continuing funding for outstanding, existing programs that address one or more of the following purposes:
· Protect, restore, and enhance the ecosystem integrity and ecological connectivity of the community of aquatic life in the Lake Champlain ecosystem and its tributaries.

Hinesburg, Vermont-based NRG Systems, manufacturer of measurement systems for the utility-scale renewable energy industry, and G. Lufft Mess- und Regeltechnik GmbH, German manufacturer of ultrasonic wind sensors, today announced a private-label agreement to serve a broader global market in wind measurement and turbine control. The agreement pairs NRG Systems’ global reach in the wind energy industry and its complete system approach with G. Lufft’s ultrasonic technology for wind measurement.

Vermont state tax revenues continue to show a mixed bag of results, as corporate tax gains once again saved what is continuing weakness in consumer-related revenues. But even the positive corporate revenue results come with a caveat.
Secretary of Administration Jeb Spaulding released the October 2011 General Fund (GF) Revenue results today, which showed General Fund revenues at $100.77 million for October 2011, or +$3.85 million (+3.97%) above the $96.92 million consensus revenue forecast for the month. Year to date, General Fund revenues were $394.04 million, or +$9.94 million (+2.59%) above the target of $384.10 million for FY 2012. October is the fourth month of fiscal year (FY) 2012.