Current News

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Interest in growing specialty mushrooms, such as oyster, shiitake, and lion’s mane, is on the rise. With this increasing popularity, there also comes a need for resources on how to maintain crop quality while minimizing food safety risks. A recent article from the Vermont Produce Program shares information and resources related to produce safety for all mushroom growers. Specialty mushroom growers should be aware that while they don’t require a license from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets to begin growing, mushroom operations are considered “produce farms” that may need to comply with federal food safety standards called the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Center for Biological Diversity, the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund filed a legal petition today asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to improve public transparency and oversight over the inspection and regulation of slaughterhouses and egg-processing operations. The petitioners are represented in this matter by Vermont Law and Graduate School’s Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic. The Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA, the agency tasked with inspecting and regulating several aspects of meat, poultry and egg processing operations at approximately 800 federally inspected livestock slaughterhouses across the United States, has long been shielded from the public disclosure and environmental review requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. The petition seeks to remove that exemption and properly require the agency to analyze the environmental impacts of its decisions related to its oversight of these operations.  

Vermont Agency of Transportation This weekly report is a list of planned construction activities that will impact traffic on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont for the week of June 24. Please remember to drive safely in all work zones. Lives depend on it. 

Vermont Business Magazine On Saturday, June 29, 2024 Camp Ta-Kum-Ta will be celebrating 40 years, by holding a Black Tie Gala at the DoubleTree in Burlington, VT. Since 1984, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta has provided exceptional experiences for children and families impacted by childhood cancer. In that time, Camp has grown from a one-week summer program for children who have or have had cancer into a year-round camp for families impacted by childhood cancer. In addition to expanding our programs over the years, Camp has also been able to build a beautiful world-class facility in South Hero, VT. None of this would be possible without the incredible Camp Ta-Kum-Ta community of families, volunteers and donors. There is much to celebrate!

Vermont Business Magazine On Monday, June 24, Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) will join Amtrak and members of the community for a groundbreaking ceremony to inaugurate the start of construction for a new Brattleboro Station, including a newly constructed and the state’s first-ever level platform. The new Brattleboro Station will be home to Vermont’s first level platform. It will be 345-feet long, 48 inches above the top of the rail, and have a new electric snow melt system, lighting, railings, detectable warning edge and signage. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Champlain Valley Exposition, a Vermont institution, along with its community partner Higher Ground, is working to bring more music to Essex Junction, with an ultimate goal of revamping the grandstand and growing its appeal as a venue. The announcement comes in tandem with the news of a benefit concert in September, featuring Strafford native Noah Kahan on the Midway Lawn. All proceeds from the event will go to Kahan’s mental health charity, The Busyhead Project. Representatives from the Champlain Valley Expo will ask the Essex Junction City Council on June 26 to approve 15 additional sound waivers. The community was invited to a forum on June 18 to learn more in advance of this. 

Vermont Business Magazine LittlePatakha, a Vermont based children’s brand and prominent advocate for inclusive early childhood education, introduces the "Vermont for Little Vermonters" initiative. This corporate sponsorship program is designed to support public elementary schools across Vermont and provide them with inclusivity-themed educational products created by Little Patakha. The program allows large and small businesses the opportunity to invest in their local communities and ensure that every child has access to essential resources. Having successfully completed a similar initiative this year in the Denver Public Schools system in Colorado with corporate partners, Nayak is confident they can do the same in Vermont. 

Vermont Business Magazine Lake Champlain Maritime Museum has announced they are opening a new exhibit that dives into the history of canal boats. Using research and artifacts recovered from shipwrecks in Lake Champlain by underwater archaeologists, as well as interviews with real people and interactive experiences, the exhibit shares lesser-known local stories of canal boats and the people who worked on board, providing unexpected points of connection for all with this key era of local history. The exhibit, titled “Underwater Archaeology: Diving into the Stories of People and Canal Boats on Lake Champlain,” will open to the public on July 13, 2024. While the maritime industry of the 19th century was largely dominated by men, the canal boat community was strikingly different. Boats were often owned and operated by families who lived on board, combining work and home for men, women, and children, and building strong, connected communities with other canal boat families. 

Vermont Business Magazine Junapr has been named to Inc.’s annual Best Workplaces list for the second consecutive year. Prominently featured on Inc.com, the list results from a comprehensive measurement of American companies that have excelled in creating exceptional workplaces and company cultures, whether in a physical or virtual facility. After collecting data from thousands of submissions, Inc. selected 543 honorees this year. Each nominated company participated in an employee survey conducted by Quantum Workplace, which included topics such as management effectiveness, perks, fostering employee growth, and overall company culture. The organization’s benefits were also audited to determine the overall score and ranking.

Vermont Business Magazine Blue Slate Realty proudly announces the grand opening of its boutique real estate brokerage, offering an unparalleled solution for home sellers in Vermont. Located at 40 Kingman Street, St. Albans, Blue Slate Realty provides the same premium service as traditional brokerages, but with a groundbreaking commission model that meets sellers' demands for affordability. Recognizing the growing dissatisfaction with the standard 6% commission rate, Blue Slate Realty introduces a game-changing option for sellers to pay just $990 to sell their homes. This innovative approach ensures that clients receive the highest level of service without the hefty commission fees.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims fell for the week ending June 15, 2024, as new claims have fallen to their usual summer lows. The Service industry accounts for the vast majority of claims with 55%. For the week, there were 256 claims, down 22 for the week and 50 fewer than this time last year. Meanwhile, the state unemployment rate remains near historic low levels as employment and the labor force have increased (2.1 percent in April 2024). Vermont has the third lowest rate in the nation, behind North and South (2.0%) Dakota. California (5.3%) has the highest rate. The comparable United States rate in April was 3.9 percent, an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point from the revised March estimate.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont maple syrup production was up for 2024. Vermont leads the country in production with 3.1 million gallons. Production was up 19% from 2023's 2.6 million gallons and just below 2022's 3.3 million. Vermont produces 53% of all the maple in the United States from 8.4 million taps. New York is by far the second largest producer of maple syrup at 846,000 gallons and Maine is third at 701,000 for a United States total of 5.9 million gallons.