Seeking Equity & Inclusion Consultant | Vermont Business Magazine

Submitted by tim on Sun, 09/26/2021 - 23:16

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) has announced and released a Request for Proposals for a consultant to help the Agency build upon work initiated by Agency staff relating to inclusion, diversity, equity and accountability. Since the summer of 2020, VAAFM staff have engaged in internal discussions focused on individual and collective learning; internal Agency policies, practices, and culture; and the Agency’s approaches to serving and interacting with constituents, partners, and the public.

VAAFM is now seeking professional guidance to help the Agency move into a new phase of this work to make equity a core principle of VAAFM’s work, aligning with the recommendations of the Racial Equity Brief of the Vermont Agriculture & Food System Strategic Plan 2021-2030.

The consultant will establish a robust baseline understanding of the current conditions around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within VAAFM and with VAAFM’s stakeholders/constituents and will develop and implement a plan to improve engagement and outcomes across the Agency and in the Vermont food system.

View Details and the Full Request for Proposal

SARE Farmer Grant Webinar

Join Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) for a webinar all about their Farmer Grant Program. The Farmer Grant Program provides up to $30,000 in funding to Northeast farmers interested in pursuing innovative ideas in their business. The webinar will cover eligibility, the types of projects that can be funded, how to apply and more. The webinar is open to the public and free of charge, but registration is required. Please register early as space is limited.

Webinar Date: October 5 @ 12 Noon

Interested in Agroforestry?

Agroforestry is the strategic integration of fruit, nut and timber crops into existing agricultural operations. Fill out a short survey from UVM Extension, Lake Champlain Sea Grant, and Propagate Ventures on whether they should run an agroforestry education program for farmers in the Lake Champlain Basin. Completing the survey is anonymous but email can be provided if participants wish to stay informed. There is no obligation by farmers who complete the survey to participate in the program if it runs.

Submissions Due: October 1

Contribute to the State's Climate Action Plan

Weigh in on Climate Action Plan

Vermonters are encouraged to attend one of several upcoming events to learn about and contribute to the development of the state’s Climate Action Plan. The Climate Action Plan will serve as the State’s roadmap for lessening the impacts of climate change. Public input is critical to creating a plan that is inclusive and considerate of all Vermonters. Events are happening in the evenings from 6 - 7:30 pm. The event on October 5th is specific to BIPOC communities.

Event Dates: Sept. 30, Oct.5, Oct. 6

Appealing to Ethical Consumers

Research suggests that more ethical, sustainable shopping habits adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic are here to stay. Join Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility for a webinar on the opportunities created for brands by this shift. Topics will include important takeaways and marketing strategies that socially responsible brands can adopt to ensure they’re most effectively tapping into today’s socially conscious, eco-minded consumers.

Webinar Date: October 5, 1 - 2:30 pm

View the VAAFM Grants Calendar

Our website address is:
https://agriculture.vermont.gov