Saint Michael's College A welcome summer tradition of recent years before the pandemic has been near-weekly gatherings down on the Farm at Saint Michael's for "Salad Days." All members of the campus community are welcome, typically on Wednesdays, for these occasions to showcase fresh produce that the Farm and its student workers produce, all while building community over salad and bread. There are approximately 25 summer research projects to be conducted on campus this summer. The Saint Michael's Playhouse celebrated a joyful milestone moment that was an emblem of perseverance and faith after two years of canceled seasons due to the pandemic: "Into the Breeches!" runs through July 9.

Vermont Business Magazine In response to reduced on-site visitation by the public beginning long before the pandemic, the Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation (FPR) will be closing the Morrisville office at 29 Sunset Drive, Suite 1 in Morrisville, on August 1, 2022. This change will support enhanced coordination among staff within the Agency of Natural Resources, reduce the Department’s footprint, and allow reallocation of resources, ultimately improving FPR’s ability to serve private forestland owners. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police on Friday, July 1, will mark the 75th anniversary of the agency’s creation, a watershed moment that arose from tragedy and laid the groundwork for a proud legacy of dedicated service across generations. State leaders established the Vermont State Police on July 1, 1947, in the aftermath of the disappearance of Paula Jean Welden, an 18-year-old Bennington College student who vanished the year before. When local officials were unsuccessful in pursuing the case, they called in state police investigators from Connecticut and New York — because Vermont had no similar agency. The case, which remains unsolved, rallied Vermonters and their political leadership to finally launch the Vermont State Police after many years of hesitation and debate.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont farmers who withdraw any surface waters ( definition:10 V.S.A. § 1002(20) ) for farming are advised to begin keeping records of irrigation events this summer if a farm does not already do so.  A new state law goes into effect today, July 1, 2022, which requires annual reporting of surface water withdrawals used for farming to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM).  The first such annual report for farmers who qualify (**see below) will be due to the VAAFM on January 15th, 2023. Vermont agriculture is the first new sector of surface water handlers to report usage of waters to the State of Vermont based on Act 135 of 2022. 

Vermont Business Magazine Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc (NYSE: BHLB) announced today the completion of the public offering and sale of its inaugural Sustainability Bond, offering $100.0 million of its 5.50% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2032. The Notes were sold at par, resulting in $98.3 million in net proceeds, after underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses. The company intends to use an amount equal to the net proceeds to finance or refinance new or existing social and environmental projects consistent with its Sustainable Financing Framework. Berkshire is the first public U.S. community bank holding company with under $150 billion in total assets to issue a Sustainability Bond. Berkshire has branches in southwest Vermont.