Vermont Council on Rural Development February in Vermont is one of my favorite times of year. In spite of the deep cold, stubborn cars, and bundling up, it’s a time of quiet beauty - cozy nights, hockey games, brilliant blue-sky days that make the snow glimmer, and fog-filled mornings that settle into the valleys and soften the world. To me there is something grounding and hopeful about it.
At VCRD, this season is also about reflection and appreciation. As we begin a new year, we are deeply grateful for the communities, partners, funders, and collaborators who make our work possible. In nearly every space we’re in right now, people are naming how hard this moment feels, and we take that seriously. VCRD remains committed to holding space for locally driven democracy, even when it’s uncomfortable, and to showing up with care, humility, and hope. From our community leadership work to statewide convenings and local celebrations, we know that connection is a powerful tool for change.
This year, we’re excited to launch our 30th Anniversary Storytelling Project, lifting up the voices and experiences of communities across Vermont and celebrating the power of community-led work to create lasting change in rural places. If you have a story to share about the progress in your community since working with VCRD, we’d love to hear it! As always, our team is on the ground across the state, walking alongside communities, supporting local leadership, and learning every day. We’re grateful for your support and partnership, and we look forward to continuing this work together in the months ahead.
Be Well and Stay Warm,
Denise Smith, Executive Director
Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund Supports 17 Local Projects
VCRD’s Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund (CCIF) supports projects that create new approaches to challenging problems by expanding community climate resilience and reducing energy use. In 2025, CCIF received over $137,000 in requests and was able to support 17 projects with $60,500 in grants for Vermonters implementing local climate solutions. Projects funded this year included emergency preparedness kits for older Vermonters, solar powered generators, flood recovery preparation for farmers, accredited solar energy workforce training, a program to promote bicycle commuting, and more. For an interactive map of awardees and past Innovation fund project reports, visit vtrural.org/climate-economy/climate-catalysts-innovation-fund/. We anticipate a sixth round of funding will be announced in the fall.
Working Lands Coalition urges the legislature to appropriate $5M for the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative in FY'27
VCRD has led the Working Lands Coalition and Partnership for over a decade to support the farm, forest, and value-added businesses that are the foundation of the working landscape that benefits all Vermonters. VCRD convenes the Working Lands Coalition – a broad group of organizations that advocates to the legislature for sustained public funding for the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (see the latest WLEI impact report here). This year, the Coalition is asking the legislature to appropriate $5 million on behalf of the WLEI that supports working lands businesses, creates jobs, builds new markets, and keeps young entrepreneurs in Vermont. VCRD serves as the backbone organization for the Coalition. Please consider a donation to support our work on behalf of the Vermont working lands economy here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/vcord (specify Working Lands in the Notes box).
VCRD's 30th Anniversary Storytelling Project
VCRD is well known for its Community Visit program - a 3-month process that brings community members together to set common goals and develop action plans for the future vitality and prosperity of their town. We produced our first visit in 1997 and since then have worked with over 90 towns. The process helps communities line up for action through democratic decision-making, but the real work happens after the visit, when community members roll up their sleeves and get to work. As we approach 30 years of work with Vermont communities, we are gathering stories to lift up local voices and celebrate the power of community-led progress in rural places. If your town has benefited from one of our programs - Community Visit, Creative Economy, Resilient Communities, Village Trust Initiative - we’d love to hear from you! Please share your story of progress here.
Highlights and Updates from Towns We've Recently Worked With
Our Community Visit (CV) program engages towns in democratic community decision-making for their future community and economic vitality. (Visit our interactive map of CV’s through the years here).
New Haven wrapped up their Community Visit, New Haven Comes Together, with a fantastic turnout despite wintry weather. Based on the ideas and participation of over 160 community members, the community has launched local task forces focused on creating gathering spaces and expanding housing. Task forces have created action plans and resource lists with support from visiting state, regional, and federal partners. The report will be available online by the end of this month.
In Putney, VCRD staff, community members and local task force groups came together last week to celebrate the progress they have made since the “Our Future Putney” Community Visit process VCRD facilitated in 2022. Over 140 residents joined the celebration. Task forces shared updates on their work revitalizing the downtown through the relaunch of Discover Putney, supporting new housing by leveraging over $250,000 in grant funding for homeowners to create new units, and the completion of a comprehensive assessment of community spaces in town. Attendees also enjoyed a free dinner and live music, and brainstormed points of vision for the future of Putney. Find out more about the Our Future Putney process here: bit.ly/FuturePutney.
Our Climate Economy Resilient Communities Program supports communities working on local resilience and climate action solutions.
We have been supporting Plainfield with three public events to help them set common goals in the wake of 2023 and 2024 flooding events. Two priority groups emerged through the process and are working to create a housing strategy and create a Resilience Hub. The town has created the Plainfield Housing Advisory Committee to work with the Select Board on housing opportunities. When a call went out looking for people to serve on the committee, 19 community members applied! Read the Plainfield Forward Report and Action Plan here.
Our Village Trust Initiative supports communities working on local revitalization project.
We held a virtual kick-off with the five towns chosen to be part of the 2nd cohort to receive expertise and funding for a community revitalization project in their community: Belvidere, New Haven, Orwell, Rupert, and Sharon. The VTI program now serves 12 towns representing eight counties across the state. Many of the groups are engaging their communities in a variety of ways, from chatting with residents over hot drinks at the transfer station, to hosting pop up markets or dinners where they collect feedback, to tabling at large community events. This winter, holiday lights appeared in future buildings from Greensboro Bend to West Fairlee to bring warmth to spaces that will eventually hold community events. Several groups are using community feedback to shape architectural plans and develop business plans for their buildings. You can learn more about the projects that all 12 towns are bringing to life here.
To view past VCLN workshops, visit: vtrural.org/leadership-network/upcoming-workshops/.
VCLN Workshop
Uncertain Times Office Hours: Mergers
February 27 | 9-10am | Register Here
More and more nonprofits are considering merging as they look for ways to ensure financial sustainability and enhance mission impact. Do you have questions about mergers, the various models, its potential impact to your organization’s identity, mission, funding, staffing? In these informal office hours, you are invited to bring your questions about different approaches to merging. Speakers will be Daniel Franklin, Executive Director of Vermont Association for Mental Health & Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR) and Julian Chender, author of Simple Math of Nonprofit Mergers. This discussion - co-sponsored by Common Good Vermont, Vermont Council on Rural Development, and Leaves of Change VT - is meant as an introduction to the broad topic of nonprofit mergers, and is not intended as legal advice.
Federal Policy Changes & the Law (hosted by Common Good VT)
February 11, 3:30pm | Online Webinar (FREE but registration is required)
Federal policy can be difficult to understand, especially with ongoing changes to funding and requirements under the Vermont Public Accommodations Act. Common Good Vermont is partnering with the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, the Vermont Human Rights Commission, and the ACLU of Vermont to offer this timely and free webinar. For details about webinar content and panelists, and to register, visit: commongoodvt.org/events/federal-policy-changes-the-law/.
The Vermont Creative Network seeks creative sector convening session ideas and artwork
The Vermont Creative Network (VCN) will host the 2026 Creative Sector Convening on June 5, 2026. This day-long event will bring together Vermont’s creative sector – artists, entrepreneurs, community organizers, business leaders, and more – for learning and connecting through workshops, panels, performances, and networking. The VCN is accepting proposals for sessions and applications from Vermont artists to design original art that will be used for the event program, posters, website, social media, signage, and more. Find out more and apply here: vermontartscouncil.org/vermont-creative-network/connect/.
Vermont Council on Rural Development
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