What's New?
Request for Proposals: Grass Energy in Vermont
Posted on April 19, 2013
The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund is seeking proposals from individuals, consulting firms or organizations to conduct a state-of-the-science review of grass energy in Vermont and neighboring states and establish the next step(s) to accelerate the commercialization of grass energy in the region and specifically in Vermont.
Socially Responsible Investing Bakes Up Vermont Cookies
Posted on April 05, 2013
The VSJF Flexible Capital Fund L3C (The Flex Fund) announces specialty food producers, Liz Lovely, Inc., as the fifth investment in an expanding, mission based royalty financing portfolio committed to growing Vermont food system, forest product, and renewable energy companies by providing “equity-like” loans that are repaid through revenue sharing.
Vermont Bioenergy Now!
Posted on March 19, 2013
Nine new videos created by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund document the people, feedstocks, and fuels of the Vermont Bioenergy Initiative. These videos draw the connection between diversified agriculture, sustainable systems and renewable energy production. Check out these awesome clips today!
Conference: Connecting Food System Education with Employers
Posted on January 22, 2013
More than one hundred food system educators, state officials, students, and business people met on Tuesday, January 15, to discuss how to better prepare students for careers in Vermont's expanding food system economy.
Farm Fresh Fuel Project: Growing Our Own Biodiesel
Posted on December 17, 2012
On a rainy Saturday in December, a small crowd gathered in Roger Rainville’s dairy barn-turned-energy lab. They were dairy farmers, organic growers, and landowners, but this year, this group of ten growers also tried their hand at making their own biodiesel fuel.
Farmers to You LLC Helps Expand Regional Food System
Posted on November 16, 2012
The VSJF Flexible Capital Fund is pleased to announce our most recent investment in Farmers to You LLC (FTY). FTY is a web-based direct marketer and distributor of Vermont-produced craft and artisanal food, distributing food from over 30 Vermont farmers to more than 375 Boston area families with weekly deliveries arranged through the FTY website. The Flex Fund’s investment will be used to support FTY's expansion and relocation to a new, larger hub facility, the purchase of additional equipment, addition of key staff, and the streamlining of their website and ordering system.
Farm to Plate Annual Gathering: Taking Stock and Moving Ahead
Posted on October 23, 2012
From the expansion of Black River Produce to include a 50,000 square foot meat processing facility and the 19 value-added food producers crafting away at the Mad River Food Hub, to Green Mountain Farm-to-School’s “Lunchbox” mobile farmers’ market and the emergence of several large in-state milk processors, Vermonters are working to “save the world in our own little way” says Chuck Ross, Secretary of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. These were just some of the developments that flew fast and furious at the Annual Farm to Plate Network Gathering on October 9th and 10th, 2012 at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT.
Bourne's Energy Opens Biodiesel Blending Plant
Posted on October 19, 2012
With the support of a Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund grant from the US Dept of Energy and the Office of Senator Patrick Leahy, Bourne's Energy of Morrisville has recently completed the build-out of an injection blending operation for biodiesel. At this state-of-the-art facility the company is now supplying B5, B10, B20 and B99.9 blends of its heating and transportation fuels.
Kickstart Compost Heat Recovery
Posted on October 12, 2012
Highfields has launched a kickstarter campaign to crowd-fund a Compost Heat Recovery Research System. This exciting project will develop new technology to yield a second value from the composting process -– renewable energy in the form of recovered heat. Your support will be an investment in renewable energy innovation that farmers in our communities can utilize. This is technology and innovation by the people and for the people. Read more and back this important project!
New Farmland Leasing Publications!
Posted on July 26, 2012
Land for Good has 4 new publications: Two full-service guides and two shorter pamphlets target private, municipal and institutional landowners. They focus on helping "non-farming" owners and managers of agricultural properties bring their land into productive agricultural uses.
Aegis Wind LLC stays and grows in Vermont with help from VSJF Flex Fund
Posted on May 03, 2012
The VSJF Flexible Capital Fund (the “Flex Fund”) is pleased to announce our most recent investment in Aegis Wind LLC, a community scale wind integrator based in Waitsfield, Vermont. Aegis designs, installs, and services small scale wind turbine systems throughout the northeast.