Press Releases
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund expands business assistance services
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund’s economic development approach packaged in a suite of client services, directed by Geoff Robertson The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, a nonprofit organization focused on sustainable economic development, announces the expansion of its suite of services for clients from private sector businesses in the early and growth stages of development. Services have … Read More
Workforce development critical to sustain local food economy
2017 Farm to Plate Annual Report shows successful implementation of Vermont’s food system plan has created need for more farm and food workers to meet food business expansion goals due to increased consumer demand Representatives of the Vermont Farm to Plate Network and staff at the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund presented the 2017 Farm to … Read More
Workforce development and business succession necessary for continued growth in Vermont’s food system
Over 270 members of the Vermont Farm to Plate Network convened October 26-27, 2017 at the 7th annual Farm to Plate Network Gathering in Killington to address workforce development and business succession challenges in Vermont’s farm and food economy. Comprised of food producers, farmers, food system businesses, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, capital providers, and government … Read More
Vermont seizes climate change economic growth and resource renewal opportunities
As national environmental protections are deregulated and challenges presented by climate change become more widely recognized, Vermont positions itself as the state where climate change and resource renewal can spark business growth and economic development. A national climate economy innovation summit held in early September in Burlington, Vermont welcomed entrepreneurs from across North America interested … Read More
Rooted in Vermont: Uniting all Vermonters around Local Food
Vermonters were farming, gardening, fishing, and hunting long before there were craft beers and gourmet burgers. Traditions like gardening, hunting, fishing, and foraging are as core to Vermont’s local food movement as purchasing local food from farmers, restaurants, schools, and stores. Rooted in Vermont is a grassroots movement that empowers all Vermonters to be a … Read More
New Network Launches for Vermont Climate Economy Businesses
The new Vermont Climate Economy Business Network will launch this June at a networking event for Vermont businesses whose products and services aim to reduce, mitigate, or prepare for the impacts of climate change. The Vermont Climate Economy Business Network is a new initiative coordinated by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund to build community and … Read More
New leadership announced at Vermont Farm to Plate
Vermont’s Farm to Plate food system plan to increase economic development and jobs in Vermont’s farm and food sector and improve access to healthy local food for all Vermonters is currently in its sixth year of implementation. Jake Claro has been named the Farm to Plate Director and will be responsible for providing facilitative leadership … Read More
New initiative launches to create jobs, expand Vermont forest products industry
The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund has launched a new initiative to assist the forest products industry in creating and retaining quality jobs and opening additional markets for locally produced wood products. A collaboration between the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, the Northern Forest Center, and the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Board, the new Forest Products Value … Read More
Community scale biodigester demonstrates renewable energy, waste reduction, and nutrient management in Vermont
“Big Bertha,” the anaerobic digester at Vermont Technical College, is operating at full capacity and successfully putting electricity onto the grid. With a carefully formulated diet of cow manure and organic matter from Vermont farms and brewery waste from the Alchemist and Long Trail Brewing Co., at full power Big Bertha transforms 16,000 gallons of … Read More
New Resource for Farmers: A Legal and Regulatory Overview of On-Farm Biodiesel Production in Vermont
A new report, On-Farm Biodiesel Production in Vermont: Legal and Regulatory Overview, conducted by the Institute for Energy and the Environment (IEE) at Vermont Law School reviews all Vermont state and federal regulations related to on-farm biodiesel production. Commissioned by the Vermont Bioenergy Initiative at the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, the report aims to inform farmers … Read More
Vermont at five year mark implementing Farm to Plate food system plan
Increases in local food consumption, jobs, and overall economic activity in the farm and food sector over the past five years are highlighted in the 2015 Farm to Plate Annual Report, released today by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund. 2016 marks the halfway point of the release of the Farm to Plate Strategic Plan and … Read More
Soil regeneration and clean water touted as foundation for healthy food at annual Vermont Farm to Plate Gathering
“Farm in nature’s image” was the takeaway message shared by Ray Archuleta, Conservation Agronomist at the USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) and keynote speaker at the fifth annual Farm to Plate Annual Gathering. Held annually at the end of October, the Gathering is the one time each year when the entire Farm to … Read More