Staff Articles
Slowing Down to Go Fast: Luce Farm Wellness Rides the CBD Wave
By Kelly Nottermann, Communications Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund When Rebecca and Joe Pimentel moved to Vermont, they envisioned a life of organic farming and raising their family close to the land. “We’ve always been passionate about the food movement and about what we put into our bodies,” said Joe, who began farming commercially in … Read More
COVID, Culverts, Climate Change and Vermont’s Future Forests
How Okemo State Forest is using one-time COVID-19 relief money to improve public access and forest resilience. By Christine McGowan, Forest Products Program Director at Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund There is just one road up the backside of Mt. Holly in Okemo State Forest. Originally built in the 1980s for forest management, the road now … Read More
Vermont Tree Wardens: A Voice for the Forest
By Christine McGowan, Forest Products Program Director at Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund Updates to Vermont’s 100-year old tree warden statutes provide clarity, opportunity for collaboration. According to Elise Schadler, a program manager with Vermont Urban and Community Forestry, a tree warden is a modern day local lorax—a community spokesperson for the trees. Appointed by local … Read More
DeltaClimeVT Founder Story: Slowing Climate, Change One Window at a Time
WexEnergy brings new technology to old windows, improving efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. As Ron Wexler sat in his office one cold winter day back in 2014, he got to thinking about windows. The seven large casement windows in his office allowed natural light to flow into his workspace—along with freezing cold … Read More
A Vermonter’s Approach to Sustainable, Affordable Housing
By Christine McGowan, Forest Products Program Director at Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund Ten years ago this summer, Hurricane Irene tore through Vermont, leaving massive destruction and flooding in its wake. Among the hardest hit were mobile home parks, where many residents lost everything they owned—including the roof over their head. So, when Steve Davis, a … Read More
Rugged Ridge Grows Sugarbush, Business in Pace with the Forest
By Christine McGowan, Forest Products Program Director at Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund It’s often said in business that “bigger is better,” but for Josh Seidman, steward of Rugged Ridge Forest, “better” is making the highest-quality maple syrup sustainably. A 2010 University of Vermont graduate, Seidman became interested in forestry after taking a small woodlot management … Read More
Combined Heat and Power at Allard Lumber Saves Money, Jobs, and Environment
By Christine McGowan, Forest Products Program Director at Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund When the water pump on Allard Lumber’s boiler went a few years back, Trevor Allard finally had the excuse he needed to begin building the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system that he had been considering for years. “I couldn’t justify throwing out … Read More
Wood Curl Packaging Reduces Waste, Supports Healthy Forests and Local Economy
By Christine McGowan, Forest Products Program Director at Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund Resourceful Vermonters have long looked to the forest for wood heat, building materials, and furniture, but Jim Lovinsky, owner of Sylvacurl in East Hardwick, may be among the first to see an alternative to plastic packing peanuts. The company produces wood curls that … Read More
Maple Landmark, America’s “Local Toy Company,” Rooted in Family, Forest
By Christine McGowan, Forest Products Program Director at Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund Mike Rainville, founder and owner of Maple Landmark, landed his first wholesale account at age 15, when a traveling salesman noticed the wooden tic tac toe boards Mike had for sale at the Lincoln General Store. That was 1979. Today, Maple Landmark supplies … Read More
The Optimistic Caterer: Sugarsnap Keeps On Cooking
Her business vanished virtually overnight, but with creativity and coaching, Sugarsnap Catering is back stronger than ever and optimistic about 2021. By Kelly Nottermann, Communications Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund Over a seven-day period that she refers to as “Twilight Zone Week,” Abbey Duke, owner of Sugarsnap Catering in Burlington went from a full schedule … Read More
Loggers and Lagers: How Healthy Forests Help Brew a Better Pint
By Christine McGowan, Forest Products Program Director at Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund The story of von Trapp Brewing begins fifty years ago in the forested hills behind the resort, where a natural spring bubbles clear water up to the surface of the earth. The spring is fed by moisture that condenses on the forest canopy, … Read More
Vermont’s Lafoe Logging Named Northeast Region “Outstanding Logger”
By Christine McGowan, Forest Products Program Director at Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund In every industry, there are individuals who set the bar. In Vermont’s forest products industry, two of those individuals are Brian Lafoe and his son-in-law, Stan Parker, owners of Lafoe Logging. Last year, Lafoe Logging was named “Northeast Region Outstanding Logger” by The … Read More