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Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed with Advisory Board Video Series

The Farm to Plate Network, managed by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF), just released a new video series to help raise awareness and use of advisory boards among Vermont entrepreneurs. “Advisory boards help entrepreneurs optimize resilience and innovation for themselves and their businesses,” said Jake...

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...

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...

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...

“New England Feeding New England: Cultivating A Reliable Food Supply” Project Launches

New England State Food System Planners Partnership New Regional Partnership Aims to Prepare New England for Future Food Supply Disruptions The New England State Food System Planners Partnership, a network of food system leaders from all six New England states, has launched the "New England Feeding New...

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...

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...

Can Vermont’s Forests Help Save the Planet?

The Cold Hollow Carbon project in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom is the first co-op model in the country to successfully enter a voluntary carbon market. By Christine McGowan, Forest Products Program Director at Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund Long valued for timber, recreation, wildlife habitat, and solace, Vermont’s forests...

DeltaClimeVT Energy 2020 Climate Economy Business Accelerator Winners Announced

DeltaClimeVT Energy 2020 climate economy business accelerator connects nationwide start-ups with Vermont electric utilities and energy companies MONTPELIER, VT – Entrepreneurs from nine start-ups focused on reducing fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings graduated from the DeltaClimeVT Energy 2020 climate economy business accelerator during a virtual awards...

Town Forests Bring Vermonters Together, Even While Social Distancing

By Christine McGowan, Forest Products Program Director at Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund In the era of COVID-19, Vermonters are particularly fortunate to live in a rural state where access to the outdoors is abundant. Even people living in Vermont’s largest city and the epicenter of coronavirus...

What does the future of farming and food in Vermont look like?

We Need Your Input to Shape the Future Together By Jake Claro, Farm to Plate Director at the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund MONTPELIER, VT – The Farm to Plate Network, managed by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF), just launched a public survey that will help develop...

COVID-19, Community, and Curbside Pick-Up

Upper Valley Produce Responds to New Needs of Vermont’s Food System By Geoff Robertson, Business Assistance Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund It’s no secret that the food industry has been among the hardest hit by COVID-19. The pandemic forced producers, farmers, and restaurants to adapt their business...