• DeltaClimeVT Seeks Entrepreneurs for Energy 2021

    The DeltaClimeVT climate economy business accelerator seeks entrepreneurs for the Energy 2021 program. Startup ventures that focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy-related products or services for residential and small business customers must submit applications for Energy 2021 by Feb. 19, 2021. Selection will...

  • 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. 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...

  • “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...

  • 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...