The Center for an Agricultural Economy

Upcoming Events, Workshops and More!

2012-01-24T14:04:00.004-05:00

Photo courtesy of NEWT January Events: 78th Annual Vermont Farm Show! Champlain Valley Expo Essex Junction, VT Today through Thursday! http://www.vtfarmshow.com/ Chainsaw Safety Training, Northeast Woodland Training, Game of Logging Saturday, Jan. 28, 8am to 4pm Under Orion Farm 1009 Ducharme Rd, Cabot, VT To register: wameden@gmail.com $150 per course Just a few spots left for this

VFVC Grand Opening

2012-01-05T18:31:00.000-05:00

A project that is five years in the making, with us at the Center for an Agricultural Economy involved for the last two, it's time to officially open the doors of the Vermont Food Venture Center. Join us tomorrow Friday, January 6 from 12pm to 5pm, to help us celebrate this momentous occasion. Agenda: VFVC Blog Contact: Elena Gustavson

January 6th Grand Opening for Vermont Food Venture Center

2011-12-26T11:52:00.000-05:00

Come help us celebrate the grand opening of the newly built Vermont Food Venture Center! Hosted by the Center for an Agricultural Economy and Northern Enterprises, please join us for an open house, guided tours, invited guest speakers and a ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for 1:00 PM with Senator Patrick Leahy. When: Friday, January 6 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm Where: Vermont Food Venture

Thank You for Your Support

2011-12-19T12:53:00.005-05:00

December 2011 Dear Friends, Neighbors and Partners, The Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) has one vision: To support a thriving, sustainable agricultural economy in a rural community. This simple, and yet complex, vision has helped guide every step during these last twelve months of enormous growth in our organization, energizing us for the year ahead. The CAE has made

1st Annual Vermont Buy Local Market Taste, Learn, and Buy VT Agricultural Products

2011-12-12T13:29:00.001-05:00

1st Annual Vermont Buy Local Market Taste, Learn, and Buy VT Agricultural Products DATE: January 25, 2012 TIME: 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., “Consumer Night” at the Vermont Farm Show PLACE: Blue Ribbon Building, Champlain Valley Exhibition, Essex, Vermont The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, in conjunction with the Vermont Farm Show, is pleased to

Swapping Spaces

2011-12-07T09:44:00.001-05:00

For Immediate Release The Center for an Agricultural Economy and Galaxy Bookshop Take on Transplanting Project Hardwick, VT – December 6, 2011 – The Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) and The Galaxy Bookshop are energized by changes planned for the beginning of 2012, when the two enterprises will swap spaces in downtown Hardwick. As an organization, CAE has seen much growth

Local Authors' Reading - A night of words and conversation

2011-12-01T15:54:00.001-05:00

We hope you will join us for one of our favorite events of the year, tomorrow night at St. John Episcopal Church, Five West Church St. in Hardwick, Vermont. Beginning at 6:30pm, in the sanctuary, join local authors and farmers for readings of their original work. We are accepting donations of non-perishable food for the Hardwick Area Food Pantry as well as monetary donations for the

Photo Album: Pies for People 2011

2011-11-18T12:29:00.001-05:00

...and here they are! Photos from our fourth annual Pies for People/Soup for Supper event, held in the Sterling College kitchen in Craftsbury, Vermont. Two nights of baking and cooking. Thank you to the farmers, businesses, Sterling College, the students and the amazing volunteers who together, made this another amazing event. Pies for People 2011

Dec. 2nd, Local Authors Reading in Hardwick, VT

2011-11-17T14:31:00.001-05:00

For Immediate Release Local Authors Reading in Hardwick, VT Hardwick, VT – November 17, 2011 - Say good-bye to Stick Season and prepare for the coming snow with a cozy gathering of agricultural authors and producers, who will read from their original work on Friday, December 2nd at 6:30pm at St. John's Episcopal Church on Five West Church St. (catty corner from Hardwick Electric)

Pies for People, Soup for Supper- One door closes, but another one opens

2011-11-15T11:06:00.000-05:00

Hardwick, VT, November 15, 2011 -With just hours left before our first of two bake nights for our annual Pies for People/Soup for Supper event, I find myself with a rare and quiet hour to reflect. Not on recipes, nor logistics or even hunger, but to reflect on kitchens. Since its inception in 2009, when Julia Shipley organized the first pie bake, the kitchen at Sterling College, with its

Local Author Event on Dec. 2nd - SAVE THE DATE!

2011-11-11T15:22:00.000-05:00

We are bringing back last year's popular Local Author Event, in partnership with the Galaxy Bookshop and to benefit our Food Access Fund and the Hardwick Area Food Pantry. Join us Friday, December 2nd at 630pm, location to be determined, to hear local authors AND farmers read their pieces on food and agriculture. Bethany Dunbar, Ben Hewitt, Julia Shipley, Pete Johnson and others to be announced.

CAE and Sterling College - Who is Ready to Bake Some Pies?

2011-11-04T07:25:00.001-04:00

For Immediate Release The Center for an Agricultural Economy and Sterling College get ready for the fourth annual “Pies for People/Soup for Supper” Craftsbury, Vermont – With donated organic squash puree from local farms, volunteer labor and the donated facilities at Sterling College, the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE), located in Hardwick, VT, is gearing up to bake 150 pies and 50

Kingdom Farm & Food Days

2011-10-17T14:54:00.001-04:00

Tropical Storm Irene hit approximately two weeks after our weekend long event, Kingdom Farm & Food Days. Although most farms in our area were spared, it was all hands on deck when we launched our Vermont Farm Fund Emergency Loan Program in response. As a result, updating our photo albums and sharing about this wonderful event would take a back seat to more urgent needs. Now that the days are a

CAE collaborates with local high school for soil monitoring!

2011-09-23T11:35:00.000-04:00

The Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) is collaborating with Lamoille Union High School in a project to test local farm soils and streams in order to assess their health. Ecology students from Lamoille Union, under the guidance of their teacher Amber March and CAE Research Associate Heather Davis, will begin farm visits in October. Multiple soil tests will be performed including surveying

Vermont Farm Fund Awards $35,000 in Emergency Loans

2011-09-22T11:36:00.002-04:00

Within days of receiving applications, VFF Committee awards loans to farms in need after Irene. Hardwick, VT, September 20, 2011— Thanks to a dedicated group of advisers, the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) has administered $35,000 in zero interest loans through the Vermont Farm Fund (VFF), to four Vermont farms of varying size. Little Village CSA, a small farm in Proctorsville, had

Benefit Concert for Vermont Farm Fund

2011-09-21T16:09:00.000-04:00

Come join Champlain Orchards in beautiful Shoreham for a 2 day concert, featuring Wyndorf & Bright, Mango Jam, Freeman Corey Band and the Two Tone Deceiver. All proceeds will benefit our Vermont Farm Fund as well as NOFA-VT's Emergency Fund. Visit www.ChamplainOrchards.com for more details or call 802-897-2777 for information.

The Vermont Food Venture Center is Open for Business.

2011-09-16T12:18:00.000-04:00

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Vermont Farm Fund Emergency Loan now offering $10,000 loans

2011-09-13T18:37:00.001-04:00

More details to follow, but farmers can now borrow as much as $10,000 at zero interest, payable over 2 years with flexible payment terms. These loans are meant to help fill an immediate need that many are experiencing since Irene. You can find out more on our website: Vermont Farm Fund Our download an application here: Application Contact Elena Gustavson at elena@hardwickagriculture.org or at

“Stock the Pantry” is a success at the Vermont Food Venture Center

2011-09-13T12:30:00.000-04:00

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Plenty of Safe, Local Produce

2011-09-06T09:51:00.001-04:00

Press Release: for immediate release - 9/2/11 Contact: Dr. Vern Grubinger, vegetable and berry specialist, University of Vermont Extension 802-257-7967 x303 vernon.grubinger@uvm.edu MANY VEGETABLE FARMS FLOODED BUT PLENTY OF SAFE LOCAL PRODUCE AVAILABLE Flooding caused by hurricane Irene led to extensive damage to crops, fields and equipment on farms all across Vermont. Unlike the flooding this

Announcing Emergency Loan Fund from Vermont Farm Fund, Pete's Greens and Center for an Agricultural Economy

2011-09-01T14:30:00.001-04:00

The Vermont Farm Fund Initiates Emergency Loans for Farms Affected by Hurricane Irene Loans will help meet immediate needs in the aftermath of statewide flooding Hardwick, VT, September 1, 2011— The Vermont Farm Fund (VFF), in response to the catastrophic flooding that has devastated farms throughout Vermont, has established an emergency loan program. This program will accept applications

Documenting Flood Damage and Assistance (for farmers)

2011-08-31T14:01:00.000-04:00

Vermont Association of Conservation Districts is using the attached form (below) to collect data on agricultural damage. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will be compiling this data so all forms should be returned to FSA County Directors (see link below) or the FSA office in Colchester. This form is not a request for assistance, it is only being used to collect information on the extent of

What farmers should do in response to flood damage - from Vermont Emergency Management

2011-08-31T13:51:00.001-04:00

Vermont Farmers Battle the Impact of Hurricane Irene Montpelier, VT – Many Vermont farmers are experiencing devastating effects from the flooding and washed out roads in the wake of Hurricane Irene. The heavy rains accompanied by high winds are leaving farmers with flooded fields and barns, debris, and limited options for milk pick-ups. Although we understand that many people are still

Food Safety for flooded gardens

2011-08-31T13:48:00.001-04:00

Here is some information that has been gleaned from various sources, mainly the FDA and Extension Services... Priority: Food safety Because contaminated floodwaters present both microbial and chemical hazards which cannot be effectively controlled, foods which have contacted them should not be used for human food. Safety cannot be tested or adequately assured. This approach is a conservative

Food safety in relation to flooding - for farmers

2011-08-31T13:45:00.000-04:00

FOOD SAFETY ADVICE TO COMMERCIAL GROWERS REGARDING FLOODED CROPS Floods occur when water or runoff from surface waters such as rivers, lakes or steams overflows and runs into fields. Water from heavy rainfall that pools on the surface of saturated soils is NOT considered flooding. Flood waters are likely to contain contaminants. These may come from upstream farms and rural septic systems,