Director Wanted

Rural Vermont is a small, nonprofit statewide advocacy group with a mission of economic justice for family farms. Candidates should have experience with legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, fundraising, and the ability to manage an annual budget of $200,000 and a small staff with interns. Director works with activist farmer board of directors and membership to define organizational priorities. Candidate must have a passion to free family farmers from corporate and government control so that a local, direct-to-consumer food system can flourish. Details, and directions for application, here.

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3rd Annual Tour de Farms

Sunday, September 19, 2010
Shoreham Green, SHOREHAM
Staggered starts: 30 mile at 10:30 am; 25 mile at 11 am; 10 mile at 11:30 am
Advance registration fees: $20 adults/$10 kids 12 & under
FIRM DEADLINE FOR ADVANCE REGISTRATION: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Day-of registration fees: $30 adults/$15 kids 12 & under
All kids in trailers & bike seats ride FREE
RAIN OR SHINE!

Rural Vermont, Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition, and Addison County Relocalization Network partner again for what's becoming one of summer's hottest events! Choose among three bicylce routes that wind through the beautiful Champlain Valley, and stop and sample Addison County's freshest and finest foods at farm stops along the way. Fresh air, rural scenery, delicious food, good people = FUN!! New this year, expect special event tee shirts and a "to go" lunch available for purchase. Following the tour, the Platt Memorial Library will again be hosting the Shoreham Apple Fest on the green with lots of hot food options, farm & craft vendors, along with entertainment and merriment! Register online today or download your registration form & waiver here!

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Cheesemaking Workshops!

Learn how to make all kinds of delicious dairy goods in your own kitchen! With some simple instruction and good quality raw milk, it's easy! Rural Vermont is partnering with some raw milk farmers and fans to bring you both. Classes will cover dairy processing basics, and will include info about how and where to purchase local, raw milk.

Read a great article about a recent Addison County class here!

Mozzarella, Farmer's Cheese, & Camembert with Lea Calderon-Guthe
Friday, September 17th
Milk provided by Tamarack Hollow Farm in Burlington
Location TBD, BURLINGTON

Swiss Style Cheese (washed rind, semi-hard "raclette") with Karen Bixler
Wednesday, September 22nd
Green Acres Milking Shorthorns, SOUTH RANDOLPH
* some previous soft cheesemaking experience recommended

Additional classes in the works - dates TBA soon! Check www.ruralvermont.org for updates.
- Green Mountain College in Poultney (probably early September)


Unless otherwise noted:
All classes 1-4 pm
All classes: $20 - 40 sliding scale. All proceeds benefit Rural Vermont.
Pre-registration is required, and class size is limited. Get in touch TODAY to reserve your spot!
To sign up, call Rural Vermont or email shelby@ruralvermont.org.

* Farmers! Interested in boosting your raw milk sales by teaching OR hosting a dairy processing workshop? Let's talk!

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Rural Vermont's "Free Enterprise Farming" Workshop Series

From Cow to Customer: Producing Raw Milk for Direct Sale
Sunday September 12, 11 am - 3 pm
Lathe Farm, CRAFTSBURY
Rural Vermont hosts this on-farm workshop and invites current and aspiring farmers to tour one of a growing number of farms who are operating a successful raw milk microdairy. See, share, and learn best practices for the production and direct sale of up to 50 quarts of raw milk per day.

From Cow to Customer: Expanding Raw Milk Production to Meet a Growing Demand
Monday September 13, 11 am - 3 pm
Family Cow Farmstand, HINESBURG
Rural Vermont hosts this on-farm workshop and invites current and aspiring farmers to tour the first farm to be state certified as a Tier II raw milk producer. See, share, and learn best practices for the production and sale of raw milk in excess of 50 quarts per day.

From Cow to Customer: Producing Raw Milk for Direct Sale
Saturday October 2, 11 am - 3 pm
Bunker Farm, EAST DUMMERSTON
Rural Vermont hosts this on-farm workshop and invites current and aspiring farmers to tour one of a growing number of farms who are operating a successful raw milk microdairy. See, share, and learn best practices for the production and direct sale of up to 50 quarts of raw milk per day.

For all workshops: Bring a brown bag lunch
$10 for Rural Vermont members, $20 all else
Space is limited - RSVP by calling (802) 223-7222 or shelby@ruralvermont.org.

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Help protect Vermont's family farms! Join Rural Vermont! TODAY

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Rural Vermont has helped to update the information about VT farmers selling raw milk posted at realmilk.com, a project of the Weston A. Price Foundation. That directory can be found HERE.

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