12/07 Update | Rural Vermont

In this Update

Dear Friends,

There are just TWO days left until Rural Vermont’s 2011 “Art for Agrarians” art auction closes! If you haven’t yet placed your high bid on that favorite piece for yourself or the art-loving agrarian on your holiday gift list, now is the time! The auction closes this Friday, December 9th at 5pm.

To view the artwork and place your bids, visit this page.

Most of the high bids are still below retail value, so this is a perfect opportunity to get a good deal while supporting a great cause!

“Art for Agrarians” includes a fantastic mix of pieces and price points, so there is something for everyone! One of this year’s favorites has been a well-known and limited edition photograph of Fred Tuttle, and two prior generations, by Waterbury artist Peter Miller. Among other pieces, “Art for Agrarians” also features three landscape oil paintings by Burlington artist Bonnie Acker and an original oil painting “A Day in the Country” by Monkton artist Colette Paul. There are several functional and handmade pieces too, including a walking stick by Sharon Miller Blake, a cutting board by Randall Henson, a steel necklace by Jaclyn Davidson, and a jug by Denise Hartman.

All proceeds from “Art for Agrarians” will benefit Rural Vermont. Please be as generous as you can be. We appreciate your ongoing support!

Best,
Robb, Mollie and Shelby

Rural Vermont Events

*** HOMEGROWN POTLUCK &

KITCHEN TABLE CONVERSATION

Friday, December 16th at 6pm

RSVP for exact location, WEST TOWNSHEND

Date TBD in WARREN

Visit this page for more information.

* More dates and locations coming soon.*** BEYOND MILK: RAW DAIRY PROCESSING!

Farmhouse Cheddar Curds, Mozzarella, Yogurt & Butter

Wednesday, December 7th from 1 – 4 pm

Apple Ledge Farm, COVENTRY

SOLD OUT! but there’s good news …

Due to an overwhelming initial response, this class will be repeated the following Wednesday, December 14th!

Farmhouse Cheddar Curds, Mozzarella, Yogurt & Butter

Wednesday, December 14th from 1 – 4 pm

Apple Ledge Farm, COVENTRY

almost SOLD OUT! call asap if interested!

More classes to be scheduled in the new year! All classes require advance registration and space is limited. $20-$40 sliding scale. All proceeds benefit Rural Vermont. To sign up, contact Shelby at (802) 223-7222 or email shelby@ruralvermont.org.

STILL SEEKING HOSTS & TEACHERS! If you’re a raw milk dairy and would like to host a class OR a raw milk enthusiast eager to share your kitchen skills with others, please contact shelby@ruralvermont.org or call (802) 223-7222. We’ve got a specific need for teachers in the counties of LAMOILLE and ADDISON/RUTLAND!

*** GROWING LOCAL FOOD SOVEREIGNTY
January 19, 6pm-7:45pm
Kellog Hubbard Library, MONTPELIER
Rural Vermont will be facilitating a discussion with Transition Town Montpelier about how communities can grow local food sovereignty. In preparation for Town Meeting Day articles, discussion will highlight Montpelier’s Food Sovereignty Resolution and other methods to raise awareness about the campaign.

February 4, 5:30pm
Grange Hall, Montpelier
Northfield Street – Route 12 just south of Montpelier (physical address: 6612 Vt. Rt 12, Berlin)

Free and open to the public, potluck to follow.

Robb Kidd, Organizer for Rural Vermont, will discuss the Local Food Sovereignty Campaign with members of the Capital City Grange.

If you are interested in having Rural Vermont facilitate a food sovereignty discussion in your community, please contact robb@ruralvermont.org.

Volunteer and Activist Needs

Phone Callers and Activist Leaders-The Vermont Legislature will soon be back in session, which means we may need to rely on your help making phone calls to engage others into action. We will also be looking for activists to testify at hearings and other events. Please contact Robb to learn how you can play a role in ensuring the success of Rural Vermont’s campaigns and supporting family farmers.

Local Food Sovereignty Campaign - As we gear up the local food sovereignty campaign, we need your help gathering signatures to place local food sovereignty articles on Town Meeting Day ballots. Contact Robb for petitions or information to get an article on your Town Meeting Day agenda. Can you help in Montpelier this Saturday at the Montpelier Craft Fair?

Winter Conferences- We need volunteers at these upcoming winter conferences! The Vermont Grass Farmers Association (Jan 20-21) and NOFA-VT (Feb 11-13). Are you already registered for next year’s conferences? Please volunteer to help Rural Vermont with our informational and activist tables at these busy events. If you will be available on any of these days, email Robbto volunteer for a time slot.Email Robb, or call (802) 223-7222 to get involved today!!!

**Want to help but not interested in the above activities? Contact us and we’ll see how we can plug you in!**

Farm Fresh Milk Producers-Survey Information Needed

Over the past few years, Rural Vermont has worked very hard with farmers all across the state to expand the legal allowances of raw milk sales in Vermont. Since the 2009 passage of Act 62, the Raw Milk Bill, farmers’ rights to sell raw milk are protected in statute. Despite this, the law is not perfect and we need your help demonstrating this. No matter what size your miking operation, we want to hear from you. Your information will help us convince legislators that raw milk provides important economic opportunities for Vermont farmers and further changes are needed in the raw milk law for these opportunities to be fully realized.

How Can You help ?

Rural Vermont is asking all raw milk producers across the state to participate in a raw milk production survey in order to compile a comprehensive report on the economic benefits of raw milk. The legislature has requested that we present this data to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to reflect the economic impact of raw milk sales in Vermont. Whether you have been selling raw milk for a number of years or just started milking, your participation in this survey is very important as it helps legitimize the economic importance of raw milk in Vermont!

If you are a raw milk producer, please take the survey.

**Please note this survey includes data from Dec 1, 2010 to Dec 1, 2011. We are hoping to get this information to the legislature in early January.**

Your support and participation is greatly appreciated. Of course, your personal information will remain anonymous in Rural Vermont’s report.

If you know someone who is a raw milk producer, please forward them this email or have them contact Rural Vermont for a copy of the survey so that we can demonstrate an accurate reflection of raw milk sales to the legislature. Once again, thank you for your input, it is invaluable in helping us create positive change in Vermont agriculture.