In this update:
– Update & Action
– Rural Vermont Events
– Volunteer Opportunities
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UPDATE and ACTION
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Just a quick note to remind everyone that we are holding our annual meeting tomorrow night (Wednesday) at the Monitor Barn in Richmond at 6:30pm AND you’re invited! As the Vermont Legislature is winding down to a close, we at Rural Vermont are excited that not only will our popular Raw Dairy Processing classes be able to return (the Senate passed the legislation dairy class bill yesterday) but we are looking forward to tying other important issues such as on-farm slaughter, hemp, GMO’s and compost into our conversation about local food sovereignty and the ability of individuals to support their local farmers through direct sale purchases of farm fresh foods! As we mentioned before, Rural Vermont is proud to present Bob St. Peter at our annual meeting to discuss the ground breaking local food ordinance that he helped pass in several Maine communities. I sincerely hope to see you all at the event tomorrow evening.
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Hemp History Week Action Alert
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This week is Hemp History week and in conjunction with Vote Hemp we are asking you to call Senator Leahy today at his Washington D.C office (202) 224-4242 and ask him to use his power as the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold legislative hearings on Industrial Hemp in the United States Senate.
In 2008, Rural Vermont successfully advocated for Vermont law to allow the cultivation of industrial hemp, however action is still needed in Congress for Vermont farmers to benefit. Last Congressional session an industrial hemp was introduced in the U.S House of Representatives and had gained the support of 26 representatives. While support for hemp is growing in the U.S. House a hemp discussion still needs to begin in the Senate and can happen with the support of Senator Leahy. Senator Leahy’s position can help remove the legal prohibitions banning this valuable crop, so call him today and ask him to move the industrial hemp issue forward by convening hearings on industrial hemp.
For more information about Rural Vermont’s hemp campaign review our website.
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RURAL VERMONT EVENTS!
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*** Rural Vermont’s 2011 Annual Meeting with Keynote Speaker BOB ST. PETER
Wednesday, May 4th / 6:30 – 9 pm
West Monitor Barn, RICHMOND
Free for Rural Vermont members and all kids; Everyone else $10
CHECK OUT THE PROGRAM WITH ALL THE DETAILS HERE: http://www.ruralvermont.org/program.pdf
Come join Rural Vermont staff, Board, and members for our annual meeting and gathering! We are thrilled to announce that farmer-activist Bob St. Peter, the executive director of Food for Maine’s Future, will be our keynote speaker! Bob comes to Vermont from Sedgwick Maine, the first town in the US to declare food sovereignty by unanimously voting to adopt the Local Food & Community Self-Governance Ordinance, which exempts direct food sales from state and federal licensing and inspection requirements. Bob’s presentation, “Local Food, Local Rules: Creating Food and Farming Policies that Work for your Community,” will address the need for scale-appropriate regulations, the tradition of sharing food in rural communities, and shifting the politics of the local food movement from food security to food sovereignty. Be sure to sign Rural Vermont’s Declaration of Food Sovereignty!
Leading up to the keynote, folks can expect a jazzy mix of live music with Malcolm Sanders on fiddle, Tristan Henderson on guitar and mandolin and Steve Wehmeyer on bohdran, a finger food potluck, director Jared Carter’s presentation about RV’s progress & priorities, board elections, awards ceremony, and lots of fun. This special event is a great time to catch up with Rural Vermont supporters from near and far, celebrate Hemp History Week, and take a chance on Rural Vermont’s $5 for 5 Raffle! Every ticket purchased enters you to win:
(1) an overnight stay in a yurt at Maple Wind Farm in Huntington
(2) Gardening Goodies donated by Gardener’s Supply and Vermont Compost Company
(3) Farm Fresh Feast featuring a variety of farm-grown and farm-processed foods
(4) Hemp canvas bag donated by Hemp Power Bags, printed with RV’s sassy cow logo, and filled with hemp products donated by Way Out Wax, Dr. Bronner’s, and more!
(5) Cheesemaking essentials donated by New England Cheesemaking Supply
Winners to be drawn at the annual meeting, but you don’t need to be present to win. If you can’t make it to the event, but don’t want to miss your chance at these awesome prizes, then buy your tickets in advance! Each ticket costs $5. Drop by the office in Montpelier or send a check with ‘raffle’ in the memo (15 Barre St., Suite 2, Montpelier VT 05602). Checks must be received by Tuesday May 3rd to guarantee entry, so get yours in the mail today!
Much thanks to City Market, Bob White Systems, Vermont Compost Company, Family Cow Farmstand, Northeast Organic Farming Association of VT, and Way Out Wax for sponsoring Rural Vermont’s 2011 Annual Meeting! More info available at www.ruralvermont.org.
*** Rural Vermont, Rutland Area Farm & Food Link, and Green Mountain College present BOB ST. PETER
Thursday, May 5th / 7:30 pm
East Room, Green Mountain College, POULTNEY
FREE
If you can’t make it to the annual meeting or the distance is too much, there is another opportunity to hear Bob St. Peter present: “Local Food, Local Rules: Creating Food and Farming Policies that Work for your Community.” Don’t miss this encore presentation of the story behind Sedgwick Maine’s Local Food & Community Self-Governance Ordinance, and to get involved in food sovereignty efforts here in Vermont. Sign Rural Vermont’s Declaration of Food Sovereignty! More info at www.ruralvermont.org.
*** Save the Date! the 4th Annual Tour de Farms! Sunday, September 18th, 2011! Shoreham, Vermont!
If you’ve never participated in the Tour de Farms or are feeling nostalgic about the event, check out this youtube video documenting the 2010 ride http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7mtg3AWhSo … and start daydreaming about the weather warming, gardens sprouting, and roads drying out in preparation for the 2011 event! Advance registration opens July 1st. Stay tuned for more info.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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Rural Vermont will be busy over the next few months working on our campaign to support local food sovereignty. Your skills are greatly appreciated whether it is at an event, the office or your home.
Office Volunteer Projects. Right now we need your help with organizing and researching tasks as we embark on our upcoming local food sovereignty campaigns. As always, we have many needs so if one task is not your cup of tea we are happy to get you involved in another way!
Join us all summer long at your local farmer’s market and community fairs: Rural Vermont will be attending farmers markets and fairs all throughout the summer and we would love for you to join us in your community. For those of you already passionate about Rural Vermont’s mission, we can put together an action table with all the necessary campaign materials for you to engage your friends and neighbors at your local community event.
Please contact Robb at robb@ruralvermont.org or call (802) 223-7222.