ACTION ALERT January 10, 2006

--New Year's Resolutions for Living Soils, Thriving Farms, & Healthy Communities
--Please Help - We Need MUGS
--Free food boxes available for low-income children and seniors
--Upcoming Great Events!

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR LIVING SOILS, THRIVING FARMS, & HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

As the new year (and a new legislative session) are fast approaching, we have a list of suggested New Year's Resolutions to help work toward our vision of Food with Dignity:
Our vision is for a Vermont local food system which is self-reliant and based on reverence for the earth. It builds living soils which nurture animals and people with wholesome, natural products, supporting healthy, thriving farms and communities. These communities in turn work to encourage and support current and future farmers, continuing our Vermont heritage. This abundant and generous way of life celebrates our diversity and interdependence.

If you would like to help achieve this vision, try these three resolutions for 2007:
1) JOIN RURAL VERMONT -- one way to work toward our vision is to work together! Your activism and financial support will help us to reach out to more Vermonters, provide information to legislators, and continue to work with farmers to make sure our state policy leads us toward our vision. You can join on our secure website using PayPal here: http://www.ruralvermont.org/becomeamember.html
Or you can send your check to Rural Vermont, 15 Barre Street, Ste. 2, Montpelier, VT 05602. Please join today! Your contribution is tax-deductible. Our dues is a sliding scale - please give whatever amount feels right to you. Any amount will help us with our work.

2) GET TO KNOW YOUR LEGISLATORS -- this year is the start of a new biennium, and a good time to get to know your legislators. Find out who your Representatives and Senators are here: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/legdir/legdir2.htm.
Then, send them a HAND-WRITTEN note introducing yourself and letting them know the issues that you are interested in. Over the course of the year, try to meet with your legislators at least once on an issue that you care about, and make sure to thank them when they do things that you like.

3) GET TO KNOW YOUR FARMERS -- in order to achieve our vision, it is really important for us to know our farmers and know where our food comes from. Get to know the farmers in your area. Stop by the farm over the winter and say hi. Ask if they sell any food from the farm, and if so, buy it! There's nothing better than farm fresh milk, meat, eggs, grains, and produce. Ask them what issues are important to them, so you can begin to see how state policy affects local food systems.

Let us know how you fare with your resolutions! Email amy@ruralvermont.org to share your stories.

PLEASE HELP - WE NEED MUGS!
Do you have any mugs in the back of your cabinet collecting dust? Here is your opportunity to clean house and lend a hand to Rural Vermont! Rural Vermont is collecting mugs for our upcoming Hot Chocolate Socials. There is nothing more comforting on a cold winter day than sipping hot chocolate from a warm mug surrounded by old and new friends. Please help us conserve paper and make this winter's Hot Chocolate Socials extra special cozy by donating a mug or two. Feel free to bring them to any Rural Vermont table at the winter events, including the Grass Farmers' Conference, the Farm Show, or the NOFA-VT conference, or drop them off at the office (15 Barre Street, Montpelier). There will be a box labeled "Mugs" at the bottom of the stairs, but if you're in the neighborhood during business hours, please come up to our office on the 2nd floor and visit us! Thanks!

Also - watch your email and your mailbox for invitations to the Hot Chocolate Socials. They will be fun and informative, and a great way to beat the winter blues!

FREE MONTHLY FOOD BOXES AVAILABLE FOR INCOME-ELIGIBLE CHILDREN
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a federal program managed and distributed by the Vermont Foodbank. This program offers free monthly nutritious food to income-eligible children, senior citizens and women who are pregnant or post-partum for less than a year. Currently there is no waiting list for the CSFP program and we are encouraging all who qualify to apply today! There are 162 locations throughout the state where parents or a proxy can pick up a 40- pound box of food each month that includes canned fruits & vegetables, canned meat, fruit juices, cereals, cheese, pasta or rice, beans or peanut butter and more for their child. The application process is quick and easy – it takes less than 5 minutes to apply. Program Details: Each qualified senior, woman or child receives a food box each month and can participate in other commodity programs at the same time. Seniors must be 60 years old or older. Children must be under the age of 6 and not in the WIC program; women must be pregnant or post-partum for less than a year and not in the WIC program. All individuals must also be income eligible. For more information call the Vermont Foodbank's toll free number 1-800-214-4648 for a simple pre-screening. An application will be mailed to those who qualify.

UPCOMING EVENTS

BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN HEARINGS
The State of Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has developed a draft Vermont Pedestrian and Bicycle Policy Plan to promote bicycling and walking as an integral part of the overall transportation network in Vermont. An Executive Summary of the Plan, as well as a copy of the full Draft Vermont Pedestrian and Bicycle Policy Plan are available for review on the VTrans web site: http://www.aot.state.vt.us/planning/pbpp.htm. This is the plan that will shape the future of bicycling and walking in Vermont, so it's important that the cycling/walking/planning community knows what's in the plan!
Questions? Contact the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition -- 802-225-8904
There will be 3 public meetings to present the plan and get public input. All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.:
Tuesday, January 9, 2007 Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization
Downstairs Conference Room, 30 Kimball Avenue, South Burlington
Thursday, January 11, 2007 Bridgewater Village Elementary School, Bridgewater
Thursday, January 18, 2007 Brattleboro Savings and Loan, 221 Main St., rear entrance, Brattleboro
Snail mail and email comments will be accepted until February 5, 2007. Please address them to:
Scott.Bascom@state.vt.us
Scott Bascom
Planning Coordinator
Policy and Planning Division
VT Agency of Transportation
National Life Building
Drawer 33
Montpelier, VT
05633-5001

VERMONT GRAZING CONFERENCE: OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO DIRECT MARKETING
keynote speaker: Mark McAfee, Farmer and Founder of Organic Pastures Dairy Company
cosponsored by Rural Vermont
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Vermont Technical College, Randolph Center, VT

V.A.L.I.D.
Introduction to Rights-Based Organizing Workshop sponsored by The Vermont Alliance for Locally Initiated Democracy (VALID)
Fletcher Free Library – Burlington – January 10th @ 6:00 pm Free.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library- Montpelier- January 24th @ 6:00 pm Free.
Rights-based organizing is an empowering new way to challenge corporate power, protect our environment and enhance our democracy. We’ll discuss why most citizen efforts fail and why even the ones that succeed don’t win very much. Also, we will show an inspiring video about how citizens in Barnstead, NH used rights-based organizing to protect their water from a corporate bottling operation. Join us to learn more! For more info: Rick 244-5636 rscharf@pshift.com or www.validdemocracy.org

NOFA-VT Second Annual Direct Marketing Conference
January 13, 2007, Vermont Law School
Direct marketing, whether through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA’s), farmers’ markets, farm stands or on-farm events, can provide the best return for farmers. NOFA-VT offers this conference for farmers and farmers’ market organizers to share successful marketing ideas and build stronger marketing opportunities in Vermont. This year’s conference features a Beginning Farmer Track, sponsored by the UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Direct marketing workshops are featured in this conference, rather than being included in the workshop line up at the Annual NOFA-VT Winter Conference on February 10th. About the Keynote: Vance Corum has 28 years experience in all realms of agricultural direct marketing while working with state government, non-profits, and the private sector. His primary joy is helping organize farmers’ markets in over 70 communities and restore markets in countless others. He is co-author of The New Farmers’ Market: Farm Fresh Ideas for Producers, Managers & Communities, lauded as the foremost guide to the farmers’ market industry. For a complete agenda please visit our website: www.nofavt.org. The conference fee is $25 per person (lunch is provided). To register please call Meg at 802-434-4122 or email info@nofavt.org.

NOFA-VT’s 25(!) Annual Winter Conference
February 10th, 2007, Vermont Technical College
Mark your calendars! The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT)’s 25th Annual Winter Conference will be held on Saturday, February 10th at the Vermont Technical College in Randolph, Vermont. We are very excited to announce our keynote speaker: Kathy Lawrence. Kathy is the former Executive Director of the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture, a network of diverse groups whose mission is to shape national policies to foster a sustainable food and agricultural system that is economically viable, environmentally sound, socially just, and humane (www.sustainableagriculture.net). Also featured at the Winter Conference are 32 workshops taught by experienced farmers and agriculture specialists for farmers, home gardeners, educators and concerned consumers. Some of the many workshop topics include: Local Grain Production, Climate Change & Farming, Heat Energy from Composting Manure, Wildcrafting, Cooking with Grass-Fed Beef, Organic Raspberries, Integrating Livestock into Your Backyard, Rabbits on Pasture, and Maximizing Space in the Garden. Future farmers can attend the Children’s Conference for ages 6 to 13. The Children’s Conference offers farming related workshops, games and crafts. Also, there is a colorful farmers’ market (open all day featuring educational materials, organic products, crafts, and associated businesses and non-profits), live music, and a silent auction benefiting our Farm to School Mentor Program, a program which builds partnerships between schools, farmers, and their communities through agricultural education. Registration is available in advance or at the door the day of the conference. Pre-registration is recommended. To receive a conference brochure and registration form, please call the NOFA-VT office at: (802) 434-4122 or email a request to info@nofavt.org. Registration fee is $35.00 for members and $45.00 for nonmembers. $5.00 discount for farmers. The conference will begin at 8:30am with the keynote at 9am and an organic ice-cream social at 5 p.m. For more information about this event, visit: www.nofavt.org. Brochures will be mailed the first week in January. To register for the farmers’ market, inquire about sponsorship opportunities, or donate a silent auction item, please contact Meg at the NOFA-VT office, (802) 434-4122 or info@nofavt.org.

NEW YORK FARM CONFERENCE
NOFA-NY Annual Organic Conference: Building the Farm Economy Around Local Foods
January 26-28, 2007 – Holiday Inn, Syracuse, NY
The conference will feature over 55 workshops of interest to vegetable, grain, and livestock farmers, gardeners, food businesses, food system activists, consumers, teens and children! Saturday evening will include an anniversary celebration to commemorate 25 years of NYS organic farming education and community. This year’s conference features an exciting keynote lineup including Joel Salatin from Polyface Farm, Swoope, VA; Richard Pirog from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University; Judy Wicks owner of White Dog Café, Philadelphia, PA, and Guest Speaker, Joel McNair from Graze magazine. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge of organic agriculture and network among the leaders in the industry. The full conference program and registration forms are available at the NOFA-NY website, visit: www.nofany.org.

THREE ORGANIC FARMING CONFERENCES IN CONNECTICUT
CT NOFA is sponsoring three conferences this winter. Click on the links below for more information.
For new and existing farmers: Getting Started in Organic Farming will be held on January 13 in New Haven,CT. http://www.ctnofa.org/events/GettingStarted.php
For community organizations, farmers and individuals who operate or want to operate a community farm:The Community Farming Conference will be held on February 10 at the Mercy Center in Madison. It is co-sponsored by the Mercy Center and the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Elizabeth Henderson and Lynda Simpkins will keynote. http://www.ctnofa.org/events/CommunityFarming.php
For farmers, gardeners, land care professionals and citizens: Cultivating an Organic Connecticut will be held on March 10 at Windsor High School in Windsor. John and Nancy Jack Todd will discuss "The Promise of Ecological Design." Plus 30 workshops, potluck lunch and organic marketplace.
http://www.ctnofa.org/events/CaOC.php

CREATIVE RE-USE SHOWCASE
The 11th annual Creative ReUse Showcase is coming to the Frog Hollow Gallery in Burlington this winter. The Chittenden Solid Waste District invites you (and your artist friends) to enter the 2007 Showcase. If your entry is selected, it will be on display for a month at Frog Hollow Gallery or a local sponsor’s place of business for the entire month of February. You also have the option to sell your piece at that time, and you will eligible to receive a $100 gift certificate from the local business/ co-sponsors listed below.
Awesome Art: Boutilier's Art Center
Fabulous Fashion: Champlain Clothing Company
Perfectly Practical: Outdoor Gear Exchange
Outrageously Original: Burlington City Arts
Strongest Statement: Artists' Mediums
People's Choice: Frog Hollow
This year we're introducing a Global Warming Grand Prize for the project that most expresses concern for the issue of climate change. NRG Systems will award a $200 cash prize!
For more information on the Creative ReUse Showcase check out this link:
http://www.cswd.net/school_programs/showcase_07.shtml
Also, I am available to do an in-class presentation for any classes interested in joining in the competition. Please contact me with any questions and download an entry form off the cswd website listed above. Thanks!
Jessica Sankey
Waste Reduction Coordinator
jsankey@cswd.net
(802) 872-8100 ext 211

FILM SERIES IN MARLBORO
Know Media Presents their 4th Annual
ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM FILM SERIES
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m.
Marlboro Technology Center, Brattleboro (directions below)
January 23, 2007 - Big Bucks, Big Pharma: Marketing Disease and Pushing Drugs
Big Bucks, Big Pharma pulls back the curtain on the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry to expose the insidious ways that illness is used, manipulated, and in some instances created, for capital gain. Panel discussion to follow. Sponsored by Know Media and the Vermont Citizens Campaign for Health
February 27th, 2007 - Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes
Director hip-hop fan, and gender violence prevention educator, conceived the documentary as a "loving critique" of a number of disturbing trends in the world of rap music. He pays tribute to hip-hop while challenging the rap music industry to take responsibility for glamorizing destructive, deeply conservative stereotypes of manhood. Critically acclaimed for its fearless engagement with issues of race, gender violence, and the corporate exploitation of youth culture. Sponsored by Know Media and ACME VT.
March 27th - DOUBLE FEATURE: Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People
ALSO SHOWING: MANY WAYS TO SEE THE WORLD: A Thirty-Minute Tour of World Map Images
This groundbreaking documentary dissects a slanderous aspect of cinematic history that has run virtually unchallenged form the earliest days of silent film to today’s biggest Hollywood blockbusters. By inspiring critical thinking about the social, political, and basic human consequences of leaving these Hollywood caricatures unexamined, the film challenges viewers to recognize the urgent need for counter-narratives that do justice to the diversity and humanity of Arab people and the reality and richness of Arab history and culture.
All films are open to the Public Suggested donation $3 - $7 (Proceeds to benefit Know Media) For More Info Call Robin (802) 258-2402 tbreeze@sover.net. Directions to Marlboro Tech Center: From North: Interstate 91 Take Exit 1, Brattleboro. At end of ramp turn left; (Route 5 / Canal Street). Travel 1.2 miles toward downtown Brattleboro. At the bottom of the second hill you descend, look for signs for Route 142 South. At 4-way intersection, make a sharp right onto Vernon Street (Route 142 South). Go past Brattleboro Museum on left. Parking for the Graduate Center is the next left. Room 2 NE
If you have any questions about this email or if you want to subscribe to or unsubscribe from Rural Vermont's Farm Policy Network e-alert list, contact amybeth@together.net.