Action Alert 5/30/8

--HEMP for VERMONT!!!
--Rural Vermont SUMMER EVENTS
--Other upcoming events

*******************************
HEMP FOR VERMONT
********************************

We did it! YOUR CALLS WORKED! Last night, Governor Douglas decided to allow the Hemp for Vermont bill to become law without his signature. Apparently, there was another rule that said that because it took so long to get to his desk, the "pocket veto" rule was not relevant. Whew! THANK YOU to all who made calls, wrote letters to the editor, hosted film screenings, volunteered in the Rural Vermont office, testified in the statehouse, and otherwise helped us to get this bill enacted! Take a break to celebrate and JOIN US at one of our upcoming summer events, and stay tuned for next steps...on to DC! Because of the way our law is written, we need change at the federal level to allow our farmers to plant hemp here.

You can read the final bill here:
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/passed/H-267.HTM

*************************************************
RURAL VERMONT SUMMER EVENTS!!
*************************************************

** FILM SERIES AT THE SHREWSBURY LIBRARY **
Come check out two really great films, participate in lively discussions, and
get updates on Rural Vermont's summer plans and events! Both events at the
Shrewsbury Library, 98 Town Hill Road, Shrewsbury.
(First event was May 23rd)
Sunday, June 8, 6:30 pm - The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil
Take a look into Cuba's response to an economic crisis that resulted when oil
and food imports were drastically cut. This film tells of the hardships and
struggles as well as the community and creativity of the Cuban people. It
presents options and hope as we all work towards limiting our dependence on
fossil fuels.

** Montpelier Seasonal COOKING CLASS SERIES**
Ever wonder what to do with fiddleheads and fennel? Want to learn about cooking
with grass-fed meats, and how to make your own sausage? How about substituting
Vermont’s natural sweeteners for sugar? Come join Rural Vermont for a series
of cooking classes featuring Vermont’s bountiful summer offerings, and led by
Montpelier chef Susan Reid! Cooking classes will be taught with a hands-on
approach, and end with a sit-down, family-style meal. Limited space available
and pre-registration required. Reserve now!
Sun June 8 (registration deadline Thurs June 5)
Sat July 19 (registration deadline Thurs July 17)
Sat Aug 17 (registration deadline Thurs Aug 15)
Sun Sept 28 (registration deadline Thurs Sept 25)
All classes from 5 – 8 pm in the private homes of Montpelier folks.
$20 per class or $70 for series of four (prices include ingredient fees) OR
$5 ingredient fee + 3 community credits per class for Onion River Exchange
members (http://onionriverexchange.wordpress.com/)
NOTE: To get the four class discount, you MUST register by Thursday June 5th.
For more info or to register, contact shelby@ruralvermont.org / 802-223-7222.

*** 2008 ICE CREAM SOCIALS!!! ***
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Come out and celebrate a successful legislative year
for Vermont agriculture with Rural Vermont at this summer's ice cream socials!
Rural Vermont will again be touring the state and scooping homemade, farm fresh
ice cream at every stop! Come to the social nearest you to sample the freshest
ice cream made with raw cream from local dairy farmers, meet and mingle with
folks in your community, give us input about our work, and get updates on
what's next for Rural Vermont. Join us!
June 12 – Bandstand Park, LYNDONVILLE
June 17 – Montgomery Recreation Center, MONTGOMERY
June 26 – Cimarron Farm, ST. ALBANS
July 8 – 95 Poplar Manor, BETHEL
July 15 – Stowe Free Library, STOWE
July 21 – Eastman Farm, ADDISON
August 6 – (location TBD), RUTLAND
August 11 – Putney Community Center, PUTNEY
August 18 – Dana Thompson Memorial Park, MANCHESTER
All socials are free, family-friendly, and open to the public.
All are scheduled from 6:30- 8 pm.
For more information, call Rural Vermont at (802) 223-7222.

***********************************************
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
***********************************************

FOOD WORKS at TWO RIVERS CENTER

GARDEN’S FOR LEARNING – MONTPELIER SUMMER DAY CAMP

Food Works at Two Rivers Center is Central Vermont's hands-on food and agricultural education center working to strengthen local food systems and empower people to grow, prepare, eat and preserve their own foods. For 20 years, Food Works has been at the forefront of addressing the root causes of hunger and cultivating food security through hands-on education. This summer for the 13th year in a row, Food Works at Two Rivers Center is offering a summertime Gardens for Learning Camp for area children to grow, cook and eat healthy, local nutritious food. Held at twelve sites throughout the state, the Montpelier program takes place at our Two Rivers Center on Route 2 behind Cabot Creamery offices and has been a huge hit with kids ages 4 to 14.

2008 Montpelier Camp Sessions – Mon-Thurs 9-1 (aftercare available 1-4:30)

For Ages 5-6: June 23-26, June 30-July 3, July 7-10, and July 21-24

For Ages 7-9: July 14-17, July 28-31, and Aug. 4-7

For Ages 10 & up: Aug. 11-14

Cost is $100 per week. Scholarships are available. FREE admission for children qualifying for the free/reduced priced lunch program!

To register, please call (802) 223-1515 or email Carolyn@tworiverscenter.org

For more information please visit our website: www.tworiversventer.org

UPPER VALLEY FOOD CO-OP
SUMMER AROMATHERAPY WORKSHOP
WITH CAROL STEDMAN OF OSHADHI ESSENTIAL OILS
WHEN: Thursday, June 12, 5:30 - 7 pm
WHERE: Upper Valley Food Co-op, 193 N. Main St., White River Junction, VT
FEE: $5 materials fee
Please call 802-295-5804 to register.
Stay cool, deal with insect bites and stings, poison ivy, sunburn, muscle aches and travel woes! This hour and a half workshop is designed to introduce you to the basics and to give you hands-on experience in simple product making for summer survival. Your teacher is Carol Stedman, an educator from Oshadhi Essential Oils with over 25 years of experience in the natural foods industry.
Upper Valley Food Co-op is located at 193 North Main Street in White
River Jct. Vermont. Look for the big red apple. Contact: Beth Williams, 802-295-5804 jerryaburt@yahoo.com

THE HIGHFIELDS INSTITUTE ON-FARM COMPOSTING 101 WORKSHOP

Date: July 9, 2008

Time: 9:00-3:30

Location: The Highfields Institute West Hill Farm Compost Demonstration and Research Site Hardwick, VT

The Highfields Institute Composting 101 Workshop involves classroom, hands-on and demonstration components covering recipe development, feedstock mixing, pile formation, monitoring, management, and site development. Make composting work for your farm by understanding the science of composting and effective management strategies. Please register by July 1st: 802-472-5138 june@highfieldsinstitute.org

**2nd Annual Northeast Animal Power Field Days
September 26 – 28, 2008
Tunbridge Fair Grounds, Tunbridge, VT
The Northeast Animal Power Field Days is a celebration of sustainable farming and renewable resources promoting conservation, stewardship, small farms, healthy forests, and the roles that they play in vital communities. This 3-day conference will feature working animal and equipment demonstrations in field and forest settings, workshops, exhibits, networking sessions, and an auction and swap meet on Sunday. Workshop topics will include grazing management, working with draft animals, livestock health, getting started with animal power and more. For more information, go to: www.animalpowerfielddays.org or contact Carl Russell and Lisa McCrory, info@animalpowerfielddays.org, 802-234-5524. Join our discussion forum; www.draftanimalpower.com .