Action Alert 6/20/8

--HEMP FOR VERMONT bill to become law!
--On-Farm Slaughter of FARM FRESH MEAT bill signed!
--Upcoming Rural Vermont Events
--Other Upcoming Events

HEMP FOR VERMONT!
We just got word that the Attorney General's office has submitted an opinion to the Secretary of State that the Hemp for Vermont bill (H.267) should be allowed to become law! The Secretary of State had questioned whether the bill could become law without the Governor's signature. The question was raised because the legislature adjourned before the Governor received the bill, and the Governor chose not to sign the bill, and the Vermont constitution has a clause that says that if the legislature adjourns within three days after a presentation of a bill to the governor, if the governor chooses not to sign the bill, then it is a veto. However, in "Formal Opinion #2008-1," the Attorney General's office explained that because the legisalature actually adjourned weeks before the governor received the bill, the clause was not in effect. In true lawyerly fashion, the AG's office explained, "...the plain meaning of 'after' does not include 'before.'" So, celebrate today, because Vermont is one step closer to growing hemp! Stay tuned for future updates on how you can help to encourage the feds to open the door for us. If you want to read the final bill, it is here: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/passed/H-267.HTM

FARM FRESH MEAT BILL SIGNED!
Governor Douglas did sign the Farm Fresh Meat bill (S.322) last week. The bill is now ACT 207, and you can read the final version here: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/acts/ACT207.HTM . The On-Farm Slaughter of Meat provision is Section 5, and it states simply, "An itinerant custom slaughterer may slaughter livestock owned by an individual who has entered into a contract with a person to raise the livestock on the farm where it is intended to be slaughtered." However, don't enter into those contracts yet! This section of the bill does not go into effect until April 2009. The delayed effective date was put into the bill in order to assuage the fears of the Agency of Agriculture that the USDA would rule that this provision is not allowed, and thus, take away our ability to have a state-run meat inspection program. So, the next step is for the USDA to review the law and decide whether or not we can keep it. Stay tuned!

HELP KEEP RURAL VERMONT STRONG!
You can help to keep Rural Vermont strong, so we can fight for fair prices for family farmers, local food systems, and strong communities! Join Rural Vermont today on our secure website: http://www.ruralvermont.org/becomeamember.html. WE NEED YOU - any amount you can offer for your dues will help, and your contribution will go straight toward our work to build living soils, thriving farms, and healthy communities!

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RURAL VERMONT SUMMER EVENTS!!
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** Montpelier Seasonal COOKING CLASS SERIES**
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? Or making herb-infused butters and salad dressings? 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!
Sat July 19 (registration deadline Thurs July 17)
Sun Aug 17 (registration deadline Thurs Aug 14)
Sun Sept 28 (registration deadline Thurs Sept 25)
All classes from 5 – 8 pm in the private homes of Montpelier folks.
$20 per class (price includes ingredient fee) OR
$5 ingredient fee + 3 community credits per class for Onion River Exchange
members (http://onionriverexchange.wordpress.com/)

*** 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 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 or visit www.ruralvermont.org.

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OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
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THE FARMER AND THE CHEF
Presented by Applecheek Farm & JDC's Just Delicious Catering
The Clark brothers have partnered to offer you a unique on farm culinary
experience. Enjoy a gourmet localvore lunch, cooking demonstrations, farm
tours, pasture walks, wagon rides, and children's activities.
Saturday, June 21
10:30am - 2:00pm
Admission $8.00 Children / $10.00 Adults; includes all farm activities.
Localvore Lunch and Cooking Demonstrations $13.00 Adults / $7.00 Children.
Ages 3 and under free admission and free lunch.
Location: ApplecheeK Farm
567 McFarlane Road, Hyde Park
888-4482 - www.applecheekfarm.com
This event is part of the Vermont Culinary Classic at Stowe www.vermontculinaryclassic.com

TOWN MEETING ON THE POLITICS OF FOOD

“From Fast Food Nation to Sustainable Agriculture”

Eric Schlosser wrote “Fast Food Nation” and has been an outspoken critic of agribusiness practices in the United States. He recently worked with Senator Sanders in improving conditions for ruthlessly exploited tomato pickers in Immokolee, Florida.

SATURDAY JUNE 28th

10:30 AM

BURLINGTON CITY HALL’S CONTOIS AUDITORIUM

Senator Sanders and Eric Schlosser will be joined by local Vermonters involved in sustainable agriculture. Please join us for a very interesting discussion on the future of agriculture in Vermont and the US. Strawberry Shortcake will be served with locally grown strawberries. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information or to RSVP please call Senator Sanders’ Office at 1-800-339-9834 - www.sanders.senate.gov

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

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 .