Higher Ground in Burlington
Featuring the “Hug Your Farmer” house band and several guests, including Jon Fishman. The proceeds from this concert will benefit flood recovery efforts through our Farmer Emergency Fund. Get your tickets now!
Full list: Events
05/19-05/20 The Northeast Kingdom Farm to Yarn Tour
Free!
On May 19th and 20th, 2012, visit Northeast Kingdom fiber producing farms, learn where local fiber comes from, meet the animals who provide it, see how they are raised, and purchase fiber, yarn, or hand-knit items. The Farm to Yarn Tour is a FREE and fun event for all ages!
Contact the Northeast Kingdom Travel and Tourism Association
Phone: 802.626.8511 Email: Info@TraveltheKingdom.com Visit the Website: TraveltheKingdom.com
05/21 Valley Food & Farm & BALE host: A New Farmer Meet-Up
Monday, May 21st, 2012, 7pm-9 pm
5 Olde Tavern, South Royalton, VT
Are you a new or aspiring farmer? Join Valley Food & Farm and BALE on Monday, May 21st in South Royalton for a social get together and some inspiration! Chris Piana will give an informal talk on how he accessed land to start Fable Farm in Barnard. Meet and mingle with fellow farmers in the area and enjoy good food and drink. Valley Food & Farm and BALE will be there to share land access resources and hear your needs and interests for the next New Farmer Meet-up.
This is the first in a series of Farmer meet-ups we will be holding this year, and we are excited to co-host with BALE. It’s a great chance to meet and tell Valley Food & Farm and BALE how they can help.
05/29 “LOCAL FOOD: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?” by Ben Hewitt
May 29th, at 7 PM
free!
BEN HEWITT SPEAKING FOR THE FOUR RIVERS PROJECT
The Four Rivers Food Center Project, which last fall held a number of community meetings in Orange and Windsor Counties, will be hosting a free public presentation at the Vershire Town Center on Tuesday, May 29th, at 7 PM. The featured keynote speaker will be Ben Hewitt of Hardwick, author of “The Town that Food Saved” and “Making Supper Safe.” We’ll also present our final report on the prospects for regional food centers in this area, and open the floor to responses. Come with ideas, or just to listen. Snacks of local origin (but guaranteed yummy) will be provided. For more information, call 802-439-5324
05/30-6/1 SLOW LIVING SUMMIT
Downtown Brattleboro
To register for the Slow Living Summit, please visit the registration page at our website, www.slowlivingsummit.org.
Gather with engaged citizens, entrepreneurs, investors, educators, students, civic, foundation and non-profit leaders at the Slow Living Summit, May 30-June 1 to invent and implement cross-sector solutions for sustainable communities in a post-carbon, new-economy world.
The second-annual U.S. Slow Living Summit is a national convening of cross-sector intelligence, ideas and action for sustainable living co-organized by graduate schools in management and international development. It boasts at least 50 sessions on topics like food, agriculture, spirit, investing, energy, technology, entrepreneurship, communities, media and sustainability – plus theater, video and music offerings.
“Imagine a conference that takes place not in the sterile corridors and conference rooms of a hotel conference center, but along the vibrant main street of a historic New England town with a rich arts scene,” says Orly Munzing, founder and executive director of Strolling of the Heifers, which is organizing the Summit.
“Creating a just and sustainable world isn’t just about economics and energy, it’s also about how we live and how we treat each other,” says Ellen McCulloch-Lovell, president of Marlboro College, one of the event’s co-sponsors along with Brattleboro-based World Institute-SIT. “We’re looking to solutions for our planet in which common good is just as important as private gain.”
An array of speakers and participants include Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin (recipient in 2011 of the “greenest governor” award), and David Orr, Oberlin College environmental professor and architect of the Obama administration’s policy on global warming.
Other featured participants include Woody Tasch, founder of the organization Slow Money, Charles Eisenstein, author of Sacred Economics: Money, Gift, and Society in the Age of Transition, Chris Martenson, author of The Crash Course, Michael Shuman, director of the Institute for Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, Washington D.C., and author James Howard Kunstler.
Because 2012 is the United Nations-designated Year of the Co-op, the Summit will have a special focus on co-operative organizations, including participation by John Restakis, executive director of the British Columbia Co-operative Association and author of Humanizing the Economy.
In its three major themes – Slow Economics, Slow Communities and Slow Policies - the conference will examine sustainable, resilient approaches in many areas including food, energy, health care, relationships, investing and entrepreneurship.
The Summit happens just before the world-famous Strolling of the Heifers weekend – Summiteers are encouraged to stay in town for the Stroll, an agriculturally-themed parade featuring scores of heifer calves, followed by the Live Green Expo, on Saturday June 2, and the Tour de Heifer farm-to-farm cycling event on Sunday, June 3.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
Slow Living Summit is the intersection for sharing slow-living ideas and innovation. At the 2012 gathering, participants will:
- Hear about practical, action-oriented solutions. You already walk the walk and talk the talk. You don’t need persuasion, you need how-to practicality.
- Real case histories of solutions you can apply in your community, your school, or your workplace
- Connect with other participants before the gathering, though early contact networking with other attendees.
- Network across silos of expertise and interest during numerous discussions, meals and social events.
- Shape a consensus agenda in real-time within “open-space” sessions and tracks.
- Engage with Brattleboro, a unique New England town! (See description below.)
You will take away from SLS2012:
- Practical tools, advice and information about incorporating slow-living principles into work and home life.
- New professional colleagues and contacts across education, business, science, public policy and advocacy.
- A free, one-year membership in a new Slow Living Network.
In contrast to the typical convention-center conference, the Slow Living Summit’s sessions take place in various locations in downtown Brattleboro, Vermont with the town’s historic and funky Main Street serving as the concourse when moving between sessions.
SUMMIT THEMES AND TOPICS
The Slow Living Summit will examine ongoing and potential actions in many areas, always with an action-oriented focus on defining problems, proposing solutions and identifying resources.
The Summit will offer:
- Five major plenary sessions with keynoters and top-tier panel conversations Wednesday evening and Thursday and Friday morning and afternoon
- Dozens of breakout discussion sessions, panels, presentations and performances
- And plenty of time for Slow Spaces - time, space and facilitation of open space sessions: spontaneous discussions, collaborations, presentations and networking
These sessions will be organized into three overarching themes:
- Slow Economics - Exploring economics based on collaboration and integrity rather than extraction and wealth-creation.
- Slow Communities - Tools for building healthy, sustainable and resilient communities.
- Slow Policies - Economic policy and fostering public-private collaboration.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Speakers including David Orr (Oberlin college, 
06/06 Food Workers & Food Justice Conference
NYC
$20 includes light breakfast and lunch
Registreation required
Join with food workers, labor and food justice activists, funders, and media at this conference! The day will begin with the release of the FCWA report THE HANDS THAT FEED US: Challenges and Opportunities for Workers Along the Food Chain - the first-ever comprehensive report on the state of food workers in the U.S. – and workers will speak about how the report reflects their own experiences working in the food system. Also on the panel will be Kolu Zigbi of the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation and Nicholas Freudenberg, Professor of Urban Public Health, Hunter College, City University of New York. We will then have breakout sessions to focus on the policy recommendations in the report.
Right after lunch, we will have a panel focused on the policy initiatives of three New York City-based FCWA member groups: the Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York’s proposed policy to tie liquor licenses to employment standards and the sale of healthy, nutritious food; UFCW Local 1500 and ALIGN’s efforts to require community involvement and good jobs to funding support for new grocery stores in underserved neighborhoods; and Brandworkers International’s effort to include labor standards for any food manufacturing businesses that receive loans and other financial incentives in the City’s Economic Development Corporation. After this panel, we will end the day with a session of workshops to provide more hands-on tools and discussions for food workers and food justice activists.
Spanish translation and childcare will be provided! More details, including the conference agenda, are available on the Food Chain Workers Alliance’s website. Registration is only $20 and includes a light breakfast and lunch. Low-wage workers can attend for free! Register now at http://foodworkersandjustice.eventbrite.com/.
06/07-06/09 Sally Fallon Morell
Thursday June 7, 7pm Burlington lecture.
Friday June 8, 9-11am. Shelburne workshop.
Friday June 8, 1-5pm Seminar. Coach Barn, Shelburne Farms.
Saturday June 9, 9-2pm lecture. Burlington High School.
All events are free!
Thursday, JUNE 7 The Oiling of America/The Cholesterol Myths
LECTURE: The consequences of abandoning a traditional foods diet and
the connection with chronic disease. TIME: 7:00 PM LOCATION: Main Street
Landing Theater, Burlington
Friday, JUNE 8 REAL Milk
WORKSHOP: An interactive workshop on the safety, health benefi ts and
economics of raw milk as the cornerstone of a traditional diet. An open
discussion welcoming questions from milk producers, people making
products from raw milk and those wanting to know more about this
versatile food. TIME: 9-11AM* LOCATION: Shelburne, site TBA
Friday, JUNE 8 Traditional Diets
SEMINAR: An exploration of the importance of animal fats and other
elements for a healthy traditional diet; includes the pioneering work of
Dr. Weston A. Price. TIME: 1–5 PM* LOCATION: Coach Barn, Shelburne Farms
Saturday, JUNE 9 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
LECTURE: Get started with a traditional diet, including suggestions for no-fuss, economical meals. Afternoon includes hands-on demonstrations by local producers and chefs. TIME: 9AM–2 PM* LOCATION: Burlington High School
*Childcare available. Space limited. Reservations recommended.
All programs made possible with the generous support of The Forrest C. and Frances H. Lattner Foundation
More information HERE.
06/09-06/10 Sally Fallen Morrell Comes to Shelburne Farms!
Save the date!
More details here.
06/1-06/03 11th Annual Strolling of the Heifers
Brattleboro
Stroll Weekend is filled with fun and education for the whole family, built around the world-famous agriculturally-themed Strolling of the Heifers Parade — Saturday, June 2 at 10 a.m. sharp on Brattleboro’s historic Main Street.
Watch scores of lovable heifer calves led by future farmers, followed by many other farm animals, bands, tractors, floats, clowns and much more. When it’s over, follow the crowd to our all-day 11-acre Live Green Expo for food, music, dance, demonstrations, exhibits and fun, all related to our mission of sustaining family farms by connecting people with healthy local food.
More info: http://www.strollingoftheheifers.com/
06/16 NOFA-VT Benefit Concert: Bovine Social Club and Patrick Fitzsimmons
Tupelo Music Hall in White River Junction
The second concert features Bovine Social Club and Patrick Fitzsimmons on Saturday, June 16th at the Tupelo Music Hall in White River Junction. This concert will raise much-needed funds for our Vermont Farm Share program, which provides subsidized Community Supported Agriculture shares to limited-income Vermont families. You can join the fun on Facebook or buy your tickets now!
06/24 Strawberry Fest at Cedar Circle Farm!
10-4pm
East Thetford
More details coming soon!
06/24-06/29 Food Systems Summit
Burlington
This event is free and open to the public; registration is required.
The University of Vermont will host its first-ever Food Systems Summit during the summer of 2012. Titled “Leading the Necessary (r)Evolution for Sustainable Food Systems,” the Summit seeks to answer the pivotal question: “How can we create regional food systems that are viable alternatives to the conventional one that exists now?” The Summit consists of the following programs:
• Breakthrough Leaders Program for Sustainable Food Systems – A two-week program for emerging food leaders to learn about systemic issues and how to effect change on an individual and organizational level. There will be online and on-campus components. The week-long online portion starts on June 18, and is followed by a one-week residential learning experience from June 24-29. Participants will engage with a broad base of stakeholders through a public conference on June 28, and meet in a small group for deep dialogue with influential thought leaders on June 29. To apply or learn more, visit learn.uvm.edu/foodleaders. Cost: $1,195.
• The Necessary (r)Evolution for Sustainable Food Systems Conference – On June 28, the public is invited to participate in a conference that highlights innovative ideas and initiatives for transforming the food system. This important event will inspire, focus, and strengthen individual and collective action for a sustainable food system. Topics covered will include food safety, regional food systems and food-related businesses. To register or learn more, visit bit.ly/uvmfoodsystems. This event is free and open to the public; registration is required.
• Food Systems Programs and Courses – University of Vermont Continuing Education is offering a number of courses in Food Systems throughout the summer. For a full course list, visit bit.ly/food-courses. Cost range: $1,398-$3,483. Visit us online http://learn.uvm.edu/.
06/30-7/1 Holistic Veterinary Health and Chinese Medicine Seminar
The Golden Eagle in Stowe, Vermont
Taught by Nathan C. Heilman, DVM, CVA – Qi Veterinary Clinic
Learn how to improve the quality and length of your animal’s life by applying the principles of Chinese medical theory to diet, herbal therapies, and other supplements
Go to the website for complete information and sign up today!www.HolisticAnimal.weebly.com
08/2-08/05 6th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference: Digging In!
August 2-5, 2012 in Burlington
Conference registration will open May 2012
The conference will bring together food service professionals, farmers, educators, policy makers, representatives from government agencies and nonprofits, entrepreneurs, students and others who are breaking down barriers and expanding the impact of Farm to Cafeteria.
There will be skill-building short-courses, field trips to innovative Vermont farms and institutions, a diverse workshop program, and plenty of opportunities to network with inspiring individuals from across the country.
09/14-09/16 DAPNet Annual Gathering
Perry Farm, Brownington, VT
More details to come!
10/07 Pumpkin Fest at Cedar Circle Farm
10-4pm
East Thetford
Music by David Rovics, more details coming soon!
6/22-6/24 Transition Town Village Gathering (with Occupy Vermont)
June 22-24th at Twin Pond Retreat in Brookfield
Transition Town and Occupy Vermont organizers will team up to host “The Village Gathering,” a skill-share workshop weekend with hands-on project and discussions.
Vermont’s own world music band, ONEoverZERO will perform on Saturday night along with local singer-songwriter Kris Gruen. Free camping, group bike ride from Montpelier to Brookfield on Friday organized by Freeride, carpools and bikes encouraged, Pizza Party on Saturday night, bring your own meals, no dogs please.
Over 40 Workshops will be offered this year and here is just a sampling:
Edible Forest Gardens, Clay Plaster, Medicinal Herb Walks, Yoga, Energy Descent Action Plan, Natural Plant Dye, Creating Coppice Landscapes, Cordage with Wild Fibers, Lactic Acid Fermentation of Vegetables, First Aid and Community Medic Kit, Capoeira, Rotational Grazing, Compost-Powered Hot Water Demonstration, Scything, Beekeeping, Root Cellars, Mushroom Walk, and much more…
Come to our next organizers meeting on May 7th at 6pm at Hunger Mtn Coop in Montpelier. We’d love to have a few more folks help us out!!
For more info about VbC go to www.vbc-vt.org or contact jennifer@twinpondretreat.com or call 802-276-3839.