In this time of COVID-19 and a historic economic crisis impacting Vermont farms and Vermonters, Blue Cross Blue Shield and MVP want to raise health insurance premiums once again–Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont by an average of 6.3% and MVP by an average of 7.3%. As of January 2020, health insurance premium rates for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont plans on VT Health Connect will have already risen by 52.4% since 2014 (on average). Rural Vermont believes these additional rate increases are uncalled for and inequitable, as they work against our goal of Universal Healthcare for All and make healthcare less affordable and less accessible for many Vermonters who are currently struggling to afford the costs of their healthcare. Read Rural Vermont's public comments here.
The Northeast BIPOC Farmer Relief Fund is now accepting applications from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) folks living in the Northeast who work in agriculture and have been economically impacted by the COVID crisis. Applications will be accepted through August 10th.
This Relief Fund is providing support to BIPOC folks because they have received COVID relief funds at disproportionately lower rates than white individuals, while the COVID crisis has impacted BIPOC communities at disproportionately higher rates than white communities. Both of these disparities are the result of structural racism. The amount recipients will get from this initiative is not by any means meant to rectify the racism in how previous (and current funds) have been distributed, but it is one small step to acknowledge and address these disparities.
For more info and application link, click here.
The grant funds are being provided by Farm Aid, and Rural Vermont is excited to be among the farm and food systems organizations in the Northeast that are collaborating on this initiative.
LISTENING IN PLACE: A COLLABORATION WITH THE VERMONT FOLKLIFE CENTER
We are excited about collaborating with the Vermont Folklife Center on their new project, Listening in Place––a way to record and hear Vermonters’ personal experiences of coping with the COVID pandemic and general state of the world. This is a great opportunity for farmers to share their stories and we encourage you to do so! All you need is phone/internet connection and one hour for a remote interview. Please contact Mollie if you are interested.
"FARMER VOICES IN HEALTHCARE" TESTIMONIAL PROJECT
In 2018, healthcare was identified as a top concern amongst Rural Vermont's community. In response, we’re helping to bring the voices of the agricultural community to policy makers and are working in collaboration and across sectors to bring light to healthcare as an integral issue for all, particularly the working lands community.
We are-launching our "Farmer Voices in Healthcare" Testimonial Project. Over the next few weeks, we are gathering short audio testimonials from the working lands community about their experiences with healthcare, or lack thereof, from all around the state––a particularly relevant issue now in light of COVID-19. Audio recordings will be used on Rural Vermont's website, social media, potential radio broadcast, and shared with legislators. Even if you would prefer to remain anonymous, we still want to hear from you!
Rural Vermont had opportunities this past week to speak about how we can meet more of our food needs locally with audiences of WGDR on Relocalizing Vermont (where we followed Sebastian Hielm - the Food Safety Director in Finland, where they meet 80% of their food needs domestically) and the Capital City Grange as part of its Lecturer series. We stressed the importance of transitioning the conversation from food security to food sovereignty, and the need to determine and actualize the socio-economic and human rights conditions which must be in place to have a just and equitable agriculture, food system, and society for everyone in our region.
…CLICK HERE to view older organizing updates.