2024 Farmer Calendar
Our Climate Farmer Stories 2024 wall calendar is here! This unique calendar celebrates farmers whose practices draw down carbon, nurture…
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Vital
COMMUNITIES
Bridging boundaries to create
positive change in the Upper Valley
Vital
COMMUNITIES
Bridging boundaries to create
positive change in the Upper Valley
Vitality and Resilience, Convening for Change
The Upper Valley of the Connecticut River is made up of thousands of visible and invisible networks of people working together: launching businesses, growing food, creating art, making homes, teaching, healing, caring for the environment, and running the government.
Vital Communities works to strengthen those networks so that our region—69 distinct towns and cities spanning two states, with no single dominant metro area—can thrive. Our staff specializes in convening for change: bringing people together to size up and address our challenges. We have evolved as a hub of initiatives, resources, and working groups in such areas as business vitality, food and farming, energy, transportation, climate change, leadership, housing, and outdoor learning.
Intrinsic to this work is a steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion so that people of all backgrounds and life experiences are involved at every level; and an ongoing acknowledgment that our office is sited and our work takes place within the sovereign homeland of the Abenaki Nation and People.
What’s New?
A Quest is Renewed, a Book is Born
The Moving Houses Quest in Thetford, VT has a new name, Shifting Structures, and a new book that tells its…
New Project Aims for a Shared Clean Transportation Future in the Upper Valley
To reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, our communities need to transition to “clean transportation” —…
A Day-Long Immersion in Place-Based Ecological Education
Over 100 educators, professional development providers, administrators, and community members came together on Friday, October 13, at Lake Morey Resort…
A Day of Climate Farming Inspiration
More than 200 community members joined us at the Farm to Film Fest on Saturday, October 21, to learn about…
Staying Safe in Walktober–and Beyond!
This October, Vital Communities is joining organizations across the country in celebrating “Walktober” – a time to celebrate how great it…
Walktober: The Backroads Edition
This October, Vital Communities is joining organizations across the country in celebrating “Walktober” – a time to celebrate how great…
Advocating for Mobility as We Age
Learning about Walkable Communities and How to Create Them In a rural, car-oriented community, what can you do when you…
Walktober: The Freedom of the Feet
This October, Vital Communities is joining organizations across the country in celebrating “Walktober” – a time to celebrate how great…
Not Just Recreation, But Also Practical
Could an e-bike help you be less dependent on automobiles? Could the Upper Valley E-Bike Lending Library help you make…
Ashley and Mike’s Housing Story: Disappointment, hope, challenge, and luck
Pandemic home-buying was a grind, but walkability was a surprise benefit. Housing is a complex challenge and everyone’s story is…
A Great Start to a New Leadership Year
Leadership Upper Valley 2024’s Opening Day Twenty-seven new participants in Leadership Upper Valley gathered at the beautiful Ohana Family Camp…
Early Childhood Education Progress Report
Collaborative Progress on Early Childhood Education in 2023 For 21 years, Tammie Hazlett has been centering family, community, and play…
Intergenerational Community Conversations
We Upper Valley communities say we want young people to move here. But where do we expect them to live?…
A Preview of Riverwalk’s Affordable Apartments
Anyone passing through White River Junction over the past several months would have likely noticed the rapid construction of a…
Upper Valley Farm to School Network 2023 Mini-Grant Projects
Twelve Upper Valley schools and early childcare centers were awarded mini-grants to support Farm to School projects this year! These…
Affordable Energy Resource Fair Returns for Second Year
Event to help those struggling with high energy costs Vital Communities and LISTEN Community Services are hosting the second annual…
Reaching Students Through the Outdoors
October 13 Conference Brings Together Place-Based and Ecological Educators to Share Ideas, Inspiration, and Techniques Founded in 2017 as the Wellborn Hub, the Upper…
Upper Valley Artist Raises Funds for Farm Flood Relief
Both VT and NH NOFA’s have funds to help farmers The Vermont and New Hampshire chapters of the Northeast Organic…
Ashley’s Housing Story: Living in Employer-Provided Housing
A little separation and a good work culture can make all the difference. Housing is a complex challenge, and everyone’s…
A Homeschool Perspective on Valley Quests
Amanda Ehret is an Upper Valley parent who documents her adventures in homeschooling at “Because We Homeschool”. Her most recent…
Flood Recovery Resources
This page contains information regarding the July 2023 flooding. General Flood Resources The State of Vermont is maintaining a continuously…
Kate’s Housing Story: Live in one unit, rent the other two, pets allowed!
Housing is a complex challenge and everyone’s story is different. In this blog series, Vital Communities Housing and Transportation team…
2023 Housing Solutions Breakfast (6/2/23)
2023 Housing Solutions Breakfast June 2, 2023 Hilton Garden Inn, Lebanon NH The Housing Solutions Breakfast brings together employers, developers, advocacy…
Learning Together about Making a Difference in Our Communities
On June 14 at VINS, Leadership Upper Valley ended the 22-23 program with a day of discussion, laughter, plans for…
The Lasting Impact of Everyone Eats
Multiplier Effect Stimulated $78 Million in Additional Local Spending Westminster, Vt. — Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE), the innovative, statewide, $49…
Trout in the Classroom with Thetford Academy
On a cool morning in May, Place-Based Education Project Manager Andrew Deaett joined the seventh grade class from Thetford Academy…
Award for Upper Valley Housing Fund Team
Accepting the 2023 Partnership for Innovation Award from New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility. John Benford Photography. At its spring…
Upper Valley 2023 Pride Month Events
Happy Pride! Connect and celebrate this month and beyond at the Pride events listed below. Pride Events: The Family Resource…
Gaining the Confidence, Knowledge, and Skills to Make Change
Leadership Upper Valley, which since 2007 has helped hundreds of Upper Valley residents acquire greater impact and confidence as community…
Sasha’s Housing Story: A decade in the same rental with a voucher
Housing is a complex challenge and everyone’s story is different. In this blog series, Vital Communities Housing and Transportation team…
Upper Valley Farm to School Network 2023 Mini-Grant Recipients
We are thrilled to announce this year’s Farm to School mini-grant recipients. The following projects were selected from 22 qualified…
How Businesses Can Help Us Meet Our Early Childhood Education Needs
Engaging businesses can help a region meet its needs in early childhood education (ECE), according to a May 10 presentation…
Housing Stories from Farm & Wilderness
Providing housing for employees, while finding housing for yourself, and the added challenge when there are pets. Housing is a…
More Farmers and Artists Join “Climate Farmer Stories”
The Climate Farmer Stories project continues with another cohort of Vermont and New Hampshire farmers and artists! At the end…
Climate Farmer Stories 2023 Exhibit Schedule
Where you can view in person a new multimedia exhibit celebrating Upper Valley farmers whose methods help the climate. From…
June 2 Housing Breakfast Focuses on Small-Scale Solutions
Upper Valley Housing: A Complex Problem with Complex Solutions June 2 Public Event Brings Together Employers, Developers, and Advocates …
Alyssa’s Housing Story: Downsizing and shortening their commute, during a pandemic
Housing is a complex challenge and everyone’s story is different. In this blog series, Vital Communities Housing and Transportation team…
Forest Days at Bradford Elementary School
Several weeks ago Andrew Deaett, our Project Manager for Place-Based Education had the chance to connect with Megan Dubuque from…
Getting Around: Car-free and Carefree (Well, Almost)
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Questing for More Diverse Ways to Get Around
Valley Quest 2023 Season Features Super Quest 2023: Ways to Go! Must we always jump in a car every time…
On May 6, Learn the “How To’s” of ADUs
2023 Home Creators Expo in Hartford May 6 Promoting ADUs to Help the Housing Crisis; Encouraging Homeowners to Become Home…
Longer-Term Programs for Hunger
Everyone Eats is ending, but hunger in the Upper Valley continues. Here are ways you can find help and support…
The Week of the Young Child: Celebrating Early Childhood Educators
April 1 to 7, let early childhood educators know how much you appreciate what they do for our children and…
A Place to Plant Seeds: The Sowing of Strange Blossom
Help create a community center where people can find services, products, events, and more that better connect them to nature…
Traveling Multimedia “Climate Farmer” Exhibit Opens April 1
A new multimedia exhibit shares the stories and portraits of 13 Upper Valley farmers who are using agricultural methods that…
Webinar: Additional Shared Equity Tools
Previous webinars looked at models where ownership of a property is shared between different parties. There are also tools that…
Early Childhood Education Initiative: A Progress Report
Even if you and your family don’t rely on early childhood education and childcare, you’re probably aware of the current…
New Upper Valley Lists – PLURAL! – Start March 1!
The Upper Valley email list(uppervalley@lists.vitalcommunities.org) is one of almost 60 Community Discussion Lists (AKA “liservs”) that Vital Communities provides to…
Webinar: Cooperatives, LLCs, and Other Shared Ownership
Some people who can’t afford to buy real estate individually are interested in purchasing it collaboratively with others to whom…
What’s Happening in Housing Policy, State and Local?
This is the third of a new blog post series exploring promising solutions for addressing our region’s housing crisis, at…
Farmer and Rancher Stress Assistance Network
The Farmer And Rancher Stress Assistance Network is a national program aimed toward connecting people who work in farming and ranching…
Wrapping Up the 2022 Climate Change Leadership Academy
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
Everyone Eats Ends on March 31
After two-and-a-half years and 3.5 million free meals that helped Vermont restaurants, farmers, and eaters weather the COVID pandemic, Vermont…
Webinar: Owning the Building, Leasing the Land: Potential and Pitfalls.
This webinar looked more closely at the scenario where a resident, homeowner, or farmer owns the buildings that they live…
Consider a CSA, Especially a Climate-Friendly One!
Did you know that the Community Supported Agriculture movement in the United States was born in this region? Temple Wilton…
Sunrise Farm Field Trip – Woodstock C.R.A.F.T Program
Are you looking to connect your Farm to School program with more community partners? The C.R.A.F.T program at Woodstock Union…
Opportunity for Artists – Climate Farmer Stories
Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center, East Thetford, VT. By Cecily Anderson. Seeking figurative artists and illustrators to portray local…
Getting Around: Love Your Bike or E-Bike, Even in Cold Weather
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Farmer to Farmer Story Swaps Begin February 8
Farmers are known to have some of the best stories around as they deal, day in and day out, with…
Building a More Welcoming and Inclusive Community Through Food
Support the Karibbean Restaurant’s The Local Crowd Upper Valley Crowdfunding Campaign The Karibbean Restaurant partnered with The Local Crowd Upper…
Webinar: Community Land Trusts
A community land trust is a specific type of nonprofit organization that owns real estate and is governed by community…
Support the “Everyone Eats” Restaurants
We’re highlighting the work of our Upper Valley Everyone Eats partners to encourage the community to support the folks and…
Exploring Housing Solutions: A Cooperative Approach
This is the third of a new blog post series exploring promising solutions for addressing our region’s housing crisis, at…
Nine Weeks of Shop Indie (Holiday) Local!
In the final nine weeks of 2022, what can each of us do to help make 2023 better for our…
Upper Valley Teaching Place Collaborative 2022 Mini-Grant Projects
Nine diverse educational organizations from across the Upper Valley received Upper Valley Teaching Place Collaborative mini-grants this year, including several…
Thetford Academy Outdoor Program: Playing in Place
On October 5, our Place-Based Education Project Manager Andrew Deaett joined Thetford Academy’s Outdoor Program on an outing at Bill…
How Local Businesses Can Be Wise About Climate (12/07/22)
What are Climate Wise Business practices and how can businesses be wise about climate? This Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup invited…
A Great Year for the E-Bike Lending Library
Did you ride an e-bike this past year? If you were in Upper Valley, you would have had many chances…
2023 Climate Farmer Calendars On Sale Now
Be inspired all year by the Climate Farmers 2023 wall calendar – a celebration of farmers whose practices draw down…
Affordable Energy Resources Fair: When’s the Next One?
“When’s the next one? Will this be annual?” These questions dominated post-event conversations about the Affordable Energy Resources Fair, organized…
2CLA 2022 Session 5: How to Talk With People About Climate Change
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
2CLA 2022 Session 4: Climate Migration
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
Can the Upper Valley Grow More Food and Feed More of Its Residents?
Grants Help Food Access and Farming Organizations Form Upper Valley-wide Network Imagine all Upper Valley residents having access to…
2CLA Session 3: Adapting to Climate Change
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
Learning About Leading: Upper Valley Arts
What do participants explore and experience in the 10 monthly sessions of Leadership Upper Valley? This second installment of a yearlong…
How Can Upper Valley Businesses Survive in a Changing Climate?
Droughts & Downpours forum hosted by Hypertherm in Lebanon, New Hampshire on Tuesday, October 30, 2018.Copyright 2018 Rob Strong The…
Getting Around: A Non-Driver Perspective
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Expanding Ownership: Shared Ownership Models to Increase Access to Housing and Farmland
Two of the most important issues facing our communities are providing safe housing for all and supporting a new generation…
Show White River Junction Some Love
Vital Communities launched a crowdfunding campaign to support White River Junction businesses. White River Junction businesses create a resilient downtown…
Homes for All Summit (10/28/22)
On October 28 local housing advocates, municipal leaders and concerned citizens gathered to hear and discuss housing stories in action. The…
Who is Everyone Eats? Maple Street Meets White River School
This is the second in a series of portraits of some of the restaurants, caterers, growers, social service agencies, and…
Vital Communities and Partners Win $200,000 “Food Vision Prize”
Prize Supports Regional Project to Increase Local, BIPOC-grown ingredients in meals for UVM Dining Services Thanks to a $200,000 “Food…
2CLA 2022 Session 2: Focusing on Climate Mitigation and Participants’ Projects
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
Getting Around: Choosing an E-Bike
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Business Planning for a New Claremont Farm
Successful food and farm businesses are critical to our region’s economy, environment, and ability to keep everyone fed and healthy.…
Learning About Leading: Upper Valley Education
What do participants explore and experience in the 10 monthly sessions of Leadership Upper Valley? This first installment of a…
Getting Around: The Challenges of Walkability
To celebrate “Walktober” Vital Communities has been exploring walkability in our Getting Around series. In a previous entry, “The Joys of…
Helping a New Laconia Food Business Launch
Successful food and farm businesses are critical to our region’s economy, environment, and ability to keep everyone fed and healthy.…
Getting Around: Commuting by Vanpool
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Making Ecological Learning Real in the White River
(Hover over these photos to see captions and click on them to enlarge them!) What do riffles, Tropical Storm Irene,…
Flora and Fauna Discoveries on a Guided Wetland Quest
Photos (L-R): Participants on the guided quest observe the tree canopy while guide Nathaniel Sharp calls migratory birds in with…
Welcome to “Walktober”!
During the month of October, planners, advocates, and organizations across the northern Hemisphere take advantage of the autumn season to…
Who is Everyone Eats? Waits River Country Store & Deli
This is the first in a series of portraits of some of the restaurants, caterers, growers, social service agencies, and…
November 4 Conference Offers Learning – and Healing – Through Place-Based Education
The news is full of reports of how hard the pandemic has been on schools, teachers, and students. One antidote…
2CLA 2022 Session 1: Who Are We and What Are We Trying to Do?
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
Getting Around: The Joys of Walkability
In preparation for “Walktober” Vital Communities staff member John Haffner explores pedestrian travel in a two-part contribution to our Getting…
Attend the Homes for All Summit: Exploring Housing Solutions for the Upper Valley
Join Vital Communities and Keys to the Valley virtually for the Homes for All Summit: Exploring Housing Solutions for the Upper Valley on Friday, October…
Late Season Pollinators and Migratory Birds Guided Quest
Join us on Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 10:00 to noon for the Late Season Pollinators and Migratory Birds Guided…
Boost Healthy Food Access in New Hampshire and Vermont
The Local Crowd Upper Valley Crowdfunds Reduced-Price ‘Farm Shares’ Vital Communities has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support affordable fall…
Help a Vibrant Village Bounce Back
Ten days after a malfunctioning sprinkler system caused a flood of more than three feet of water in the basement…
Our Vital and Vigorous Valley Quest Box Monitors
Valley Quests are a unique Upper Valley tradition. These treasure hunts take you on a journey through farms, fields, towns,…
Exploring Housing Solutions: Local Employers Meet the Challenge
This is the second of a new blog post series exploring promising solutions for addressing our region’s housing crisis, at…
Upper Valley Farm to School Network 2022 Mini-Grant Projects
Twelve Upper Valley schools and day care facilities were awarded mini-grants to support Farm to School projects this year! These…
Light the Nights at Whaleback
Join us in improving night skiing and riding at Whaleback, the Upper Valley’s nonprofit outdoor snowsports destination. Whaleback Mountain…
August is Eat Indie Local Month!
This August, Vital Communities joins the American Independent Business Alliance, New Hampshire Food Alliance, and partners throughout North America for…
Getting Around: Hauling Kids by E-Bike
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Happy Farmers Market Week
National Farmers Market Week August 7-13, 2022 Let’s celebrate National Farmers Market Week! Visit one or more farmers markets this…
Meet Representatives from White River Valley Consortium at These Events
The White River Valley Consortium is a new collaboration of 14 towns near the White River in Central-Eastern Vermont, created…
Attend These Upper Valley Vermont Open Farm Week Events
Vermont Open Farm Week runs August 7 to August 14, 2022. Farms across the state are hosting events, farm tours,…
Call for Projects: The Local Crowd Upper Valley
Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen — one that would strengthen your business, our community, and…
New Home Creation is Rising, Just Not Fast Enough
An annual study finds that more new homes were added to the Upper Valley last year than any year since…
New Vermont E-Bike Incentives: How Do They Work?
Two new financial incentives can help Vermonters with the cost of purchasing e-bikes! The State of Vermont has incentives of…
Exploring Housing Solutions: Accessory Dwelling Units
This is the first of a new blog series exploring promising solutions for addressing our region’s housing crisis, at all…
A Refresher on Regenerative Agriculture
On Saturday, July 16, individuals gathered at Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center in East Thetford, VT for a farm…
Getting Around: Taking a New Bus Line
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Thank You, Ledyard Bank
We want to give a big thank you to Ledyard Bank for their generous $5,000 gift in support of our…
Want to help lead local solutions to climate change?
Coping with climate change involves not just state, national, and international leadership but also action in our communities. Although many…
Climate Change Leadership Academy Graduate Creates Pollinator Garden
The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) brings together aspiring community leaders from throughout the Upper Valley to support one another…
Independents Month Staycation Giveaway
This July, take an Upper Valley Staycation! Looking for some inspiration?Take an Upper Valley Adventure, five curated itineraries around the…
Support Peanuts Pet Store
Peanuts Dog Treats envisions a community where all animals are given an equal opportunity to live a long happy life…
Upper Valley Everyone Eats Extended into 2023
Thanks to a $1.3 million allocation included by Vermont legislators in the final version of bill S.11, signed by Governor…
27 New Graduates of Leadership Upper Valley
Leadership Upper Valley graduation in Quechee, VT, on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Copyright 2022 Rob Strong (L-R) Leon Dunkley and…
Getting Around: “Close to nature and closer to the world”
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Housing Breakfast (6/02/22)
The Vital Communities Housing Breakfast took place Thursday, June 2, 7:30 to 9 am, at the Hilton Garden Inn. Housing…
The Local Crowd Upper Valley: Building Regional Prosperity and Resilience
Published in the Newport Times Locally owned businesses are the lifeblood of a community, paying local salaries, taxes, and material…
Attend Our Housing Breakfast on June 2
The Upper Valley faces a long-standing housing crisis that’s grown substantially worse during the pandemic. On June 2, housing leaders…
May 2022 Local Energy Showcase
15th Annual Upper Valley Energy Committee Roundtable On May 12, 2022, Vital Communities hosted a virtual Local Energy Showcase featuring…
House-hunting with Energy Efficiency in Mind
If you’re an Upper Valley home-seeker who is lucky enough to have found a home to purchase in this tight…
Heat pumps are here to stay
By Rebecca Bailey, Vital Communities For Valley News Enterprise, April 14, 2022 Reprinted with permission Imagine a refrigerator that increased threefold…
Let’s Quest!
The weather is warming, the buds are bursting, and the calendar is turning to May — it’s time to go…
A Climate/Farming Project for VT and NH Artists
Vermont and New Hampshire Artists: Create Farmer Portraits and Change the Story about Farms and Climate Change Application deadline: May…
Support the Aurora Bakery Expansion
Only four years old, Aurora Bakery is already a treasured community asset. Located on Main Street in Newport, NH, and…
Earth Month: Invest in Our Planet
This April, Vital Communities will focus on Earth Day — ALL MONTH LONG.
The Garden Season Begins at Bradford Elementary School
Spring is here and at Bradford Elementary School, Farm to School coordinator Katie Cole is gearing up for another gardening…
Celebrate Our Childcare Heroes
In honor of the Week of the Young Child, April 2-8, communities all over the country are celebrating the Early…
Fair Housing Month: What’s It About?
Did you know that April is Fair Housing Month? Every April across the United States we celebrate the 1968 passage…
Support the Plants for People Project with Hillside Botanicals
Invest in Sarah, Nate, and Hillside Botanicals Husband and wife duo Sarah Shaw and Nathan Bacon own and run a…
The Main Street Journal: The World’s Hub for Local Investing
From The Main Street Journal The Main Street Journal, with sponsorship of the National Coalition for Community Capital (NC3) and…
Introducing the Upper Valley Vermont Welcome Wagon Project
Getting connected to your community can be hard in a rural area – which is why Vital Communities is excited…
A Fun, Outdoor, “Light Lift” Volunteer Opportunity
Wanted: People of all ages with a love of the outdoors. Share that love by volunteering as a Valley Quest…
Six Reasons to Ride the Bus
Want to: Make our community more equitable to people of all income levels? Cut down on greenhouse gases? Help the…
Collaborating Across Town Lines in the White River Valley
VCRD 4-Town Visit, by Michael F. Sacca Vermont has committed $2.32 million to expand the Working Communities Challenge (WCC) and…
What’s a CSA? Should I Join One?
Every year more people say yes. Since the model was first introduced in the US in the mid-1980s, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)…
Join us for Star Throwers: Student Service Learning and Activism in the Community Webinar
During October 2021, all students at The Prosper Valley School (TPVS) participated in a service-learning program called Star Throwers. Inspired…
Vermont Everyone Eats Celebrates 2 Million Meals!
We’re thrilled to be celebrating another milestone for Vermont Everyone Eats. Over 2 million meals have been served! This statewide…
Is Wood Heat Still Good Heat?
This article originally appear in the Valley News, January 20, 2022, and is shared with permission. By Rebecca Bailey Here…
Give Local Businesses a Valentine’s Hug
This Valentine’s Day, “Love Local Upper Valley”: Show love for your sweetie and your whole community by purchasing gifts (or…
Tell Us What You Know About Organic Farming and Climate Change!
Organic agriculture plays an important role as a solution to the climate change crisis. Science demonstrates that organic farming reduces…
The Christmas Revels Thanks You
Thanks to your support, The Christmas Revels Festival was a success! Revels North appreciates all the support offered through their…
Grants for Place-Based Education Projects
Educators, do you have an idea for a project that will connect students with the outdoors? The Upper Valley Teaching…
Big Win for Team Small!
The 2021 SuperQuest winner is Team Small of White River Junction! Bettianne, Carter, and Luther (L-R, above) were one of…
Our First E-Bike Clinic
On December 3, Vital Communities hosted Todd Chewning of Cowbell Mobile Bike Shop for an informal “E-bike 101” Q &…
Everyone Eats Continues Through April 1, 2022
Good news for those who love to cook and those who need that good food the most: The State of…
Childcare Issue and Forum on WMUR
The two-session November online symposium on the childcare crisis in the Upper Valley was the center of a segment on…
Give More, Consume Less!
So many traditions at this cold, dark time of year involve gifts – expressing love, generosity, abundance, creativity, and human connection.…
Keep Calm and Shop Indie Local On
As the holiday season gets busier and busier, keep calm and Shop Indie Local on! Need some help with your…
This Giving Tuesday, Support Revels North’s Crowdfunding Campaign
The Christmas Revels Festival Come dance with daffodils, play with puppets, and lend your voice to our chorus as we…
We’re Thankful for … Upper Valley Everyone Eats
As we celebrate the fall harvest this Thanksgiving week, we at Vital Communities feel grateful for Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE)…
The Prosper School’s Star Throwers: Making a Difference
From October 12 – 14, all students at The Prosper Valley School (TPVS) participated in a service-learning program called Star…
Indigenous Thanksgiving: Honor Native Foodways
As part of Shop Indie Local Season, we invite you to celebrate an Indigenous Thanksgiving. Here’s some inspiration! Watch the…
Planning for a Just, Prosperous, and Resilient Future with Climate Change Migration (11/9/21)
Event Summary On November 9, 2021, over 100 leaders and supporters of climate resilient communities joined the Upper Valley Adaptation…
The electronic vehicle transition
By Rebecca Bailey, Vital Communities For Valley News Enterprise, October 14, 2021 Reprinted with permission Next time you’re driving behind…
ADUs: How Homeowners Can Become Home Creators (11/3/21)
Recording and Resources related to: ADUs: How Homeowners Can Become Home Creators November 3, 2021 Zoom What are “accessory dwelling…
Give More: Shop Indie Local
Give More this Holiday Season and Shop Indie Local Even with a smaller budget, you can give more this holiday…
Help the Upper Valley Plan for Climate Migration, Nov 9
In a rapidly changing global climate, rural New England has been highlighted as one of the nation’s most climate-resilient regions…
The ‘Colors’ of Birding and Nature
Colors in birding likely bring to mind plumage. Color in the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion lends a different…
Thetford Academy Students to Design a New Quest
The quest was an interesting journey A means of finding things out Classmates, this town and myself All of these…
ADUs: How Homeowners Can Become Home Creators, Nov 3
What are “accessory dwelling units” (ADUs), and how can they help address our regional housing shortage? Find out in this…
TLC Crowdfunding Update: Christmas Revels Festival and U.V.E.R. E-Bikes
The Local Crowd Upper Valley has numerous irons in the fire to move our local economy in a more resilient…
Vermont Everyone Eats Extended Through Remainder of 2021
Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE), the innovative COVID-19 response program that provides meal assistance to Vermonters while supporting local restaurants, farmers,…
LUV Alumnus Profile: Kim Gibbs
In the 17 years Kim Gibbs has lived in North Hartland, Vermont, she has become increasingly concerned about Route 5…
October is the New December
Shop Early, Shop Local: October is the New December Why Shop Indie Local early this holiday season? Supply and staffing…
Childcare In the Upper Valley: Challenges, Successes, and the Way Forward
Free and virtual – Register below to receive Zoom link Upper Valley employers and families both name access to high-quality,…
Help Fund E-Bike Delivery in the Upper Valley’s core
U.V.E.R. – the Upper Valley’s first consumer co-op delivery service – launched earlier this summer; now, we need your help…
Two Guided Quests Explore Climate Change This Fall
Vital Communities’s Valley Quests allow you to undertake self-guided explorations of more than 160 special places throughout the Upper Valley.…
How to be a Local Climate Leader
The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently released a 2021 Report detailing what science currently tells us about…
Enlarging Our Commitment to “Sense of Place”
As the poet and farmer Wendell Berry once wrote, “There are no sacred and unsacred places; there are only sacred…
Guest Essay: Meeting Our Housing Challenge
This essay is condensed from articles written by Kevin Geiger, Senior Planner at Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Planning Commission, and first published in the Vermont…
Weatherize Kearsarge: Greater Comfort, Lower Bills, Fewer Mice
Team 1 of Weatherize Kearsarge at January 2019 kickoff. Contractor performs blower door test to find where home is losing…
Need Help Buying an E-Bike?
The 2021 E-Bike Subsidy Program is closed as of December 31, 2021. Email anna@vitalcommunities.org if you would like to be…
My AmeriCorps VISTA Year
This August, Julia Guy completed a busy year with Vital Communities as an AmeriCorps Energy Savings Outreach Specialist. Originally from…
Where to Test an E-Bike
Are you hoping to test out an electric bike this summer? The Upper Valley E-Bike Library has been wildly popular…
August 2021 Local Energy Showcase
14th Annual Upper Valley Energy Committee Roundtable On August 3, 2021, Vital Communities hosted a one-hour Local Energy Showcase Webinar…
Equal Access to Broadband
Access to broadband is critical for Vermont families with students and ten percent of Vermont households with school-aged children cannot…
Wait, What Was That You Just Said? The Wondrous World of Transportation Acronyms
Even after seven and a half years working in the field of TDM (that’s Transportation Demand Management), I get confused…
Upper Valley Farm to School Network 2021 Mini-Grant Projects
We had an amazing group of projects that were supported this year through our mini-grant program. Read below to see…
WOW, Claremont-Lebanon Bus Route Launch!
Many years in the making, the Upper Valley now has a bus route between Claremont and Lebanon, run by Sullivan…
Tour Local Farms that are Helping the Climate
Everyone is concerned about climate change, but some don’t realize organic farmers are climate heroes. Fostering healthy soil is fundamental…
Feeding People Who Actually Need Food
(L-R) Mel Hall, Rep. Peter Welch, Damaris Hall, June 2021. By Brooke Grams. Preparing Everyone Eats meals at Global Village…
Help Fund a New Upper Valley Winery
The Local Crowd Upper Valley is at it again! Our newest crowdfunding campaign will support La Collina Vineyards in Barnard,…
Everyone Eats Continues Through Summer 2021
Westminster, VT, July 14, 2021 – Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE), the innovative COVID-19 response program that provides meal assistance to…
We’ve Got a New Look!
Welcome to the refreshed Vital Communities website! We hope you’ll find it easier and more intuitive to use as you…
Awesome RAIN PLAN for the July 2 First Friday!
This next Light River Junction: First Fridays with WRIF, come out of yourself for a night of drag, burlesque, music,…
Regional Collaboration for Sustainability via Place-Based Ecology Education: A Mixed-Methods Case Study of the Upper Valley Teaching Place Collaborative
Place-based Ecology Education (PBEE) has emerged as a compelling approach to achieving the sustainability goals of Environmental Education (EE), including…
Place-based education: A report from the place-based equation evaluation collaborative
Place-based education immerses students in local heritage, culture, ecology, landscapes, opportunities, and experiences as a foundation for the study of language arts,…
The Benefits of Environmental Education for K-12 Students
Experts at Stanford University systematically searched the academic literature and analyzed 119 peer-reviewed studies published over a 20-year period that measured…
June 4 “Light River Junction”: A Night to Remember
The June 4 “Light River Junction: First Fridays with WRIF,” subtitled “A Night to Remember,” promises more of the social,…
24 New Graduates of Leadership Upper Valley
From small businesses and large, health care, municipal government, a church, and many other corners of the Upper Valley, 24…
Keynote Speech, Leadership Upper Valley Graduation, June 9, 2021
The following speech was delivered by Monique Priestley, Chair, Vital Communities Board of Directors, at the Leadership Upper Valley Graduation…
Hats Off to Our Four Departing Board Members
An earlier version of this post had an incorrect title for Sally Kraft. At its May 20 meeting, the Vital…
Meet Vital Communities’ New Directors
At its May 20, 2021, meeting, the Vital Communities Board of Directors welcomed seven new members, more than replacing in…
Housing Solutions Breakfast (6/11/21)
The Vital Communities Housing Solutions Breakfast took place Friday, June 11, 7:30 to 9 am, on Zoom. This productive, inspiring,…
These Graduates Dream Green
Some June graduates envision college or careers. The 18 Upper Valley residents who graduated on June 16 from the Climate Change Leadership…
Power of Produce in Summer 2021
Power of Produce Clubs are back! The free, fun, farmers market activity for children will happen again this summer at several Upper Valley…
Turning Food Scraps Back into Food
The Local Crowd Upper Valley helped two businesses team up to close the carbon loop. The Local Crowd is a Laramie, WY-based…
Upper Valley Teaching Place Conference
We’re considering conference models that will keep us safe during COVID-19. Watch this space! The Upper Valley Teaching Place Conference…
Eating Local on a Budget
Local food somehow got a reputation as expensive and exclusive. In this area, people have been hunting, fishing, and farming…
Community Loan Funds 101 (4/27/21)
The New Hampshire and Vermont Community Loan Funds are a homegrown solution for investing in our communities, energy independence, and…
Putting Your Money to Work Locally: Investing Clubs 101 (4/15/21)
Interested in investing locally but don’t want to do it alone? Investment clubs pool money to collectively invest in local…
Banking Locally: The Easiest Way to Invest in Your Community
Financial Institutions that are rooted in the Upper Valley invest in our communities! Local Focus: Unlike larger banks that may take…
Green Home Sellers Guide
Your energy-efficient home is different. Help prospective buyers see why. Boast Worthy Green Features ✔ Solar power or solar hot…
Green Realtors
Any real estate agent can help you use the Green Homebuyer Guide Share the Green Home Buyer Guide with your…
Green Homebuyer Guide
Fact #1 Energy will likely be your second highest cost of home ownership, after your mortgage, taxes, and insurance. Fact…
Questions to Ask Before Signing a Weatherization Contract
Reviewing Your Contract and Final Work Scope After you go back and forth with your contractor to settle on a final work scope, ask for…
What to Expect from Your Energy Audit Report
Important Notes for Reviewing your Report Your energy audit report should include a comprehensive list of recommendations for making your home more energy efficient. Many…
What to Expect During Your Energy Audit
Length Typically 3-4 hours. You will learn a lot from your contractor if you are at home during your energy audit.…
Tips for Selecting a Contractor
All Vermonters are eligible for Efficiency Vermont weatherization rebates. Efficiency Vermont requires you to hire your own contractor from their…
Vermont Everyone Eats Serves Its One-Millionth Meal!
On Thursday, April 29, Vermont Everyone Eats, an innovative COVID-19 response program, is celebrating 1 million restaurant meals served to…
Flavors of the Valley 2021: The Fun Goes Digital
Spring must be here, because it’s time for Flavors of the Valley, our annual celebration of local farms. We hope…
Energy Resources for Businesses
Energy Help for Vermont Businesses Vermont businesses are eligible for multiple incentives from Efficiency Vermont, including HVAC, lighting, equipment, project…
“Light River Junction” Kicks Off May 7 with “Toons and Tones”
The celebratory summer series Light River Junction First Fridays with WRIF kicks off May 7 with a fantastic line-up called…
Launching Year 2 of the Upper Valley E-Bike Library!
The UV E-Bike Lending Library will run May – October 2022. Schedule to be announced! Do you wish biking was…
Way to Go! Spring Challenge
JOIN THE CHALLENGE MAY 1-16 AND BE ENTERED TO WIN PRIZES! Spring is here, so it’s a great time to…
Our 2021 Farm-To-School Mini-Grant Recipients!
Ten Upper Valley schools and day care facilities have been awarded $500 mini-grants to support farm-to-school projects this year! These…
Investing in Home Creation (4/15/21)
Investing for Home Creation Thursday, April 8, 5:30 pm The Upper Valley faces a shortage of housing, particularly in the…
Valley Food & Farm Advisory Committee
Peter Allison, Farm to Institution New England Birget Humper, New London Hospital Janet Taylor, Crossroad Farm Allen Reetz, Coop Food…
Have an Idea That Could Use a Lift?
New Hampshire Businesses, Farmers, Entrepreneurs, Nonprofits, Community Initiatives: Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen? Want to…
Valley Quests Open May 1—including a Guided Event to a Vernal Pool!
Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 1: It’s a big one for Valley Quests! Not only is May 1 Opening…
Claremont Everyone Eats on WCAX
Watch coverage of Claremont Everyone Eats by WCAX-TV reporter Adam Sullivan. Originally broadcast March 24, 2021.
Everyone Eats Comes to Claremont!
Thanks to a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the Upper Valley Everyone Eats model crossed the Connecticut River: Vital Communities worked…
15 Things You Can Do To Think Local First
Ideas from the members and supporters of Local First Alliance! 1. Move your banking to a community bank or credit…
The hottest spot in White River Junction this summer? A parking lot!
An underutilized parking lot behind the Hotel Coolidge in downtown White River Junction will become a vibrant, pandemic-safe place to…
Free Webinar on Writing Waterway Quests, April 8
Valley Quests are treasure hunts set in special locations around the Upper Valley. Each Quest follows a unique set of…
Climate Partners Summit (2/25/21)
Climate Partners Summit Resources On February 25, 2021, over 70 interested partners and citizens joined the Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup…
Local Investing: An Overview (2/23/21)
What is local investing? What can it do for a community? Why is it important? Who can do it, and…
The 2021 Climate Change Leadership Academy is Recruiting!
Combatting climate change depends not just on major national and global policy, but also on action within our local community.…
Climate Partners Summit February 25
Climate change has the potential to affect everyone on the planet and virtually every aspect of our lives, including here…
Digital Marketing Assistance for New Hampshire Businesses and Farms
Could your business benefit from professional consulting services to improve your marketing? With Rural Development funding, Vital Communities’ Local First…
Quest to the Star!
Have you seen the star alight upon Mt. Tom in Woodstock? Wouldn’t it be fun to see it up close? …
Vermont Energy Savings Update
This week marks the close of Vital Communities and volunteers’ 2020 Vermont Energy Savings project in seven towns in the…
Rethinking Place, Reclaiming the Present Moment with the UVLEL
In its 12th year, the Four Winds Nature Institute – Upper Valley Linkages for Environmental Literacy (UVLEL) grant program is getting…
Calling for Civil, Inclusive Communication & Interaction: Thoughts on January 6
As an organization that brings people together, bridging boundaries and engaging our whole community to create positive change, we were…
Upper Valley Everyone Eats: The Common Good; Not-So-Common Meals
With the close of 2020 came a pause for Upper Valley Everyone Eats (UVEE), the local hub of Vermont’s coronavirus…
2CLA 2019-20 Resources
Climate Change Leadership Academy 2019-20 RESOURCES Session 1: ClimateSession 2: MitigationSession 3: AdaptationSession 4: Community Project Development Presentation: Slide Presentation,…
Quest to Refresh Winners!
Congratulations to all our participants in our Quest to Refresh Challenge! 28 teams took us up on the Challenge to…
That’s Snow Excuse!
Don’t be deterred by wet, cold, or snow. Good times can be had when a-questing you go! Be sure to…
Myriad Perspectives, and Backpacking Naturalists!
We are happy to have the opportunity to feature two strong voices in the place-based ecology education (PBEE) movement in…
Buy Local to Feed Local: Upper Valley Everyone Eats (11/24/20)
At a virtual gathering on November 24, people from social service agencies and restaurants across the Upper Valley gave powerful…
2CLA Resources
Climate Change Science and Consequences Presentations: Warming Temperatures and Impacts – Presentation by Professor Erich Osterberg, Dartmouth College in March…
Housing and the Future of Claremont: A Community Conversation
Housing and the Future of Claremont: A Community Conversation [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner] About 50 community members came together at Vital Communities’ May…
Can Accessory Dwelling Units Help Meet Our Region’s Housing Needs?
Can Accessory Dwelling Units Help Meet Our Region’s Housing Needs? ADU expert Kol Peterson presented the opportunities and…
Community Conversation on Housing in Lebanon
Community Conversation on Housing in Lebanon [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Building a Strong Town: Chuck Marohn Talk in Claremont
Building a Strong Town: Chuck Marohn Talk in Claremont, April 2019 [/vc_column_text] Advice from Strong Towns’ President and…
One stop shop for VT green transportation news!
Some of our friends in Burlington have put together a super cool online resource called Vermont Goes Green for everything…
Local Food and the Pandemic: What’s Been Going On? (12/8/20)
Food and farmers have been center stage in 2020, from store and school closures, to a run on local meat…
Building Bridges in Our Community
At this writing, the outcome of the Presidential election isn’t clear. But what is clear is that the election has…
School’s Out(doors): a New Place-based Education (PBE) Resource
School’s Out(doors): Place-based Education Responds to COVID-19 and Beyond was created by PEER Associates in collaboration with Shelburne Farms, the Upper Valley Teaching Place Collaborative, and…
Naturalist Backpack Project Launches in the Upper Valley
A team of educators committed to providing Upper Valley students with the resources they need to thrive during COVID19 have…
Downtown vs. Out-of-Town: Community Conversations
Which uses of our land provide the best economic returns to our towns? The answers might surprise you. Developing big…
Community Discussion Lists: A Way Out of Partisanship?
In these contentious times, when civility, useful information, and real communication seems to be frequently missing from the big social…
Upper Valley Housing, 2010-2019: The Numbers Are In
How many and what kind of homes are we creating in our region? Vital Communities and Upper Valley Lake Sunapee…
Study Underscores the Benefits of Buying Local
A study commissioned by Vital Communities finds that, for every dollar they earn, local retailers and restaurants return a share…
Hartford Dollars Sell Out in Two Days!
Buyers gobbled up $18,000 worth of Hartford Dollars within just days of the new “currency” going on sale! And…
Put Your Money Where Your Life Is
“Rebooting Your Community After COVID – How to Invest Locally Using Self-Directed IRAs and Solo 401ks,” an introductory webinar…
2CLA Pilot Summary
Climate Change Leadership Academy Pilot Program 2019-2020 End of Project Summary September 25, 2020 The Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup (UVAW)…
50% Off When You Shop in Hartford
Support the Hartford businesses you love and boost our local economy with “Hartford Dollars”—a special “currency” that gives you a…
Fall Guided Quest in Wilder, VT
Join Vital Communities’ Valley Quest Coordinator Sandy Gmur along with Roy Black, lifelong resident of Wilder and a member of…
Crowdfund Revels North’s Christmas Revels Film!
Give Today to The Christmas Revels’ 2020 Production! Will the COVID-19 Grinch steal The Christmas Revels? Perish the thought!…
Meet Our New Executive Director!
An experienced international development professional who more recently has immersed herself in the Upper Valley will be the new Executive…
Fall 2020 Transit Updates!
Just in time for fall and back-to-school, there are some exciting transit updates from both sides of the river! Tri-Valley…
How to Commute Safely During the Pandemic
Even with the need for physical distancing and many people working from home, transit and carpooling are available for those…
Safe Routes to School During Pandemic
School reopening is the big topic right now: how to do it safely, effectively, and efficiently. New requirements for…
2CLA Graduate Spotlight: Digging in on the Climate Crisis
The Climate Change Leadership Academy Class (2CLA) of 2020 graduated in May amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We would like to…
Quests Along the Cross Rivendell Trail
Do you hope to do a longer hike before the good weather ends? Do you enjoy a challenge? We have…
The COVID Challenge: Making Our Food Go the Distance
Reprinted from the Summer 2020 Sustainable Hanover newsletter, this article addresses how to reduce food waste and its considerable climate…
Bike & Walk Funding Available in Vermont!
Are you a Vermonter who would like to see better bike and pedestrian infrastructure in your town? Funding for this…
Fresh Food Sources: An Update
For an increasing number of families, the cost of putting food on the table is becoming more and more of…
Theater + Pandemic: Four Upper Valley Theaters’ Stories
Remember when performances looked like this? (That’s Opera North performing at Blow-Me-Down Farm in summer 2019.) Needless to say, times…
New Help for Renters, Landlords, Homeowners
To help landlords and tenants facing pandemic-related financial problems, refer to this resource sheet created by Upper Valley Strong, a coalition…
Get Ready for the Upper Valley E-Bike Library!
The UV E-Bike Lending Library will run May – October 2022. Schedule to be announced! Do you wish biking was…
Welcome 31 New Upper Valley Change-makers
Vital Communities celebrated the graduation of the Leadership Upper Valley Class of 2020 on Wednesday, June 10. This event marked…
Lend Your Voice to Local/National Commute Survey
The commutes of many Upper Valley residents have changed significantly due to COVID-19, with many shifting to telecommuting. Now…
Pivot, Perseverance & Passion: Business Recovery Forums
Many small businesses are overwhelmed with navigating the new normal while implementing rigid safety and sanitation protocols. Staying afloat during…
Three Upper Valley Institutions that Could Use Some TLC
What’s it like to navigate the pandemic when you’re the one signing the checks? Three Upper Valley bosses and business…
Regional Collaboration Along Route 11
As part of an effort to better engage the southern portion of Vital Communities’ 69-town region, over five months in…
Meetings of Minds = Economic Help
A searchable guide to local businesses of all sorts, expert help for businesses trying to survive the pandemic, and a…
Local Businesses Adapt to Continue Serving Upper Valley
As green leaves and warm days underscore the arrival of summer, many local businesses are finding new ways to…
Key Resources for Activism, Allyship, and Education
The following are resources compiled by Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility. Coursework & Business Resources: An Intro to Diversity &…
LISTEN community dinners go take-out
Before the pandemic, the doors of LISTEN’s Community Dinner Hall opened six days a week to welcome anyone in need…
2CLA Graduate Spotlight: Climate Change Hike at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP
The Climate Change Leadership Academy Class (2CLA) of 2020 graduated in May amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We would like…
Favorite Upper Valley Bicycle Rides
For “Get Out & Bike” Week we asked the Vital Communities network to submit their favorite hometown bike rides, ideally 10…
Isolate and Create: Local restaurant recipes, right from your kitchen
Ever wanted to cook a meal from a local restaurant in your own kitchen? Now you can! Released last Friday,…
Upper Valley Housing Update
A quick update on Upper Valley housing from our Workforce Housing Coordinator, Mike Kiess: Support for people experiencing homeless and…
New Partners and the Vermont Telecommuting Guide
One significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is the sheer number of people now working from home. Though telework is…
UV Strong: what is it, what’s it doing, and how can we help?
In the wake of 2011’s Tropical Storm Irene, Upper Valley organizations and volunteers scrambled to identify and support emergency needs…
TLC 4WARD Crowdfunding for Businesses
Do you own an Upper Valley business that is suffering due to the effects of the pandemic and could…
Pandemic Small Business Navigator Available
Call Our Small Business Navigator! In response to the extreme stress and economic disruption small businesses are experiencing, a new…
School Food Workers Ensure Local Kids are Fed
“Food is nourishing,” said Craig Locarno, food service director for the Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union, when asked why it’s so…
Raise Money while Working from Home
Work from home and help raise $500 for Vermont Foodbank. Simply record your telecommute trips in your Go! Vermont account…
Schools as Hubs for Environmental, Social, and Economic Justice
The world has changed drastically in the last two months. And many of us are re-thinking the way things worked…
A Letter To Our Upper Valley Schools
I hope this note finds you all healthy and adjusting to the routines of remote learning and teaching. I know my family…
Dan & Whit’s Takes a Central Role in Norwich COVID-19 Response
Dan Fraser, owner of Dan and Whit’s general store in Norwich, is posting often on the Norwich Discussion List these…
Family Project: Write a Quest For Your House!
Over these past few weeks I have experienced waves of anxiety and sadness, and at the same time such gratitude.…
Donation Platform for UV Businesses
Do you own an Upper Valley business that is impacted by Covid-19 and could use a little help from…
From Fashion to Face Masks
On March 4th, Fat Hat clothing in Quechee was on track for its most profitable quarter ever. The brand’s easy-to-wear…
Give to the Businesses You Love!
Wendell Berry once said that by choosing to support a local business in your community, you’re essentially telling that business…
A Student’s Perspective on Life Lessons of PBEE
“It’s easier to understand the rest of the world if you really know where you are,” says Sophie Leggett. Although I moved…
Public Investment AFTER Covid19
How can we know which uses of our public funds are the most productive in a recovery? Join this free…
Five Inspiring Stories – 3/18/20
On March 18, 2020, Vital Communities held a webinar featuring five inspiring stories from energy committees across the Upper Valley.…
Cultivating a Sense of Place in Plainfield
Jen Frederick recalls that when she went back to teaching at Plainfield Elementary School after being home with her children…
Climate & Community Resilience Spring 2020 Series
Climate and Community Resilience: Lessons from the Soil Spring Community Webinar Series to Unpack What Creating Our Future Looks…
Re-Invigorating PBEE at Bradford Elementary School
“The logistics around getting our students to the forest once a week to learn are challenging,” says Jess Loeffler, “but…
Renewable Energy Funding for Small Businesses
Get the information you need to move forward with a renewable energy or energy efficiency project in Vermont or New…
Renewable Energy Funding for Farms and Small Businesses
Get the information you need to move forward with a renewable energy or energy efficiency project in Vermont or New…
Mystery in My Driveway…
You may remember the story of violin virtuoso Joshua Bell, performing Bach and Schubert on a million dollar violin in…
Rethinking Place, Reclaiming the Present Moment with the UVLEL
In its 12th year, the Four Winds Nature Institute – Upper Valley Linkages for Environmental Literacy (UVLEL) grant program is getting…
Improve Your Small Business Digital Marketing Presence!
Calling all Upper Valley farms and small businesses! Could your business benefit from professional consulting services to improve your marketing?…
TLC Upper Valley Success!
Local Investing Success with TLC Upper Valley! The Local Crowd (TLC) Upper Valley is a locally based crowdfunding platform…
Canaan Keeps FarmRaisers Alive
Kale. Carrots. Beets. Potatoes. Powerkraut®! These are just a few of the delightful local foods I’ve received from Root 5…
An Innovative Partnership to Bring PBEE to High School Students
“I am working with a sophomore right now who is struggling at school, and I had yet to hear him…
Celebrating our Volunteer of the Year
Ed. note: Vital Communities Executive Director Tom Roberts made the following remarks to honor 2019 Volunteer of the Year…
Rooted in Community = Giving Back All Year
Locally owned businesses are rooted in the Upper Valley and donate time and money every month of the year as…
Shop Indie Local this Season!
Every dollar spent at a local, independent business returns 2-4 times more to be re-spent in the community than a…
Nov. 19 Green Real Estate Crash Course
Vital Communities is offering its popular Green Real Estate Crash Course again on Tuesday, November 19, at Service Credit Union, just off I-89 in…
Upper Valley Landlords Meeting
October 17, 2019 Upper Valley landlords and service providers gathered in October 2019 to promote networking among landlords and nonprofit…
New Hampshire Charitable Foundation announces nearly $300,000 in grants to support place-based ecology education in the Upper Valley
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is announcing $289,435 in grant awards from its Wellborn Ecology Fund. The grant dollars will…
Exciting TLC Projects to Fund!
Invest in your community and contribute to these exciting campaigns! Whaleback Base Lodge Energy Efficiency Updates, Enfield You…
A New Quest to Celebrate the Mascoma River Greenway!
Have you been on the Mascoma River Greenway yet? If not, it is time to check it out. I had…
New Quest Starting March 1
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Celebrate Farm to School Month With Our Fall Farm to School Forum
Meet Your Local Farm to School Network! The Upper Valley Farm to School Network invites you to gather in…
From the State House to the Farm House
Calling all Vermont Farmers! You’re invited to the second annual From the State House to the Farmhouse event on…
A New Quest in Pomfret, Vermont
Earlier this summer I had the fortune of working with the amazing staff of the Artistree Community Arts Center in…
Welcome Norwich Solar Technologies!
We are proud to welcome Norwich Solar Technologies as a Local First Promoter Sponsor! The White River Junction-based renewable energy…
Have an Idea That Could Use a Lift?
Local Businesses, Farmers,Entrepreneurs, Nonprofits, Community Initiatives: Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen? Want to grow…
Fat Hat Clothing-Keeping it Local for 40 years
Forty years ago Joan Ecker started Fat Hat Clothing Company with free fabric remnants and a treadle sewing machine. Today…
Quest Spotlight: Trees of Hanover Quest
With this amazing stretch of sunny days we’ve been having, I wanted to get outside and do more Questing! This…
Supporting Social Enterprises
Exciting news! Local First is one of five sites across the country participating in a National Science Foundation research project…
Quest Spotlight: Quest for the Kestrel
This month, I wanted to spotlight a Quest on the Super Quest list! If you haven’t signed up for the…
New South Royalton Quest!
We are excited to announce the Royalton Historical Quest, a new Valley Quest! This Quest will take you around the…
Building Friendships and Writing Skills in the Forest
For the last school year, 3rdgraders at the Lyme School and the Sharon Elementary School have been writing to one…
New Brownsville VT Quest
I’m happy to announce that we have a new Quest! With the help of Mr. Butler’s 3rd & 4th grade…
Stand in Your Circle of Strength and Lead
Ed. Note: On May 30, Vital Communities honored 12 community leaders who’ve added immeasurably to the vitality of the Upper…
Stand in Your Circle of Strength and Lead
Ed. Note: On May 30, Vital Communities honored 12 community leaders who’ve added immeasurably to the vitality of the Upper…
West Lebanon Feed & Supply is Committed to Community
A strong work ethic, a passion for helping others, and a sincere love of animals have been at the core…
Heroes & Leaders: Creating a Vital Upper Valley
Every spring, Leadership Upper Valley, a program of Vital Communities, hosts the annual Heroes & Leaders Celebration to recognize individuals…
Heroes & Leaders 2019
Every spring, Leadership Upper Valley, a program of Vital Communities, hosts the annual Heroes & Leaders Celebration to recognize individuals…
2nd Annual Curb The Car Day – Friday, May 17!
On May 17, 2019 the rest of the country is celebrating National Bike to Work Day, but here in…
UVAW Forum Spring 2019: Effective Strategies for Productive Conversations about Climate Change
Let’s Talk About Climate Change! Effective Strategies for Productive Conversations Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup Forum April 11, 2019 This forum…
Keeping Your Dollars Multiplying in the UV!
When you spend money at locally owned businesses, it is pretty easy to understand that those dollars directly impact the…
April Meet-Up Series for Beginning Farmers
We have an exciting project for new farmers in the White River valley portion of our region! The High Meadows Fund is…
Dazzlingly Reflective, 80’s Style
We love pairing style with nighttime visibility, so we’ve ordered REFLECTIVE SLAP BRACELETS to reward people who bike or walk…
The Benefit of B Corps
Certified Benefit Corporations are a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. Society’s most challenging problems cannot be solved by…
Cultivating Perseverance, Kindness, and Empathy in the Outdoor Classroom
When Nikki Raney thinks about what skills she wants her third-graders at the Dothan Brook School to have when they…
Thinking Local First
Shop or Buy Local First is a common call to action. The threat to local businesses with competition from online…
Local First Members Give Back!
Locally owned businesses are rooted in the Upper Valley and donate time and money to the community every month of the year…
Think Local First & SAVE this Season!
Local and independent businesses bring value to our communities in many ways: preserving community character, creating stable jobs, supporting area…
UVAW Forum Fall 2018: Droughts & Downpours
Droughts & Downpours: Managing for Extremes UVAW Forum October 30, 2018 Climate Science presentation by Dr. Erich Osterberg SOAK Up…
Crossroad Farm is the BOM!
Crossroad Farm is the Local First Alliance November Business of the Month and to celebrate they are raffling off all…
Shift Your Shopping this Season!
Every dollar spent at a local, independent business returns 2-4 times more to be re-spent in the community than a…
Hornet Stings, Unstructured Learning & Resilience
Leslie Connolly and Jackie Atherley are a dynamic duo. Working together at Hanover’s Bernice A. Ray School, the two are…
2018 Farmer Celebration Mixer
Join us to celebrate the work we did together in 2018! Do your chores early, leave the spreadsheets behind, and…
Donuts & Hogwarts: A Transit Travel Training Case Study
One thing a group of Millennial cartoonists doesn’t need is help using a smartphone app – especially an intuitive one…
Farmers’ Market Roundtable
Join Vital Communities and NOFA VT for a Farmers’ Market Roundtable November 7, 2018 from 4-7 pm at the Wilder…
Celebrate Co-op Month with the Co-op Food Stores!
Celebrate October as Co-op Month, Fair-Trade Month and Co-op Food Stores as the Business of the Month! Visit the Co-op…
September Market-Fresh Cooking Demos
Love to shop at the farmers’ market, and want to learn a new tip or recipe for cooking with all…
The Norwich Bookstore is the BOM!
Celebrate The Norwich Bookstore as the September Business of the Month! And as a founding Local First Alliance member, The…
Mascoma Bank is the BOM!
Celebrate Mascoma Bank as Business of the Month August 6-17 and support three nonprofits while you’re at it! Mascoma Bank…
Strengthening Farmers’ Markets
An exciting project for the Upper Valley Farmers’ Market Collaborative is helping markets identify areas to improve or strengthen. A market might decide to improve sales,…
August is NH Eat Local Month!
Enjoy the Local Bounty during NH Eat Local Month Visit the Farmers’ Market, Join a Virtual Scavenger Hunt, and Eat…
Bird and Quest
The Vermont Center for Ecostudies lists 382 species of bird that occur in Vermont, whether year-long resident or migratory visitor.…
We Make the Path by Walking
For Beth Ann Drinker, learning to trust herself was one of the most important challenges in taking her students outdoors.…
Subbasin Spotlight!
This year’s Aquatic Adventure Super Quest showcases the 5 subbasins that make up the Upper Connecticut River Valley, or, more fondly,…
A Valley Side-Quest
While Questing is an absorbing hobby in its own right, it opens the door for a number of Side-Quests that you…
Rediscovering Questing: Aquatic Adventure Super Quest
Having lived in the region all my life, I grew up Valley Questing with my family. I recently realized, however,…
A Lot Lighter with More Hands: Leadership Upper Valley
On the bright, sunny morning of June 13, Cobb Hill was waking up, and the soon-to-be graduating 2018 Leadership Upper…
Forest Friday for Lyme 3rd Graders
Lyme School 3rd grade teacher, Trisha Gautreau caught the PBEE bug 5 years ago when she took a nature writing…
The Heart & Soul in Place-based Ecology Education
This year Sharon Elementary School 4th and 6th grade teachers, Meg Hopkins and Janis Boulbol, piloted a program called A…
Farmers’ Markets are Truly Local
Download the printable area Farmers’ Market Calendar! Farmers’ markets are truly local, and that’s as true today as it was 20…
High School Communication Contest Winners!
Local First Alliance hosted the 5th annual Upper Valley High School Communications Competition with the Hartford Area Career and Technology…
Longevity & Commitment: Keynote Remarks from Heroes & Leaders 2018
Editor’s Note: Many thanks to Kevin Peterson, Director of Economic Development for the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, who…
Longevity & Commitment: Keynote Remarks from Heroes & Leaders 2018
Editor’s Note: Many thanks to Kevin Peterson, Director of Economic Development for the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, who…
Be a Friend, Get Sweet Deals
The food is fresh, the market is fun, and the deal is sweet! Support Your Farmers’ Market with the NEW…
The Connecticut River and its Watershed
Since this year’s Super Quest explores the Upper Valley’s aquatic features in all their myriad forms, this makes for an…
Education Characterized by Joy
Eliza Minucci is a humble yet powerful force in the movement to get kids outdoors and learning through play in…
PBEE as a Pillar of School Culture
“Every day I go out with kids is wonderful”, Lindsay Putnam reflects. “Perhaps one thing that is particularly good to…
Upper Valley Transportation Management Association
The Vital Communities Transportation Program convenes the Upper Valley Transportation Management Association (UVTMA), a membership-based group of workplaces, transportation providers, municipalities,…
LaValley Building Supply is the BOM
Celebrate as we recognize LaValley Building Supply as the May Local First Alliance Business of the Month For more than…
UVAW Forum Spring 2018: Impacts on the Upper Valley’s Farms and Forests
Impacts of a Changing Climate on the Upper Valley’s Farms and Forests Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup Forum May 15, 2018…
Long-Standing Stewards: Heroes & Leaders 2018
Every spring, Leadership Upper Valley, a program of Vital Communities, hosts a Heroes & Leaders celebration to recognize individuals who…
May BOM: LaValley Building Supply
Celebrate as we recognize LaValley Building Supply as the May Local First Alliance Business of the Month For more than…
Protecting our Waterways
We in the Upper Valley owe a lot to our wondrous waterways. Our rivers, brooks, ponds, lakes, wetlands, and marshes…
Zero Waste for the Win!
We had an amazing Flavors of the Valley, our annual local food tasting expo, with a record-breaking 1,200 attendees! From…
Member Spotlight: Lyme Green Heat
When Lyme native Morton Bailey started his business, Lyme Green Heat he was just a guy in a truck delivering bagged wood heating…
Yes, we sing about Flavors
Confession: we sing a little tune about Flavors of the Valley, around the office, in meetings, while photocopying…. Click here and watch…
Waking Up To The World
Rob Hanson epitomizes the phrase, “lifelong learner.” He has taken advantage of more than a dozen place-based and environmental education…
Copeland is the BOM!
Join us as we celebrate Copeland Furniture as the March Business of the Month (BOM)! Visit The Copeland Company Store in…
BOM: Simple Energy
Locally owned businesses strengthen our community in many ways including job creation, tax dollars, charitable giving, economic vitality, responsive customer…
Envisioning School-Wide PBEE
Newton School principal, Greg Bagnato, started getting a lot of phone calls and emails when Anmari Kicza, the school’s kindergarten…
Learn What Farm Workers are Looking for in Job
As part of a Northeast SARE Partnership grant to help farmers solve the challenge of finding and keeping farm labor…
Labor: Farmer Best Practices and Benchmarks
In 2017 farmers shared their labor best practices and benchmarks. Here are the survey results. Thanks to Northeast SARE for…
January BOM: Trail Break taps + tacos
We are excited to be celebrating the hot, new eatery in White River Junction as Local First Alliance Business…
Member Spotlight: John Ring CPA, A.B. Gile & Ledyard Bank
Local First Alliance is proud to represent so many members that make our economy strong. Retail stores are the businesses that…
Teaching the Whole Child through Place-based Ecology Education
Both Shawn Brodeur-Stevens and Mary Lord have been teaching at Charlestown Middle School for over 20 years. Yet they have…
Vital Communities Open House in Review
About 100 people attended Vital Communities’ Open House on Friday, December 1. It was an evening of meaningful connection as…
Giving Back to the Community
Local First Alliance members really know how to give back to the community. Year-round Local First Alliance members go above and…
BOM Spotlight: Hubert’s Family Outfitters
Hubert’s Family Outfitters has been in business for 42 years with the third generation fully involved in this Local First Alliance…
UVAW Forum Fall 2017: Protecting Land and Wildlife in a Changing Climate
Protecting Land and Wildlife in a Changing Climate Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup Forum November 14, 2017 Forum Introduction – Alex Jacacci,…
BOM Spotlight: West Lebanon Feed & Supply
We are excited to be celebrating Local First Alliance Green Circle Sponsor West Lebanon Feed & Supply (WLFS) as the…
Igniting academic curiosity through outdoor exploration
Scott Ellis has infectious enthusiasm for getting outside to learn and explore in nature. He taught at the Cardigan Mt.…
Leasing Your Land to a Farmer
Leasing Your Land to a Farmer Workshop Join Vital Communities and Land For Good to learn about leasing your land…
New Directors Join Vital Communities Board
In September we welcomed three new members to the Vital Communities Board of Directors. Barbara Barry, Rick Mills, and Nancy Merrill join 10…
Food Hub Meeting Notes
The goal of the activities during the food hub meeting was to collect information from participants about pain points in the…
Co-op Food Stores: Nourish. Cultivate. Cooperate.
Since 1936 The Co-op Food Stores has been nourishing our community through their stores, educational activities, and community support. The co-op…
The Skinny Pancake is the October BOM!
Celebrate our wonderful, community-building, locally owned businesses with Local First Alliance Business of the Month (BOM) The Skinny Pancake will be…
Farm to School Forum: King Arthur Flour Bake for Good Kids Program
Join Upper Valley Farm to School Network as we learn how to make the dough! King Arthur Flour…
Chugga Chugga, Chugga Chugga, VTEN!
The Vermont Transportation Efficiency Network (VTEN), convened semi-annually by the Vital Communities Transportation Program, met on Monday, September 18 to…
Upper Valley Farm & Food Processing Resources
Area processors/kitchens/etc. Genuine Local, Meredith, NH. A purpose-built specialty food production facility. Vermont Food Venture Center, Hardwick, VT. Kearsarge Food Hub,…
Member Resources for Holiday Promotions
Trying to compete with box stores and online retail advertising budgets ability to dominate many marketing channels means that locally owned businesses…
Local First Business of the Month
Introducing a new way to celebrate our wonderful, community-building, locally owned businesses: Local First Alliance Business of the Month (BOM)! Throughout…
King Arthur Flour is the BOM!
Introducing a new way to celebrate our wonderful, community-building, locally owned businesses: Local First Alliance Business of the Month (BOM)! Throughout…
Forest Days
Christina Wild wishes that more teachers felt empowered to go beyond traditional modes of learning. So, she’s co-writing a book…
Hats for Whatever Shape Your Head is In
The Fat Hat corner in Quechee is a land mark most Upper Valley residents know. The funky old car, the…
Quest of the Month: Lake Morey
Last week, I brought my partner along to do the Lake Morey Quest in Fairlee, Vermont! It was a beautiful…
Volunteer Spotlight: Linda Kahl and Lois Frazer
Valley Quest is often thought of as a family-oriented program. With educational treasure hunts of varying length, difficulty, and physical…
Ticks and Questing-Be Prepared!
With the warmth and the beginning of Quest season this past month, I’ve dealt will my fair share of ticks.…
Herricks Cove
Hey Questers, A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival in Rockingham Vermont.…
Upper Valley Food Hub Meeting
Does the Upper Valley Need a Shared Farm & Food Facility? Join us on September 26 to share your ideas…
Locally Owned Businesses Drive Our Local Economy
The following opinion article appeared in the Valley News last week after the closing of Everything But Anchovies, a local…
The Hop and Vital Communities Celebrate Rural Traditions
The Hop and Vital Communities Celebrate Rural Traditions Doggie Hamlet, Thursday, June 29, 4:30 & 7 pm, Dartmouth Green, FREE See the…
Closing Remarks for Heroes & Leaders from Markell Ripps
Thank you all for joining us to celebrate the young leaders who are being honored tonight, and thank you to…
Congratulations Communication Contest Winners!
Local First Alliance hosted the 4th Annual Upper Valley High School Communications Competition with the Hartford Area Career and Technology Center’s…