2024 Farmer Calendar
Our Climate Farmer Stories 2024 wall calendar is here! This unique calendar celebrates farmers whose practices draw down carbon, nurture…
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.
Our Climate Farmer Stories 2024 wall calendar is here! This unique calendar celebrates farmers whose practices draw down carbon, nurture…
The Moving Houses Quest in Thetford, VT has a new name, Shifting Structures, and a new book that tells its…
To reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, our communities need to transition to “clean transportation” —…
Over 100 educators, professional development providers, administrators, and community members came together on Friday, October 13, at Lake Morey Resort…
More than 200 community members joined us at the Farm to Film Fest on Saturday, October 21, to learn about…
This October, Vital Communities is joining organizations across the country in celebrating “Walktober” – a time to celebrate how great it…
This October, Vital Communities is joining organizations across the country in celebrating “Walktober” – a time to celebrate how great…
Learning about Walkable Communities and How to Create Them In a rural, car-oriented community, what can you do when you…
This October, Vital Communities is joining organizations across the country in celebrating “Walktober” – a time to celebrate how great…
Could an e-bike help you be less dependent on automobiles? Could the Upper Valley E-Bike Lending Library help you make…
Pandemic home-buying was a grind, but walkability was a surprise benefit. Housing is a complex challenge and everyone’s story is…
Leadership Upper Valley 2024’s Opening Day Twenty-seven new participants in Leadership Upper Valley gathered at the beautiful Ohana Family Camp…
Collaborative Progress on Early Childhood Education in 2023 For 21 years, Tammie Hazlett has been centering family, community, and play…
We Upper Valley communities say we want young people to move here. But where do we expect them to live?…
Anyone passing through White River Junction over the past several months would have likely noticed the rapid construction of a…
Twelve Upper Valley schools and early childcare centers were awarded mini-grants to support Farm to School projects this year! These…
Event to help those struggling with high energy costs Vital Communities and LISTEN Community Services are hosting the second annual…
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…
Both VT and NH NOFA’s have funds to help farmers The Vermont and New Hampshire chapters of the Northeast Organic…
A little separation and a good work culture can make all the difference. Housing is a complex challenge, and everyone’s…
Amanda Ehret is an Upper Valley parent who documents her adventures in homeschooling at “Because We Homeschool”. Her most recent…
This page contains information regarding the July 2023 flooding. General Flood Resources The State of Vermont is maintaining a continuously…
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 June 2, 2023 Hilton Garden Inn, Lebanon NH The Housing Solutions Breakfast brings together employers, developers, advocacy…
On June 14 at VINS, Leadership Upper Valley ended the 22-23 program with a day of discussion, laughter, plans for…
Multiplier Effect Stimulated $78 Million in Additional Local Spending Westminster, Vt. — Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE), the innovative, statewide, $49…
On a cool morning in May, Place-Based Education Project Manager Andrew Deaett joined the seventh grade class from Thetford Academy…
Accepting the 2023 Partnership for Innovation Award from New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility. John Benford Photography. At its spring…
Happy Pride! Connect and celebrate this month and beyond at the Pride events listed below. Pride Events: The Family Resource…
Leadership Upper Valley, which since 2007 has helped hundreds of Upper Valley residents acquire greater impact and confidence as community…
Housing is a complex challenge and everyone’s story is different. In this blog series, Vital Communities Housing and Transportation team…
We are thrilled to announce this year’s Farm to School mini-grant recipients. The following projects were selected from 22 qualified…
Engaging businesses can help a region meet its needs in early childhood education (ECE), according to a May 10 presentation…
Providing housing for employees, while finding housing for yourself, and the added challenge when there are pets. Housing is a…
The Climate Farmer Stories project continues with another cohort of Vermont and New Hampshire farmers and artists! At the end…
Where you can view in person a new multimedia exhibit celebrating Upper Valley farmers whose methods help the climate. From…
Upper Valley Housing: A Complex Problem with Complex Solutions June 2 Public Event Brings Together Employers, Developers, and Advocates …
Housing is a complex challenge and everyone’s story is different. In this blog series, Vital Communities Housing and Transportation team…
Several weeks ago Andrew Deaett, our Project Manager for Place-Based Education had the chance to connect with Megan Dubuque from…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Valley Quest 2023 Season Features Super Quest 2023: Ways to Go! Must we always jump in a car every time…
2023 Home Creators Expo in Hartford May 6 Promoting ADUs to Help the Housing Crisis; Encouraging Homeowners to Become Home…
Everyone Eats is ending, but hunger in the Upper Valley continues. Here are ways you can find help and support…
April 1 to 7, let early childhood educators know how much you appreciate what they do for our children and…
Help create a community center where people can find services, products, events, and more that better connect them to nature…
A new multimedia exhibit shares the stories and portraits of 13 Upper Valley farmers who are using agricultural methods that…
Previous webinars looked at models where ownership of a property is shared between different parties. There are also tools that…
Even if you and your family don’t rely on early childhood education and childcare, you’re probably aware of the current…
The Upper Valley email list(uppervalley@lists.vitalcommunities.org) is one of almost 60 Community Discussion Lists (AKA “liservs”) that Vital Communities provides to…
Some people who can’t afford to buy real estate individually are interested in purchasing it collaboratively with others to whom…
This is the third of a new blog post series exploring promising solutions for addressing our region’s housing crisis, at…
The Farmer And Rancher Stress Assistance Network is a national program aimed toward connecting people who work in farming and ranching…
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
After two-and-a-half years and 3.5 million free meals that helped Vermont restaurants, farmers, and eaters weather the COVID pandemic, Vermont…
This webinar looked more closely at the scenario where a resident, homeowner, or farmer owns the buildings that they live…
Did you know that the Community Supported Agriculture movement in the United States was born in this region? Temple Wilton…
Are you looking to connect your Farm to School program with more community partners? The C.R.A.F.T program at Woodstock Union…
Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center, East Thetford, VT. By Cecily Anderson. Seeking figurative artists and illustrators to portray local…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Farmers are known to have some of the best stories around as they deal, day in and day out, with…
Support the Karibbean Restaurant’s The Local Crowd Upper Valley Crowdfunding Campaign The Karibbean Restaurant partnered with The Local Crowd Upper…
A community land trust is a specific type of nonprofit organization that owns real estate and is governed by community…
We’re highlighting the work of our Upper Valley Everyone Eats partners to encourage the community to support the folks and…
This is the third of a new blog post series exploring promising solutions for addressing our region’s housing crisis, at…
In the final nine weeks of 2022, what can each of us do to help make 2023 better for our…
Nine diverse educational organizations from across the Upper Valley received Upper Valley Teaching Place Collaborative mini-grants this year, including several…
On October 5, our Place-Based Education Project Manager Andrew Deaett joined Thetford Academy’s Outdoor Program on an outing at Bill…
What are Climate Wise Business practices and how can businesses be wise about climate? This Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup invited…
Did you ride an e-bike this past year? If you were in Upper Valley, you would have had many chances…
Be inspired all year by the Climate Farmers 2023 wall calendar – a celebration of farmers whose practices draw down…
“When’s the next one? Will this be annual?” These questions dominated post-event conversations about the Affordable Energy Resources Fair, organized…
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
Grants Help Food Access and Farming Organizations Form Upper Valley-wide Network Imagine all Upper Valley residents having access to…
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
What do participants explore and experience in the 10 monthly sessions of Leadership Upper Valley? This second installment of a yearlong…
Droughts & Downpours forum hosted by Hypertherm in Lebanon, New Hampshire on Tuesday, October 30, 2018.Copyright 2018 Rob Strong The…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Two of the most important issues facing our communities are providing safe housing for all and supporting a new generation…
Vital Communities launched a crowdfunding campaign to support White River Junction businesses. White River Junction businesses create a resilient downtown…
On October 28 local housing advocates, municipal leaders and concerned citizens gathered to hear and discuss housing stories in action. The…
This is the second in a series of portraits of some of the restaurants, caterers, growers, social service agencies, and…
Prize Supports Regional Project to Increase Local, BIPOC-grown ingredients in meals for UVM Dining Services Thanks to a $200,000 “Food…
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Successful food and farm businesses are critical to our region’s economy, environment, and ability to keep everyone fed and healthy.…
What do participants explore and experience in the 10 monthly sessions of Leadership Upper Valley? This first installment of a…
To celebrate “Walktober” Vital Communities has been exploring walkability in our Getting Around series. In a previous entry, “The Joys of…
Successful food and farm businesses are critical to our region’s economy, environment, and ability to keep everyone fed and healthy.…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
(Hover over these photos to see captions and click on them to enlarge them!) What do riffles, Tropical Storm Irene,…
Photos (L-R): Participants on the guided quest observe the tree canopy while guide Nathaniel Sharp calls migratory birds in with…
During the month of October, planners, advocates, and organizations across the northern Hemisphere take advantage of the autumn season to…
This is the first in a series of portraits of some of the restaurants, caterers, growers, social service agencies, and…
The news is full of reports of how hard the pandemic has been on schools, teachers, and students. One antidote…
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
In preparation for “Walktober” Vital Communities staff member John Haffner explores pedestrian travel in a two-part contribution to our Getting…
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…
Join us on Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 10:00 to noon for the Late Season Pollinators and Migratory Birds Guided…
The Local Crowd Upper Valley Crowdfunds Reduced-Price ‘Farm Shares’ Vital Communities has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support affordable fall…
Ten days after a malfunctioning sprinkler system caused a flood of more than three feet of water in the basement…
Valley Quests are a unique Upper Valley tradition. These treasure hunts take you on a journey through farms, fields, towns,…
This is the second of a new blog post series exploring promising solutions for addressing our region’s housing crisis, at…
Twelve Upper Valley schools and day care facilities were awarded mini-grants to support Farm to School projects this year! These…
Join us in improving night skiing and riding at Whaleback, the Upper Valley’s nonprofit outdoor snowsports destination. Whaleback Mountain…
This August, Vital Communities joins the American Independent Business Alliance, New Hampshire Food Alliance, and partners throughout North America for…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
National Farmers Market Week August 7-13, 2022 Let’s celebrate National Farmers Market Week! Visit one or more farmers markets this…
The White River Valley Consortium is a new collaboration of 14 towns near the White River in Central-Eastern Vermont, created…
Vermont Open Farm Week runs August 7 to August 14, 2022. Farms across the state are hosting events, farm tours,…
Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen — one that would strengthen your business, our community, and…
An annual study finds that more new homes were added to the Upper Valley last year than any year since…
Two new financial incentives can help Vermonters with the cost of purchasing e-bikes! The State of Vermont has incentives of…
This is the first of a new blog series exploring promising solutions for addressing our region’s housing crisis, at all…
On Saturday, July 16, individuals gathered at Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center in East Thetford, VT for a farm…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
We want to give a big thank you to Ledyard Bank for their generous $5,000 gift in support of our…
Coping with climate change involves not just state, national, and international leadership but also action in our communities. Although many…
The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) brings together aspiring community leaders from throughout the Upper Valley to support one another…
This July, take an Upper Valley Staycation! Looking for some inspiration?Take an Upper Valley Adventure, five curated itineraries around the…
Peanuts Dog Treats envisions a community where all animals are given an equal opportunity to live a long happy life…
Thanks to a $1.3 million allocation included by Vermont legislators in the final version of bill S.11, signed by Governor…
Leadership Upper Valley graduation in Quechee, VT, on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Copyright 2022 Rob Strong (L-R) Leon Dunkley and…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
The Vital Communities Housing Breakfast took place Thursday, June 2, 7:30 to 9 am, at the Hilton Garden Inn. Housing…
Published in the Newport Times Locally owned businesses are the lifeblood of a community, paying local salaries, taxes, and material…
The Upper Valley faces a long-standing housing crisis that’s grown substantially worse during the pandemic. On June 2, housing leaders…
15th Annual Upper Valley Energy Committee Roundtable On May 12, 2022, Vital Communities hosted a virtual Local Energy Showcase featuring…
If you’re an Upper Valley home-seeker who is lucky enough to have found a home to purchase in this tight…
By Rebecca Bailey, Vital Communities For Valley News Enterprise, April 14, 2022 Reprinted with permission Imagine a refrigerator that increased threefold…
The weather is warming, the buds are bursting, and the calendar is turning to May — it’s time to go…
Vermont and New Hampshire Artists: Create Farmer Portraits and Change the Story about Farms and Climate Change Application deadline: May…
Only four years old, Aurora Bakery is already a treasured community asset. Located on Main Street in Newport, NH, and…
This April, Vital Communities will focus on Earth Day — ALL MONTH LONG.
Spring is here and at Bradford Elementary School, Farm to School coordinator Katie Cole is gearing up for another gardening…
In honor of the Week of the Young Child, April 2-8, communities all over the country are celebrating the Early…
Did you know that April is Fair Housing Month? Every April across the United States we celebrate the 1968 passage…
Invest in Sarah, Nate, and Hillside Botanicals Husband and wife duo Sarah Shaw and Nathan Bacon own and run a…
From The Main Street Journal The Main Street Journal, with sponsorship of the National Coalition for Community Capital (NC3) and…
Getting connected to your community can be hard in a rural area – which is why Vital Communities is excited…
Wanted: People of all ages with a love of the outdoors. Share that love by volunteering as a Valley Quest…
Want to: Make our community more equitable to people of all income levels? Cut down on greenhouse gases? Help the…
VCRD 4-Town Visit, by Michael F. Sacca Vermont has committed $2.32 million to expand the Working Communities Challenge (WCC) and…
Every year more people say yes. Since the model was first introduced in the US in the mid-1980s, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)…
During October 2021, all students at The Prosper Valley School (TPVS) participated in a service-learning program called Star Throwers. Inspired…
We’re thrilled to be celebrating another milestone for Vermont Everyone Eats. Over 2 million meals have been served! This statewide…
This article originally appear in the Valley News, January 20, 2022, and is shared with permission. By Rebecca Bailey Here…
This Valentine’s Day, “Love Local Upper Valley”: Show love for your sweetie and your whole community by purchasing gifts (or…
Organic agriculture plays an important role as a solution to the climate change crisis. Science demonstrates that organic farming reduces…
Thanks to your support, The Christmas Revels Festival was a success! Revels North appreciates all the support offered through their…
Educators, do you have an idea for a project that will connect students with the outdoors? The Upper Valley Teaching…
The 2021 SuperQuest winner is Team Small of White River Junction! Bettianne, Carter, and Luther (L-R, above) were one of…
On December 3, Vital Communities hosted Todd Chewning of Cowbell Mobile Bike Shop for an informal “E-bike 101” Q &…
Good news for those who love to cook and those who need that good food the most: The State of…
The two-session November online symposium on the childcare crisis in the Upper Valley was the center of a segment on…
So many traditions at this cold, dark time of year involve gifts – expressing love, generosity, abundance, creativity, and human connection.…
As the holiday season gets busier and busier, keep calm and Shop Indie Local on! Need some help with your…
The Christmas Revels Festival Come dance with daffodils, play with puppets, and lend your voice to our chorus as we…
As we celebrate the fall harvest this Thanksgiving week, we at Vital Communities feel grateful for Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE)…
From October 12 – 14, all students at The Prosper Valley School (TPVS) participated in a service-learning program called Star…
As part of Shop Indie Local Season, we invite you to celebrate an Indigenous Thanksgiving. Here’s some inspiration! Watch the…
Event Summary On November 9, 2021, over 100 leaders and supporters of climate resilient communities joined the Upper Valley Adaptation…
By Rebecca Bailey, Vital Communities For Valley News Enterprise, October 14, 2021 Reprinted with permission Next time you’re driving behind…
Recording and Resources related to: ADUs: How Homeowners Can Become Home Creators November 3, 2021 Zoom What are “accessory dwelling…
Give More this Holiday Season and Shop Indie Local Even with a smaller budget, you can give more this holiday…
In a rapidly changing global climate, rural New England has been highlighted as one of the nation’s most climate-resilient regions…
Colors in birding likely bring to mind plumage. Color in the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion lends a different…
The quest was an interesting journey A means of finding things out Classmates, this town and myself All of these…
What are “accessory dwelling units” (ADUs), and how can they help address our regional housing shortage? Find out in this…
The Local Crowd Upper Valley has numerous irons in the fire to move our local economy in a more resilient…
Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE), the innovative COVID-19 response program that provides meal assistance to Vermonters while supporting local restaurants, farmers,…
In the 17 years Kim Gibbs has lived in North Hartland, Vermont, she has become increasingly concerned about Route 5…
Shop Early, Shop Local: October is the New December Why Shop Indie Local early this holiday season? Supply and staffing…
Free and virtual – Register below to receive Zoom link Upper Valley employers and families both name access to high-quality,…
U.V.E.R. – the Upper Valley’s first consumer co-op delivery service – launched earlier this summer; now, we need your help…
Vital Communities’s Valley Quests allow you to undertake self-guided explorations of more than 160 special places throughout the Upper Valley.…
The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently released a 2021 Report detailing what science currently tells us about…
As the poet and farmer Wendell Berry once wrote, “There are no sacred and unsacred places; there are only sacred…
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…
Team 1 of Weatherize Kearsarge at January 2019 kickoff. Contractor performs blower door test to find where home is losing…
The 2021 E-Bike Subsidy Program is closed as of December 31, 2021. Email anna@vitalcommunities.org if you would like to be…
This August, Julia Guy completed a busy year with Vital Communities as an AmeriCorps Energy Savings Outreach Specialist. Originally from…
Are you hoping to test out an electric bike this summer? The Upper Valley E-Bike Library has been wildly popular…
14th Annual Upper Valley Energy Committee Roundtable On August 3, 2021, Vital Communities hosted a one-hour Local Energy Showcase Webinar…
Access to broadband is critical for Vermont families with students and ten percent of Vermont households with school-aged children cannot…
Even after seven and a half years working in the field of TDM (that’s Transportation Demand Management), I get confused…
We had an amazing group of projects that were supported this year through our mini-grant program. Read below to see…
Many years in the making, the Upper Valley now has a bus route between Claremont and Lebanon, run by Sullivan…
Everyone is concerned about climate change, but some don’t realize organic farmers are climate heroes. Fostering healthy soil is fundamental…
(L-R) Mel Hall, Rep. Peter Welch, Damaris Hall, June 2021. By Brooke Grams. Preparing Everyone Eats meals at Global Village…
The Local Crowd Upper Valley is at it again! Our newest crowdfunding campaign will support La Collina Vineyards in Barnard,…
Westminster, VT, July 14, 2021 – Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE), the innovative COVID-19 response program that provides meal assistance to…
Welcome to the refreshed Vital Communities website! We hope you’ll find it easier and more intuitive to use as you…
This next Light River Junction: First Fridays with WRIF, come out of yourself for a night of drag, burlesque, music,…
Place-based Ecology Education (PBEE) has emerged as a compelling approach to achieving the sustainability goals of Environmental Education (EE), including…
Place-based education immerses students in local heritage, culture, ecology, landscapes, opportunities, and experiences as a foundation for the study of language arts,…
Experts at Stanford University systematically searched the academic literature and analyzed 119 peer-reviewed studies published over a 20-year period that measured…
The June 4 “Light River Junction: First Fridays with WRIF,” subtitled “A Night to Remember,” promises more of the social,…
From small businesses and large, health care, municipal government, a church, and many other corners of the Upper Valley, 24…
The following speech was delivered by Monique Priestley, Chair, Vital Communities Board of Directors, at the Leadership Upper Valley Graduation…
An earlier version of this post had an incorrect title for Sally Kraft. At its May 20 meeting, the Vital…
At its May 20, 2021, meeting, the Vital Communities Board of Directors welcomed seven new members, more than replacing in…
The Vital Communities Housing Solutions Breakfast took place Friday, June 11, 7:30 to 9 am, on Zoom. This productive, inspiring,…
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 Clubs are back! The free, fun, farmers market activity for children will happen again this summer at several Upper Valley…
The Local Crowd Upper Valley helped two businesses team up to close the carbon loop. The Local Crowd is a Laramie, WY-based…
We’re considering conference models that will keep us safe during COVID-19. Watch this space! The Upper Valley Teaching Place Conference…
Local food somehow got a reputation as expensive and exclusive. In this area, people have been hunting, fishing, and farming…
The New Hampshire and Vermont Community Loan Funds are a homegrown solution for investing in our communities, energy independence, and…
Interested in investing locally but don’t want to do it alone? Investment clubs pool money to collectively invest in local…
Financial Institutions that are rooted in the Upper Valley invest in our communities! Local Focus: Unlike larger banks that may take…
Your energy-efficient home is different. Help prospective buyers see why. Boast Worthy Green Features ✔ Solar power or solar hot…
Any real estate agent can help you use the Green Homebuyer Guide Share the Green Home Buyer Guide with your…
Fact #1 Energy will likely be your second highest cost of home ownership, after your mortgage, taxes, and insurance. Fact…
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…
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…
Length Typically 3-4 hours. You will learn a lot from your contractor if you are at home during your energy audit.…
All Vermonters are eligible for Efficiency Vermont weatherization rebates. Efficiency Vermont requires you to hire your own contractor from their…
On Thursday, April 29, Vermont Everyone Eats, an innovative COVID-19 response program, is celebrating 1 million restaurant meals served to…
Spring must be here, because it’s time for Flavors of the Valley, our annual celebration of local farms. We hope…
Energy Help for Vermont Businesses Vermont businesses are eligible for multiple incentives from Efficiency Vermont, including HVAC, lighting, equipment, project…
The celebratory summer series Light River Junction First Fridays with WRIF kicks off May 7 with a fantastic line-up called…
The UV E-Bike Lending Library will run May – October 2022. Schedule to be announced! Do you wish biking was…
JOIN THE CHALLENGE MAY 1-16 AND BE ENTERED TO WIN PRIZES! Spring is here, so it’s a great time to…
Ten Upper Valley schools and day care facilities have been awarded $500 mini-grants to support farm-to-school projects this year! These…
Investing for Home Creation Thursday, April 8, 5:30 pm The Upper Valley faces a shortage of housing, particularly in the…
Peter Allison, Farm to Institution New England Birget Humper, New London Hospital Janet Taylor, Crossroad Farm Allen Reetz, Coop Food…
New Hampshire Businesses, Farmers, Entrepreneurs, Nonprofits, Community Initiatives: Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen? Want to…
Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 1: It’s a big one for Valley Quests! Not only is May 1 Opening…
Watch coverage of Claremont Everyone Eats by WCAX-TV reporter Adam Sullivan. Originally broadcast March 24, 2021.
Thanks to a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the Upper Valley Everyone Eats model crossed the Connecticut River: Vital Communities worked…
Ideas from the members and supporters of Local First Alliance! 1. Move your banking to a community bank or credit…
An underutilized parking lot behind the Hotel Coolidge in downtown White River Junction will become a vibrant, pandemic-safe place to…
Valley Quests are treasure hunts set in special locations around the Upper Valley. Each Quest follows a unique set of…
Climate Partners Summit Resources On February 25, 2021, over 70 interested partners and citizens joined the Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup…
What is local investing? What can it do for a community? Why is it important? Who can do it, and…
Combatting climate change depends not just on major national and global policy, but also on action within our local community.…
Climate change has the potential to affect everyone on the planet and virtually every aspect of our lives, including here…
Could your business benefit from professional consulting services to improve your marketing? With Rural Development funding, Vital Communities’ Local First…
Have you seen the star alight upon Mt. Tom in Woodstock? Wouldn’t it be fun to see it up close? …
This week marks the close of Vital Communities and volunteers’ 2020 Vermont Energy Savings project in seven towns in the…
In its 12th year, the Four Winds Nature Institute – Upper Valley Linkages for Environmental Literacy (UVLEL) grant program is getting…
As an organization that brings people together, bridging boundaries and engaging our whole community to create positive change, we were…
With the close of 2020 came a pause for Upper Valley Everyone Eats (UVEE), the local hub of Vermont’s coronavirus…
Climate Change Leadership Academy 2019-20 RESOURCES Session 1: ClimateSession 2: MitigationSession 3: AdaptationSession 4: Community Project Development Presentation: Slide Presentation,…
Congratulations to all our participants in our Quest to Refresh Challenge! 28 teams took us up on the Challenge to…
Don’t be deterred by wet, cold, or snow. Good times can be had when a-questing you go! Be sure to…
We are happy to have the opportunity to feature two strong voices in the place-based ecology education (PBEE) movement in…
At a virtual gathering on November 24, people from social service agencies and restaurants across the Upper Valley gave powerful…
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 [/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? ADU expert Kol Peterson presented the opportunities and…
Community Conversation on Housing in Lebanon [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Building a Strong Town: Chuck Marohn Talk in Claremont, April 2019 [/vc_column_text] Advice from Strong Towns’ President and…
Some of our friends in Burlington have put together a super cool online resource called Vermont Goes Green for everything…
Food and farmers have been center stage in 2020, from store and school closures, to a run on local meat…
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): 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…
A team of educators committed to providing Upper Valley students with the resources they need to thrive during COVID19 have…
Which uses of our land provide the best economic returns to our towns? The answers might surprise you. Developing big…
In these contentious times, when civility, useful information, and real communication seems to be frequently missing from the big social…
How many and what kind of homes are we creating in our region? Vital Communities and Upper Valley Lake Sunapee…
A study commissioned by Vital Communities finds that, for every dollar they earn, local retailers and restaurants return a share…
Buyers gobbled up $18,000 worth of Hartford Dollars within just days of the new “currency” going on sale! And…
“Rebooting Your Community After COVID – How to Invest Locally Using Self-Directed IRAs and Solo 401ks,” an introductory webinar…
Climate Change Leadership Academy Pilot Program 2019-2020 End of Project Summary September 25, 2020 The Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup (UVAW)…
Support the Hartford businesses you love and boost our local economy with “Hartford Dollars”—a special “currency” that gives you a…
Join Vital Communities’ Valley Quest Coordinator Sandy Gmur along with Roy Black, lifelong resident of Wilder and a member of…
Give Today to The Christmas Revels’ 2020 Production! Will the COVID-19 Grinch steal The Christmas Revels? Perish the thought!…
An experienced international development professional who more recently has immersed herself in the Upper Valley will be the new Executive…
Just in time for fall and back-to-school, there are some exciting transit updates from both sides of the river! Tri-Valley…
Even with the need for physical distancing and many people working from home, transit and carpooling are available for those…
School reopening is the big topic right now: how to do it safely, effectively, and efficiently. New requirements for…
The Climate Change Leadership Academy Class (2CLA) of 2020 graduated in May amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We would like to…
Do you hope to do a longer hike before the good weather ends? Do you enjoy a challenge? We have…
Reprinted from the Summer 2020 Sustainable Hanover newsletter, this article addresses how to reduce food waste and its considerable climate…
Are you a Vermonter who would like to see better bike and pedestrian infrastructure in your town? Funding for this…
For an increasing number of families, the cost of putting food on the table is becoming more and more of…
Remember when performances looked like this? (That’s Opera North performing at Blow-Me-Down Farm in summer 2019.) Needless to say, times…
To help landlords and tenants facing pandemic-related financial problems, refer to this resource sheet created by Upper Valley Strong, a coalition…
The UV E-Bike Lending Library will run May – October 2022. Schedule to be announced! Do you wish biking was…
Vital Communities celebrated the graduation of the Leadership Upper Valley Class of 2020 on Wednesday, June 10. This event marked…
The commutes of many Upper Valley residents have changed significantly due to COVID-19, with many shifting to telecommuting. Now…
Many small businesses are overwhelmed with navigating the new normal while implementing rigid safety and sanitation protocols. Staying afloat during…
What’s it like to navigate the pandemic when you’re the one signing the checks? Three Upper Valley bosses and business…
As part of an effort to better engage the southern portion of Vital Communities’ 69-town region, over five months in…
A searchable guide to local businesses of all sorts, expert help for businesses trying to survive the pandemic, and a…
As green leaves and warm days underscore the arrival of summer, many local businesses are finding new ways to…
The following are resources compiled by Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility. Coursework & Business Resources: An Intro to Diversity &…
Before the pandemic, the doors of LISTEN’s Community Dinner Hall opened six days a week to welcome anyone in need…
The Climate Change Leadership Academy Class (2CLA) of 2020 graduated in May amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We would like…
For “Get Out & Bike” Week we asked the Vital Communities network to submit their favorite hometown bike rides, ideally 10…
Ever wanted to cook a meal from a local restaurant in your own kitchen? Now you can! Released last Friday,…
A quick update on Upper Valley housing from our Workforce Housing Coordinator, Mike Kiess: Support for people experiencing homeless and…
One significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is the sheer number of people now working from home. Though telework is…
In the wake of 2011’s Tropical Storm Irene, Upper Valley organizations and volunteers scrambled to identify and support emergency needs…
Do you own an Upper Valley business that is suffering due to the effects of the pandemic and could…
Call Our Small Business Navigator! In response to the extreme stress and economic disruption small businesses are experiencing, a new…
“Food is nourishing,” said Craig Locarno, food service director for the Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union, when asked why it’s so…
Work from home and help raise $500 for Vermont Foodbank. Simply record your telecommute trips in your Go! Vermont account…
The world has changed drastically in the last two months. And many of us are re-thinking the way things worked…
I hope this note finds you all healthy and adjusting to the routines of remote learning and teaching. I know my family…
Dan Fraser, owner of Dan and Whit’s general store in Norwich, is posting often on the Norwich Discussion List these…
Over these past few weeks I have experienced waves of anxiety and sadness, and at the same time such gratitude.…
Do you own an Upper Valley business that is impacted by Covid-19 and could use a little help from…
On March 4th, Fat Hat clothing in Quechee was on track for its most profitable quarter ever. The brand’s easy-to-wear…
Wendell Berry once said that by choosing to support a local business in your community, you’re essentially telling that business…
“It’s easier to understand the rest of the world if you really know where you are,” says Sophie Leggett. Although I moved…
How can we know which uses of our public funds are the most productive in a recovery? Join this free…
On March 18, 2020, Vital Communities held a webinar featuring five inspiring stories from energy committees across the Upper Valley.…
Jen Frederick recalls that when she went back to teaching at Plainfield Elementary School after being home with her children…
Climate and Community Resilience: Lessons from the Soil Spring Community Webinar Series to Unpack What Creating Our Future Looks…
“The logistics around getting our students to the forest once a week to learn are challenging,” says Jess Loeffler, “but…
Get the information you need to move forward with a renewable energy or energy efficiency project in Vermont or New…
Get the information you need to move forward with a renewable energy or energy efficiency project in Vermont or New…
You may remember the story of violin virtuoso Joshua Bell, performing Bach and Schubert on a million dollar violin in…
In its 12th year, the Four Winds Nature Institute – Upper Valley Linkages for Environmental Literacy (UVLEL) grant program is getting…
Calling all Upper Valley farms and small businesses! Could your business benefit from professional consulting services to improve your marketing?…
Local Investing Success with TLC Upper Valley! The Local Crowd (TLC) Upper Valley is a locally based crowdfunding platform…
Kale. Carrots. Beets. Potatoes. Powerkraut®! These are just a few of the delightful local foods I’ve received from Root 5…
“I am working with a sophomore right now who is struggling at school, and I had yet to hear him…
Ed. note: Vital Communities Executive Director Tom Roberts made the following remarks to honor 2019 Volunteer of the Year…
Locally owned businesses are rooted in the Upper Valley and donate time and money every month of the year as…
Every dollar spent at a local, independent business returns 2-4 times more to be re-spent in the community than a…
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…
October 17, 2019 Upper Valley landlords and service providers gathered in October 2019 to promote networking among landlords and nonprofit…
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is announcing $289,435 in grant awards from its Wellborn Ecology Fund. The grant dollars will…
Invest in your community and contribute to these exciting campaigns! Whaleback Base Lodge Energy Efficiency Updates, Enfield You…
Have you been on the Mascoma River Greenway yet? If not, it is time to check it out. I had…
Nam id sem quis mauris porttitor conse quat id vitae dolor. Phasellus ligula velit molestie rhoncus ullamcorper mauris ultricies mi…
Meet Your Local Farm to School Network! The Upper Valley Farm to School Network invites you to gather in…
Calling all Vermont Farmers! You’re invited to the second annual From the State House to the Farmhouse event on…
Earlier this summer I had the fortune of working with the amazing staff of the Artistree Community Arts Center in…
We are proud to welcome Norwich Solar Technologies as a Local First Promoter Sponsor! The White River Junction-based renewable energy…
Local Businesses, Farmers,Entrepreneurs, Nonprofits, Community Initiatives: Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen? Want to grow…
Forty years ago Joan Ecker started Fat Hat Clothing Company with free fabric remnants and a treadle sewing machine. Today…
With this amazing stretch of sunny days we’ve been having, I wanted to get outside and do more Questing! This…
Exciting news! Local First is one of five sites across the country participating in a National Science Foundation research project…
This month, I wanted to spotlight a Quest on the Super Quest list! If you haven’t signed up for the…
We are excited to announce the Royalton Historical Quest, a new Valley Quest! This Quest will take you around the…
For the last school year, 3rdgraders at the Lyme School and the Sharon Elementary School have been writing to one…
I’m happy to announce that we have a new Quest! With the help of Mr. Butler’s 3rd & 4th grade…
Ed. Note: On May 30, Vital Communities honored 12 community leaders who’ve added immeasurably to the vitality of the Upper…
Ed. Note: On May 30, Vital Communities honored 12 community leaders who’ve added immeasurably to the vitality of the Upper…
A strong work ethic, a passion for helping others, and a sincere love of animals have been at the core…
Every spring, Leadership Upper Valley, a program of Vital Communities, hosts the annual Heroes & Leaders Celebration to recognize individuals…
Every spring, Leadership Upper Valley, a program of Vital Communities, hosts the annual Heroes & Leaders Celebration to recognize individuals…
On May 17, 2019 the rest of the country is celebrating National Bike to Work Day, but here in…
Let’s Talk About Climate Change! Effective Strategies for Productive Conversations Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup Forum April 11, 2019 This forum…
When you spend money at locally owned businesses, it is pretty easy to understand that those dollars directly impact the…
We have an exciting project for new farmers in the White River valley portion of our region! The High Meadows Fund is…
We love pairing style with nighttime visibility, so we’ve ordered REFLECTIVE SLAP BRACELETS to reward people who bike or walk…
Certified Benefit Corporations are a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. Society’s most challenging problems cannot be solved by…
When Nikki Raney thinks about what skills she wants her third-graders at the Dothan Brook School to have when they…
Shop or Buy Local First is a common call to action. The threat to local businesses with competition from online…
Locally owned businesses are rooted in the Upper Valley and donate time and money to the community every month of the year…
Local and independent businesses bring value to our communities in many ways: preserving community character, creating stable jobs, supporting area…
Droughts & Downpours: Managing for Extremes UVAW Forum October 30, 2018 Climate Science presentation by Dr. Erich Osterberg SOAK Up…
Crossroad Farm is the Local First Alliance November Business of the Month and to celebrate they are raffling off all…
Every dollar spent at a local, independent business returns 2-4 times more to be re-spent in the community than a…
Leslie Connolly and Jackie Atherley are a dynamic duo. Working together at Hanover’s Bernice A. Ray School, the two are…
Join us to celebrate the work we did together in 2018! Do your chores early, leave the spreadsheets behind, and…
One thing a group of Millennial cartoonists doesn’t need is help using a smartphone app – especially an intuitive one…
Join Vital Communities and NOFA VT for a Farmers’ Market Roundtable November 7, 2018 from 4-7 pm at the Wilder…
Celebrate October as Co-op Month, Fair-Trade Month and Co-op Food Stores as the Business of the Month! Visit the Co-op…
Love to shop at the farmers’ market, and want to learn a new tip or recipe for cooking with all…
Celebrate The Norwich Bookstore as the September Business of the Month! And as a founding Local First Alliance member, The…
Celebrate Mascoma Bank as Business of the Month August 6-17 and support three nonprofits while you’re at it! Mascoma Bank…
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,…
Enjoy the Local Bounty during NH Eat Local Month Visit the Farmers’ Market, Join a Virtual Scavenger Hunt, and Eat…
The Vermont Center for Ecostudies lists 382 species of bird that occur in Vermont, whether year-long resident or migratory visitor.…
For Beth Ann Drinker, learning to trust herself was one of the most important challenges in taking her students outdoors.…
This year’s Aquatic Adventure Super Quest showcases the 5 subbasins that make up the Upper Connecticut River Valley, or, more fondly,…
While Questing is an absorbing hobby in its own right, it opens the door for a number of Side-Quests that you…
Having lived in the region all my life, I grew up Valley Questing with my family. I recently realized, however,…
On the bright, sunny morning of June 13, Cobb Hill was waking up, and the soon-to-be graduating 2018 Leadership Upper…
Lyme School 3rd grade teacher, Trisha Gautreau caught the PBEE bug 5 years ago when she took a nature writing…
This year Sharon Elementary School 4th and 6th grade teachers, Meg Hopkins and Janis Boulbol, piloted a program called A…
Download the printable area Farmers’ Market Calendar! Farmers’ markets are truly local, and that’s as true today as it was 20…
Local First Alliance hosted the 5th annual Upper Valley High School Communications Competition with the Hartford Area Career and Technology…
Editor’s Note: Many thanks to Kevin Peterson, Director of Economic Development for the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, who…
Editor’s Note: Many thanks to Kevin Peterson, Director of Economic Development for the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, who…
The food is fresh, the market is fun, and the deal is sweet! Support Your Farmers’ Market with the NEW…
Since this year’s Super Quest explores the Upper Valley’s aquatic features in all their myriad forms, this makes for an…
Eliza Minucci is a humble yet powerful force in the movement to get kids outdoors and learning through play in…
“Every day I go out with kids is wonderful”, Lindsay Putnam reflects. “Perhaps one thing that is particularly good to…
The Vital Communities Transportation Program convenes the Upper Valley Transportation Management Association (UVTMA), a membership-based group of workplaces, transportation providers, municipalities,…
Celebrate as we recognize LaValley Building Supply as the May Local First Alliance Business of the Month For more than…
Impacts of a Changing Climate on the Upper Valley’s Farms and Forests Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup Forum May 15, 2018…
Every spring, Leadership Upper Valley, a program of Vital Communities, hosts a Heroes & Leaders celebration to recognize individuals who…
Celebrate as we recognize LaValley Building Supply as the May Local First Alliance Business of the Month For more than…
We in the Upper Valley owe a lot to our wondrous waterways. Our rivers, brooks, ponds, lakes, wetlands, and marshes…
We had an amazing Flavors of the Valley, our annual local food tasting expo, with a record-breaking 1,200 attendees! From…
When Lyme native Morton Bailey started his business, Lyme Green Heat he was just a guy in a truck delivering bagged wood heating…
Confession: we sing a little tune about Flavors of the Valley, around the office, in meetings, while photocopying…. Click here and watch…
Rob Hanson epitomizes the phrase, “lifelong learner.” He has taken advantage of more than a dozen place-based and environmental education…
Join us as we celebrate Copeland Furniture as the March Business of the Month (BOM)! Visit The Copeland Company Store in…
Locally owned businesses strengthen our community in many ways including job creation, tax dollars, charitable giving, economic vitality, responsive customer…
Newton School principal, Greg Bagnato, started getting a lot of phone calls and emails when Anmari Kicza, the school’s kindergarten…
As part of a Northeast SARE Partnership grant to help farmers solve the challenge of finding and keeping farm labor…
In 2017 farmers shared their labor best practices and benchmarks. Here are the survey results. Thanks to Northeast SARE for…
We are excited to be celebrating the hot, new eatery in White River Junction as Local First Alliance Business…
Local First Alliance is proud to represent so many members that make our economy strong. Retail stores are the businesses that…
Both Shawn Brodeur-Stevens and Mary Lord have been teaching at Charlestown Middle School for over 20 years. Yet they have…
About 100 people attended Vital Communities’ Open House on Friday, December 1. It was an evening of meaningful connection as…
Local First Alliance members really know how to give back to the community. Year-round Local First Alliance members go above and…
Hubert’s Family Outfitters has been in business for 42 years with the third generation fully involved in this Local First Alliance…
Protecting Land and Wildlife in a Changing Climate Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup Forum November 14, 2017 Forum Introduction – Alex Jacacci,…
We are excited to be celebrating Local First Alliance Green Circle Sponsor West Lebanon Feed & Supply (WLFS) as the…
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 Workshop Join Vital Communities and Land For Good to learn about leasing your land…
In September we welcomed three new members to the Vital Communities Board of Directors. Barbara Barry, Rick Mills, and Nancy Merrill join 10…
The goal of the activities during the food hub meeting was to collect information from participants about pain points in the…
Since 1936 The Co-op Food Stores has been nourishing our community through their stores, educational activities, and community support. The co-op…
Celebrate our wonderful, community-building, locally owned businesses with Local First Alliance Business of the Month (BOM) The Skinny Pancake will be…
Join Upper Valley Farm to School Network as we learn how to make the dough! King Arthur Flour…
The Vermont Transportation Efficiency Network (VTEN), convened semi-annually by the Vital Communities Transportation Program, met on Monday, September 18 to…
Area processors/kitchens/etc. Genuine Local, Meredith, NH. A purpose-built specialty food production facility. Vermont Food Venture Center, Hardwick, VT. Kearsarge Food Hub,…
Trying to compete with box stores and online retail advertising budgets ability to dominate many marketing channels means that locally owned businesses…
Introducing a new way to celebrate our wonderful, community-building, locally owned businesses: Local First Alliance Business of the Month (BOM)! Throughout…
Introducing a new way to celebrate our wonderful, community-building, locally owned businesses: Local First Alliance Business of the Month (BOM)! Throughout…
Christina Wild wishes that more teachers felt empowered to go beyond traditional modes of learning. So, she’s co-writing a book…
The Fat Hat corner in Quechee is a land mark most Upper Valley residents know. The funky old car, the…
Last week, I brought my partner along to do the Lake Morey Quest in Fairlee, Vermont! It was a beautiful…
Valley Quest is often thought of as a family-oriented program. With educational treasure hunts of varying length, difficulty, and physical…
With the warmth and the beginning of Quest season this past month, I’ve dealt will my fair share of ticks.…
Hey Questers, A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival in Rockingham Vermont.…
Does the Upper Valley Need a Shared Farm & Food Facility? Join us on September 26 to share your ideas…
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 Doggie Hamlet, Thursday, June 29, 4:30 & 7 pm, Dartmouth Green, FREE See the…
Thank you all for joining us to celebrate the young leaders who are being honored tonight, and thank you to…
Local First Alliance hosted the 4th Annual Upper Valley High School Communications Competition with the Hartford Area Career and Technology Center’s…