COVID-19

Farmers Market Resources

Farmer Resources

* UNH Labor & Unemployment info

* Growing Farmers Guide to CARES Act

* Farm Common Labor COVID podcasts:
Part 1: Sick Leave on the Farm
Part 2: Health Screening and Unemployment on the Farm
Part 3: Diversifying Farm Sales in Response to COVID-19
Part 4: Farm Sales through Online Platforms and CSA

Product Sales Resources

* Intervale/VHCB Online Ordering
Platforms

* FACT Strategies for Online Sales

* Oregon Tilth: Sales Platforms

* NOFA VT Distribution Matchmaking Tool

* Young Farmers Guide to Direct Sales Software Platforms

* Farm Commons podcasts:
Diversifying Farm Sales
Farm sales through online platforms

Find Open Local Businesses and Farms. Search the Vital Communities Guide.

Valley Food & Farm News

Spring Salad Made From Anything

I made this colorful crunchy salad on the fly on Memorial Day when the grocery stores were closed for the holiday and my parents, siblings, and out-of [...]

Kale Pesto

I diligently planted several basil plants a few weeks ago. A few days later a crazy hail storm arrived. Afterwards, my poor basil plants were dimin [...]

Mastering Perfect Spinach

When my friend Justin opened a restaurant in Maine, I fixated on his strategy to train kitchen staff: cooks would learn the best one or two ways to pr [...]

Slow Cooker Pork Ribs

This recipe is courtesy of The Beeroness. Cook up some Stout & Sriracha Barbecue Sauce to go with these for your next dinner. Ingredients 2 [...]

Quick Kimchi

Photo Julia A Reed. Cabbage, cabbage, everywhere - this is the time of year for the versatile Brassica. Napa cabbage (also called celery cabbage a [...]

Zucchini Chard Cakes

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve shared this zucchini chard cake recipe with folks this summer. I was sure that as soon as I mentioned [...]

Local Cooking at the End of Winter

Braised Pork & Cabbage: A One-Pot Late Winter Farmers Market Meal Magazines and radio shows are already gushing about springy greens recipe [...]

Tomato Basil Chutney

Have you ever noticed that the right condiment or sauce can transform an average dish into a great dish? That’s the case with this tomato chutney [...]

Take Stock

Stock - essentially a long-cooked infusion of bones, meat scraps, or vegetables - embodies several of my favorite qualities: thrifty, healthy, old-fas [...]

Braised Pork Chops and Turnips

It seems the sun is having a difficult time finding its way to Vermont this spring. And while I’d rather be cooking out on a grill, the perpetual dr [...]

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Calendar

	May 2021
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
						1 Cedar Circle Farmstand Opens Cedar Circle Farmstand Opens Starts: 5:30 pm Ends: May 1, 2021 - 6:30 pm More details... •
2	3 Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 3, 2021 - 11:59 pm Description: A week of virtual events celebrating the value of compots and its support of the environment, people, and the economy. https://www.compostingvermont.org/vors-2021 More details... •	4 Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 4, 2021 - 11:59 pm Description: A week of virtual events celebrating the value of compots and its support of the environment, people, and the economy. https://www.compostingvermont.org/vors-2021 More details... •	5 Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 5, 2021 - 11:59 pm Description: A week of virtual events celebrating the value of compots and its support of the environment, people, and the economy. https://www.compostingvermont.org/vors-2021 More details... •	6 Crossroad Farmstand in Norwich Open for the Season! Crossroad Farmstand in Norwich Open for the Season! Starts: 10:00 am Ends: May 6, 2021 - 12:00 pm Description: https://www.crossroadfarm.com/farm-news-1 More details... Working Together: Cooperative Farming 101 Working Together: Cooperative Farming 101 Starts: 1:00 pm Ends: May 6, 2021 - 3:30 pm Description: Learn about different cooperative farming models, their origins, and how to navigate the interpersonal dynamics of farming together. Link here. More details... Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 6, 2021 - 11:59 pm Description: A week of virtual events celebrating the value of compots and its support of the environment, people, and the economy. https://www.compostingvermont.org/vors-2021 More details... • • •	7 Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Vermont Organics Recycling Summit Starts: 12:00 am Ends: May 7, 2021 - 11:59 pm Description: A week of virtual events celebrating the value of compots and its support of the environment, people, and the economy. https://www.compostingvermont.org/vors-2021 More details... •	8 Deep Meadow Farmstand Opens Deep Meadow Farmstand Opens Starts: 11:00 am Ends: May 8, 2021 - 5:00 pm Description: In Ascutney. https://deepmeadowfarm.net/ More details... •
9	10	11	12 School Food 101 School Food 101 Starts: 3:00 pm Ends: May 12, 2021 - 4:30 pm Description: Part of the Vermont Farm to School Network Webinar Series for Educators. Link here. More details... #Farm24VT #Farm24VT Starts: 1:30 pm Ends: May 13, 2021 - 5:00 am Description: https://farm24vt.com/ More details... • •	13	14	15
16	17	18 Crisis Management and Communications for Farms Open to Visitors Crisis Management and Communications for Farms Open to Visitors Starts: 7:00 pm Ends: May 18, 2021 - 8:00 pm Description: Farms that are open to the public for direct sales, education, hospitality, entertainment, and recreation may be interested in a series of free online conversations among Northeast producers and Extension agents about what is and is not working for farms inviting visitors during the pandemic. register here. Recordings will be posted on the series webpage, including the recording of the first session, Getting Ready for Pick-Your-Own: Do’s and Don’ts for the Upcoming Season. More details... •	19	20	21	22 https://www.earthwisefarmandforest.com/bookings-checkout/grazing-class-mgmt-intensive-grazing-3 https://www.earthwisefarmandforest.com/bookings-checkout/grazing-class-mgmt-intensive-grazing-3 Starts: 10:00 am Ends: May 22, 2021 - 4:00 pm More details... •
23	24	25 Liability Insurance for Farms Open to Visitors Liability Insurance for Farms Open to Visitors Starts: 12:00 pm Ends: May 25, 2021 - 1:00 pm Description: Farms that are open to the public for direct sales, education, hospitality, entertainment, and recreation may be interested in a series of free online conversations among Northeast producers and Extension agents about what is and is not working for farms inviting visitors during the pandemic. Recordings will be posted on the series webpage. register here More details... •	26 Get to know the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan 2021-2030 Get to know the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan 2021-2030 Starts: 12:00 pm Ends: May 26, 2021 - 1:00 pm Description: Wednesday, May 26, 12-1pm: register here. After this workshop, you will understand how Plan relates to yourcommunity or professional work, and how you and your community can use it toadvance that work. The Plan can help you with background research, strategicdecisions, grant applications, and building impactful relationships acrossVermont. The Plan was created with input from hundreds of food systembusinesses, organizations, and individuals, and provides a roadmap for collective action to strengthen our agricultural economy,increase environmental sustainability of our farm and food sector, and expandaccess to healthy local food for all Vermonters. The workshop is open toall but designed especially for local community food and farm advocates. Choosethe workshop time that works for your schedule! We can’t wait to share the Planwith you. More details... •	27 Get to know the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan 2021-2030 Get to know the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan 2021-2030 Starts: 6:00 pm Ends: May 27, 2021 - 7:00 pm Description: Thursday, May 27, 6-7pm: register here After this workshop, you will understand how Plan relates to yourcommunity or professional work, and how you and your community can use it toadvance that work. The Plan can help you with background research, strategicdecisions, grant applications, and building impactful relationships acrossVermont. The Plan was created with input from hundreds of food systembusinesses, organizations, and individuals, and provides a roadmap for collective action to strengthen our agricultural economy,increase environmental sustainability of our farm and food sector, and expandaccess to healthy local food for all Vermonters. The workshop is open toall but designed especially for local community food and farm advocates. Choosethe workshop time that works for your schedule! We can’t wait to share the Planwith you. More details... •	28	29 Sunapee Farmers Market Opens for the Season Sunapee Farmers Market Opens for the Season Starts: 8:30 am Ends: May 29, 2021 - 11:30 am Description: https://sunapeefarmersmarket.com/ More details... •
30	31

Vital Communities Program News

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 Vermonters experiencing food insecurity. The program was launched in August 2020 with an allocation of ...more

Flavors of the Valley 2021: The Fun Goes Digital!

Flavors of the Valley, the Upper Valley's favorite local food tasting expo, will not be stopped this year! We're moving it to May, with a month-long digital celebration of spring, our local farms, local food, ...more

"Light River Junction" Kicks Off May 7 with "Toons and Tones"

https://youtu.be/1CHhlNDazVI The celebratory summer series Light River Junction First Fridays with WRIF kicks off May 7 with a fantastic line-up called "Toons and Tones." Throughout downtown White River, there will FREE outdoor arts to inspire and ...more

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 Get Up and Go! Take the challenge to walk, bike, roll, bus, or carpool May 1 ...more

Launching Year 2 of the Upper Valley E-Bike Library!

Do you wish biking was part of your life? E-bikes can greatly increase that possibility. E-bikes (electric bikes) are like regular bikes but with an electric motor in addition to human-powered pedals, a battery to ...more

April 8: "Investing in Home Creation"

Investing for Home Creation Thursday, April 8, 5:30 pm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUwM8Z2FD3Q The Upper Valley faces a shortage of housing, particularly in the lower-cost sector, that's affecting our ability to be a vibrant, equitable community. This session discussed how even ...more

April 15, 2021: “Putting Your Money to Work Locally: Investing Clubs 101”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnLZ7akjtGw Interested in investing locally but don’t want to do it alone? Investment clubs pool money to collectively invest in local businesses and bring a social aspect to the process – they make investment fun! In this ...more

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 Day for Quests—"treasure hunts" that share the natural and cultural history of 160+ special areas in ...more

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 grow your organization, our community, and the local economy, but don’t have access to capital? The Local Crowd ...more

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 clues that teach you about a place’s ecology, wildlife, and history while leading to a ...more

NH Route 120 Improvements Near Exit 18

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has recently begun a project to study multi-modal improvements to NH Route 120 from Hanover Street to Etna Road in Lebanon, NH. This project (NHDOT reference #29612) seeks ...more

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? You can if you follow the clues of the Mt. Tom Quest. The star traditionally ...more

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Save Energy

This week marks the close of Vital Communities and volunteers’ 2020 Vermont Energy Savings project in seven towns in the Vermont side of the Upper Valley. Vital Communities partnered with Sustainable Woodstock (serving Woodstock, Hartland, ...more

Weatherize Webinar, August 17

Weatherize Webinar with NHSaves Monday, August 17 at Noon Did Covid-19 stop your 2020 weatherization plans in their tracks? NOW is the right time to jump back on the weatherize band wagon. Lower energy bills and cozy ...more

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 the program’s 14th graduating class, as 31 local leaders completed the 10-month program with a ...more

Five Inspiring Stories

On March 18, Vital Communities held a webinar featuring five inspiring stories from energy committees across the Upper Valley. Stories included: Electric charging stations in Bethel An Upper Valley eBike lending library Energy saving window ...more

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 Valley at its annual Heroes & Leaders Celebration. The following are the event’s keynote remarks ...more

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 who make significant contributions to the Upper Valley. In 2019, we are pleased to honor ...more

Staff

Becka Warren

Food & Farm Coordinator

Food & Farm

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Food & Farm

— Becka Warren, Food & Farm Coordinator

Part of Vital Communities' Food & Farm team since 2012, Becka fosters relationships that keep agriculture a daily part of community life in the Upper Valley. She works with current and future farmers, businesses, schools, and partners across Vermont and New Hampshire to build connections that support farm viability and keep our landscapes working. Becka lived in Seattle for many years, where she worked for the Washington State University Small Farms Program, Cascade Harvest Coalition, Seattle Tilth, and area vegetable farms. Becka is also a writer, founding and writing Ask Umbra at gristmagazine.com until 2009. She holds a BA from Brown University and lives in Hartland, Vermont, with her family.

Beth Roy

Food & Farm Manager

Valley Quest, Food & Farm

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Valley Quest, Food & Farm

— Beth Roy, Food & Farm Manager

Beth leads Vital Communities' Food & Farm team, including its Upper Valley Farm to School programming, and also oversees Valley Quest. Before joining Vital Communities, Beth worked in the environmental and place-based education fields for 17 years in various positions around New England including at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science and as the Director of Education at the Nature Museum in Grafton, Vt. She previously served on the boards of the Vermont Science Teacher Association and the Vermont State-Wide Environmental Education Programs, a coalition of dozens of individuals and organizations promoting sustainability and environmental education in Vermont. Beth is a New Hampshire native and lives in Hartland, Vt., with her husband and two children, and serves on the Hartland School Board. When Beth is not working you will find her exploring the woods around her home with her family or cooking up a new taste test (made of local foods, of course!) for her children.

Doreen Guillette

Assistant to the Executive Director, Flavors Coordinator

Food & Farm

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Food & Farm

— Doreen Guillette, Assistant to the Executive Director, Flavors Coordinator

Doreen Guillette joined Vital Communities in January 2020 as the Flavors of the Valley Coordinator and Assistant to the Executive Director, with many years of administrative and management experience at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, self-employment, and volunteering. An Upper Valley native, Doreen spends most of her time and energy caring for her mini-farm and a large family in Norwich. She is a strong advocate for local community and is president of the Beaver Meadow Chapel, Trustee of the Beaver Meadow Schoolhouse, and Co-Chair of the West Norwich Community Resilience Organization. Doreen enjoys hiking, kayaking, writing poetry, nature photography, and cooking meals that come from her own land.

Nancy LaRowe

Food & Farm and Local First Coordinator

Local First, Food & Farm

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Local First, Food & Farm

— Nancy LaRowe, Food & Farm and Local First Coordinator

Nancy joined Vital Communities as the Food & Farm Coordinator in 2014. She works to support and grow our local food system and economy. Nancy has lived, worked, and farmed in the Upper Valley for more than 25 years and believes our community is healthier and stronger when our connections to food and the farms that produce it stay vital.

Nancy's informal job title is Farmer-in-Residence: she also runs a pasture-based cattle farm in Norwich. Nancy is on the Board of the Norwich Farmers' Market and a retired Norwich volunteer firefighter and EMT. She loves puttering in the garden, hiking with her dog, and visiting farmers' markets.