Farm to Plate is Vermont’s food system plan being implemented statewide to increase economic development and jobs in the farm and food sector and improve access to healthy local food for all Vermonters.
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2019 Farm to Plate Network Annual Gathering
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At the Crossroads: Our Food and Farm Culture and Economy
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When: November 7-8, 2019
Where: Killington Grand Resort, Killington, VT
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Market Study of Demand for
Vermont Grown Grains in the Northeast
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The Northern Grain Growers Association (NGGA), UVM Extension, Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program, and Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund/Farm to Plate are excited to have partnered with New Venture Advisors (NVA) to conduct a market study of demand in the Northeast for Vermont grown grains. The collaborating organizations are exploring whether or not sufficient demand exists to support grain aggregation infrastructure, a key piece of infrastructure for grading grain quality for different markets (e.g., food grade vs animal feed grade), storing grain under controlled conditions, and in turn accessing larger wholesale accounts for food, feed, and seed. Over the next two months, NVA will be interviewing grain buyers in Vermont and the Northeast, focusing on bakeries, food processors, maltsters, distillers, and feed and seed dealers. If the market research concludes that there is sufficient demand, the project will advance to a second phase consisting of an enterprise analysis of feasibly operating an aggregation center. The collaborating organizations view market demand for Vermont grown grains and investment in grain industry infrastructure as a possible way to catalyze production transition for dairy farms and overall expansion of grain production amongst Vermont producers. The final report will be available in late November/early December.
Jake Claro
Farm to Plate Director
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
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F2P Stakeholder Engagement Training
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The Farm to Plate Network periodically provides professional development opportunities to strengthen both our collaborative process and the individual work of our member organizations. On October 3rd, 30 Network members participated in a daylong stakeholder engagement training with Curtis Ogden of the
Interaction Institute for Social Change. A wide variety of organizations attended from all aspects of our food system, from production to food access to composting, and ranging in scale from local to statewide and even regional. The training took participants through the entire stakeholder engagement process, familiarizing them with a variety of helpful frameworks and assessment tools and, most importantly, providing an opportunity for attendees to share their own questions and experiences to learn from each other. “It was great to hear from so many different perspectives and organizations, all working in different ways to engage our communities strategically and effectively,” said attendee Jenna O’Donnell of Hunger Free Vermont. “As our organizations are looking towards the challenges and opportunities coming in the next year, it was valuable to be able to spend an entire day thinking deeply about why, how, when, and with whom we should be engaging in our work.” The lessons learned will also guide discussions about the future shape of the Network as we enter the next ten years.
Sarah Danly
Farm to Plate Network Manager
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
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Kitchen Commissary Space for Rent
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The Skinny Pancake is working on an exciting new project in the Old North End of Burlington and seeking another collaborator to round out the effort. They will have a fully equipped kitchen space available in April 2020. Ample walk-in refrigerator, freezer and dry storage space. Dedicated office space too. Off-street parking for vehicles and smaller carts and trailers. Bonus potential for one commercial storefront night of operation a week. This is a GREAT opportunity for a food truck or mobile vendor looking to grow into a full, professional kitchen at a limited cost. Contact
benjyadler@gmail.com for more details. $1000/month.
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Wednesday, Oct. 16, 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Kirk Alumni Hall, Middlebury College
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Learn first-hand from others who have been in your shoes and share your own insights in this unique format that connects farmers, value-added food producers and businesses from across the food industry. Local and regional buyers and distributors will be in the room to answer questions you may have specific to your business.
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$5,000 - $40,000 Grants for Infrastructure Improvements that Enhance Water Quality.
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Past projects funded with Water Quality Grants have included manure storage and management systems, barn and barnyard improvements, grazing infrastructure, wastewater management, no-till equipment, and more.
Application deadlines are 11/8/2019 and 2/7/2020.
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Food System Events and Workshops
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Lewis Creek Jerseys/Badger Brook Meats,
Farm Help
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Is your Farm or Food Business listed on the
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3 Pitkin Court Montpelier, VT 05602
Copyright © 2019. All Rights Reserved.
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, 3 Pitkin Court, Suite 301E, Montpelier, VT 05602
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