ACORN's mission is to promote the health and growth of local food and agriculture in Vermont's Champlain Valley.
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We network the network
...beyond just Addison County!
Find us on FB at Addison County Relocalization Network
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MONTHLY INSPIRATION:
IT'S TURKEY TIME!
Have you pre-ordered your Thanksgiving turkey yet? Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op has a pre-order list for two farms (organic and non-organic). You can also check the Local Food and Farm Guide
for a farm near you! (Hint: you can search by "turkey" in the online version!). Best to call farms directly to ensure they still have birds left.
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NATIONAL TOPICS WE'RE FOLLOWING:
"Children lose twice under the SNAP rules change," Food Research & Action Center experts Crystal FitzSimons and Ellen Vollinger said in an email. "They lose SNAP food benefits at home and lose free breakfasts and lunches at school."
Learn more about what you can do here.
The #1 Food Trend for 2020, according to food industry behemoth Whole Foods, is Regenerative Agriculture! (Which happens to be exactly what we'll be talking about at our Annual Meeting this Wednesday!). Other trends include alternative grain flours, foods from West Africa and plant based products.
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VERMONT MAPLE CONTEST
The VT Agency of Ag has partnered with
The FeedFeed to run a maple focused social media contest.
They are in search of the most creative and eye-catching recipes that make maple ingredients the star! ONE Winner will win a trip to Vermont in March 2020 for an immersive maple sugaring experience. Contest details are here. Share widely with your out-of-state friends and family!
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Starksboro's Taylor Mendell of Footprint Farm spoke at the 2019 Farm to Plate Gathering
Taylor spoke candidly and passionately during the Farmer Perspectives on Vermont's Culture Past & Future panel. The panel was a great reminder that there is still so much work to be done in honoring and lifting the true value of our local farmers who work so hard to feed their communities (that's us!).
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CONGRATULATIONS
Savoure Soda, is a finalist in the Elixir category for their Celery-Lovage-Cardamom Soda (+ Jess is an ACORN Board Member!),
V Smiley Preserves is a finalist in the Preserves category for their Raspberry Redcurrant Geranium Honey Jam,
Champlain Orchards is a finalist for the Cider category for their Redfield - Estate Series and Honeycrisp cider,
Be sure to stock up on these delicious provisions for your own pantry as well as for holiday gifts for family, friends and neighbors!
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VIDEO OF THE MONTH
Fun Fact! Did you know there is twice more carbon in SOIL than there is in ALL of the world's vegetation and air?
In this April 2019
TED Talk Biogeochemist Asmeret Asefaw Berhe dives into the science of soil and shares how we could use its awesome carbon-trapping power to offset climate change.
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Our Annual Meeting is this Wednesday, 6 PM - 8 PM
And American Flatbread's wood fired oven means it's one of the warmest places in town!
Keynote speakers Nancy and John Hayden of
Also learn about the inaugural
Farmacy project and what ACORN has in store for 2020! Please RSVP to
[email protected]
When: Wednesday, November 13, 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Where: American Flatbread Middlebury
Price: $10/person. Flatbread will be provided, cash bar. This is also a fundraiser for the Farmers Market Education program.
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4th Annual Producer and Buyer Forum Sparks New Collaborations
This year's Producer and Buyer Forum marked the first time ACORN partnered with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and Vermont Farm to Plate Network to host the event in a true statewide collaboration. With nearly 80 people in attendance from across the food system spectrum, the Forum sparked great conversation about the rewards and risks of growing food businesses across product categories. Businesses are already connecting and building affinities to expand sales in our region.
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Photo by Addison Independent
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In
September, Governor Scott and Chris Cole, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS) notified the Addison County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) that they were awarded $59,600 for Addison County businesses through the "Building Community" grant program for four projects in Bristol, Middlebury, Monkton, and Shoreham.
$59,600 was awarded to four Addison County businesses for the following projects:
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$14,000 to
Agricola Meats, LLC, Middlebury: To renovate, fit-up and equip space on Exchange Street for specialty meat processing.
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$15,000 to
Bristol Bakery & Café Wholesale, LLC, Bristol: To invest in new equipment for packaging;
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$15,000 to
Champlain Orchards, Shoreham: To upgrade their donut-making operation.
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$15,600 to Wooden Hammer, LLC, Monkton: To renovate, fit-up and equip space to expand a woodworking and cabinetry business.
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Events, Workshops & Opportunities
November 13: ACORN's Annual Meeting at American Flatbread Middlebury, 6:00PM-8:00PM
November 8-17: Seven Days Burger Week,
Statewide
November 20:
Forum on Climate and Agriculture, Hartland Public Library, 5:00PM-6:30PM
November 21: Comedy Night, Hogback Mountain Brewing, Bristol, 7:00PM-8:00PM
Ongoing: FREE CBD Hemp Online Master Series
SAVE THE DATE!
February 26, 2020: No-Till Cover Crop Symposium, Burlington DoubleTree Hotel
April 3-4, 2020: Real Organic Project symposium, Dartmouth College
LOOKING FOR WORK?
Philo Ridge Farms is looking for a General Manager, Head Chef and Food and Beverage Manager
The
Vermont Farm Fund is offering Low Interest Loans t
o Vermont farmers and value-added food producers.
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ACORN wishes you a very Happy Thanksgiving filled with all of the deliciousness the Champlain Valley has to offer!
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