Business-Education Partnerships

Kristyn Achilich

kachilichREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@smcvt.edu
802.654.2730

Academic Program Coordinator
St. Michael's College
smcvt.edu/on-campus/green-campus/sustainability-initiatives/organic-garden.aspx
1 Winooski Park
Box 5
Colchester Vermont, 05439

I have returned to my alma mater to a newly created position as Academic Program Coordinator for the Organic Garden and Permaculture Site. In this role, I offer critical support to students, faculty, and community members who utilize the Saint Michael’s Organic Garden and Permaculture Site for educational and research purposes. I serve as a resource for faculty as they plan their own lessons in the outdoor classroom, and model skills that students need to be proficient in ecological farming practices. I am responsible for the overall management and design of the permaculture and garden sites, to insure maximizing of their function for research, teaching and community-engaged learning. My past roles include participating in the Governor’s Institute of Vermont’s Food, Farms and Your Future Institute as a teaching assistant; Market Garden Assistant at Trillium Hill Farm; research student and teaching assistant in UVM’s Food Systems program; and more recently I was the curriculum coordinator for the Farm at the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. I received a Bachelor of Science in biology from Saint Michael’s College, have a Master’s of Science from the University of Vermont in Food Systems, and am a Master’s of Education candidate at Saint Michael’s.

Justin Barrett

workREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@piecemealvt.com
(541) 510-5873

chef owner
Piecemeal Pies
piecemealpies.com
5 South Main Street
White River Junction Vermont, 05001

Richard Berkfield

richardREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@foodconnects.org
(802)579-1082

Executive Director
Food Connects
foodconnects.org
22 Browne Court
Unit 110
Brattleboro VT, 05301

General Manager
Windham Farm and Food
windhamfarmandfood.com
PO Box 431
Townshend Vermont, 05353

Richard is the co-founder and Executive Director of Food Connects. He has been leading food system development work in the Windham County area since 2008. Richard holds a M.A. from SIT Graduate Institute in Sustainable Development with a focus on Food Security for Vermont, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Marlboro College Graduate School. Berkfield was named one of Vermont’s Rising Stars by Vermont Business Magazine in 2014. He and his family enjoy growing and preparing as much of their own food as possible, though as work demands increase, he better understand the saying that "The cobbler’s children have no shoes."

Tom Bivins

infoREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vtcheese.com
(866) 261-8595


Vermont Cheese Council
vtcheese.com
West Parish Road
Westminster West VT, 05346

Since 1996, the Vermont Cheese Council has worked to support the Vermont cheese industry with both marketing and educational opportunities. The VCC provides the tools necessary to encourage Vermont cheesemakers to follow the best possible manufacturing practices, in order to assure our customers that Vermont cheese represents the highest level of quality in the marketplace.

C.Rose Bragg

braggfamilyfarmREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
603-991-5511

Owner
Bragg Family Farm
200 bobbin mill rd
Lunenburg VT, 05906

Husband, wife and baby trio in North Eastern VT. We're small, on ten acres and building our off-grid home. This will be our third year on completely blank land. Dave is a carpenter and Rose runs the homestead. As of now we have chickens, dogs, apples, flowers, produce and herbs. Rose makes and sells soap and wool products at two farmers markets on the weekend. We are ideally looking for someone who is passionate about sustainable living and lifestyle. We're looking for someone part time as we do not have a lot that we can afford. We are willing to barter for some of the compensation. This position has a lot of room to grow if the person is the right fit.

Bill Brown

billREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@confluencevt.com
(802) 952-8907

Executive Director
Confluence Behavioral Health
confluencevt.com
1646 GOVE HILL RD
Thetford Center Vermont, 05075-9041

Alex Buskey

therangervtREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
802-281-2438

Outreach Coordinator
Alliance for Vermont Communities
alliancevermont.org
168 Monarch Hill Rd
Tunbridge Vermont, 05077

The mission of Alliance for Vermont Communities (AVC) is to protect working farms, forests and communities of central Vermont and to promote responsible development that will sustain the rural heritage and values for present and future generations.

Erica Campbell

erica_campbellREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@sanders.senate.gov

Policy & Outreach Staff - Agriculture, food, rural dev. & transportation
Office of Senator Bernie Sanders
1 Church St, 3rd Floor
Burlington Vermont, 05401

Office on Senator Bernie Sanders--agriculture, nutrition, rural development & transportation policy

Mingla Charoenmuang

mcharoenmuangREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vtc.edu
818-416-1831


Institute for Applied Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Technical College
vtc.edu/agricultureinstitute
PO Box 500
Randolph Center Vermont, 05061

Jake Claro

JakeREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vsjf.org
(802) 828-5669

Farm to Plate Program Director
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
vsjf.org
3 Pitkin Court
Suite 301E
Montpelier VT, 05602

Dorsey Coale

dorseycoaleREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 349-9772

Director
Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center
hannafordcareercenter.org
51 Charles Avenue
Middlebury VT, 05753

I am the Executive Director of Addison County Relocatization Network ACORN. ACORN is a non profit supporting farmers and the food system in Addison County Vermont.

Sarah Danly

sarahREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vsjf.org
(802) 828-3745

Farm to Plate Network Manager
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
vsjf.org
3 Pitkin Court
Suite 301E
Montpelier VT, 05602

Valerie Desmarais

valREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@kingcon.com
802-489-FRSH

Owner / Operator
802 Fresh!
2517 Brook Road
West Burke Vermont, 05871

Fresh fast food truck with an emphasis on locally sourced, sustainably produced delicious food!

Matthew DiLuzio

ngm01301REMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(413) 768-9745

I'm a new gourmet mushroom farmer located in White River Junction. We are cultivating a variety of oyster mushrooms, lions mane, maitake, shitake, pioppino, brick cap, and many more on the horizon. My buddy Jesse and I make it our mission to bring in a new level of sustainability to mushroom production by eliminating the use of non-recyclable plastic and lowering our energy use by utilizing inovative sterilization techniques. We are in the design stages of integrating mushroom production into a permaculture-based perrenial gardern.

Nicole Driscoll

driscoll.vtREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com

Suzanne Enser

svetromileREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 417-7430

Proprietor, Farmer, Conservation Biologist
Ragged Orchid Farm B&B VT
936 MAPLE ST
SALISBURY Vermont, 05769-9685

Our family recently moved back to VT (late 2018) and have begun planning to cultivate a small farmstead here in the village of Salisbury. Plans include propagating native plants for conservation projects and organic herbs along with offering a rustic B&B in the barn off the back of our farmhouse. Dairy sheep and heritage breed chickens are/will be part of the mix. (We established a similar farm while in Rhode Island during the past 4 years, and VT before that.).

Whitney Feininger

whitneyfeningerREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
404-217-5628

Connecting people to the resources they need for success and promoting continuous learning and professional development drives me. I am a current graduate student in Champlain's MS in Human Relations and Organizational Development program and within that program I am pursuing a certificate in positive organizational development. In my coursework I am focusing on lifelong and continuous learning and applying appreciative inquiry and a strength-based approach to career readiness, learning cultures, onboarding and training, assessments and evaluations, and professional and workforce development. My background is in publishing, printing, and marketing where I have held project/ account manager and coordinator roles. Within the Vermont food system I've worked in guest services where at Shelburne Farms where I had the opportunity to educate inn and restaurant guests to farm-to-table dining and sustainable education. I am also on the board of the Full Barrel Co-operative Brewery which aims to establish the first consumer co-op brewery and bar in Vermont. Within the project we are committed to partnering with local organizations and using local ingredients. I have also chaired Green Committees, been a site leader for the Vermont Community Garden Network Day in the Dirt! and am a long-time City Market Member Worker.

Emily Finnegan

emily.i.finneganREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com


Shelburne Farms
shelburnefarms.org
1611 Harbor Road
Shelburne VT, 05482

Bob Flint

bobfREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@springfielddevelopment.org
802-885-3061

Executive Director
Springfield Regional Development Corporation
springfielddevelopment.org
14 Clinton Street
Springfield Vermont, 05601

Morrisville Food Co-op

morrisvillecoopREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 522-3989

Project Manager
Morrisville Food Co-op
morrisvillecoop.com
46 Pleasant Street
Morrisville Vermont, 05661

Eloise GIrard

ecoeloREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@hotmail.com
(802) 586-2805

Farm stand manager
Pete's Greens
petesgreens.com
266 South Craftsbury Road
Craftsbury VT, 05826

Jack Glade

jackgREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@tutorialcenter.org
(802) 447-0111


The Tutorial Center
tutoringvermont.org/our-services/yapinfo
208 Pleasant Street
Bennington VT, 05201

Hannah Harrington

hannahfharrington9REMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 345-2664


Community Kitchen Academy
cvcac.org
20 Gable Place
Barre Vermont, 05641


Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf
feedingchittenden.org
228 North Winooski Avenue
Burlington Vermont, 05401

My name is Hannah Harrington and I am the Service Coordinator at the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf, working on program development for the Community Kitchen Academy job training program and helping people connect and apply for needed services and benefits. I am a Vermonter and alumna of University of Vermont, graduating with a B.S. in Community and International Development and a M.S. in Community Development and Applied Economics. During that time I focused on studying and researching food systems, specifically local food systems and the challenges and opportunities in store for Vermont’s local food system now and in the future. Food and cooking are some of my greatest passions, in addition to exploring the Vermont outdoors on mountain bike or skis and making pottery pieces for the kitchen. I am driven to work towards a more equitable food system that gets healthy food to everyone, as good, nutritious food can provide humankind with strength, medicine, economic opportunity, and happiness.

Mike Heath

MikeREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@kingdomcrust.com
802-751-8500

Owner
Kingdom Crust Company
kingdomcrust.com
1216 Railroad St
St Johnsbury VT, 05819

Kingdom Crust Co. serves traditional hand tossed brick oven pizza. We strive to use only locally sourced, minimally processed ingredients. Our meats and toppings are cooked fresh on site. Our dough is made from locally produced unbleached and unbrominated King Arthur Flour. Our fried fare is cooked in heart healthy, GMO and soy free sunflower oil.

Corey Hennessey

corey.a.hennesseyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com


Vermont Compost Company
vermontcompost.com
1996 Main St.
Montpelier Vermont, 05602

Ellen Kahler

ellenREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vsjf.org
(802) 828-5320

Executive Director
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
vsjf.org
3 Pitkin Court
Suite 301E
Montpelier VT, 05602

I assist in coordinating the Farm to Plate Network and our organization is responsible for implementing the Farm to Plate Initiative, at the request of the Vermont Legislature. I serve on the Boards of Red Tomato, the Working Lands Enterprise Fund, and the Sustainable Agriculture Council. I am also active in helping other New England states in developing their own food system plans and implementation efforts.

Jonathan Kaplan

jdk02220REMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@lsc.vsc.edu
(802) 751-9903

Adjunct Faculty
Lyndon State College
lyndonstate.edu
1001 College Road
Lyndon VT, 05851

I educate students on the ecology of food production, the role of food choices in personal health and sustainable food systems. I also have a unique background, having been an organic vegetable grower, executive chef, hot lunch program director and commodity trader recruiter. I have a Doctorate in Botany and Plant Pathology

Kim Kayhart

kakayharREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 476-2003

Liz Kenton

ekentonREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 257-7967 x308

Youth Agriculture Project Coordinator
University of Vermont Extension (Brattleboro)
uvm.edu/extension
130 Austine Drive
Suite 300
Brattleboro VT, 05301

I coordinate on-site programs and professional development to help young people build life and job skills through hands-on learning about food, nutrition, and agriculture. Examples include youth tractor safety certification; a summer job-training program where at-risk youth grow and market fresh produce as a team; and workshops with students, and with educators, on topics including school gardening, experiential education, farm to school, and service learning through agriculture.

Sadie Laing

sadieklaingREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(507) 269-1039

Community Service Member
Maplehill School and Community Farm
maplehillschoolandfarm.org
1329 John Fowler Road
Plainfield Vermont, 05667

Amy Lewis

amy.lewisREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@ccv.edu
(802) 828-2955

Coordinator of Academic Services - Workforce Education
Community College of Vermont
ccv.edu
660 Elm Street
Montpelier VT, 05601

The Community College of Vermont is Vermont’s second largest college, serving over 7,000 students each semester. With twelve locations and extensive online learning options, our students don’t have to travel far from their communities to access our degree and certificate programs, workforce, secondary and continuing education opportunities, and academic and veterans support services.

Marie Louka

madrugadafarmREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
802.772.0152

Madrugada Farm, LLC will certify organic with NOFA-VT summer 2016. We grow heirloom dry beans, popping corn, sorghum and other products for our Pantry Farm Share. We also offer an Herb Farm Share full of dried leaves, roots, and flowers for your salves, tinctures, tisanes, and bitters. We work with distillers to grow amazing flavorful herbs for their brews.

Crystal Maderia

kismetkitchenREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@yahoo.com
(802) 223-8646


Kismet
kismetkitchens.com
52 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05602

Like the taste of spring maple to the patient vermonter, KISMET is the gift given to hard work and honest intention. KISMET, means fate, or Good Karma returned, & is the heart of our philosophy, the reason we remain dedicated to our local economy, and what we hope may encourage and inspire a whole community. KISMET is a farm to table community oriented restaurant, chef owned and operated since 2006. After many years traveling and studying around the world, I opened Kismet in 2006. Through the seasons, I meet with my team and plan the weekly menus from produce and products at their peak, the best of the season’s colors and aromas. The menus we plan are for our own children and community; truly inspired by our travels, our stories, our love for each other, and the celebration of good health.

John Mandeville

johnREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@lamoilleeconomy.org
(802) 888-5640

Executive Director
Lamoille Economic Development Corporation
lamoilleeconomy.org
582 Laporte Road
Morrisville VT, 05661

Support and promotion for local agriculture, particularly value-added and sustainable ag and food production through the provision of technical services, financial support through loan and grant programs, assistance with regulatory and permit issues, marketing and promotion help, assistance in writing grant applications to third party providers, providing networking opportunities and running two, local on-line farmer's markets.

DJ Masi

dj.masiREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
(802) 793-8309


VocRehab Vermont
vocrehab.vermont.gov
63 Professional Drive
Morristown VT, 05661


Creative Workforce Solutions
cwsvt.com
103 South Main Street, Weeks 1A
Waterbury Vermont, 05671-2303

CWS Business Account Manager Morrisville Region Interested in learning about the diversified agricultural sector of Vermont's economy and food system employment opportunities-skills and attributes needed to be successful. I enjoy getting out into the field to meet with business owners and managers to better understand their operations and expectations for employees. Feel free to contact me!

Alissa Matthews

alissa.matthewsREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
802-505-1661


Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
vermontagriculture.com
116 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05620

Kim McKellar

kmckellarREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@u32.org
802-229-0321 x2140

Mentor Coordinator
U-32
wcsu32.org
930 Gallison Hill Rd.
Montpelier Vermont, 05602

I am the Mentor Coordinator at U-32 Middle and High School, helping students follow their passions and interests by connecting them with mentors and resources in the community. Each year, we have students interested in various aspects of the Vermont Food System. I am also a Certified Wellness and Nutrition Coach, so am very interested in promoting healthy food choices and a healthy food economy.

Orly Munzing

orlyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@strollingoftheheifers.com
802-258-9177

Founder
Strolling of the Heifers
strollingoftheheifers.com
157 Main St
Brattleboro Vermont, 05301

Orly is the founder and executive director of Strolling of the Heifers. Drawing on her 20-year background as an educational consultant, she gathered a group of volunteers in 2001 to help focus attention on the difficulties of small family farms in the Brattleboro region. In 2002, they organized the first annual Strolling of the Heifers, a parade and festival celebrating farmers and aiming to connect people with healthy local food. With the growth in the local foods movement since then, “the Stroll” has expanded to a full weekend which is annually rated one of Vermont’s Top Ten Summer Events (and in 2013 was rated one of America’s Top 10 Summer Festivals). Under Orly’s leadership, over the years Strolling of the Heifers launched educational programs, a microloan fund, and farm internship program for youth, which are now all carried on by other organizations. In 2011, the Slow Living Summit was added, immediately preceding Stroll Weekend. Strolling of the Heifers also currently organizes the Vermont Farm/Food Business Plan Competition in collaboration with Vermont Technical College.

Matt Myers

matthew.myersREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
802-661-8473

Outreach Professional
University of Vermont Extension (Burlington)
uvm.edu/extension
23 Mansfield Ave
Burlington VT, 05401

Matt Myers, a UVM Extension employee, is in the process of creating a new UVM internship program that will place students from across academic disciplines into different sectors of Vermont's food system, giving them valuable hands-on experience to prepare them for future work in Vermont. In 2009, Matt started UVM Extension's "Vermont Rebates for Roll Bars Program" to address farmers' leading cause of death, the tractor roll over. This program remains strong four years later with over 400 farmer calls to the informational hotline and 145 roll bars installed, providing 99% protection from death in the event of a roll over. This work received national recognition from NIOSH in 2012.

Mary Niebling

mnieblingREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@capstonevt.org
802-477-5118

Director, Community Economic Development
Capstone Community Action
capstonevt.org
20 Gable Place
Barre Vermont, 05641

Mariah Noth

mariahREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vhcb.org
(802) 735-7893


Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program
vhcb.org/viability
VT Housing & Conservation Board
58 East State Street
Montpelier VT, 05602

Vermont Farm and Forest Viability Program Outreach & Communications Coordinator

Kelly Nottermann

kellyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vsjf.org
(802) 828-1121


Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
vsjf.org
3 Pitkin Court
Suite 301E
Montpelier VT, 05602

Kevin O'Donnell

KGODonnell34REMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
(802) 380-1560

Principal
Llenroc Consulting
29 Deerfield drive
Montpelier Vermont, 05602

Kevin is a lifelong hospitality student having been a part of the industry for over 4 decades now. Having lived in Vermont for over 25 years and managed two of Vermont’s premier properties, The Inn at Shelburne Farms and the Old Tavern at Grafton, during which time he was recognized as the Borden E. Avery “Innkeeper of the Year “ for the state of Vermont. Kevin has chaired the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and was appointed to the Governor’s Travel and Recreation Council that he also chaired for a number of years. He is the sole principal of Llenroc consulting which specializes in ethical solutions for the hospitality industry, with a focus on boutique hotels, country clubs, and restaurants, and a diverse group of food and beverage operations. Kevin currently is the Vice President of the Vermont Fresh Network and is one of only a few non attorney members to sit on the Vermont Responsibility Board, which administers guidance and discipline for the Vermont bar Association. Kevin most recently was the Vice President of Food & Beverage Operations at the New England Institute where he was responsible for all of the food & beverage outlets that the college maintained as part of their education model including: National Life, LA Brioche Bakery, NECI on Main, NECI Catering, Vermont College and Husky in Milton, Vermont. Kevin earned a B.S. in Hotel Administration from Cornell University and a culinary degree from SUNY Cobleskill, where he has been most recently inducted into both the Business and Athletic Hall of Fame the only graduate to be in both.

Amanda Pacilli

mandyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@thelittleacre.farm
(802) 777-4554

co-owner
the little acre farm
thelittleacre.farm
217 Ferry Rd
Ferrisburg Vermont, 05491

Microfarm located in West Ferrisburg, raising chickens, ducks, and quail. 48 raised garden beds with non-certified organic heirloom vegetables and fruits. Creating locally sourced meal kits for Vermonters.

Nat Piper

nathan.piperREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
(802) 479-4441

Business Account Manager
Creative Workforce Solutions
cwsvt.com
103 South Main Street, Weeks 1A
Waterbury Vermont, 05671-2303

As a Business Account Manager, my primary role is business and community outreach on behalf of the Creative Workforce Solutions employment initiative. We assist Vermonter's connected with the State of Vermont's Agency of Human Services to find and maintain employment. We also assist businesses in our local labor markets with staffing, training and retention, utilizing available Progressive Employment tools to support career exploration & training. Please reach out with any questions!

Lydia Pitkin

lydiaREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vsjf.org
802-828-5670

Office Manager & Program Coordinator
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
vsjf.org
3 Pitkin Court
Suite 301E
Montpelier VT, 05602

Jay Ramsey

jay.ramseyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
802-479-1343


Vermont Agency of Education
education.vermont.gov
219 North Main Street, Ste. 402
Barre VT, 05641

I am the State Director for Career Technical Education at the Agency of Education. I serve on the Registered Apprenticeship Council at the VT Department of Labor. I live in Montpelier and work in Barre.

Kendra Rickerby

klrickerbyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com
802-238-5760


Vermont Agency of Education
education.vermont.gov
219 North Main Street, Ste. 402
Barre VT, 05641

Jeff Roberts

cowcreekREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@attglobal.net
(802) 656-8300

Principal Consultant
Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese
nutrition.uvm.edu/viac
109 Carrigan Drive
255 Carrigan Wing Building
Burlington VT, 05401

A resident of Montpelier Vermont, Jeff Roberts is president of Cow Creek Creative Ventures, dedicated to developing solutions in the areas of agriculture and food policy, conservation, the environment, and community economic development. He is co-founder of the Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese at the University of Vermont. His book, The Atlas of American Artisan Cheese (Chelsea Green, 2007), was the first comprehensive survey of small-scale producers. He is a member of Guilde Internationale des Fromagers. He teaches the history and culture of food at the New England Culinary Institute, is a visiting professor at the Slow Food University of Gastronomic Science, provides consulting services to a wide array of small-scale food producers, and is a frequent speaker in Europe and the United States on artisan food, sustainable agriculture, and the working landscape. During his career, Jeff was a meteorologist, museum curator and historian, and director of development at the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia. From 1987 – 1994, he was associate dean for at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. From 1995 – 1998, he was vice president for external affairs for the Vermont Land Trust. For more than a decade, Jeff was active in Slow Food International and USA, including service as a director and treasurer of the national board; locally he served as a director of the Central Vermont Community Land Trust; Vermont Arts Council; and Vermont Fresh Network.

Lynn Rublee

lrubleeREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@umbrellanek.org

Associate Director
Umbrella
umbrellanek.org
1222 Main Street Ste. 301
St. Johnsbury Vermont, 05819

Program Manager for Cornucopia, a culinary training program for women in transition.

Liz Ruffa

lizREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@merckforest.org
(802) 394-2579

Project Director
Northshire Grows
147 Green Peak Orchard North
East Dorset Vermont, 05253

Liz Ruffa is the Director of Institutional Advancement at Merck Forest & Farmland Center, a 3,200 acre conserved property in Rupert, VT. Merck Forest is on a mission to inspire curiosity, love and responsibility for working and natural lands. Liz lives in East Dorset where she continues to champion regional food systems through her work as a member of the Dorset Select Board.

Lynn Ellen Schimoler

LynnEllen.SchimolerREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vermont.gov
802-622-4477


Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
vermontagriculture.com
116 State Street
Montpelier VT, 05620

Lynn Ellen Schimoler is the Senior Agricultural Business Development Program Manager for the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Schimoler has worked in the Natural Foods Industry for over 20 years. Her experience includes working for independently owned markets in CA,NH and VT, collaborating with the National Cooperatives Grocers to develop retail Co-ops around the US, and working as Director of Purchasing and Merchandising for City Market/Onion River Co-op.Schimoler has expertise in project management, store operations, product development, and human resources. Schimoler has been featured in Natural Foods Merchandiser and Edible Green Mountains, and as a guest speaker at numerous conferences, including Penton Media group's EXPO East. Schimoler has a BA in Dance from Bennington College, and is a part-time Dance Lecturer at the University of Vermont.

Kayla Silver

kaylaREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@localvoretoday.com
(718) 594-0415


Localvore
localvore.co
60 Lake Street Suite 1f
Burlington Vermont, 05401

Hello, My name is Kayla and I represent Localvore Today, a digital marketing group focused on connecting consumers to local businesses, farms, and entrepreneurs. I hope to be in touch with my community in active and meaningful ways. Kayla

Jaime Silverstein

jaimeREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@nofavt.org


NOFA Vermont
nofavt.org
14 Pleasant Street
Richmond VT, 05477

Margaret Skinner

mskinnerREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 656-5440

Research Professor
University of Vermont
uvm.edu/~saffron
University of Vermont
Burlington Vermont, 05405

Dr. Margaret Skinner is a Research Professor and Extension Entomologist at the Univ. of Vermont, Entomology Research Lab, where she has worked for 36 years, conducting research on management of a wide array of insect pests in forests, vegetables and greenhouse ornamentals. Her current primary target pests are aphids in high-tunnel vegetables and western flower thrips in greenhouse ornamentals. She works on developing strategies to maximize the potential of insect-killing fungi and plant-mediated systems. As the UVM Extension Entomologist she assists professional growers and homeowners with pest id and IPM. She co-founded the North American Center for Saffron Research & Development, which seeks to develop the potential of this high-value crop to increase revenue generation options for small family farms through greater diversification.

Julie Smith

julie.m.smithREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
802-656-4496

Extension Associate Professor
UVM/ASCI
blog.uvm.edu/jmsmith
570 Main Street
Terrill Bldg
Burlington VT, 05405

Julie Smith is an Extension Dairy Specialist based in the Department of Animal Science of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Vermont. Her programs focus on biosecurity and preventive animal health management. She is currently working on an interdisciplinary project to better prepare farms and communities to implement biosecurity plans in the face of a highly contagious disease emergency. Julie graduated with a BS in Biological Sciences, a DVM, and a PhD in Animal Nutrition from Cornell University.

Gary Strait

garyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@labelquest.net
802-643-2100


Label Quest LLC
labelquest.net
1207 Pond Road
Monkton Vermont, 05473

My wife Barbara and myself have been in the label business 16 years together as an added value resource for pressure sensitive labels, label printers, label software, label applicators, label accessories and anything related to making your label experience affordable and easier to work with at your place of business. Personally I have been in the labeling industry 30 years. We try to put in perspective what is best for your particular label needs. We have been advising small and medium sized companies with success about their labeling efforts. We have stock and custom solutions. We have adhesives or all environments and address the label material to adequately survive its life on your products usage. We have the ability to meet very small production runs as well as the larger label orders. "Labeling Tools for YOUR Trade" has been our motto. Thank you for your interest and considering Label Quest!

Kate Turcotte

kate.turcotteREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@gmail.com

Julia & Paul VanDerWielen

innkeeperREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@themarblewestinn.com
(802) 867-0400

Chefs & Innkeepers
The Marble West Inn
themarblewestinn.com
1847 Dorset West Road
Dorset Vermont, 05251

We are the Chefs & Innkeepers of The Marble West Inn. Our Inn highlights the abundance of the Taconic Mountain Valley. There are no set menus at The Marble West Inn. Instead, guests are offered a multi-course experience featuring the best offerings from our gardens, our partner farms, local markets and purveyors. We offer a true farm to table experience, and coordinate several events a year, highlighting Vermont agriculture.

Jim Verzino

jimREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@strollingoftheheifers.com
(802) 242-1249

Entrepreneur in Residence
Windham Grows
windhamgrows.org
157 Main St.
Brattleboro Vermont, 05301

I help farm and food entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses as Entrepreneur in Residence at Windham Grows.

Roxanne Vought

roxannevREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vbsr.org
802.862.8347

Program Manager
Vermont Intern Program
internvt.org
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility
255 South Champlain Street, Suite 11
Burlington Vermont, 05401

Roxanne Vought, Internship Program and Special Projects Manager, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR). A graduate of UVM, Roxanne started her career through a series of internships with Burlington area non-profits, and continued with positions at Carbon Harvest Energy and UVM Continuing Education, where she spent 8 years helping students of all ages connect with opportunities for learning, enrichment and professional development. Having come of age in farm country, she shares a great passion for food systems and agriculture, and has both studied Food Systems at UVM and worked with the UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture promoting Vermont Land Link – a land linking platform for farm seekers and property owners. A frequent performer and teacher, Roxanne lives in Burlington with her partner, Nate Plasha, and enjoys time outside, in the kitchen, on stage and in the classroom.

Michelle Wallace

mwallaceREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vtfoodbank.org
(802) 477-4125

Program Manager
Vermont Foodbank
vtfoodbank.org
33 Parker Road
Barre VT, 05641

I am the Director of Community Health and Nutrition at the Vermont Foodbank. I'm responsible for directing community-based programs and initiatives that emphasize access to fresh produce, nutrition/ health education and community food security. I oversee several Vermont Foodbank programs including the Gleaning Program, Community Kitchen Academy, VT Fresh and Pick for Your Neighbor.

Weiwei Wang

wwangREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@uvm.edu
(802) 656-0892

Sara Jean Whelan

sjREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@threechimneyfarm.com
(631) 626-4927

Co-Founder
Three Chimney Farm
threechimneyfarm.com
95 Spear St
Charlotte VT, 05445

Scott and Valarie Wilson

honeyREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vtbeekeeper.com
802-333-0084

Owner
Heavenly Honey Apiary
vtbeekeeper.com
118 Rotax Road
Monkton Vermont, 05469

Heavenly Honey Apiary is a side-line honey operation in the Green Mountains of Vermont. We produce: raw honey (unfiltered and not heat processed), 100% bees wax candles, bee pollen, and bee propolis. Our aim is to provide you with raw honey, as if you were eating it straight from the comb. Community is important to us; we give back through mentoring and training newer beekeepers. We strive to learn the best practices to keep healthy natural bees. Thanks for supporting us; we look forward to serving you! Check us out here: www.VtBeekeeper.com

Heather Winther

heatherREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@vtrga.org
(802) 839-1928

Director of Events & Marketing
Vermont Retail and Grocers Association
vtrga.org
963 Paine Turnpike North
Berlin Vermont, 05602