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Bloom: The Emergence of Ecological Design
Date: Thursday, December 15th at 7PM
Prices: FREE
Where: Palace 9 Cinema, South Burlington
"The Bloom film series analyses causes and proposes solutions to the global problem of nutrient pollution to our water bodies. The first Emmy award winning film, Bloom – the Plight of Lake Champlain, addressed the main sources of phosphorus pollution contributing to increasing algae blooms in the sixth largest lake in the United States. The follow-up film, Bloom – the Emergence of Ecological Design, further investigates our failing wastewater, agricultural, and stormwater management systems, but with a focus on the integrative design solutions emerging in the Green Mountain State and beyond.
Presented in a three-part series, a holistic approach to redesigning our communities, food systems, and waste treatment is elaborated that could strengthen both watershed ecosystems and the economies they support. The series features leading scholars and designers such as Maude Barlow, Bill Maclay, Bill McKibben, and John Todd, alongside farmers, urban planners, government officials, scientists, business leaders, and environmental advocates. Narrated by Academy award winner Chris Cooper, and produced by the multiple Emmy award winning team of Bright Blue EcoMedia, Bloom is the story of safeguarding our most precious resources!"
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Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District
is hiring - Program Manager
Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District, a union municipality, seeks a creative Program Manager who will work with the CVSWMD staff and Board of Supervisors to expand our existing zero waste programming and develop and grow new program opportunities that will support a regional zero waste infrastructure.
This is a full time position based in our Montpelier office and requiring frequent travel throughout North Central Vermont. Preferred qualifications include experience in project management, program development; knowledge and/or training in the management and diversion of solid waste, hazardous waste and organic waste; experience in fleet and operations management and data management and reporting.
Demonstrated ability to manage and grow programs that meet the needs of the public. Ability to work productively with CVSWMD staff and volunteer Board of Supervisors. Compensation: $34,000-$46,000 per year, plus benefits. For more information and to review the job description visit www.cvswmd.org.
To apply, send a cover letter and resume to Leesa Stewart, General Manager, CVSWMD, 137 Barre Street, Montpelier, VT 05602 or e-mail generalmanager@cvswmd.org.
The deadline for applications is January 2, 2012
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Composting Association Has Grant-Funded Technical Assistance To Compost Flood-Damaged Crops
The Composting Association of Vermont (CAV) is pleased to announce the availability of grant funded Technical Assistance for farmers with flood-damaged crops.
Read More... |
Highfields to Host
VermiVision Pilot Vermicomposting Project
Ralph Crevoshay, president of VermiVision, is trying to get the word out about worms. That’s because the entrepreneur views his company’s method of vermicomposting—or worm composting—as a sure thing when it comes to successful growing. He also sees it as a major business opportunity.
Read More...
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Visit
the Bioneer site to register > |
Bioneers to Discuss Compost!
Beaming Bioneers broadcasts practical environmental solutions and innovative social strategies to restore Earth's imperiled ecosystems and heal human communities.
Dynamic presentations provide opportunities for community building, learning and action.
This year's plenary speakers include Gloria Steinem, Paul Stamets, and Amory Lovins. |
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Composters Take Heed;
New DuPont Herbicide Causes Persistent Problems
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Composters should be especially diligent in safegaurding their compost from grass clippings and landscaping residuals that might be contaminated with the DuPont herbicide Imprelis.
In addition to the detrimental affects that the herbicide has had on trees, particularly firs and pines, information is lacking on how long the herbicide will remain active in the soil or groundwater and a warning on the product's label warns against composting materials contaminated with the herbicide. |
Read more:
BioCycle Breaking News: EPA Bans Imprelis Herbicide
EPA Orders Recall of DuPont's Imprelis Herbicide
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Ben Hewitt – The Town That Food Saved
By Monadnock Summer
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Excerpt:
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For nearly 100 years, ever since the rapid decline of its booming granite industry, the town of Hardwick, Vermont has struggled to find economic vitality. But over the past few years, Hardwick has experienced a rapid influx of agriculture-based businesses and has received international media attention for its attempts to implement and blueprint a localized food system."
Full story and audio at NHPR >>> |
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Hardwick and the New Frontier of Food
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Yankee magazine takes a close look at Hardwick's New Frontier of Food.
"The most interesting agriculture experiment in the country"
-
Bill McKibben
Read the story >>>
( go to page 82-83) |
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eaarth
Twenty years ago, with The End of Nature, Bill McKibben offered one of the earliest warnings about global warming.
.....Our old familiar globe is suddenly melting, drying, acidifying, flooding, and burning in ways that no human has ever seen. We've created, in very short order, a new planet, still recognizable but fundamentally different. We may as well call it Eaarth. |
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Emeril Green's Culinary Adventure
Highfields director Tom Gilbert is interviewed by Chef Emeril,
as the famous chef explores Vermont to cook with their fresh local products.
Go to story >>
Emeril was also interviewed by WCAX during his visit here:
Emeril Goes Green in Vermont
Lisa McCormack at The Stowe Reporter takes at look at how area businesses are teaming up with the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District to form an effective food scrap composting program.
Read The Story >>> (.PDF) |
Local Businesses Recycle Food Scraps |
Food Scraps Revisited
Highfields' June Van Houten explains the benefits of the "Close the Loop" food scrap composting program:
"This closed loop system is the model for our programs at the Highfields Center for Composting in Hardwick. In partnership with solid waste districts, we work with communities to collect food scraps from schools and businesses and haul them to a local farm for composting. The compost produced is used to fertilize fields and grow more food to be sold back to the community, thereby closing the loop on the food system."
Read the full story at the Times Argus
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Green & Sustainable
Building a Healthy Food System in Rural America
How a handful of organic farmers, world-class cheesemakers and a locavore restaurant transformed Hardwick, Vermont—a poor, rural town—into a foodie mecca. Read the article
By David Goodman, for EatingWell Magazine,July/August 2009 |
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Seven Days' Sally West Johnson explores
the rise of the compost industry in Vermont,
and the growing pains that accompanied it.
Featured In: 
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... In a small town in upstate Vermont, meet four men who have combined farming and business efforts to create a sustainable food infrastructure based on cooperation, not competition.
Go to Video >>> |
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Featured in Gourmet Magazine |
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"From the Good Earth - The Dish on Dirt
Highfields Center for Composting Helps Build Healthy Soils"
(Print version now available, soon to appear online. Free copies of EGM can be picked up at selected restaurants, grocers, farmer’s markets, and retailers. Subscriptions also avaliable.) |
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Burlington
Free Press |
"Turning food scraps into energy"
Composters and waste districts take a new look at the use of food waste for creating power. |
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"Revenge of the Hippies!"
A short history of Hardwick and the "Hippie Invasion" that's kicking the local food economy into high gear.
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Vermont Life
"Ideal Settings"
The story of Hardwick's modern agricultural movement and where it might be headed. (.pdf)
By Leslie Wright
Photographed by
Jim Westphalen |
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"Art, Agriculture and
Alchemy"(.pdf) |
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"Completing the Cycle"
Ron Krupp on natural cycles and Hardwick's emerging businesses. |
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"Hungry Hardwick" |
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"The Town That Food Saved"
Local writer Ben Hewitt on Hardwick's food-based transformation and revival. |
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| "Uniting Around Food to Save an Ailing Town" |
 The focus of the article is on the inspiring food based entrepreneurial businesses in the Hardwick area and our work to build a healthy food system model. Highfields works intimately with every business mentioned in the article from taking food scraps and soy mash from Claire's Restaurant and VT Soy, to helping Pete with his compost system, to building the soil at the Highmowing Seed gardens. |
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Support Healthy Food Systems -- Donate to Highfields
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