About The Center for an Agricultural Economy |
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Our Vision, Our MissionThe vision and mission of the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) is to ensure that consumers have access to healthy, secure, affordable and locally-grown food within our region, and that farmers and agricultural based businesses have reliable and efficient access to local and regional markets.
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Summary Milestones and Accomplishments to DateMarch 2010: Last session of Taste of Place and work begins on interviewing dairy producers to further understand needs for value added production. September 2009: We hold our first Open House. The Red Wagon: Facing Hunger is screened and a discussion led by CAE board chair, Tom Stearns, about hunger in Vermont. Also, Emeril and Planet Green shoots an episode on Hardwick August 2009: Senator Leahy announces additional funds for the Vermont Food Venture Center which will allow them to break ground on a new Hardwick facility in the spring of 2010 as well as funds to VSJF for its biofuels projects. We celebrate 1 year in our office on S. Main Street in Hardwick, VT. July 2009: Large grant funded to the Vermont Food Venture Center bringing them closer to Hardwick June 2009: New England Grassroots Environmental Fund grants us $1200 towards the Hardwick Community Garden. May 2009: Community Visioning process underway at Atkins Field with UVM's Diane Gayer April 2009: Feasability Study completed for agricultural Eco-Industrial Park concept March 2009: Established joint workplan with the Northern Rivers Land Trust for indentification of important agricultural lands January 2009: As part of the efforts to establish the Food Access Fund, the Center donated locally sourced and prepared foods to the Hardwick Area Food Pantry September 2008: Established a joint Memorandum of Understanding with UVM for research and education August 2008: Board Strategic Planning process initiated along with office opening September 2007: Vermont Community Foundation/Sustainable Communities Grant Program awards grant to promote “Hardwick Intervale” March 2007: VHCB and Vermont Land Trust awards the Center grants for acquisition of Atkins Field September 2006: Vermont Community Foundation/Sustainable Futures Grant Program awards grant to develop management strategy for 15-acre Atkins Field in Hardwick May 2006: Hardwick Community Garden Revitalized March 2006: New England Grassroots Environmental Fund awards the CAE financial support for the Hardwick Community Garden revitalization February 2005: First Board of Directors Meeting March 2004: Incorporated in Vermont
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Eco-Industrial Park
Atkins Field
Community Gardens
Outreach
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