A Vision Statement for The Center The vision of the Center for an Agricultural Economy (the Center) is to build upon local tradition and bring together the community resources and programs needed to develop a locally-based 21st century healthy food system. The Center vision supports the desire of rural communities to rebuild their economic and ecological health through strong, secure, and revitalized agricultural systems to meet both their own food needs locally as well as to determine and build the best opportunities for value-added agricultural exports. We hope you will be interested in learning about us! Take a tour of our Programs and contact us. Learn more about how you can help support the Center…. The Center was founded in 2004 by Andrew Meyer, owner of Vermont Natural Coatings, a whey-based varnish company, and Vermont Soy, an organic soy drink and tofu company. As the son of a local dairy farmer  and as a “green” entrepreneur, he saw first hand the need for an organization to bring resources into the Hardwick area to support the region’s interest in promoting the development of value-added food products to enhance economic conditions. Since 2004, the Center has adopted a unique, entrepreneurial and community driven-approach to supporting sustainable agriculture, reinforced by the innovative members on the Board of Directors working with community leaders and supporters. We are now at 41 South Main Street in Hardwick (Between Claire’s Restaurant and the Buffalo Mountain Coop). Whenever you are in Hardwick, be sure to stop in and see us! The mission of the Center for an Agricultural Economy (the Center) is to engage agricultural leaders in the emerging 21st century food system to build capacity and inspire the public in supporting and implementing this system. The 2009 Core Goals of the Center Strengthening the COMMUNITY through vibrant community spaces and market-expansion: Increasing food SECURITY for all in the region by facilitating access to local food for all: Food Access Fund-Donated money that allows the Hardwick Area Food Pantry to purchase fresh food from local farms and producers. Eggs, bread and meat are a few of the weekly items purchased Pies for People, Soup for Supper-A community feeding its own community through the collaborative efforts of local farms, producers, higher learning institutions and volunteers Hardwick Community Garden
Expanding the Center's role as a hub for INFORMATION about the Local Food System at the Center's Office on Main Street, a place for consumers and producers and to tell the story of this model to Vermonters and to an audience beyond General information about local food systems Facilitation of interest in tours and farm visits Hub for media inquiries Connector and first stop for would-be farmers to the area's many resources Collaboration with higher learning and local education institutions
Read a Welcome Letter from Tom Stearns, our President… We would be pleased to answer any questions that you may have about the organization. Please contact the Center at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Board of Directors Tom Stearns, President (Wolcott)
Andy Kehler, Vice-President (Greensboro)
Andrew Meyer, Secretary (Hardwick)
Pete Johnson, Treasurer (Craftsbury)
Neil Urie, Director (Craftsbury)
Annie Gaillard, Director (Hardwick)
Tom Gilbert, Director (Hardwick)
Linda Ramsdell, Director (Hardwick)
Warren Rankin, Director (East Johnson)
Staff Monty Fischer, Executive Director Elena Gustavson, Education and Community Outreach See more information on Board and staff | 
North Hardwick Organic Dairy
Summary Milestones and Accomplishments to Date October 2009: Second Annual Pies for People is launched with harvesting at High Mowing Seeds and seed extraction at Pete's Greens. Bake night follows in November 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 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 Center financial support for Hardwick community garden revitalization February 2005: First Board of Directors Meeting March 2004: Incorporated in Vermont 
Jasper Hill Farm: Straining Curd
|