Getting Involved
The Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE), relies on individual and community involvement in order to be successful. We appreciate and welcome involvement through donations; volunteer opportunities; internships; sponsorships; and service.
Donations
Your donations fund important work not only in the Hardwick region, but throughout Vermont. Below is a summary of our core programs, which rely heavily on your support.
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Vermont Farm Fund -ANNOUNCING Hurricane Irene Emergency Loan - Read our press release here or donate online - applications can be found here-
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Food Access Fund - Established in 2008, this fund helps to support the Hardwick Area Food Pantry desire to source local food for its clients
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Hardwick Community Garden - Established in 2004, this was our first program and continues to expand with workshops and events
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Atkins Field at Cooper Brook - Purchased in 2008, Atkins Field is home to Hardwick's long standing Spring Fest and the last granite shed from Woodbury Granite Company
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Pies for People/Soup for Supper - One of our most successful events in bringing awareness to hunger and food security in our region
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Kingdom Farm & Food Days - A fantastic, two day event of farm and business tours, local food, music and more
From the newly established Vermont Farm Fund to the Hardwick Community Garden established in 2004, these programs seek to connect people and communities to our mission of supporting the desire of rural communities to rebuild a healthy and sustainable local food system that embraces economic stability and ecological
It is easy to contribute to the CAE by mail with our printable mail-in membership form or online with a credit card.
Download the Mail-in Donation Form (pdf)
Membership
All donors become members of the Center for an Agricultural Economy!
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Members know that their donation supports the dedicated work of the CAE to be a leader in the expansion of a healthy and secure local food system in the greater Hardwick region, whose success has applicability elsewhere in Vermont and beyond
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Members receive the seasonal e-newsletter, including updates on the Center’s progress to meet its goals
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Members receive special invitations to sustainable agriculture tours, speaker visits, farm-to-table food events, and news about key CAE-sponsored programs in partnership with others like-minded organizations
Volunteer Opportunities
As our organization grows, we find the helping hands and minds of our volunteers to be a wonderful source of inspiration. Our Volunteer Program is a recent effort to better utilize and organize the offers of help we get from many in the area.
To find out more, contact Elena Gustavson, our Program Director or download an information form to fill out and return to us. As volunteer opportunities arise, we will contact you for your availability.
Internships
We offer un-paid internships year-round, based on the opportunities we have available. If you are interested, please email or mail a letter of intent or resume with cover letter. Contact Elena Gustavson for current and future opportunities.
Sponsorship
There are several ways to sponsor a program, event or project through the Center for an Agricultural Economy.
We participate in the Memorial Day Weekend Hardwick Spring Fest, where sponsorship of tents or festival events are often solicited from Vermont businesses, organizations and individuals.
In August, we co-sponsor and coordinate the Kingdom Farm & Food Days, a 2 day event of farm tours, workshops, local food and music. We are in need of sponsors for the ongoing festivities that range from bicycle tours, maps, food, tents and more.
Privacy Policy
The Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) does not sell or otherwise disclose donor information outside the organization. This policy has no exceptions: your information is not sold to or exchanged with any other organization, public, private, or non-profit. If the CAE partners with other organizations, we may mail you information about those programs, but we do not give your information to those partner organizations.
Please advise us if you do not wish to have your gift acknowledged in print.
Please contact center@hardwickagriculture.org or call #802-472-5840 for further information regarding getting involved with the Center for an Agricultural Economy.
