Previous Councils
Policy Councils
VCRD has played an increasingly important role in defining and developing policy that impact rural life. Respected for its neutrality, fairness, and ability to facilitate productive discussions among disparate parties, VCRD has utilized a strong network of thoughtful and effective leaders to analyze and make crucial recommendation on Vermont policy. See Reports page for Final Reports.
Vermont Forest Products Council (2001-2003)
- Recommended the development of the Vermont Forest Products Showcase and Design Competition and leveraged state funds to implement its first two years.
- Leveraged $500,000 annual Department of Interiors funding to the Dept. of Forests Parks and Recreation for wood utilization and product design and development.
- Obtained a $1,000,000 EDA grant to Vermont to support a comprehensive marketing program.
Vermont Agriculture Viability Council (2002-2003)
- Successfully recommended that the Department become an Agency and the Commissioner become Secretary.
- Established a strategic work plan for the new Secretary and Agency.
- Supported the development of key efforts that have been instituted:
- VT Buy Local Campaign
- VT Farm Viability Program
- Expanded VEDA investment fund
- Vermont Brand expansion
- Agriculture Development and Marketing
Vermont Council on Culture and Innovation (2003-2004)
- Called for a statewide Cultural Heritage Guide.
- Instituted a public relations program on the opportunities for the creative economy in Vermont and marketing Vermont as a center of innovation.
- Established VT History and Heritage Month.
- Leveraged expansion of legislative appropriations for Cultural Facilities Grants to $200,000 annually.
- With financial support from Jane's Trust, built the Vermont Creative Communities Program to provide strategic planning assistance over the next two years to 14 communities determined to advance the creative economy.
Vermont Council on Planning (2004-2005)
- Built a strategic plan for improving the structure of Vermont's system of town, regional and state agency planning for Gubernatorial and legislative consideration.
- Recommendations in process.
Previous Summits
VCRD's Summits provide the opportunity for focused dialogue in a structured setting that aim to provide participants with the opportunity to share expertise, experience and ideas around a specific topic. Sometimes open to the public, and sometimes designed for key administration leaders, these forums are designed to advance solutions to issues of rural import in a concrete and productive manner. See Reports Page for Final Reports.
- The 2000 Summit set up negotiations to improve collaboration between USDA RD and the State of Vermont on Water/Wastewater funding.
- The 2001 Summit built the work plan for the Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
- The 2002 Summit on Rural Economic Development coordinated work to support forest products branding and innovation; agricultural policy development, diversification and marketing; telecommunications deployment; and marketing the state to tourists.
- The 2003 Summit on Strengthening Rural Communities set policies to engage youth, expand infrastructure, develop downtowns, and build rural employment opportunities.
- The 2004 Summit analyzed challenges to the planning system and set up the Vermont Council on Planning.
- The 2005 Summit on "Bridging the Divide" provided forums for local, regional and state leaders to share ways to promote consensus decision-making in communities throughout the state.