A way for communities to build and implement plans that model state-of-the-art rural development in an age of climate change.

Rochester Area Climate Initiative Report and Action Plan – February 2022

The greater Rochester area participated in VCRD’s Climate Economy Model Community Program (CEMCP) in 2021. CEMCP is community-driven process with local leaders, VCRD, Green Mountain Power, and Efficiency Vermont to cultivate economic development, innovation, and affordability in the face of climate change. Over 80 residents participated in the “Rochester Area Climate Initiative” (RACI) process with…

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Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund: Small Grants for Innovative Local Climate and Energy Projects

New round of applications are now open and available: APPLY HERE   The Vermont Council on Rural Development, in collaboration with local funders invites applications for small grants to support local innovators developing solutions that move Vermont closer to its climate and energy goals. The fund is initially capitalized with at least $20,000 and will be administered…

Dorset Tomorrow Report and Action Plan – December 2020

Dorset participated in VCRD's Climate Economy Model Community Program (CEMCP) in 2020. CEMCP is community-driven process with local leaders, VCRD, Green Mountain Power, and Efficiency Vermont to cultivate economic development, innovation, and affordability in the face of climate change. Over 110 residents participated in the “Dorset Tomorrow” process with support from 26 visiting resource team…

Climate Catalysts – Class 2.0

This class of Climate Catalysts was announced in November 2020: RJ Adler is the founder of Easy A House, and the Business Development Director for Wheel Pad. Previously he worked at SunCommon and the Keewaydin Foundation. He’s lived in VT since 2008 mostly in Middlebury, but followed his heart to Central VT to live with…

VCRD job opening: Community Projects Associate

The application deadline has passed. VCRD is seeking a dedicated, energetic and hardworking Community Projects Associate to provide facilitation, technical assistance, coaching, resource connections, grant drafting, and other support to local leaders who are driving projects forward for community and economic recovery. We’re looking for someone who: demonstrates excellent project development and communication skills is…

RAMP Into the Future Climate Economy Initiative Report – 2020

The Marshfield and Plainfield communities participated in VCRD's Climate Economy Model Community Program (CEMCP) in 2019. CEMCP is community-driven process with local leaders, VCRD, Green Mountain Power, and Efficiency Vermont to cultivate economic development, innovation, and affordability in the face of climate change. Over 150 residents participated in the “Revitalizing All of Marshfield and Plainfield:…

Randolph Region Re-Energized Climate Economy Initiative Report – 2020

Randolph participated in VCRD’s Climate Economy Model Community Program (CEMCP) in 2018. CEMCP is community-driven process with local leaders, VCRD, Green Mountain Power, and Efficiency Vermont to cultivate economic development, innovation, and affordability in the face of climate change. Over 300 Randolph residents participated in the “R3 – Randolph Region Re-Energized” process with support from…

The RAMP Task Force Working To Build A Farm And Food Network In Marshfield and Plainfield

Task Force Co-Chairs: Kagen Dewey and Elise Magnant Task Force Description: This task force will work to build a farm and food producer network. This network may work to facilitate sharing of resources, farm-based events, mentorship, land-matching/sharing, shared marketing, re-invigoration of the farmers’ market and other opportunities. Task Force Update: The task force worked actively…