Read VCRD’s 2024 Annual Report for an overview of our work serving communities and building local leaders. We also supported local actions for growing the climate economy, improving youth opportunity, strengthening our working lands enterprises, and more.
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announced the recipient of the Vermont Community Leadership Award at its 2025 Vermont Community Leadership Summit on August 11 at the Vermont State University Randolph Campus where hundreds of community leaders from across the state gathered to share skills, connect, and build a stronger Vermont together. The Vermont…
After two days in Reading in May and June 2025, the town and their love for their school captured the heart of VCRD’s Jessica Savage, Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives. So she wrote this love letter / opinion piece sharing her reflections. The Town of Reading Has My Heart: Small Schools, Big Questions…
The first cohort of the Village Trust initiative (VTI) has gotten off to an energetic start. Since launching in April 2024, the communities of Benson, Braintree, Greensboro Bend, Lunenburg-Gilman, Reading, West Fairlee, and Wolcott have been gathering community input through events, surveys, and facilitated conversations to lay the groundwork of an impactful community-driven project for…
The application deadline for these 2 positions has passed, so we are no longer accepting applications. Community Programs Associate VCRD is seeking a dedicated, energetic and hardworking Community Programs Associate to support VCRD’s community programs. Must be a team player with excellent communications skills, an eagerness to learn, and a strong sense of mission in…
The Preservation Trust of Vermont, Vermont Council on Rural Development, and the Vermont Community Foundation are pleased to announce the first cohort of communities selected for the Village Trust Initiative (VTI). The Village Trust Initiative is a new partnership of the three organizations that will support twenty Vermont communities over the next several years to…
Johnson community members are encouraged to participate in the second part of the Re-Imagine Johnson process to discuss and vote for actions generated by the community to address the long term flood recovery in Johnson and review the Community Resilience Assessment outcomes. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 10th from 5:00-8:30 pm at…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announced that Denise Smith has been selected as its Executive Director, a role she will assume on September 3, 2024. The announcement was made at the Vermont Community Leadership Summit on August 6, a VCRD event where hundreds of community builders from across the state came together to…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announced the recipient of the Vermont Community Leadership Award at its 2024 Vermont Community Leadership Summit on August 6 at the Vermont State University Randolph Campus where over 450 attendees gathered for the day-long event. The Vermont Community Leadership Award is presented each year to celebrate Vermonters who…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) has welcomed fifteen participants to the 2024 Climate Catalysts Leadership Program from a strong pool of applicants. The 2024 participants from across the state will focus their time on the implementation of a local climate or energy project such as bringing community members together to determine the best…