At the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD), we are passionate about the importance of local leadership and supporting individuals and their communities to build a positive future for Vermont. Democracy requires that each of us step forward in service to each other. Most of the time, especially in rural communities, local leadership involves a…
Identifying a community need and leveraging local partners and resources to address it was an exciting piece of the puzzle for the Ilsley Public Library in Middlebury. With new ideas, partners, and local funding, the Library has helped make it possible for visitors, friends, and neighbors to explore Middlebury and Addison County on the library’s…
The Town of Highgate was ready to start taking action for the future. Participating in a facilitated discussion to talk through what community members wanted in the place they call home was the first step. For three months this past spring and summer, community members in Highgate came together in the gymnasium of the Highgate…
As an organization dedicated to supporting locally-defined progress of Vermont’s rural communities, the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) felt an instant spark of connection to the Vermont Working Communities Challenge (WCC). The Working Communities Challenge is a partnership between the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (FRBB), the WCC Steering Committee of statewide leaders, private…
Leaders across Vermont play an instrumental role every day in shaping the future of our State and our communities. Here at the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD), we are constantly inspired by the dedicated local leaders across the state and their tremendous levels of commitment, strength, and ability to make such huge impacts in…
Whether it is affordable housing, community development, conservation and recreation, or food resilience, the 4-Town Coalition consists of movers and shakers making things happen in Royalton, Sharon, Strafford, and Tunbridge. The 4-Town Coalition is a grassroots and volunteer initiative that came to life originally in response to an out-of-state developer who planned to build the…
Home heating is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont, with the average Vermonter spending nearly $2,000 to heat stay warm. Based in Bristol, VT, Smith & McClain is a general contractor specializing in residential construction, solar power systems, electrical services, and energy efficiency. Their goal is to provide customers with the…
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that roughly 30% of global emissions leading to climate change can be attributed to agricultural activities, including pesticide use. One of the most effective tools for stopping the present increase in atmospheric CO2 is to build soil carbon through regenerative farming, grazing and land-use practices with a focus on soil health. Studio Hill Farm,…
Lighting accounts for nearly 5% of global CO2 emissions. With LED lighting achieving savings of 50-70%+ compared to older technologies, LEDdynamics is helping to combat climate change from Randolph, Vermont. LEDdynamics is a cutting-edge LED technology producer. Manufacturing Technology Insights recently recognized LEDdynamics as a Top 10 Electric Manufacturing Solutions Provider. The company conducts all…
Vermod is a Wilder-based company that designs and builds affordable net-zero energy ready modular homes to meet the highest standards of durability, energy efficiency, comfort and indoor air quality. After Tropical Storm Irene devastated homes across the state, it became clear that mobile home residents were disproportionately affected by extreme weather. Following the storm, Vermod…