vermont – an explorer’s guide

vermont – an explorer’s guide
by christina tree and rachel carter

whether you are visiting vermont or are lucky enough to live here, vermont – an explorer’s guide is for you. you’ll find all sorts of tips from where to stay & eat and what to see & do to a great a to z guide of  “what’s where in vermont”.

yes, we know you can find everything online these days. but the reality is it would take you thousands of searches to just get all the websites and it wouldn’t be all neatly organized in one place. use the book to let you explore a new area of vermont or discover hidden treasures about a place you thought you knew so well! you never know.

how about:

• bushwhacking in mount snow region aka traveling through the woods exploring forested and mountainous land. pg 103
• checking out the sweet winter cabins at merck forest & farmland center after a snowshoe or cross-country ski adventure on over 3,000 acres in the taconic mountains in southern vermont near the new york border. pg 156
• eating delicious french country cuisine at tourterelle restaurant in new haven – worth a drive for an imaginative evening out. pg 448
• exploring missisquoi national wildlife refuge in swanton. with over 200 birds known to live there, the wildlife viewing is exceptional as swamp areas start to freeze over. it’s also great for hiking or snowshoeing once the snow flies. pg 517
• staying at the maple house inn in morrisville and swimming in their flamingo-inspired indoor pool with milky way ceiling and checking out their 45-seat galaxy of the stars home-theater — funky! pg 585

love vermont?  buy the book.

challenge: vermonters, keep a copy in your car and when you discover something new from the book – let us know.

intervale center

intervale center
strengthening community food systems since 1988

yes, you read that right – 1988! the intervale is way ahead of the sustainability curve. sitting on 350 acres along the winooski river, the intervale is a nationally recognized center for sustainable agriculture. it is more than a collection of farms – it is a center – promoting healthy land and water use as well as connecting people with their local food creating a community resource for burlington and beyond.

having been farmed for hundreds of years, the land is not only rich with history but also gives people today the opportunity to connect with and be engaged with it and all the land offers. today there are 11 independently-operated intervale farms. The intervale center’s relationship to the farms is as landlord and resource.

programs such as the ones below illustrate how the intervale strengthens vermont’s food system:

• farms program – creating opportunities for new farmers
• success on farms – providing business planning and technical assistance to farmers throughout the state of vermont 
• intervale food hub – marketing and distributing local foods to 30 burlington-area workplaces
• conservation nursery – growing native, locally sourced trees and shrubs for riparian restoration projects throughout vermont
• abenaki heritage garden – growing traditional corn, beans and squashes
• gleaning and food rescue – collecting and distributing surplus food via a subsidized food hub CSA share
• consulting – sharing the innovative model with communities across the country and around the world

as it’s a community food system there are also plenty of ways for people to be involved:

• volunteer
• visit
• donate
• buy local foods
• celebrate at summervale and wintervale

they aren’t kidding when they call it “the one and only intervale” – it is and burlington is so lucky to have it.

if you get a chance, whether you are visiting vermont or live here – you should check it out. stop by the farmhouse, grab a map and explore.

buy local first vermont

 

Buy Local.
buy local vermont first.

not sure what to get someone for the holidays? this resource guide & coupon book  will cover anyone left on your list.

this project of vermont businesses for social responsibility is just packed with info and great deals from businesses around the state of vermont (addison, chittenden & washington counties).

here’s their list of 11 reasons (from the book) to support the vermont businesses included in the guide:

1.   keep money in vermont I
2.   embrace what makes us different
3.   get better service
4.   create and keep good jobs
5.   promote competition & diversity
6.   help preserve the environment
7.   support community groups
8.   put your taxes to good use
9  . keep money in vermont II
10. invest in the community
11. bank around town

note: to see explanations of each item listed above, buy the book!

the list of companies/coupons is just too long to post here – but there are coupons to some of our favorites: dakin farm, danforth pewter, vermont cookie love, city market, conant metal & light, healthy living, lake champlain chocolates, new moon, outdoor gear exchange, shelburne farms, small dog electronics, the flying pig, the skinny pancake, good news garage, old spokes home, the chubby muffin, onion river sports and the store to name just a few (ok, well, that was more than a few – but you get the idea).

for a full list of all companies click here (there have to be more than 500!!).

convinced? want to buy one? here’s the list of places where you can buy one, or two or….

this is a feel good gift all the way around – you can’t go wrong.