Act 143 and the Future of Farming in Charlotte

Act 143 and the Future of Farming in Charlotte

Tad Cooke Philo Ridge Farm

The Town of Charlotte has a long history supporting agriculture and attracting residents who value a working landscape. Throughout our state, farms provide numerous services in their communities: fresh food, jobs, diverse small businesses and open landscapes, as well as a range of ecosystem services from water quality to wildlife habitat, healthy soils and the mitigation of climate change. And yet, farming in Vermont is endangered: The state has lost approximately 10 percent of its farms every year for the last five years.

Charlotte Crossing at a crossroads

Charlotte Crossing at a crossroads

Chea Waters Evans News editor

The deal for a new restaurant in the almost-completed Charlotte Crossing building fell through in September, but hopes for a sit-down eatery in town are not completely dashed. The commercial building, which is located at the site of the former Vermont Wildflower Farm on Route 7, is on track to house office and retail spaces as planned, but the restaurant plans are up in the air for now.

Kids Cook VT show off their skills to the community July 12

Kids Cook VT show off their skills to the community July 12

Adele Holoch

On Friday, July 12, campers will serve a pop-up lunch in the vestry at the Charlotte Congregational Church, welcoming community members with a meal featuring sandwiches, deviled eggs, potato salad, watermelon pops, and their special switchel recipe. Proceeds from the “pay what you wish” donation lunch will be used toward food and supply costs for the camp.

Turkey day game plan

Turkey day game plan

Stacy Fraser

For the past 20 years, my sister Mary, her husband and three sons (as they came along) were hosted for Thanksgiving by our aunt Kay and Uncle Jim or Mary’s in-laws, alternating every other year. This year was their year to head to Mary’s in-laws. On a whim, she invited them to come spend Thanksgiving with her family in their new home. 

The fickle face of farming

The fickle face of farming

Dave Quickel

Saturday I came back to the farm after the farmers market feeling pretty whooped. It had been unexpectedly hot, and standing behind a grill for four hours had made it even more so. It’s been a hot stretch of weather (hottest July on record, in fact), and rain has been hard to come by. August had started off similarly. And while the forecast has been regularly calling for rain, we have regularly been left high and dry.

Cooking with Coco

Cooking with Coco

Coco Eyre

One of my earliest food memories is of eating fresh lobster at my home in Charlotte and also in West Chop on Martha’s Vineyard. I can still remember being a little bit scared of lobsters, with their weird-looking eyes and big claws, but after eating lobster for the first time, it was kind of life changing. It’s so delicious, I can still hear myself say. Not only did the lobster meat taste good, especially dipped in warm butter, but the memories of the times when I had lobster with my family stick with me.

Lessons from weeding: grassroots action

Lessons from weeding: grassroots action

Francine Stephens

I’m 47 years old and this month was the first time in my life that I’ve ever weeded a garden. While this might be surprising to many, as I am the newly appointed Food & Farm director at Philo Ridge Farm, I’ve spent the better part of my adult life on the social and culinary side of food and agriculture. Furthermore, other than my college years at UVM, I’ve spent my entire life in the city. 

Simple Summer Salads

Simple Summer Salads

Joanna Smith

School is almost out and June is just around the corner. The season of potlucks, barbecues and picnics is upon us. When “what can I bring?” was met with “how about a salad?” I used to silently protest. Salads are so…unglamorous. “How about a signature cocktail?” I would counter. “Oh. You can bring that too.”

City Market, in partnership with Charlotte-based Milk Money, announces member-loan crowdfunding campaign

City Market, in partnership with Charlotte-based Milk Money, announces member-loan crowdfunding campaign

Milk Money

City Market, the member-owned grocery store serving the greater Burlington community, began as a buying club in the 1960s and incorporated with the State of Vermont in 1973 as a cooperative association for the mutual benefit of its members. Over the years, the co-op has moved location several times in line with modest incremental growth.