Winter 2000

It’s So Nice to be Back!!
After what seems like forever, WAgN is back in business!  We have funding secured through September 2000.  That may not seem like a long time but it is the original end date of our five year pilot project.  For those of you that are new to WAgN, a funding shortage resulted in the program’s closing last spring and we are just now getting back to business.  We’ve got a lot of work to get done in the nine months that are left in this program.  For starters, there’s our next five year plan to write (see below for details).  Of course there’s Growing Places, discussion groups, and some brand new adventures to experiment with.  And there’s catching up with all of you.

We’ve Got a Brand New Look
Sometimes opportunity comes disguised as a problem. Last spring, the Women’s Ag Network was faced with having to close down for an undetermined length of time.  For the staff, there were a lot of emotions to contend with and a lot of details to sort out.  But in retrospect, what we were given was the gift of time to rethink our priorities, to switch paths, or to rest.

So now that the dust has settled here is what WAgN is going to look like for at least the next nine months.  Debra Marckres and Beverly Bishop will be back on staff in the field.  Because we’ll be smaller than before they will be taking on some new challenges and needing to give up some of their old responsibilities.  Mary Peabody will continue as program Director but at a significantly reduced time level.  In addition, we hope to have someone in the office to answer calls, make referrals, and keep the rest of us on track.

Where’s everyone else?  Well, I’m happy to say that all the former members of WAgN are still around in one capacity or another.  Deb Heleba is coordinating the Land Link Program through the Center for Sustainable Agriculture and finishing her Master’s degree.  Stella Moyser is still in the area and you may yet hear her friendly voice on the phone when you call--stay tuned. Nancy Bruce has taken a position with the Agency of Transportation DBE Program, still supporting women-owned businesses. Kate Duesterberg is dividing her time between the Center for Sustainable Agriculture and the Sustainable Cotton Project which is based in California.  Needless to say, Kate has the most frequent flier miles of us all.

Mary Peabody, 590 Main, UVM, Burlington, VT 05405 Telephone: 802-656-3276
Fax: 802-656-8874
email: mary.peabody@uvm.edu

Beverly Bishop, UVM Extension, 29 Sunset Drive,
Suite 2, Morrisville, VT 05661-8331
Telephone: 802-888-4951
Fax: 802-888-2432
email: bbishop@together.net

Debra Marckres, UVM Extension, PO Box 8, VTC, Randolph Center, VT 05061-0008
Telephone: 802-728-1581
Fax: 802-728-1582
email: TBA

Growing Places Scheduled for Spring
Growing Places helps participants explore the possibilities and realities of owning an agriculture-based business. Participants develop a goal for themselves and their businesses, identify and evaluate current resources, examine marketing strategies, and explore agencies and organizations that provide support and assistance to farmers. We’ve adjusted the programming a little bit to fit into 3 Saturdays this spring: March 18, March 25, April 1.  Classes will meet at the Extension Office in Berlin, VT. For registration materials, please contact WAgN's main office at: 802-656-3276.

E-Mail Anyone?
To help promote the vision and mission of WAgN beyond the Vermont borders, we have established an electronic discussion list for individuals throughout New England.  We hope this will be a useful way for women from all over the Northeast to connect and learn from each other.  All you need to subscribe is access to E-mail.
To subscribe send an E-mail to: listserv@list.uvm.edu
Leave the subject line blank and in the body of the message put the subscribe command as follows:
sub wagn-ne Your Name (just type your actual name here in place of Your Name)
You should receive a message from the system fairly quickly letting you know that you have been subscribed. [One hint, if you have a signature on your E-mail, turn it off for this message--it might confuse the server and result in an error message.] If you have any problems, give Mary a call at 802-656-3276 or at 223-2389.

Vermont Women’s Business Center is Open for You!
The Vermont Women’s Business Center (VWBC) officially opened its doors on December 2, 1999.  The VWBC is administered by our friends the Women’s Small Business Program of Trinity College.  The Center ensures access for all Vermont women including women with special or disabilities, women residing in rural areas, and economically disadvantaged women.  The VWBC is here to empower women to make informed choices for their economic well being.  There are many great plans to make the VWBC a success and they need to hear from all of us in order to adequately serve the agricultural community.  Please give them a call toll free at 1-877-770-8922 for more information.

Time for a New Five Year Plan!
Although the time has passed quickly, WAgN is actually five years old and that means it’s time to begin work on our next strategic plan.  Throughout the next 6 months there will be lots of ways for you to interact with us on the subject of What Next?  We hope to be scheduling some focus group type activities around the state so that you can come and talk to us directly. There’ll also be some direct mail surveys that you can choose to participate in, you can always call, write or E-mail us (wagn@zoo.uvm.edu)  and hopefully you’ll be able to track the development of the strategic plan on our web page.

Census Time Again!
Some of you probably contributed to the 1997 Agriculture Census.  Well, 2000 is the year the giant census is taken for the entire population.  When you receive a form (you’ll get either a long or short form), please take time to complete it accurately.  Many of our tax dollars get allocated based on the information provided by the census.  If you care about things like childcare, elder care, health insurance coverage, minimum wage, education or any other social issue don’t hesitate--fill that form out!

Rural Development Offers Community Outreach
Rural Development is an agency of the USDA which provides financing and other assistance to rural communities, small businesses and residents.  Rural Development’s four Community and Business Outreach Specialists, acting as regional circuit riders, are committed to enhancing the ability of Vermont’s rural communities to develop and improve their quality of life.  Add these four names to your list of resources available to help in your business development.

• In Franklin, Chittenden, Grand Isle, Lamoille counties, contact Connie Burns at 802-524-6503 (ext.112)
• In Addison, Bennington, and Rutland counties, contact Michael R.  Dolce at 802-775-7014 (ext. 20)
• In Wingham and Windsor counties, contact Jon-Michael Muise at 802-254-9766 (ext. 106)
• In Washington, Caledonia, Orange, Orleans and Essex counties, contact Sherry Paige at 802-828-6030.

Burlington Public Market Getting Closer
Those of you who have been reading this newsletter for awhile may remember that for several years now there has been an on-going plan to build a year ‘round Public Market in Burlington.  The primary purpose of this market is to allow small farms to have a direct market outlet that would be available year ‘round, seven days a week.  Another benefit of course is that consumers have an opportunity to see the diversity of locally produced food, fiber, crafts, etc. that are available in Vermont.

After months of negotiating, it looks like the Public Market will be co-located in the new Central Market in downtown Burlington with Onion River Coop as a partner in this endeavor.  Our anticipated opening will be 2001 and we are beginning the process of developing operating guidelines and policies regarding sales, vendors, hours, rates, etc.  If you have an interest in this project please give Mary a call at the WAgN office for more information.  Things will begin to move quickly now and there’s lots of decisions to be made.

Medicinal Herb Association Forming
Another on-going project is poised to take off this spring. An association of medicinal herb growers is forming to begin the process of coordinating production, training, marketing, and general support for this emerging industry. Kathy Kinter, a Growing Places grad, is taking the lead in this project.  To date, several surveys have been done to gather input from growers.  A recent grant from the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund will make it possible to take the next important steps in the startup of this association.  Combined with support from NOFA-VT, the Department of Ag , UVM Extension and WAgN this grant will allow the association to formally develop an action plan for the next few years as well as a market study to begin to get a fix on the potential of the local market opportunities.  If you would like more information on this association, call Kathy Kinter at 802-728-6205.

Previews of Coming Attractions...

Introductory Nights/Orientations: 
These one-night workshops are designed to bring women considering business ownership together to learn about the resources available.  An open format allows lots of time for questions and discussions.  Call 846-7160 or toll free 877-770-VWBC for times and dates.  FREE

Getting Serious: 
A 4-part workshop that utilized guided decision-making and self-assessment to help you evaluate whether business ownership is right for you.  Register for one of the following three sessions. Please call the Women’s Small Business Program at 802-846-7160 for further details.

I.  February 7, 14, 21, and 28, 5:30 - 8:30

II.  March 1, 8, 15, and 22, 5:30 - 8:30

III.  April 3, 10, 17, and 24, 5:30 - 8:30

Start Up:
Feb - May. A 15-week, comprehensive business skills training course. Classes run from 5-9 Friday evenings and every other Sunday from 8:30 - 4:30. Call WSBP at 802-846-7160 for further details.

Other Related and Interesting Events...

Introduction to Sheep Dairying
Jan 29.  Westminister West Congregational Church.  9:00 - 3:30 p.m. $40 for the day includes refreshments.  Bring your own lunch.  To register, send check, payable to UVM, to Intro to Sheep Dairying, UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture, 590 Main, UVM, Burlington, VT 05405.  Call 802-656-5459 for more information.

A.I. Technology for Goats and Sheep
Feb 12.  9:30 - 12:30, NH Dairy Goat Seminar, Manchester, NH.  Registration is $5. For more information, contact John Porter at 603-225-5505.

Northeast Organic Farming Association of  Vermont Annual Winter Conference
Feb 19 at Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center.  Please contact NOFA-VT,  802-434-4122 for more information.  This is always a good time so don’t miss it!

Stewardship of the Urban Landscape Leadership Training
Feb 17 - April 29 (Thursday evenings plus 2 Saturdays).  This unique educational opportunity is designed for Vermont citizens who want to become more involved in community forestry in their community.  The program will provide technical information related to design, planting, and landscape tree care, but will also provide leadership skills and information about resources available to communities undertaking community forestry projects.  For more information contact Jill Mahon, UVM Extension at 802-223-2389.

4th Annual Vermont Grass Farmers' Association Conference: Healthy Food from Profitable Farms
 Feb 26 at the Vermont Technical College in Randolph. The conference will feature keynote speakers Dave Forgey and Sally Fallon as well as a wide variety of workshops.  Topics include: grazing multiple species; growing healthy pasture, forage, and grain from the soil up; the basics of grazing, fencing and water systems; how to keep value-added on the farm; soy products for grass fed meat and milk; small-scale cheese-making; homeopathy for animal health care; and marketing grass-fed farm products.  Registration is $20/farm plus $10/person for lunch.  For more information, contact the Center for Sustainable Agriculture at 802-656-5459.

Access to Capital - How to Successfully Finance Your Business
March 23.  Learn the process of applying for a loan.  The steps of the loan process will be reviewed, as well as the type of information needed to prepare a proposal for a lender.  This seminar will be presented statewide over VT Interactive Television on March 23 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. 12 VIT sites will be available.  Cost: $25.  For more information, contact the VWBC at 1-877-770-8922.

Introduction to Quickbooks Accounting Software
Feb/March. Sponsored by SBDC, this course introduces you to the basic features of Quickbooks.  Each class is 12 hours over a 4-week period.  These classes will be held in computer labs at the Community College of Vermont.  Cost: $125.  9 sites available.  For more information, contact VWBC at 1-877-770-8922.

Women’s Visibility Day
March 2, 2000.  Women’s Visibility Day provides the women of Vermont and representatives from women’s organizations an opportunity to visit the State House, meet policy makers, learn about the legislative process, and bring the reality of women’s lives to the attention of the Vermont policy makers. For more information, contact the Governor’s Commission on Women at 802-828-2851.

Make 2000 the Year You Get Heard!
Every year there are dozens and dozens of open seats on Vermont’s Boards and Commissions.  Many of these Boards and Commissions are involved in agriculture and natural resource issues as well as social issues important to the state. While most of these positions are advisory, they are an excellent way to get involved in the public policy system.

If you want to learn more about Getting Appointed to Boards and Commissions call the Governor’s Commission on Women and request the booklet.  While you’re at it, ask for an application form too.  Your voice could be the one that makes a difference. Call: 802-828-2851.

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WAgN
Women's Agricultural Network
590 Main St., UVM
Burlington, VT  05405
(802) 656-3276
or wagn@zoo.uvm.edu

University of Vermont Extension and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, notional orgin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.