The UVM Extension Master Gardener Course is our 16-week online signature course. It covers the fundamentals of home gardening including basic botany, soil fertility, insects and diseases, vegetable planning and production, herbaceous perennials, small fruit and tree fruit, pollinator plants, tree care, landscape design, and volunteerism. Content is specific to Vermont's growing conditions.

The seven chapters of the Northeast Organic Farming Association have been working to develop food security programs and learning opportunities throughout our region. This winter each chapter will be implementing various workshops at our Winter Conferences that discuss topics to build self resiliency, grow agriculture communities, develop systems for improved access, increase land access, and reduce climate decline.

All Rural Vermont members are invited to join the Rural Vermont staff and Board for our next and final 2022 virtual forum. We will be providing a status update on the development of a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) program here in Vermont. We have been closely monitoring and engaging with this process for the past several years- with our top priority being that the program's development be farmer-led. Bring your questions about PES (and anything else that's on your mind!). We look forward to seeing you there.

Come join Rural Vermont and Mary Lake on Saturday, Dec. 17th at Argyll Farm in Bennington for an on-farm slaughter and processing workshop. In the first half of this 2-part workshop, participants will learn how to humanely slaughter a lamb and then how to efficiently butcher and process a lamb in the second half of the workshop. Participants can choose to attend one or both sections.

Join us for ACORN's 2022 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, November 15th, 6:00-7:30 PM at Minifactory in Bristol, VT! This year we will we will discuss food justice with panelists from The Knoll at Middlebury College, CVOEO, Addison Allies Network, and Vermont Land Trust.

Attendees will also learn about the fourth year of the Farmacy Food is Medicine program, our brand NEW ACORN Food Hub, and what else ACORN has in store for 2023.