Valley Futures

NOTE: “Valley Futures Network is a grassroots citizen network working to make the Mad River Valley watershed a more sustainable 21st century community. We hold public meetings every second Friday of the month from 7:45 to 9:00 am – locations vary. Find out how to get involved at www.valleyfutures.net.

Q. How long have you lived in the Valley?

 A. I moved to the Valley in 1979 to take a job as teacher/dorm parent at GMVS, then known as Mad River Ski Academy and located in Moretown.  I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have been able to carve out a professional career in the Valley as a teacher, coach and education program administrator and equally as important, raise a family here. So, as of 2008, I’ve lived in the Valley for thirty years.

Q. What do you most love about the Valley?

 A. I grew up on the “other side” of the Green Mountains, on a dairy farm in the small village of Pittsford, located between the towns of Rutland and Brandon.  I didn’t know the Mad River Valley existed; how’s that for small world perspective?  In my youth, my world evolved around my uncle’s farm, school, local ski areas in the winter and ball fields in the summer.  So, it’s been endlessly fascinating and enjoyable to get to know the history of the people and the geography of the Mad River Valley.  For example, I took a hike up Slide Brook Road the other day and discovered house cellar/barn foundation holes

and rock walls for a farmstead that existed there 100 years ago.   And, as a Fayston Selectboard member, I get a history lesson almost every meeting from our Board Chair, Bob Vasseur, about some interesting aspect of Valley life past and present. Here, I experience the continuity of a rich and rugged past to the interesting challenges of the present day. ”

Q. How did you get involved in the Valley Futures Network?

A. I was a participant in the Valley Vision Community Meeting back in 2005 and experienced both the pitfalls and potential of “one time event” gatherings.   Members of the Mad River Planning District Steering Committee, the Chamber of Commerce, and several community citizens in conjunction with the Center for Whole Communities decided to develop a different approach to engaging Valley citizens in community projects and collaboration – outside of the existing institutional bodies and organizations.

Q. What do you see as the Valley’s biggest challenges as a community looking ahead over the next several years?

 A. Replacing the Valley floor’s woefully inadequate water and sewer infrastructure.  I realize this is a tough challenge but its one that I’m sure we have the capacity and resourcefulness to resolve.

Q. You’ve been instrumental in starting up the “Valley Habitat” working group. How has your experience with this group been for you?

 A. I’ve been impressed with the habitat inventory and planning work that local planning commissions, conservation/natural resource committees have done with the support of various state agencies and not-for-profit groups.  Our habitat working group has been able to provide a forum for the four towns of the Mad River Watershed to coordinate  habitat research, citizen outreach and engagement.  Under the auspices of the Mad River Valley Planning District we are engaged with the Vermont Agency of Forest and Parks, Vermont Natural Resources Council, Vermont Audubon, Northern Forest Alliance to provide a series of public information and discussion forums that have and will continue to move the Mad River Valley Watershed towns toward a more coordinated, informed and cohesive set of habitat values and priorities that will lead to enhanced natural resource protection and appreciation.  See our updates on the VFN website.

Q. For anyone interested in the Valley Futures Network, do you have any advice?

A. First of all, this a “come one, come all” community network.  It’s intent is to enhance and build upon current community efforts as well as inspire new, worthy community endeavors.  So, do what you can, when you can – see the VFN website for updates on current and future initiatives!

Tags: Uncategorized by Rob Williams
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Q. How long have you lived in the Valley?

 A.  I have lived in Warren Village in the same house, which itself has morphed a few times, since 1979. I first came to the snow shoe here in 1969 during reading week in college.

Q. What do you most love about the Valley?

A. I was amazed and heartened by the respect, or at least tolerance, shown to people of very diverse backgrounds. All were valued neighbors, and I always thought the hard winters made us look on each other fondly as a source of help, inspiration and fun. Of course, I will never forget the natural beauty coming here on a very snowy day with a full moon glinting off the colorful ice in the Granville Gulf. I always am thrilled with the beauty of this place: watching a mink leap along Kids’ Brook in the village to a deer splayed on a floating raft of ice heading north at the Lareau swim hole to the accessible mountains.

 Q. How did you get involved in the Valley Futures Network?

 A.  I was invited to come for a night to the Knoll Farm with others to share ideas and dreams for our watershed, our neighborhood, our valley. Out of that discussion came opportunities to be involved with things like agriculture and transportation that I think are critical to our well-being: both these areas of interest were part of VFN.

 Q. What do you see as the Valley’s biggest challenges as a community looking ahead over the next several years?

 A. I think one of them will be the Valley’s carrying capacity as more people move here.  The valley has grown tremendously in the last decades and it seems that could continue. How can we fold all of us into the community with kindness and inclusiveness, with housing for those who work here, with fields and forests still intact, with the river able to have its needed wiggle room, with wildlife still able to make a living here? Of course, there will also be the challenges of the changing weather, the problems with travel and energy, clean water and food production.

 Q. You’ve been instrumental in the Friends of the Mad River, Yestermorrow, and the state legislature.  How do you see VFN assisting in any of your Valley-related work moving forward?

A. VFN brings together anyone and everyone who is interested and helps them meet up with others who have similar interests.  I hope more people pay attention to the connections we all have living here. One thing that Friends of the Mad River brings attention to is that whatever you do in the watershed can have an effect on the land, on the community and on the water. I hope all of us can be more aware and alert in stewarding our watershed. That is tops for Friends of the Mad River. Yestermorrow is such an incredible resource for all of us. We can easily, right here, learn skills and whole new outlooks, and the design/build methods for making our lives more rewarding. It fits nicely with VFN’s vision of a healthy watershed community. Getting people involved and used to bringing their valuable observations and answers to challenges only helps the Vermont Legislature do its job more effectively. I think VFN can be the Network, the conduit for all the wonderful opportunities and projects going on in the watershed.

 Q. You recently hosted a three-week Thursday evening potluck dinner to promote neighborly conversation about a book called THE TRANSITION HANDBOOK. Can you describe that experience?

 A. I somewhat jokingly said it was a great potluck, dining club. The food was terrific, and the conversation was inspiring. It helped me see that one of the things missing from the VFN is getting the word out that it includes everyone who lives here. As always, it is amazing to share in the expertise, the awareness and heartfelt interest that so many neighbors have and are willing to share so generously. I hope we start a film club, to view thought provoking documentaries and films, with a discussion afterwards so we are not left bereft but rather, that we feel educated and empowered to do something appropriate in response.

Tags: Meet Our VFN Citizens Network by Rob Williams
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Free Worm Composting Workshop
Presented by Melissa Jordan, president of the Wormpost Northeast

Are you concerned about solid wastes and recycling? Join Melissa Jordan, president of the Wormpost Northeast to find out how to use worms to turn food scraps and other waste into compost.

Known as vermiculture, all it takes is a small bin, a of bit “bed” starter such as leaves shredded newspaper, died grass, hay or other organic materials and about a pound wrigglers. The yield of worm castings to volume of organic matter put in will vary from about 1:4 to 1:10. A household of two could easily process their veggies through a small worm bin, with the end result of keeping that waste out of your garbage. Another benefit is the nutrient rich, pH balanced compost produced that can then be used in your garden.

“This is an amazing interdisciplinary activity as well as a great home business,” said Jordan. “You can teach and learn so many different disciplines – math, shop, science. It can be so many different things to so many people.”

The workshop will feature a functioning worm bin as well as information and a demonstration of how you can make worm composting work for your family and the environment.

The free workshop will be held March 18, 2009 at the River Arts Building on Pleasant Street in Morrisville. We encourage Farmer’s Market visitors to stop by the workshop as well. Call Melissa Jordan at 802-888-4364 for directions and more information. For more information about the Farmers and Artisans Market, which is scheduled every Wednesday from 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., call Amy Walker at 802-888-3242 or visit http://riverartsvt.org/events/.

WHAT: Free worm composting (vermiculture) workshop
WHEN: March 18, 2009
WHERE: River Arts Building, Pleasant Street, Morrisville

Tags: Agriculture, Announcements by Joshua Schwartz
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