Transition Town Manchester

2012-01-27T14:24:00.000-08:00

Transition Town Manchester (TTM) invites you to take a ‘leap of faith’ this leap year by placing your order for grapevines for the springtime! This year Transition Town Manchester is partnering with Northeastern Vine Supplies and our friends Andy & India Farmer in West Pawlet, Vermont, our local supplier, to offer two varieties of grapes for sale to our local community. We will be hosting an informational session with Andy and India at the next monthly Green Drinks at Dorset Inn in Dorset, Vermont, which will take place at 6:30pm on Thursday, February 16. They will share information on the two varieties available, and also how to prepare to plant bare-root vines, establish simple arbors, and prune grapevines.

Somerset Seedless and Edelweiss varieties are each for sale online for $7.50 per vine. The vine sale will end on February 29, 2012. The vines will be available for pick up in April. The order form can be downloaded here.

TTM started a new tradition in 2010 when it sold 350 fruit trees in support of Bill McKibben’s 350.org, a day of global climate action. Then in 2011 TTM offered hazelbert nut trees for sale to the community. As in the past with TTM tree sales, the goal of this project is encourage our community to contribute to its own food production. The mission of this year’s offering it to extend the propagation of vines locally within our communities in partnership with a local producer.

About the Grapes

Somerset Seedless

A fully hardy pink seedless grape good for juice and jam. Hardy to around -30 and early ripening. Trailing growth habit and moderate vigor. Produces small to medium sized well filled clusters of orange-pink grapes with great flavor and texture. An easy seller at retail and farmers' markets. Great for the backyard.

Edelweiss

White seeded wine, table and juice grape. Hardy to -30 F. Excellent disease resistance and adaptability. Has a pleasing fruity, labrusca flavor which becomes more pronounced the longer it hangs on the vine. Best harvested around 17 brix for a light Germanic style wine. Edelweiss has become the signature grape of the Nebraska wine industry as well as achieving great popularity in most northern Mid-Western states. Numerous awards, including The Best in Show White Wine at the 2009 Cold Climate Wine Competition, have been given in recent years to varietal Edelweiss wines. Makes a very nice seeded white table and fresh juice grape too. Ripens early season.

When in full production, the fruit of a single vine can be expected to total 10-12 pounds. They will need to be planted 5-6 feet apart. If the vines will be planted within a 4x8 arbor, it will accommodate 2-4 vines. The grapes can be expected to ripen the last week in August and first week in September.

Green Drinks Manchester ~ Thursday, February 16

2012-01-20T14:28:00.001-08:00

Please join us on Thursday, February 16 at 6:30 p.m. for Green Drinks at The Dorset Inn, 8 Church Street, Dorset, Vermont. Come discuss a local grapevine project, and learn more about it from resident experts, Andy and India Farmer of Northeastern Vine Supply. Enjoy drinks and conversation on topics including sustainable agriculture, climate change, local consumption, alternative energies, and the list goes on… with environmental enthusiasts. Green Drinks is an informal group of community members who wish to engage in environmental issues broadly. For more information on the “local” Green Drinks movement worldwide, visit greendrinks.org. “Like” Green Drinks Manchester VT on Facebook!

Green Drinks Manchester ~ Thursday, January 19

2011-12-29T09:39:00.001-08:00

Please join us on Thursday, January 19 at 6:30 p.m. for Green Drinks at The Dorset Inn, 8 Church Street, Dorset, Vermont. Welcome 2012 with us – enjoy drinks and conversation on topics including sustainable agriculture, climate change, local consumption, alternative energies, and the list goes on… with environmental enthusiasts. Green Drinks is an informal group of community members who wish to engage in environmental issues broadly. For more information on the “local” Green Drinks movement worldwide, visit greendrinks.org. “Like” Green Drinks Manchester VT on Facebook!

Juicy News from Transition Town Manchester (TTM)

2011-12-15T07:43:00.000-08:00

‘Tis the season for merriment, and Transition Town Manchester (TTM) invites you to celebrate the season by placing your order for grapevines for the springtime! This year Transition Town Manchester is partnering with Northeastern Vine Supplies and our friends Andy & India Farmer in West Pawlet, Vermont, our local supplier, to offer two varieties of grapes for sale to our local community. Somerset Seedless and Edelweiss varieties are each for sale online for $7.50 per vine. The vine sale will end online on January 15, 2012. The vines will be available for pick up in April. Please download the order form via the link below.

About the Grapes

Somerset Seedless

Edelweiss

Green Drinks!

2011-12-01T12:54:00.001-08:00

Please join us on Thursday, December 22 at 6:30 p.m. for Green Drinks at The Dorset Inn, 8 Church Street, Dorset, Vermont. Enjoy festive drinks and conversation on topics including sustainable agriculture, climate change, local consumption, alternative energies, and the list goes on… with environmental enthusiasts. Green Drinks is an informal group of community members who wish to engage in environmental issues broadly. For more information on the “local” Green Drinks movement worldwide, visit greendrinks.org. “Like” Green Drinks Manchester VT on Facebook!

Next TTM Meeting - December 1st

2011-11-30T04:25:00.001-08:00

The next Transition Town Manchester meeting is this Thursday, Dec. 1, at 6:30 p.m., Potluck, at 136 Blackberry Lane in Dorset.

Directions: Rt. 30 North, 1 mile past JK Adams take left onto Lane Road, 3/10ths of a mile on Lane Road take right onto Blackberry Lane, 4th house on right, long line of firewood leading up the driveway.

Thanks!

Permaculture Film Series

2011-11-28T07:03:00.000-08:00

Wondering about Permaculture, the basic idea behind the Transition Model? Here is a great Permaculture series from our friends in Bennington;

Calling all gardeners and growers, thinkers and planners:

Join us for three movies about Permaculture and Edible Forest Gardens

Movies to be shown at 6 pm at the North Bennington Train Station starting next Wednesday. We hope you can join us for one or all.

Edible Forest Gardens grow food using perennial plants supported by planned ecosystems. They are an aspect of Permaculture appropriate for New England. In this series of three movies we hope to introduce the principles of permaculture in general and the development of Edible Forest Gardens in particular. There will be time for discussion after each. You are welcome to just one or all.

Following this series, we will be forming an ongoing permaculture learning group. This group will be planning and implementing an Edible Forest Garden for the northernmost acre of North Bennington's McWater's Park. In January we will be offering a weekend course in Permaculture and Edible Forest Design to provide this group and others with further training. We hope you can join us.

Farm for the Future (48 min) Wednesday, November 30th at 6 PM

This BBC production opens the series with a look at the difficulties with our current agricultural system. It is a beautiful and engaging movie which will whet your appetite for learning more.

Global Gardener: Permaculture with Bill Mollison (56 min) Wednesday December 7th at 6pm

Bill Mollison, the father of Permaculture, travels the globe in this four part series. We will watch two parts, the Tropics and Cool Climates, to see how permaculture weaves together microclimate, annual and perennial plants, animals, soils, water management and human needs into intricately connected productive communities.

Establishing a Food Forest (80 min) Wednesday December 14th at 6 pm

Join Australian Geoff Lawton on a Permaculture adventure as he demonstrates how to grow a food forest from start to finish. The aim of Geoff’s food forest approach is the creation of systems which are productive and abundant yet which require very little maintenance.

Sponsored by the Walloomsac Transition Initiative, the North Bennington Park and Recreation Committee and the Bennington County Regional Commission.

For more information write to walloomsactransition@gmail.com

Green Drinks - November 17th

2011-11-02T05:52:00.000-07:00

Please join us Thursday, November 17 at 6:30pm for Green Drinks at the Perfect Wife (2594 Depot Street, Manchester Center, Vermont). Enjoy drinks and conversation [on topics including sustainable agriculture, climate change, local consumption, alternative energies, and the list goes on…] with environmental enthusiasts. Green Drinks is an informal group of community members who wish to engage in environmental issues broadly. For more info on the “local” Green Drinks movement worldwide, visit http://greendrinks.org. “Like” Green Drinks Manchester VT on Facebook!

TTM Apple Pressing Party!

2011-10-19T11:11:00.000-07:00

Transition Town Manchester will be hosting an Apple Pressing Party! A high-volume apple press will be on-hand. At 11 a.m. on Sunday October 30th, folks will gather at Earth Sky Time Farm (located south of Manchester on 7A) and head out to glean apples from the community. We'll return to the farm at 2:30 for an apple pressing party, complete with local food, and lessons in making hard cider. Eating quality apples will be gathered to bring to Occupy Wall Street as a donation. Please bring containers for cider and containers for apples. Bring t-shirts and clothes needing environmental messages, as a local screen printing artist will be on hand to "press" t-shirts also. People with trees that need picking or other questions should contact: Theo Talcott at 362-4428 or theo.talcott@mail.sit.edu. join us in celebrating the bounty of our community's fruit trees.

Green Drinks - October 27th at 6:30pm

2011-10-13T12:05:00.001-07:00

Please join us Thursday, October 27 at 6:30pm for Green Drinks at the Perfect Wife (2594 Depot Street, Manchester Center, Vermont). Enjoy drinks and conversation [on topics including sustainable agriculture, climate change, local consumption, alternative energies, and the list goes on…] with environmental enthusiasts. Green Drinks is an informal group of community members who wish to engage in environmental issues broadly. For more info on the “local” Green Drinks movement worldwide, visit http://greendrinks.org. “Like” Green Drinks Manchester VT on Facebook!

Dorset Electronics Recycling Event

2011-10-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

The Dorset School, with support from the Dorset Energy Committee, will be hosting an electronics recycling event on October 29th, from 9am to 2pmat the school. A wide variety of electronics and accessories will be accepted (for free except where noted) including:

- Computers (laptops, desktops and servers)

- Printers

- Ink Cartridges*

- Toner Cartridges

- Televisions, Old Style (Up to 19" $5, $10 for larger than 19")

- Televisions, LCD/Plasma

- CRT Monitors (Up to 19" $5, $10 for larger than 19")

- LCD Monitors

- UPS Battery Back-ups

- Stereo Equipment

- Satellite Dishes (any size!)

- Game Consoles (Wii, Playstation, etc.)

- Cell Phones*

- Blackberries*

- MP3 Players*

- Small Household Appliances

- And more……

*These items raise money for The Dorset School’s technology fund.

So start pulling those electronics out of your closet, barn, basement, attic and garage! We look forward to seeing you, and your piles of electronics, at the school on October 29th.

Please contact AlexBornstein@gmail.com with any questions.

Thanks!

Support Local Businesses

2011-09-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Community,

In the wake of disasters and deaths that effect our community, who responds? It is again a reminder after the toll that Tropical Storm Irene has taken on Vermont, that the small businesses in our area are the backbone of our hamlets. Bake sales and food drives, small loans and helping hands come quickly from these locally owned enterprises.

It is these same businesses that support the needs of our communities. When the economy falters, as it has done in the last year, the local business owners look beyond the bottom line, staying put in the community while keeping staff on the books. These owners and operators are the same people that coach our kids’ games, sit on the school board, and fill boxes for the food cupboard. These hard working folks are invested in our community like no others.

So why do we forget about them when national chain stores are proposed in town? And who would really be the winners? We not only would lose the character of our community in the mountains, we would lose the very people who ‘Grow a Row’ for the hungry, teach after-school programs, help with the neighbors’ flooded road, console the family who just lost a loved one.

Instead of enticing large, out of town businesses to come and set up shop, we need to develop our unique small business infrastructure even more. We need to buy locally. By doing so, we can voice our opinions about what we want our town to look like. Did you know that by buying from a locally owned business, $68 of every $100 spent stays in the community in the form of taxes, payroll and other expenditures? The same $100 spent at a national chain keeps only $43 in the community and if you buy online, nothing comes home.

For the long term health and sustainability of our community, we urge all citizens to really see what we have before it’s too late. Let’s support our neighbors, strengthen our local economy and enhance our social and economic connections within our community. The future of the Northshire is in all of our hands. Each one of us can make a difference.

Here are several websites to check out for more information:

The 3/50 Project: http://www.the350project.net/home.html

Local First Vermont: http://vbsr.org/index.php/pages/static/cat/local_first_about_us/

Buy Local: http://www.smartgrowthvermont.org/involved/connecttothelandaguidefortakingaction/buylocal/

Here’s to a vibrant and unique community,

Scout Proft and Renee Bornstein

Soapmaking Class - October 8, 2011 3-5pm

2011-09-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

Soapmaking Class - Join us for a beginners level soap making class. October 8, 3:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m. Lisa Williams will teach the basic cold process soapmaking method. Learn how to line the molds, properly and safely measure and mix ingredients, naturally scent and color your soap. Using a few basic tools and vegetable based oils, each person will bring home a tray of their own handmade soap! Please bring a soap mold (can be purchased at Manchester Woodcraft), some eye protection (She will have a few extra pairs of goggles on hand), 40 oz of olive oil (more or less is ok!), and if scent is desired, some of your favorite essential oil! Class size will be limited so don't wait. Cost will be $15. Please feel free to email with any questions! Lisa Williams at katmanduzen@aol.com The class will be at 2434 Depot Street, in Manchester, Route 11/30 just past the Eagles Club and before the Perfect Wife. Look for the Acupuncture sign.

Green Drinks and Community Fundraiser - September 27th

2011-09-16T13:09:00.000-07:00

Please join us Tuesday, September 27^th at 6:30pm for Green Drinks & a community fundraiser at the Wilburton Inn (River Road, off Historic Route 7A) located on a beautiful hillside property overlooking the Green Mountains in the heart of Manchester, VT. Oliver & Bonnie Levis of Earth SkyTime Community Farm (http://www.earthskytime.com) will be offering a vegetarian feast, straight from the farm, on the Terrace for $20 a plate. Enjoy drinks for $5. Earth SkyTime Community Farm will be donating half of the evenings dinner proceeds to Evening Song Farm in Cuttingsville, VT, which was destroyed during the hurricane. You can learn more about Evening Song Farm by visiting their website http://www.eveningsongcsa.com. Green Drinks is an informal group of community members who wish to engage in environmental issues broadly. For more info on the “local” Green Drinks movement worldwide, visit http://greendrinks.org.

A FARM TO PLATE OPEN FORUM WITH ELLEN KAHLER

2011-09-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

Come join us as we welcome Ellen Kahler to the Northshire Bookstore on Friday, September 23. She will present the Farm to Plate Strategic Plan which is culmination of forums and information gathering, over the last 2 years, about our food system in VT. Very exciting that we live in a state that wants to assure our food security in these uncertain times....

JOIN THE CONVERSATION AS THE NORTHSHIRE HOSTS

A FARM TO PLATE OPEN FORUM WITH ELLEN KAHLER

NORTHSHIRE BOOKSTORE, Manchester Center, VT: Join the conversation about Vermont’s local and regional food system Friday, September 23 at 7 pm

Join the conversation as we welcome Executive Director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, Ellen Kahler, who will present the highlights from the statewide, 18-month long Farm to Plate strategic process, which many Bennington County residents participated in. Come learn about the Farm to Plate Strategic Plan that was released this past January and efforts underway all over the state to begin implementing the recommendations contained in the plan. How does Bennington County stack up against what's happening in other parts of the state? How can you get involved? Help us think about ways we can stimulate more local and regional food production and consumption in the greater Manchester area.

Transition Town Manchester will have some fresh local food to snack on as you digest her information.

Don’t miss this opportunity to participate! For more information on this and other events, call 802-362-2200 or 1-800-437-3700, or visit the Northshire Bookstore website at www.northshire.com.

Green Drinks! June 23rd at The Perfect Wife

2011-06-10T12:47:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 23^rd, Green Drinks! We will be gathering at the Perfect Wife restaurant in Manchester, VT for "Green Drinks" – cocktails/mocktails and conversation about any environmental topic you want, including but not limited to solar panels, sustainability, organic gardening, Bill McKibben, 350.org. Everyone is welcome. No agenda. Brings friends. So, Thursday June 23 from 5:30 to 7:30, and each subsequent 4th Thursday! For more info on the “local” Green Drinks movement worldwide, visit http://greendrinks.org RSVP to: info@TransitionTownManchester.org

ORDER YOUR NUT TREES NOW!

2011-03-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

Transition Town Manchester - Hazelnut Planting Project

Time is running out! Order your Hazelnuts by April 8….Following last year’s successful Fruit Tree Planting Project, Transition Town Manchester is selling and planting hazelnut bushes this spring.

The mission of TTM is to engage the community to reduce dependency on oil, promote sustainable living and revitalize our local economy. The hazelnuts they are planting will be extremely hardy and very prolific nut producers. They make a great hedge and will provide beautiful fall foliage while feeding us.

TTM will be taking orders and coordinating the planting for the end of April. The price for the bushes will be $15 each with a minimum order of two for cross-pollination. Volunteers will dig holes and plant the bushes for an additional $10 each. Get your order in today!

Download the order form here. Thanks!

Manchester Community and Education Garden

2011-03-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

The 2 acre Manchester Community and Education Garden is an organic garden located in Manchester at the Dana L. Thompson Park (340 Park Recreation Road, Manchester Center, VT). The property is owned by Manchester Elementary Middle School.

The Community and Education Garden is a partnership with Transition Town Manchester, The Tutorial Center and Manchester Elementary Middle School.

This past year The Tutorial Center’s Youth Agriculture Project utilized the garden to provide education and job readiness skills for at risk youth. For more information on this project click here.

Transition Town Manchester was responsible for promoting and cultivating the community garden for the past three years. This year the Tutorial Center’s Youth Agriculture Project (YAP) will serve as the coordinator for the Manchester Community and Education Garden. Hilary Batchelor the YAP coordinator will be the contact person for community members interested in; having a garden space, promoting the partnership, or cultivating the Manchester community project.

This year Manchester Elementary Middle School will be utilizing the garden for hands on education. We are in the process of developing ideas of how students will participate either during or after school, with parent child classes and/or working with elders in the community.

A few local gardeners have participated in the past and we are looking for more local participation this 2011 growing season. We are researching installing a well to create easier access to water for the garden.

For more information or to be on our email list please contact:

Hilary Batchelor
YAP Coordinator
hilaryb@tutorialcenter.org

802 824 4565

The Man Who Planted Trees - Movie Screening

2011-03-08T07:07:00.000-08:00

Get in the mood for spring planting by joining Transition Town Manchester for a showing of the short film The Man Who Planted Trees on Tuesday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. at Mark Skinner Library. This academy award winning film is a heartwarming tale that will make you want to go plant trees.

TTM is showing this film in conjunction with their spring Hazelnut Planting Project. There will be snacks provided and a discussion following the film as well as an opportunity to order Hazelnut bushes for spring planting.

Transition Town Manchester Meeting and Potluck This Thursday!

2011-03-01T13:31:00.000-08:00

Transition Town Manchester will be meeting this Thursday evening at 6:30 at the home of Lisa and Marc Williams. The address is 2434 Depot Street, (on Route 11/30 just past the Eagles Club and before the Perfect Wife.) Look for the Acupuncture sign. Meeting and potluck. We look forward to seeing you there!

From Fruit to Nuts

2011-02-22T11:18:00.000-08:00

Transition Town Manchester Embarks on Hazelnut Tree Planting Project

Following last year’s successful Fruit Tree Planting Project, Transition Town Manchester is pleased to announce its' plan to sell and plant hazelnut bushes this spring.

The mission of TTM is to engage the community to reduce dependency on oil, promote sustainable living and revitalize our local economy. TTM volunteers will again be selling 350 plants to bring attention to the fact that in order to maintain the earth’s current climate, it is vital to reduce the carbon content to 350 parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere. Growing local food helps us move toward this goal.

Hazelnut trees are known for their extreme hardiness and size and quality of nut yield. They grow as a tall shrub (8 to12 ft.), and make a wonderful edible hedge. The nut clusters in their fringed husks are very ornamental, and in the fall the leaves turn a striking mixture of red, yellow, orange and green.

TTM will be taking orders and coordinating the planting for late April. The price for the bushes will be $15 each with a minimum order of two for cross-pollination. Volunteers will dig holes and plant the bushes for an additional $10 each. For more information on the Hazelnut Tree Planting Project email hazelnuts@transitiontownmanchester.org. Order now, as they will sell fast!

Download the order form here. Thank you!

February Meeting Notes

2011-02-07T08:33:00.000-08:00

This month TTM met in the home of Mark and Lisa Williams. We opened our meeting with an open agenda, as we begin to make new plans, vision new projects, and deepen existing projects. We created a “River Walk” committee. This committee will research the possibility of creating a walking bridge across the Battenkill as well as hosting a summer art show. We will ask local artists to create a piece celebrating nature. The art, which will be out in the weather, could be wind chimes, sculptures, etc. The date for this project is to be decided, but we ask all interested artists to please contact us.

Discussion followed about a spring planting project of Hazelnuts, an edible hedge that will provide food for us all with beautiful foliage in the fall. This exciting project will follow our successful tree planting project of last year. We will again sell 350 “trees” to remind us all that to sustain climate as we now know it, we must reduce our CO2 in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million. The committee for this project will look into the possibility of other nut trees and fall planting options.

As always, we concluded our meeting with a magnificent pot luck emphasizing local organic foods. Transition Town Manchester welcomes all to our meetings. Our next meeting is on March 3rd, location to be announced.

Transition Town Manchester Notes

2011-01-21T11:35:00.000-08:00

Monthly meeting;
We are meeting monthly now. Mark your calendars for the first Thursday of the month for our regular meetings. February 3 will be the next meeting in Manchester at the house of Lisa and Marc Williams. The address is 2434 Depot Street, on Route 11/30 just past the Eagles Club and before the Forest Service and The Perfect Wife.

Green Drinks;

Also mark your calendars for the 3rd Thursday of the month. We will be getting together at the Perfect Wife restaurant for "Green Drinks" which is basically getting together for some friendly banter about any environmental topic you want.... solar panels, Bill McKibben, 350.org... Everyone is welcome. No agenda. Amy Chamberlain has said she will have the back corner booth saved so we can chat away a few hours. Brings friends. (It is also $6.00 Burger night.)

Our notes from January 6 meeting: We had a great turnout at Peter and Annette Chase's house. We discussed better communications and will make sure we post on Transition Vermont site as well as our own. We will get notices in the paper and the chamber newsletter. Let's try to use the chamber to our advantage...

We discussed the next steps in our Riverwalk project. We need to get help making some signs and working with the town to have some directional signs put up. We also discussed what made the project work so well and how to duplicate that in the future. Discussion followed about perhaps a spring planting project of Hazelberts, an edible hedge that will provide food for us all with beautiful foliage in the fall as well.... People loved the 350 fruit trees and we may try to tackle this in the spring. It will require a major logistical event again but people are asking....

We are looking into non-profit status, whether we want to do it or have a fiscal agent.... We would love for people top be able to make tax deductible donations. We are also looking at applying for grants for some of our projects but we will do that independent of out tax status.

We also discussed the fact that we want to show support for our, at long last, environmentally friendly governor. Governor Shumlin is talking the talk and we need to help him bring those goals to fruition so we want to plan on hosting him hear in the southern part of the state. Stay tuned.

Upcoming Meeting - January 6, 2011 at 6:30pm - Potluck

2011-01-04T05:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New year from Transition Town Manchester!

As we head into the new year we have resolved to make more regularly scheduled meetings so we can get the word out early in the papers and other avenues.... So we will meet on the first Thursday evening of each month. We will look for a central Manchester location for future meetings. The first meeting of the year will be this Thursday, January 6 (how's that for advanced notice?) at the house of Peter and Annette Chase, 176 Kent Hill Road in Dorset at 6:30 p.m., potluck.

We have joined the Manchester Chamber and will see if we can use their network to get out our message. We are also looking into non-profit status and working on the next steps for Riverwalk in Manchester, including signage and bringing in other groups to help make this a well known and used location in the heart of Manchester.

We hope you can join us this Thursday. Mark the first Thursdays on your calendar!

Bread and Puppet Return to Long Trail School On Nov. 6

2010-10-20T10:10:00.000-07:00

Transition Town Manchester is delighted to again host Bread and Puppet Theatre at Long Trail School at 2:00 PM on Saturday Nov. 6. Tickets are on sale at New Morning Health Food Store in Manchester or at the door. Last year's performance was standing room only so reserve your tickets early. This year's show is the "The Decapitalization Circus which will demonstrates in numerous death-defying stunts the phantastic effects of the capitalization of life in the U.S. and citizens’ courageous efforts of decapitalization. The performers represent the whole scale of the social spectrum from benign billionairism to despicable homeless anti-social-elementarianism. All the acts are FDA and FBI certified displays of patriotic correctness and defy all imaginable forms of terrorism. The Possibilitarians, a multi-instrumental variety ensemble, provide the appropriate-inappropriate sounds for the circus."

The Bread & Puppet Theater is one of the oldest non-profit, self- supporting theatrical companies in the U.S. The theater has been enacting its radical utopian vision in cardboard and cloth for over forty years, from the spectacle of its larger-than-life puppets at Vietnam War protests in New York City to the pageantry of its long-running (over 25 years) annual event, “Our Domestic Resurrection Circus” in Glover, Vermont. The latter event regularly attracted audiences in the tens of thousands up to the late 1990’s. Author and NPR commentator Andrei Codrescu has praised “the genius of Peter Schumann [artistic director], the prodigious puppet-God,” writing; “the Bread & Puppet Theater has been so long a part of America's conscious struggle for our better selves, that it has become, paradoxically, a fixture of our subconscious.”

Please join us at Long Trail School for an afternoon of creative antics that will get the whole family laughing. Young and old will be delighted.

Video From Riverwalk Park On 10/10/10

2010-10-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

Making Riverwalk on 10/10/10 in Manchester Vermont from Transition Town Manchester TV on Vimeo.

Pictures From Riverwalk Park On 10/10/10

2010-10-12T06:54:00.000-07:00

Join Transition Town Manchester and Help Create "Riverwalk Park" on 10/10/10

2010-09-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

On October 10, people across the planet will pick up hammers, shovels, and caulking-guns and join the 10/10/10 Global Work Party, the world’s largest day of practical action to fight the climate crisis. The 10/10/10 Global Work Party is being coordinated by the international climate campaign 350.org and 10:10 Global. Please join members of Transition Town Manchester as we begin the creation of a walking path through Manchester’s central wooded glen that runs along the West Branch of the Battenkill. This large area of nature, in the heart of Manchester, will be a friendly trail that will encourage walking, making the town more pedestrian friendly. From the site of the former bowling alley to the Mill pond, this 2000 feet of river frontage named ‘Riverwalk’, will be one part of our local solution to the climate crisis.

We will begin this community work party on 10/10/10 at 10 AM. Our plan is simple; with clippers and chain saws, we’ll open up the paths that are already exist but are overgrown. With gloves, we’ll haul out the trash. With pick-up trucks, we’ll carry the firewood off to needy families. Young naturalists will create signs to identify interesting botanical specimens and at the end of the day, we’ll have a celebration in the woods.

In the future, our hope is to work with other groups, public and private, to create a useful, handicap accessible public park. We envision a bridge across the river, a stairway to Main Street, and a stage for theater-in-the-woods.

Making our community more pedestrian friendly should be a long-term design goal for our town. On10/10/10, we want this to be a real community project. We hope you’ll join us in creating “Riverwalk Park”.

Join us for a Global Work Party in October, on 10-10-10

2010-08-21T15:27:00.000-07:00

Join us for a Global Work Party in October, on 10-10-10. "A Day to Celebrate Climate Solutions”

Last fall Bill McKibben and the folks at 350.org organized what Foreign Policy called “the largest ever coordinated global rally of any kind”. 350.org was set up to create a rally against global climate change. There were 5,200 demonstrations in 181 countries with 2000 in the United States. These demonstrations were meant to let the world leaders meeting in Copenhagen know that people around the globe want to take action to lower our carbon emissions and get to 350 parts per million carbon dioxide. This is what NASA’s James Hansen and his colleagues have demonstrated is the most we can have in the atmosphere if we want a planet “similar to the one on which civilization developed and to which life on earth is adapted.” There was a resounding lack of response from all of the leading industrialized nations in Copenhagen, particularly the United States. Our government representatives were unwilling to take a stand on this most important issue.

Locally, Transition Town Manchester joined the global rally. Our small contribution to the global effort was selling 350 fruit trees and then planting them in the spring. It was a very successful community action and a small movement towards our community being able to feed ourselves and stop our dependency on oil consumption.

Now it is almost a year later and McKibben noted in a recent commentary that, “According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the planet has just come through the warmest decade, the warmest 12 months, the warmest six months, and the warmest April, May, and June on record...” He states other staggering statistics. “Nine nations have so far set their all-time temperature records in 2010, including Russia (111 degrees), Niger (118), Sudan (121), Saudi Arabia and Iraq (126 apiece), and Pakistan, which also set the new all-time Asia record in May: a hair under 130 degrees. I can turn my oven to 130 degrees... And then, in late July, the U.S. Senate decided to do exactly nothing about climate change... “

So what are we to do? McKibben suggests we do three things; 1) we need to talk about the reality of global warming and make sure our politicians and news media do not skirt the issue, 2) we need to stop compromising and ask for what we need, not what we think we can get. No more making deals that support the already subsidized fossil fuel industry. (He suggests a stiff carbon tax with the money being returned directly to American pockets). And 3) we need to start a movement.

Which is where we come in. In order to jump start this movement McKibben and friends at 350.org are coordinating a Global Work Party in October, on 10-10-10. They are calling it "A Day to Celebrate Climate Solutions"—The plan is to get together and work on projects that cut carbon and build the clean energy future. Then we will use that day to pressure our leaders to also get to work and pass strong legislation that promotes clean energy and reduces emissions. “All around the country and the world people will be putting up solar panels and digging community gardens and laying out bike paths. Not because we can stop climate change one bike path at a time, but because we need to make a sharp political point to our leaders: we’re getting to work, what about you?”

We can’t wait for our leaders. We CAN act at a local level. Transition Town Manchester is planning on getting to work and we hope you will join in. Maybe we can get to work on that bike path that everyone wants….

For more information visit www.transitiontownmanchester.org or check out 350.org. at http://www.350.org/campaigns/1010.

TTM welcomes the Beehive Design Collective

2010-07-28T06:27:00.000-07:00

On August 5th, at 4 pm, at the Manchester Farmer's Market in Adam's Park, we'll be hosting the BEES!

Emma Bee will present "THE TRUE COST OF COAL", a picture lecture with giant banners that depict mountaintop removal and resistance being put up by the native species.

Check out www.beehivecollective.org for more info.

Southern Vermont Regional Gathering of Transition Initiatives

2010-06-30T04:56:00.000-07:00

Southern Vermont Regional Gathering of Transition Initiatives

WHEN: Friday, July 9, 2010, 5:00 - 7:15 p.m. Potluck & Conversation
WHERE: Maple Street School, 322 Maple Street Manchester Center, VT 05255
WHO: Members of Initiating Groups in Vermont (and the region!)
Public invited for the talk at 7:30

Dear Colleagues in Transition!

We are incredibly lucky to be able to be together with Sophy Banks & Naresh Giangrande of Transition Network and Transition Town Totnes, U.K. These two international trainers for the Transition movement are rarely in the U.S. (this is their second time in several years). They are officially on vacation but looking forward to supporting us in our community transitioning work!!

In addition, Transition Trainers Tina Clarke and Zaida Amaral will be with us. Tina provides training across the eastern U.S. and Canada. Zaida is Brazilian and has been living in New Mexico but is moving back to Brazil to support the growth of the Transition movement there.

AGENDA:

5:00 - 7:15 Potluck and Conversation - Transition Challenges & Opportunities (A Time for Transition Initiators to Gather & Share!)

7:30 - 9:00 Public Talk by Naresh Giangrande & Sophy Banks, Transtition Network and Transition Town Totnes (Open to the Public, Free Event!)

Please RSVP to: info@transitiontownmanchester.org

Questions? Contact: Bill Laberge; info@transitiontownmanchester.org

Greetings, Volunteer Tree Planters We have 14 holes to dig this Tuesday!

2010-04-20T06:20:00.000-07:00

Greetings, Volunteer Tree Planters - We have 14 holes to dig this Tuesday!

Tuesday evening at 6:30 at Dorset School on Morse Hill Road. Mettowee Mill Nursery manager, Brian King, will be teaching the fine art of digging a proper hole for the bare root trees that are presently on their way to us! Dorset School Parents' Association has purchased 14 trees, so there are many holes to be dug!

Bring your shovel and wear warm clothes--we'll be outside. Here's a video on how it's done: http://www.redding.com/videos/detail/bare-root-2/

A sample planting will be demonstrated. Volunteer planters are urged to attend. (You can still volunteer even if you cannot make it tuesday.) If you haven't signed up for a planting time slot between April 24 and May 2nd, we ask you to contact Laura at 867-5326 or email us.

Thank you!

TIME TO PLANT 350 TREES

2010-03-22T13:19:00.000-07:00

Last summer and fall, Transition Town Manchester sold 350 fruit trees in support of Bill McKibben's 350.org, a day of global climate action. Now all we have to do is plant the trees!!! We will meet Wednesday, MARCH 31, at 7:00 pm for our organizational meeting, at Bill Laberge's workshop, 5145 Route 30 in Dorset, three houses North of the Mettowee Mill Nursery.

APRIL 24- MAY 2 will be planting week. We will need people, shovels, trucks, vans, energy and enthusiasm. This is a community wide planting so we are looking for organizations who want to help with community service, civic groups and any interested community members to help us make this happen. We will take our list of people who are getting trees and plot our strategy on a map so we can match our people with trees. If you are interested or know someone who might be interested in helping, please contact Laura Yanne. Her e-mail is laura_yanne@yahoo.com, phone is 867-5326, or e-mail info@transitiontownmanchester.org.

Spring is here and what better way to celebrate than putting 350 fruit trees into the ground!

Book Club Meeting - March 18, 2010

2010-03-18T09:27:00.001-07:00

Please Note:

The Transition Town Book Club discussion on Fruitless Fall scheduled for March 18, 2010, at the Spiral Press Cafe has been canceled due to low attendance. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. If you'd like to be added to our email list for future updates and information, please email bookclub@TransitionTownManchester.org.

Thank you.

A Farm For The Future - Film Showing

2010-02-19T08:40:00.001-08:00

Transition Town Manchester will be showing A FARM FOR THE FUTURE at Mark Skinner Library on Thursday, March 4 at 7:00 p.m. This 48 minute film explores farming techniques that are so dependent on fossil fuels.

Filmmaker Rebecca Hosking investigates how to transform her family's farm in Devon (U.K.) into a low-energy farm for the future. With her father close to retirement, Rebecca Hosking returns to her family's wildlife-friendly farm to become the next generation to farm the land. But the high fuel prices of 2008 were a wake-up call for Rebecca. Realising that all food production in the U.K. is completely dependent on abundant cheap fossil fuel, particularly oil, she sets out to discover just how secure this oil supply is. Alarmed by the answers, she explores ways of farming without using fossil fuel. With the help of pioneering growers, Rebecca uncovers how to turn her old family farm into a farm for the low-energy future.

After the film we will enjoy local food and discussion. For information e-mail info@transitiontownmanchester.org or call Bill Laberge 325-2115.

Transition Town Manchester Book Club

2010-02-09T06:21:00.001-08:00

Transition Town Manchester Book Club
Contact Lisa Laberge to sign up at (802) 366-8138

MEETING DATES and BOOK LIST 6:30 – 8 pm
2/18 Early Spring by Amy Seidl

3/18 Fruitless Fall by Rowan Jacobsen

4/15 Harvest For Hope by Jane Goodall

5/20 Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

6/17 Deep Economy by Bill McKibben

7/15 Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan

8/19 World Made by Hand by James Howard Kunstler

9/16 The Great Turning by David C. Korten

10/21 The Cheese Chronicles by Liz Thorpe

11/18 Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman

12/16 END OF BOOK CLUB CELEBRATION
Location: To Be Announced

GUIDELINES
Each month a Host and Co-Host will lead the meeting by preparing questions about the selected book and steering the discussion. Meetings in private homes will be potluck with the host and co-host providing beverages, dishes and utensils. For the meetings in public spaces, the host and co-host will provide beverages and light refreshments. When possible, we encourage the use of re-usable items such as plates and non-plastic utensils. Book Club members will RSVP three days prior to the meetings to: bookclub@TransitionTownManchester.org

Movie: In Transition 1.0

2009-12-14T13:23:00.000-08:00

From transitionculture.org:

‘In Transition’ is the first detailed film about the Transition movement filmed by those that know it best, those who are making it happen on the ground. The Transition movement is about communities around the world responding to peak oil and climate change with creativity, imagination and humour, and setting about rebuilding their local economies and communities. It is positive, solutions focused, viral and fun.

You can watch the movie in parts via this link: Transition 1.0. The first part is posted below.

TTM's Green Recognition Awards!

2009-12-09T17:02:00.000-08:00

Transition Town Manchester TV: Green Recognition Awards! from Theo Talcott on Vimeo.

Join us for our local contribution to the global climate change conference going on now in Copenhagen!

2009-12-09T16:59:00.000-08:00

Please mark your calendars for Friday, December 11th, from 5pm - 5:30pm for a candlelight vigil at Adams Park!

As you know, TTM's Fruit Tree Planting Project celebrated the sale of 350 fruit trees on October 24th, 350.org's International Day of Climate Action. In drenching, torrential rain, two dozen of us gathered to plant an apple tree in Adams Park, a representative of the 350 trees to be planted in the spring.

Northshire Bookstore marked the day with the showing of a climate change documentary and by giving out copies of Tim Flannery's book, Now or Never. A photo of our Manchester events joined the tapestry of photos from around the globe as 5200 communities in 182 countries sent a message to world decision-makers in advance of the Copenhagen climate treaty negotiations.

350.org has asked that participating communities once again show ourselves, uniting in a huge mobilization this weekend, mid-way through these vital negotiations. The climate talks will build to a head a few days later. Says eminent environmentalist and 350.org founder Bill McKibben, "I'll be in Copenhagen to help organize a vigil with the 350.org team--and my hope is that you can join this effort by organizing a vigil locally." And so we shall!

Please join us at Adams Park (opposite Candeleros Restaurant on 7A) once more to rally 'round our little apple tree, candle in hand (we'll supply the candles) and a big banner will be on display.

Manchester group wins 'green' award

2009-11-28T03:59:00.000-08:00

From the Bennington Banner

Manchester group wins 'green' award
DAWSON RASPUZZI, Banner staff
Posted: 11/26/2009 10:09:13 PM EST

MANCHESTER -- A local group has been recognized with the Vermont Tree Steward Award in the volunteer category for work in promoting environmental awareness.

Dozens of volunteers have helped Transition Town Manchester pull together events over the last year promoting "green"initiatives and sustainable living, the largest of which landed it state recognition when a ceremonial apple tree was planted and 350 fruit trees were sold locally.

The sales and planting event was the group's part in an effort to raise awareness of International Day of Climate Action on Oct. 24, which more than 5,000 communities in 181 countries took a part in. Events promoted by 350.org all had something to do with the number 350, because many scientists and climate experts that say 350 parts per million is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere.

The annual Vermont Tree Steward Award sponsored by the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Council of the state Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is given to a group that shows outstanding dedication and commitment in introducing or sustaining an urban and community forestry project.

Lee Krohn, Manchester's tree warden, nominated the group for the award because he said its work fit that criteria and the group deserves some recognition. "I thought this was a really wonderful project that involved trees, the community, and larger issues of sustainability and those were all key elements to this particular tree steward," Krohn said. "To
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me, this was just a wonderful, tangible example of the qualities this award seeks to recognize."

In the spring, TTM plans to choose a day when the approximately 100 people who bought the trees will plant them, but the project doesn't end there.

"We're doing this for the long run; it isn't just planting 350 trees. What we'd like to do three or four years from now, when these 350 trees will be bearing fruit, is do a canning session ... and bring food to the community cupboard," said Bill Laberge, an active member in TTM who lives in Dorset.

TTM has also helped raise awareness about environmental issues in other ways over the last year, Laberge said. The group has hosted events with local food producers, screened films about global and local concerns and sponsored events such as Bread and Puppet Theater at the Long Trail School and the Food Summit in Bennington.

"Our model is to engage the community to move away from its dependence on foreign oil, lower carbon emissions and strengthen the economy," said Laberge.

Transition Town Manchester is one of many Transition Town groups that can be found around the world after the first was created in Kinsale, Ireland a few years ago. Since then, Transition Towns have spread across the world with volunteers starting their own groups that plan their own events and decide how they will raise environmental awareness.

Laberge said a core group of volunteers in TTM have been meeting together for two and one-half years. More than a year ago the group heard about the Transition Towns initiative and because their goals aligned the group decided to change its name.

An awards ceremony will be held Dec. 9 at the Statehouse in Montpelier where Gov. James Douglas will present the group with the award.

Anyone interested in learning more about Transition Town Manchester can visit www.transitiontownmanchester.org. Contact Dawson Raspuzzi at draspuzzi@benningtonbanner.com

Bennington County Farm to Plate Summit

2009-11-03T03:25:00.000-08:00

Please come to the Bennington County Farm to Plate Summit - Nov. 14th, 2009, St. Peter’s Church, 200 Pleasant Street, Bennington, VT

5:30 - 6:30 Local foods banquet
6:30 - 8:30 Presentation and public forum

Come share ideas, get inspired, and help create a vision and a plan for Affordable, Abundant Local food. Contribute to a regional and statewide ten-year plan to strengthen Vermont’s agriculture, bring healthy and sustainable food to all Vermonters, and foster a vibrant local economy.

There is no charge for this event!

Sponsored by Walloomsac Transition Forum, Transition Town Manchester, Bennington County Meals Program, and Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church

2020 Vision Movie

2009-10-26T15:16:00.001-07:00

We asked the Manchester, Vermont community to look ahead to the year 2020 and tell us what they would like to see for a sustainable future. This is what they said...

Transition Town Manchester, Vermont - Manchester 2020 Vision from Transition Town Manchester on Vimeo.

Manchester Tree Planting - Thank you!

2009-10-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who showed up in the drenching deluge on Saturday, October 24th, to mark the 350.org's International Day of Climate Action! Senator Bob Hartwell (D-Bennington) joined two dozen Manchester citizens to plant a tree at Adams Park. The Liberty apple tree was donated and planted by local parter Steve Jones of Mettowee Mill Nursery, which represents the 350 apple, peach, pear, plum and cherry trees that will be planted by teams of volunteers (i.e., us! you!) in the spring. All the trees have been sold.

Joining us in the torrential sog was Cindy Lewis, Hildene Master Gardener, whose fellow MGs be some of the experts who will participate with us in the spring planting. This event was one of more than 5200 events organized in 181 countries--from the Taj Mahal to the Great Barrier Reef to right here in Manchester, Vermont! Click here to read the Manchester Journal article.

More info will come periodically over the winter. In the meantime, gather ye spades, gloves, and strength for spring planting!

Tree Planting - Adams Park - Saturday, 1pm

2009-10-22T08:45:00.001-07:00

State Senator Bob Hartwell and his wife purchased a Montmorency and an Evans Bali cherry tree, making him one of the more than 100 people who will have a total of 350 fruit trees planted by volunteers in the spring. The senator will preside over the ceremonial tree planting in Adams Park at 1pm to mark the successful reaching of the goal of selling the 350 trees. The action will put Manchester on the map with
an event that joins the town to the International Day of Climate Action on October 24th.

Steve Jones, owner of Mettowee Mill Nursery, TTM’s local partner, will donate and plant the ceremonial 5 year-old Liberty apple tree.

“350.org fully endorses Transition Town Manchester's initiative planting 350 fruit trees, which will foster education for local foods, a stronger and healthier community, awareness of the 350ppm carbon limit, and, of course, tasty fruit!” emailed Jeremy Osborn of the international grassroots initiative. “Please know that you are part of a global movement of people all around the world who are transforming their communities and the United Nations at the same time with the 350 project this year.”

The event will be photographed, and will represent Manchester’s call to leaders for climate change. All of the day’s action photos will be posted on the 350.org site, distributed to the media, as well as printed out and delivered directly to world leaders.

Come rain or shine, and be counted! 1pm, Saturday 10/24, Adams Park!

International Day of Climate Action Activities

2009-10-21T06:52:00.000-07:00

Treehugger has posted a great article about International Day of Climate Action activities scheduled worldwide for Saturday. Over 4000 events are listed, including Transition Town Manchester's ceremonial tree planting that will be happening at 1pm on the 24th at Adams Park in Manchester with State Senator Bob Hartwell. Come join us!

Click here to view a map of global activities from 350.org.

Leveling Appalachia: The Legacy of Mountaintop Removal Mining

2009-10-18T04:56:00.000-07:00

Yale Environment 360 is a publication of the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. E360 tackles many topics that are relevant to the Transition Town movement, from peak oil to global land use and it's effect on climate change.

E360 recently posted the movie "Leveling Appalachia: The Legacy of Mountaintop Removal", an amazing look at the long-term effects on the environment as well as the people of Appalachia. Definitely worth a viewing. (Free, 20 minutes)

Click here to go to the E360 site.

Fruit Tree Planting Ceremony with Senator Bob Hartwell

2009-10-07T10:53:00.000-07:00

Transition Town Manchester's Fruit Tree Planting Project has successfully reached its goal of selling 350 zone-hardy apple, peach, pear, plum and cherry trees to individuals in Manchester and adjacent towns in support of 350.org's initiative to mitigate the effects of non-sustainable carbon emissions, and to further TTM's mission to grow more food locally. Teams of volunteers, instructed by VT Master Gardeners and horticultural experts, will be organized to plant the 350 trees in the spring in dozens of backyards, at a condo association, at a food pantry, at a school, at a skating rink.

To celebrate the community's 350 new fruit trees and their stewards, a ceremonial fruit tree (donated by our local partner, Mettowee Mill Nursery) will be planted at Adams Park in Manchester Center, Vermont. We are pleased that State Senator Bob Hartwell (who purchased two trees!) will preside. Locally grown apples will be given out. Come join us at one o'clock on Saturday, October 24th!

We will be asking for planting volunteers in late April/early May.

Free Grant Writing Workshop In Manchester

2009-10-06T11:48:00.000-07:00

October 14 and 15, 2009
Manchester Ranger Station
Routes 11/30 north of Manchester Ctr.
Cost: FREE!

Who should attend?

The grant writing workshop is designed for any non-profit organization seeking funding for town or community projects or programs. Besides town office employees, this would include people working in fire & rescue, libraries, schools, arts organizations, and individuals who seek financial help with their projects or businesses. The ideal situation is that each town or non-profit organization sends a team of two or more persons to the workshop.

What the workshop will cover:

Day 1: Overview of seeking grants and tips for writing a grant: covers types of grants, terminology, where to look for federal, state, foundation, corporation grants, how to form a community team to help with grant writing, how to pull together community or organization background, clarifying the problem statement, writing out goals and objectives.

Day 2: (Morning): Writing the grant goals, budget, etc: For this day, the workshop participant should bring at least one idea of something for which they want to find funding. This may be a town or community need, a non-profit organization project, or even an individual who has a need such as setting up a business or trying to build a trail.

(Afternoon): Seeking grants on the Internet: The reality of seeking grants electronically is a new, evolving world: overview of good sites, how to search for grants, how to sign up for on-line searches, how to submit grant applications electronically.

The teacher is Kathleen Diehl, Partnership Coordinator for the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests. There is no cost for this workshop.

Other important stuff:

Participants in the grant writing workshops should bring a lunch each day.
If there is inclement weather or icy roads, the workshop will be rescheduled.
Please RSVP to Kathleen Diehl at 802-747-6709 to sign up for this workshop so she can make sufficient handouts. Please leave a message if Kathleen is not there saying which workshop you would like to attend.

Funds Available For Beginning Beekeepers in Vermont

2009-10-06T11:43:00.000-07:00

With the decline in wild honey bee colonies and native pollinators, as well as the continued Challenges faced by established beekeepers such as parasitic mites and diseases, it is important that populations of honey bees be maintained at a local level to meet the pollination needs of farmers, fruit and vegetable growers as well as home gardeners.

In an effort to off-set this decline, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is pleased to announce the availability of USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant funds totaling $8000 for beginning beekeepers to establish one or two colonies of honey bees. A 50/50 match is required and a maximum reimbursement of $200 is available for one colony or $400 for two.

Applicants must provide proof of purchase for equipment and bees. Funds are limited and will be disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis to those who qualify. Other restrictions apply in regards to eligibility, workshop attendance and recordkeeping.

This grant program is administered through the Vermont Beekeepers Association. Deadline for applications is December 1, 2009. For additional information, contact Kim Greenwood: kimgreenwood@gmavt.net; or Steve Parise, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets: steve.parise@state.vt.us; 802-828-2436.

Click here for the grant application.

Update!

2009-10-02T11:39:00.000-07:00

TTM had a great meeting this week discussing, among other things, food. There is a food forum being planned for Bennington in November. Details to follow. We also discussed a local food co-op.... seems like that one has been on the table for a while.... .

350.0rg; We also discussed our tremendous response to selling 350 fruit trees. They are all sold! In support of Bill McKibbens International Day Of Climate Action we will plant a ceremonial tree on Oct 24. Then we will coordinate a community planting of trees in the spring.

For more global climate action events check out the happenings at the Northshire Bookstore. They will be building a sculpture with 350 books, they will be showing the HBO movie Too Hot Not to Handle and giving away great books.

TRANSITION TRAINING: There is still time to sign up for the Transition Training at Spirit Hollow in Shaftsbury, VT on October 10, 11. Training for Transition is a 2-day "fundamentals" course for those wishing to know how to set up, run, and maintain a successful transition initiative. It is packed with imaginative and inspiring ways to delve into both the theory and practice of Transition - check out the full details regarding content. You can call Spirit Hollow at 802-447-3895. There may still be some 1/2 tuition scholarships left.

We are also looking for people who want to help provide lunch for attendees on both days of this training weekend so let me know if you can help with that.

Environmental Action 2009- On Saturday, Nov 7 there will be a great conference put on by New England Grassroots Environment Fund, VPIRG and others. Here is their blurb;

Saturday, November 7th, 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM Join us for a day of exciting speakers, workshops, and networking with activists and community leaders from across Vermont and New England, as we work to mobilize the grassroots to create healthy communities. Vermont Technical College, Randolph, Vermont go to http://www.VTenvironmentalaction.org/

Transition Town Manchester Meets Goal of Selling 350 Fruit Trees!

2009-09-25T17:43:00.000-07:00

The Fruit Tree Planting Project is being greeted enthusiastically by Manchester-area residents in its community-building effort to grow food locally. In just six weeks, Transition Town Manchester (TTM) has achieved the project’s first goal—to sell 350 trees in support of 350.org, Bill McKibben’s global grassroots initiative to reduce atmospheric carbon emission limits.

Through a partnership with Mettowee Mill Nursery, TTM made peach, pear, cherry, apple and plum trees available to locals for $25 each. In the spring, teams of trained volunteers will deliver and plant the bare-root, zone-hardy trees, and this made the deal a sweet one indeed. “That’s what did it for me!” said a man who said his digging days were behind him.

At the Northshire Bookstore, which generously allowed TTM to launch the project with a sign-up week at a table in their foyer last month, Harvey Alpart expressed disappointment that his home in South Londonderry was out of planting range. Although logistics restricted sales and plantings to Manchester and adjacent towns, the enthusiasm for planting could not be contained. “This has inspired me to think about doing this in our community. I’d love to plant some fruit trees with my grandchildren so we can learn about agriculture and watch them grow.”

Thoughts of apple pies and plum jam and canned peaches notwithstanding, people bought trees for all kinds of reasons. Someone claiming to prefer her reputation as the town curmudgeon bought four trees for the Rupert Food Pantry anonymously, and has taken it upon herself to secure permission to plant from the town.

“We’re primarily getting the cherry for the birds,” said Christine Beach of S. Dorset, placing an order at Dorset Farmers Market. “Oh my god, my bees will be so happy!” exclaimed Maddie Sobel of E. Dorset, as she signed up for a cherry, a peach and two pear trees. Others who placed orders included a family who home-schools and plans to use the trees to teach area children about horticulture and tree-tending. Dorset School children are helping to raise funds for their 12 apple trees by collecting coins in jars in their “Trees for Change” project. Condo associations, gifts for friends and family members, and replacements for old trees accounted for other acquisitions.

The 350th tree was spoken for by Nancy McNally, who purchased it on behalf of Riley Rink in fond remembrance of board member Jay Hathaway.

The next event will be a ceremonial planting of two fruit trees on October 24th (details to come).