NEK Day at the Statehouse '24

Friday, January 26th, 9-10:30am | Register→ | Google Calendar event→

Our fifth annual NEK Day at the Statehouse event is shaping up to be our most pressing ever. Though clear of the shadow of Covid-19, the NEK has been racked by two historic floods and ever-rising housing complications. Community building and grassroot action networks have shown themselves to be powerful answers to the problems that are to come. Our future will be defined the same way that our region’s past has; by community organization and regional collaboration.

The NEK Collaborative is a convening organization that acts as a unified voice for the NEK. We listen and talk to individuals and organizations all over the Kingdom to determine what's important to you and what challenges you face. We're committed to promoting civic and civil engagement across our region by connecting NEK residents with our representatives in Montpelier whenever possible. It is at NEK Day at the Statehouse that this work, and your worries, meet together with our political representatives to make sure we are all cooperating, bottom to top, with the region’s interests in mind.

This year, we will be featuring speakers speaking to our five identified areas of priority:

• Housing

• Community Building and Grassroots Networks

• Flood Recovery and Resilience

• Infrastructure- transportation, the creative economy, and broadband

• Workforce Development

Housing

According to North Country Hospital’s Community Health 2021 Needs Assessment, affordable housing and living-wage employment were the Northeast Kingdom’s two most region-defining needs. This has been the case for some time- and is not a new issue for the old residents of the NEK. As with any issue so complex, answers to housing prices, housing affordability, rental rates and houselessness appear and change throughout the years.

Come to NEK Day 2024 ready to share how you or your community have been personally affected by housing or housing related programs in the last few years; as well as ready to hear what regional experts and officials have to say about the issues as a whole.

Community Building & Grassroots Networks

The communities of the Northeast Kingdom can’t be treated just the same as any other. With the most rural and most aged population of Vermont, citizens of the Northeast Kingdom need to look further abroad than their own shoes when making sustainable decisions. In the face of floods and community fragmentation, newly-begun organizations such as Hardwick’s Civic Standard or the NEK Collaborative’s partner NEK Organizing have shown remarkable plasticity and fortitude of response to social tension and climate crises. Volunteers offering manual labor to help regional neighbors recover from flood devastation, as well as assistance in navigating difficult FEMA paperwork, steered the Northeast Kingdom towards a speedy and mediated recovery. The community mobility that NEKO exemplified in 2023 could only be possible where regionally-minded communal sentiment was made to thrive; and the community dinners, dance nights, poetry clubs and fundraisers headed by the likes of the Civic Standard should inspire us to pursue more programs such as those here seen. They have proven themselves to be the shaping forces of our region.

Flood Recovery & Resilience

How can we better prepare for climatological disasters down the road, knowing they are likely to worsen in the coming years? The floods that struck in July, August and December of 2023 are but a sign of things to come. Using federal cash, Vermont has made big investments in new culverts and bridges, flood-proofing buildings, filling in basements, and property buyouts to restore floodplains. It is only through proper communication and collaboration with communities and locals that regional decision makers may be well-guided in future-proofing the Kingdom. Infrastructure and community response readiness must be watched closely and bolstered if our region is to thrive in the coming future. Join us in helping to establish a mutual understanding between the region’s communities and their representatives.

Infrastructure - Transportation, Creative economy and Broadband

With the Northeast Kingdom receiving international recognition for its cuisine and natural beauty in 2023 (see Jasper Hill Farm’s #1 award→ for Best American Cheese at the 2023 World Cheese Championships, or Kingdom Trails’ #2 award→ for the world’s best mountain biking trails), tourism and creative economies are under a new sort of spotlight. Regional transportation, creative marketing and broadband accessibility will all prove definitive of the Northeast Kingdom’s economy in the years to come. Come talk about what’s being done, and what yet needs to be done!

Workforce Development

Workforce development remains a definitive problem in the NEK; making sure that everyone who should work, can work, and can live happily on the wages their work provides. Trained and certified quality labor, accessibility to adult education, and affordable housing remain key components of ensuring that our NEK towns and businesses can stay NEK.

NEK Day at the Statehouse

Date

Virtual Event: Register→ for Zoom link.

This is your chance to connect with legislators and fellow NEKers. Celebrate the region, share priorities, and learn what’s been happening at the state level.

Want to know what to expect? Visit our NEK Day 2022 Recap→ for a taste of what past years have had to offer.

The Presentations of NEK Together 2023

Our warmest thanks to everyone who could attend our 2023 summit, NEK Together. The event was a smash hit. Despite weather warnings of icy conditions, our hardy audience came out in droves to fill the Burke Mountain conference center with good company and warm intents.

Whether you missed this important event, or simply want to go over your notes one more time, we’ve uploaded each of our speaker’s slideshow presentations, below, so that you can be sure you don’t miss a beat. For those interested in a summary of the event as a whole, feel free to check out our NEK Together 2023 report→, which includes information like speaker list and session highlights.

Jennifer Carlo, NEK Collaborative Executive Director

Jennifer Carlo has served as the executive director of the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative since 2021. She opened the conference with a brief presentation on the Collaborative’s mission and programs; she also shared some of the Collaborative’s highlights of 2023. The Collaborative will engage in a strategic planning process in 2024, and Jen invited participants to give input into that process.

Kevin Chu, Vermont Futures Project Executive Director

Kevin Chu is the executive director of the Vermont Futures Project. The question "How can we use data to support the evolution of Vermont's economy towards a thriving future with opportunity for all?" isn’t as simple as it might seem! Major cultural and political factors have parts to play in our understanding of the future of Vermont. In this address, Kevin Chu outlines what Vermont’s best futures need, and gives a detailed understanding from a variety of statistical and cultural perspectives.

Katie Buckley, VT League of Cities and Towns &
Annie McLean, NVDA

Katie Buckley is the director of the Federal Funding Assistance Program at the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, and Annie McLean is the Community and Economic Recovery Specialist at the Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA). Through their presentations, attendees of NEK Together ‘23 learned about opportunities to build municipal capacity by coordinating with other Federal, State, and Local funding sources and collaborating with community and  state leaders.

NEK Broadband

Kitty Ufford-Chase, NEK Broadband’s community relations manager and Erik Townsend, GIS Specialist and Project Manager, presented on the past year’s progress toward the goal of bringing  high-quality broadband to all residents of the NEK. They also shared more about the next steps planned for the year to come.

NEK Together 2023

We're always at our best together- when we join together to find solutions, to plan, and to celebrate what makes our region vibrant and unique. Thanks for joining us.

NEK Together will be Thursday, November 9th, at Burke Mountain Hotel & Conference Center, from 9 AM- 4 PM.

Our theme this year is Building Community and Capacity. We hope you'll gather with other NEK changemakers and leaders on the 9th for a day of learning, collaboration, and fun!

Registration costs $50, with costs-covered options available. Sponsorship provides our generous supporters with a wide range of promotional opportunities- check it out!

Day of The Event - Agenda

9:00 AM Conference Welcome: Jennifer Carlo, Executive Director, NEK Collaborative

The NEK Collaborative is a convening organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for all residents of the NEK through coordinated economic and community development.  Our vision is a strong, vibrant Northeast Kingdom where we all thrive.

Audio Greeting from Senator Peter Welch

9:20 AM Keynote Speaker:  Kevin Chu, Executive Director, Vermont Futures Project

The Vermont Futures Project is developing a statewide economic action plan informed by data and aiming to set bold and attainable goals for Vermont's future.  The plan is built on two fundamental components that define communities: people and places.  In order to strengthen Vermont's economy, scale up impact on sustainability, and make progress on social equity, the Vermont Futures Project is setting a goal to increase our population to 802,000 people and non-seasonal housing stock to 350,000 units by 2035.  Learn how these goals were calculated and share ideas about actions that can be taken at the local and state level toward achieving them.

10:30 AM Breakout Sessions

A: Legislative Forum

Senator Robert Starr (D)
Orleans District
Chair, Senate Agriculture Committee

Representative Michael Marcotte (R)
Orleans/Lamoille District
Chair, House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development

Representative Scott Campbell (D)
Caledonia/Essex District
House Committee on Transportation

Representative Terri Lynn Williams
Essex/Caledonia District
House Committee on Education

Join some of our veteran legislators from the NEK Caucus for a conversation about priorities and challenges in Montpelier in the coming session. What are the issues important to NEKers, and what can we anticipate in the coming year?

B: Housing in the NEK and Beyond

Facilitator: Sarah Waring, USDA State Director, Rural Development, VT and NH
Panelists: Kevin Chu, Executive Director, Vermont Futures Project
Shaun Gilpin, Housing Division Director, VT Department of Housing and Community Development
Seth Leonard, Managing Director of Community Development, VT Housing Finance Agency
Dan Ridlehoover, Senior Manager of Project Development, M&S Development LLC
Gus Seelig, Executive Director, VT Housing and Conservation Board

Housing continues to be one of the biggest priorities shared with the Collaborative at  convenings and community meetings. Our panel will bring together several experts in  the field to discuss challenges and solutions.

C: Connections, Collaboration, & Community

Facilitators: Phyllis Ershowsky, Marketing and Communications Specialist, VTSBDC
Sara Munro, Project Coordinator, VTSBDC

Learn about Vermont’s Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP) from several members of the network of partners who have joined together to support the growth of small businesses in Vermont to ensure that every small business owner knows about and has access to the services and support available to help you succeed. Connect with one of us to connect with all of us.

D: Facilitation 101

Jenna Koloski and Jessica Savage, Vermont Council on Rural Development

Strong facilitation skills can be a key to successful meetings and community conversations. In this workshop, we will share key facilitation skills and strategies and give participants a chance to try them out. Walk away with strategies you can put to use in your next meeting or convening!

E: NEK Community Builders

Facilitator: Loralee Tester- Building Community in Lyndonville

Emilie Begin-Giddings- Building Community in St. Johnsbury

Steven Isham- Building Community in St. Johnsbury

Andrea Otto- Building Community in St. Johnsbury

Sharon Ellingwood-White- Building Community in Lemington

F: The Future of Public Transportation in the NEK

Caleb Grant, Executive Director, Rural Community Transportation

Cynthia Stuart, Stuart Consulting

Public transportation plays a vital role in fostering livable communities in the rural landscape of Vermont by offering essential transportation solutions accessible to individuals of diverse ages, income levels, and physical capabilities. We invite you to engage in a conversation regarding the existing public transportation services provided in the Northeast Kingdom and our collective aspirations for the future of public transportation in our region.

12:00 PM Lunch/Tabling

1:15 PM Breakout Sessions

A: New Business Development in the NEK

Facilitator:  Jim Kisch, President, Passumpsic Bank
Panelists: Evan Carlson, Whiteout Solution
Janis Raye, Brick Math
Eric Remick, Hardwick Yellow Barn
Alejandra Taylor, Sewn By a Taylor

B: Neighboring in the Kingdom- The NEK Working Communities Challenge and Our Neighbor-to-Neighbor Networks

Facilitator: Kari White, NEK WCC Core Team Member and Director of Community Health Equity, Northern Counties Health Care
Panelists: Juliet Emas, NEK WCC Core Team Member and Director of the St Johnsbury Community Hub
Meghan Wayland, NEK WCC Core Team Member and Lead Organizing, Northeast Kingdom Organizing (NEKO)

Neighbor-to-neighbor networks are a crucial part of the fabric of life in the NEK.  They  connect community members and help build social capital, and provide a way for  individuals to support and help each other during times of need.  There are so many ways to neighbor!  Learn more about the NEK WCC and its work building and sustaining community hubs; about mutual aid and doorknocking and phone trees; and about vibrant community events to bring people together.  Members of the NEK WCC Core Team, Northeast Kingdom Organizing (NEKO), and others will discuss their work and help you get involved.

C: NEK Broadband: An Update and the Plan for the Next Year

Christa Shute, Executive Director, NEK Broadband

Join NEK Broadband to learn about the past year’s progress toward the goal of bringing  high-quality broadband to all residents of the NEK, and hear more about the next steps planned for the year to come.

D: Leveraging Municipal Resources

Katie Buckley, Director, Federal Funding Program, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
Annie McLean, Community and Economic Recovery Specialist, Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA)

Learn about opportunities to build municipal capacity by coordinating with other  Federal, State, and Local funding sources and collaborating with community and  state leaders.

E: Downtown Revitalization and Community Building Through the Arts

Facilitator: Jody Fried, Executive Director, Catamount Arts
Panelists: Andy Bouchard, Cross-Border Creative Marketing, Newport/Derby
Maire Folan, UVM Extension, Newport/Derby
Gillian Sewake, Executive Director, Discover St Johnsbury
Molly Stone, Artistic Director, Catamount Arts, and NEK Zone Agent, the Vermont Creative Network, St Johnsbury
Panelist TBD, The Civic Standard, Hardwick

Several communities around the NEK have revitalized their downtowns and built  community through a thriving arts scene.  Come learn how they did it and why the creative economy is a powerful driver of development in the NEK and beyond.

F: Moving Stories

Sha’an Mouliert, The Root Social Justice Center

Stories have been a method of documenting and experiencing the human condition throughout the ages. In this problem-solving workshop, participants will experience a sense of agency and accomplishment through storytelling. They will have the opportunity to creatively explore their strengths, identify their challenges and develop a strategy to overcome obstacles.

2:45 PM A Call to Action

Facilitator: Meghan Wayland, Lead Organizer, and the Members of Northeast Kingdom Organizing (NEKO) 

What have we heard and learned and created today?  Let's generate some ideas and some plans for action in the NEK- together.  We'll process what we've heard today and create some plans and recommendations.  Let's take action!

Day of The Event - Speakers

Andy Bouchard created Borderline Entertainment (BLE), a small music production outfit in Holland with the goal of bringing eclectic original music to the border communities.  BLE got its home at The Barrage, after Andy converted his barn/garage into the DIY venue hosting monthly music shows during the warmer months.  Over the past seven years through The Barrage and a handful of other small local spaces BLE has brought over 80 musical acts to the border communities of Holland and Derby hosting artists from across the world.  Other than BLE Andy works as a Special Educator at North Country Union High School, and serves on the Select Board in Holland where he lives with his family of four going on five.

Representative Scott Campbell (D), of St. Johnsbury, has lived in Vermont for more than 30 years.  His background is in construction, building design, and energy performance modeling.  Scott’s focus as a public servant is on the most effective leverage points to rebuild rural community viability in his hometown and throughout Vermont, both economically and socially.  Vibrant arts, recreation, education, housing, health care, child care, transportation, and technology infrastructure are all vital to the success of businesses and families.  Scott has served in the Vermont House of Representatives since 2019.

Jennifer Carlo has served as the executive director of the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative since 2021. Prior to that, she worked in higher education for more than 25 years, most recently as a vice president for student affairs and dean of students. Jen spent a few years as the dean of students at Goddard in the late 1990s and made the mistake of moving away from Vermont, only to spend many years trying to get back! (She’s here for good now.) To come back to Vermont, she ran off with the circus in 2017 and was the executive director at Circus Smirkus for three years. Jen also serves as an adjunct professor at Carlow University. She’s mildly obsessed with the fiber arts, and as a side gig she owns a yarn store in Waterbury and serves as the president of the Green Mountain Knitting Guild. She has an AB in sociology from Princeton, an MA in education from Goddard and an MBA from Carlow, and a PhD in leadership and change from Antioch University.

Kevin Chu grew up in Vermont and is looking forward to growing old here too. He is the son of immigrants and spent most of his early years living and learning in Burlington. Kevin is a graduate of Middlebury College, where he studied the environment and education while also competing in track and field. Prior to joining the Vermont Futures Project, Kevin worked at the University of Vermont, where he led efforts in recruiting for diversity, academic advising, communications, community engagement and economic development, and strategic planning. He is now the executive director of the Vermont Futures Project, a nonpartisan organization that is working to answer the mission question: "How can we use data to support the evolution of Vermont's economy towards a thriving future with opportunity for all?"

Juliet Emas is currently the Director of the St. Johnsbury Community Hub Project. She grew up in both Caledonia County, Vermont and Philadelphia, PA. She is thrilled to be able to give back to the NEK in her current role. With a master’s in Conflict Resolution and an undergraduate degree in Sociology and communication Studies, Juliet has lived experience as well as academic experience. Her academic studies and research involved studying global and community conflict as well as looking at social support systems, services and representation. She has worked in a variety of environments including two urban public school Systems, healthcare facilities, immigration/refugee resettlement service, victim services and more. In addition, Juliet has lived and worked overseas and has traveled to more than 48 different countries. Juliet’s work, wherever it is, seeks to explore, strengthen and support community stability. She hopes to contribute to the world's future. Community starts here, with each of us, working to shape it together.

Maire Folan is the director of UVM Extension's Community Nutrition Education program, based out of the Newport Extension office. She is on the board of Catamount Arts, Green Mountain Farm to School, and the NEK Young Professionals Network. She is committed to helping her community thrive and loves getting outside in all the seasons. She lives in Holland with her husband Andy, his two kids, and a little one on the way.

Jody Fried is both the Executive Director of Catamount Film & Arts in St. Johnsbury and Director of the Vermont Leadership Institute (VLI) and the Snelling Center for Government. His work as a volunteer in the Northeast Kingdom is extensive, including serving as a Corporator at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, Passumpsic Savings Bank and Lyndon Institute, current member (and past President) of the Board of Directors of the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative, and as the past President of both the Burke Area Chamber of Commerce and the Northeast Kingdom Travel and Tourism Association. He has also served in various statewide leadership roles including as the current Chair of the Vermont Creative Network and as a Governor-appointed member of the Vermont Travel and Recreation Council, as well as having previously served as a founding member of the Vermont Tax Advisory Board. Jody is a graduate of the VLI Class of 2012 and a University of Vermont alum.

Shaun Gilpin

Jim Kisch joined Passumpsic Savings Bank on October 11, 2016 as Chief Executive and President. Prior to joining the Bank, he was Chief Strategy/Information Officer and Co-Founder for Continuity, a leading provider of Regulatory Technology (RegTech) solutions that automate compliance management for financial institutions of all sizes nationwide. Continuity has been a serial winner of the Marcum Tech Top 40 and Inc. 5000 growth awards, and won the 2015 fastest growing tech company in Connecticut. Jim started his career in banking 30 years ago. He held a variety of executive positions in the banking industry for over fourteen years before joining the Minnesota Bankers Association as the president of the association’s Insurance and Service Division and Consulting Group; the association’s wholly owned bank compliance and IT consultancy. Jim serves on the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum Board as Treasurer, as the Vermont Bankers Association’s Second Vice Chairperson, Chairman of the Board of Northeast Home Loan, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital Corporator and Plymouth State University College of Business Advisory Board.

Jenna Koloski has been the Director of Community Engagement and Policy at the Vermont Council on Rural Development since 2015. In that role, she coordinates statewide policy discussions on issues that impact rural communities and facilitates community-level prioritization for the future of Vermont towns. Prior to the work at VCRD, she worked in several Vermont organizations focused on outdoor recreation, community development, and food security. Jenna studied Conservation and Biodiversity at McGill University and holds a master’s degree in Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School. Jenna serves as the President of the Vermont Community Development Association. She lives with her family in Huntington Vermont.

Seth Leonard serves as the Managing Director of Community Development for the Vermont Housing Finance Agency. In his role Seth directs the Agency’s multi-family rental housing lending, tax credit allocation activities, asset management, compliance, research and community relations.   Prior to joining the Agency in 2019, Seth served at the Vermont and New Hampshire USDA Office of Rural Development, where he served as Housing Program Director.  Previous experience includes work in VHFA’s Single Family Housing department and Opportunities Credit Union. Seth also served as the mayor of the city of Winooski from 2015 through the beginning of 2019, which was preceded by two years as a city councilor.  Seth is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He completed the National Development Council’s Rental Housing Certification Program, and the University of Notre Dame’s Leadership in a Complex Era through the Mendoza Executive Leadership Program. In 2020 Seth was recognized by Vermont Business Magazine as a Rising Star, in acknowledgment of professional and community volunteer contributions for Vermonters under the age of 40. Seth completed the Center for Community Investment’s Fulcrum Fellowship in 2023.

Representative Michael Marcotte (R), Coventry, Orleans County, was born in Newport, Vermont, and has been a resident of Coventry since 1978. He is a businessman/store owner. He was educated at Sacred Heart Graded and High Schools, Newport, Vermont. Memberships and affiliations: Joined the Economic Development Council of Northern Vermont Board of Directors in the spring of 2006; Chairman, Coventry Selectboard; Past DDGER National Elks; Past Exalted Ruler, Newport Elks; Past Chairman, St. Mary of the Sea Parish Council; Member, Gibbons Council Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree; Past Director, Coventry Town Foundation. Completed Council of State Gov. Eastern Leadership Program ELA Fellows; elected to Board of Directors of the Orleans/Essex VNA & Hospice in 2007; Elected President of the Board 2010. He has served in the Vermont House of Representatives since 2005.

Annie McLean is the Community and Economic Recovery Specialist at the Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA). Annie leads NVDA’s Municipal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Assistance and Coordination Program and is responsible for assisting Northeast Kingdom businesses and local governments access COVID-19 recovery resources and other economic development funding. Annie holds a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from California Polytechnic University and has over 10 years of community development experience. She previously served as Planning Director for the Town of Lyndon from 2016 through 2020 and has held various municipal planning positions throughout Vermont in addition to getting her professional start working as a disaster recovery consultant both with FEMA and in the private sector. Annie currently serves on the board of the Vermont Community Development Association (VCDA) and the board of Four Seasons of Early Learning, a non-profit early education organization offering nature-based preschool, infant and toddler care in Greensboro Bend.

Sha’an Mouliert, M.Ed. Originally from New York City, moved to the Northeast Kingdom with her family in 1983. For over 35 years she’s been a consultant, community organizer, educator and artist. In 2015, she received Lyndon State College’s Presidential Medal of Distinction and in 2021, the Rutland NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award. Currently, Sha’an is the coordinator of the I Am Vermont Too,a project of The Root Social Justice Center, as well as, producer and host for I Am Vermont Too TV show. Recently, Sha’an has facilitated Racial Literacy a Healing Practice trainings with several Vermont communities and organizations. She lives in St. Johnsbury.

A software and computing consultant from the private sector, Eric Remick currently serves as the Chair of the Hardwick Selectboard and is a key member of the Hardwick Yellow Barn core project team. He has participated in weekly progress meetings since the core team’s formation in 2018 and has served as an anchor tenant liaison by attending regular design meetings with the project team’s architect and engineers, as well as design consultants for anchor tenants. Familiar with local, state and federal funding sources, he also regularly interfaces with project grant funders and lenders. He is also active on the Hardwick Trails Committee.  He lives in Hardwick, where he has been a sugar maker since 2004.

A desire to tackle complex housing projects and improve rural economies led Dan Ridlehoover to join the M&S Development Team. Dan enjoys advocating for projects and clients and is a building operations junkie. He excels at pulling together the many pieces of a development to drive projects to completion. He holds a BA from University of California, Santa Cruz, and seven years’ experience in corporate retail project management; sourcing, developing, and operating retail stores on a national level. Other experience includes retail operations manager for Newell Brands’ technical apparel division, and the facilities manager for the Brattleboro Co-op.  Dan is also a volunteer for the Dummerston Fire Department.

Jessica Savage joined the Vermont Council on Rural Development staff in 2021 after 15 years in the public sector mainly in the natural resources and recreation management fields. She previously worked for the Vermont Dept. of Forests Parks and Recreation where she led the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) and administered multiple state and federal grant programs. Her current work focuses on community-driven economic development initiatives including the Vermont Working Communities Challenge and Climate Economy programs. She has a Masters in Public Administration with a focus on water quality policy from UVM, is an avid outdoorsperson and a mom to two young children.

Christa Shute is the Executive Director of NEK Broadband. Prior to that, she served as a Staff Attorney for the NH Office of the Consumer Advocate. In that role, Christa worked electric, gas and water cases in front of the NH Public Utility Commission on behalf of residential ratepayers. Christa has two decades of experience in leadership in non-profit, and corporate entities. Her curiosity drives her to understand the complexity and nuance of situations so she can envision how to break through barriers and find win/win solutions. In addition to running her own design and manufacturing businesses, Christa has been the Vice President of Business Development for All Earth Renewables, the Director of Business Development and Financing for the Vermont Telecom Authority, and the Director of Targeted Implementation for Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (Efficiency Vermont). Christa Shute earned her JD, magna cum laude, in 2013 with certificates in Energy Law, Climate Law, and Dispute Resolution.

Senator Robert Starr (D) of Troy, Orleans County, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on December 17, 1942, has lived in Troy since June 3, 1944. He is the president of Starr's United, Inc., d/b/a Starr's Transportation. He was educated in elementary schools in North Troy, Vermont; North Troy High School; and Vermont Technical College, Randolph, Vermont (associate degree in agriculture). Member of: Troy school board; O.E.N.S.U. school board; Troy zoning board and planning commission; Board of Civil Authority; Troy town moderator; North Country High School, moderator; Vermont State College trustee; Vermont Truck and Bus Association, director; Elks Club #2155, Newport; National Conference of State Legislatures. He has served in the Vermont Senate since 2005.

Sarah Waring is a native of Glover, Vermont, and is the USDA Rural Development State Director for Vermont and New Hampshire, appointed by President Biden in January 2022. Sarah most recently worked as Vice President for Grants and Community Investments at the Vermont Community Foundation. Previously, she worked at the Vermont Council on Rural Development, Farm and Wilderness Foundation, and the Sonoran Institute. Waring also worked as the Executive Director at the Center for an Agricultural Economy. In 2020, she served on the Governor's Task Force for Economic Mitigation and Recovery where she supported the development of a toolkit for Municipal Engagement for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Waring resides in central Vermont.

Meghan Wayland (they/them) is the Lead Organizer and Staff Director at Northeast Kingdom Organizing (NEKO). Since 2007, Meghan has worked in food and agriculture, movement building, and art, and they arrived at organizing after stints as a journalist, farmer, cook, and carpenter. They're a founding member of the Center for Grassroots Organizing and are passionate about storytelling, Land Back, and bass fishing.

Representative Terri Williams (R), was born in Concord, VT, and has lived in North Concord and Granby for most of her life.  She graduated from Concord High School, with two years at the St Johnsbury Academy Vocational Program and one year at New Hampshire College studying bookkeeping and business.  For ten-plus years Terri owned and operated Barnie’s Market in Concord.  She has served on the boards of directors for the Lyndon Institute, Fairbanks Federal Credit Union, and Northern Counties Home Health.  In her earlier years, Terri was a coach, athletic director, and 4-H leader.  She has served in the Vermont House of Representatives since 2021.

Convening Schedule 2023

Since the NEK Collaborative’s founding in the 1990s, our goal and purpose has been to forge and support connections across the Kingdom. We use collective advocacy and regionally-coordinated action to address challenges and improve the quality of life of all NEK residents.

Sector convenings are one way we share successes, identify challenges, and solve problems collaboratively. We'll host five convenings this spring, around the following issues:

Outdoor Recreation

The Northeast Kingdom is an incredible place to connect to nature and explore the array of outdoor recreation opportunities available in our region. Outdoor recreation is a backbone of tourism and a powerful economic driver in our region.

This meeting will be held virtually, at 10am on Tuesday, March 14th You do not have to be an expert in this area to attend. All are welcome.

Register→

Community Recreation

In the most rural region of the state, opportunities for community recreation and connection are essential. How can we support these opportunities across the towns and communities of the NEK?

This meeting will be held virtually, at 10am on Tuesday, April 4th You do not have to be an expert in this area to attend. All are welcome.

Register→

Small Business Support

Small businesses are the lifeblood of the NEK economy. How can we best support the businesses, the neighbors, that define our local economies and communities?

This meeting will be held virtually, at 1:30pm on Tuesday, April 4th. You do not have to be an expert in this area to attend. All are welcome.

Register→

Adult Education

There are so many adult education opportunities in the Kingdom! Our first convening on Adult Education on February 28th convinced us we needed another one. Please, join the conversation!

This meeting will be held virtually, at 10am on Tuesday, April 11th You do not have to be an expert in this area to attend. All are welcome.

Register→

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Mental health challenges and substance misuse are a significant public health problem in the NEK, as they are elsewhere in Vermont. Organizations and individuals throughout the Kingdom provide services and support to those facing these challenges; how can their work be supported?

This meeting will be held virtually, at 10am on Tuesday, April 18th You do not have to be an expert in this area to attend. All are welcome.

Register→

NEK Day at the Statehouse '23 (Virtual)

A father and daughter approach the Montpelier Statehouse. The stride of the father and the joy of his child symbolize, we hope, the optimistic, forward-looking spirit of NEK Day.

Friday, January 27th | Agenda→ | Register→ | Submit topics→ | Google Calendar event→

We love the NEK! We choose to live and work in a region that enjoys stunning natural beauty, close-knit communities, and a vibrant culture.

Loving the NEK means addressing the challenges of the region, and there are many. We are the most rural and economically challenged region of Vermont, and our access to resources is limited compared to other regions.

The NEK Collaborative is a convening organization that acts as a unified voice for the NEK. We listen and talk to individuals and organizations all over the Kingdom to determine what's important to you and what challenges you face. We're committed to promoting civic and civil engagement across our region by connecting NEK residents with our representatives in Montpelier whenever possible.

NEK Day at the Statehouse is your chance to share your thoughts with our NEK Legislative Caucus.  We have identified five policy priorities this year to which NEK leaders will speak:

• Housing

• Workforce Development

• Transportation

• A Thriving Vermont State University with a continued vibrant presence in the NEK

• Mental Health and Substance Misuse

Housing

Housing affordability and availability remain a challenge in the Kingdom, as they are elsewhere in Vermont. Our elected representatives are well aware of this, and we'll share some insights on the challenges and some local solutions as well as hear more about legislative plans. Our featured housing speakers will be Jim Kisch, President and CEO of Passumpsic Bank, and Shawn Tester, CEO of Northern Vermont Regional Hospital

Workforce Development

NEK workers need access to training and development and job opportunities that meet their needs. NEK employers need more workers at all levels of skills and experience, and support in recruiting, developing, and retaining staff. Representative Michael Marcotte, Chair of the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, will discuss his committee's work. Julie Laforce, Co-Owner of Built by Newport, will speak from the perspective of a regional employer.

Transportation

NEK residents need safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options. We'll hear from Caleb Grant, Executive Director of Rural Community Transportation.

Vermont State University in the NEK

Mental health and substance misuse touches every aspect of life in the Kingdom. Joseph Forscher, Chief of Behavioural Health at NEK Human Services, will speak to ongoing efforts to address such problems in the NEK.

Mental Health and Substance Misuse

Retaining a robust higher education institution in the NEK is crucial to the regional economy, as well as the educational and career opportunities of NEK residents. We are encouraged by the plans for Vermont State University and look forward to updates from its VTSU President Dr. Parwinder Grewal.

This region-wide, cross-sector, virtual event is the only one of its kind in the Kingdom, and we hope you will join us!

NEK Day at the Statehouse

Friday, January 27: 12 Noon- 1:30 PM

Virtual Event: Register→ for Zoom link.

Do you see issues in the NEK you want addressed? Submit topics→ for consideration at NEK Day.

This is your chance to connect (virtually this year) with legislators and fellow NEKers to celebrate the region, share priorities, and learn what’s been happening at the state level.

Want to know what to expect? Visit our NEK Day 2022 Recap→ for a taste of what past years have had to offer.

NEK Together 2022

The biggest changes begin with the smallest and most collaborative actions. Thanks for coming.

The event is this Friday, November 11th. Here is a parking map→ of Burke Mountain→.

NEK Together will be the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative’s third region-wide convening, and certainly our most ambitious. These past three years have been historic periods of radical social, infrastructural, and economic change in the Kingdom. Much work has been done toward the priorities identified in our 2020 Recovery Action Plan, and much work remains to be done.

The people, businesses, and organizations of the NEK continue to face challenges like housing, business development, connectivity, and community engagement with energy and resilience. We look forward to convening with all of you to keep moving this work forward.

NEK Together 2022

NEK Together 2022 is an all-day community summit scheduled for Friday, November 11th, in-person at Burke Mountain hotel and conference center. Lunch and refreshments are included!

You can register→ up until the last minute, but only those registered Wednesday, November 9th will receive a custom nametag.

How can we:

1. Build and foster community-based leadership and engagement that brings NEK residents together to achieve goals and solve problems in their communities and in our region?

2. Create and maintain a healthy civic discourse in the NEK, with open lines of communication with our NEK Legislative Caucus and other town and local officials, and opportunities for citizens to exercise their voices and make contributions to policy and initiatives?

3. Convene individuals and organizations (businesses, nonprofits, government entities) to support solutions to challenges in our priority areas of housing, workforce development, and others?

Let’s find out.

NEK Together Full Event Schedule (Agenda→)

9 AM - Conference Welcome

Jennifer Carlo, Northeast Kingdom Collaborative

9:15 AM - Plenary Panel:  Seizing The Moment- Updates from the Recovery Action  Plan and Looking Toward the Future

In 2020, the NEK Collaborative worked with individuals and organizations across the NEK to create our Recovery Action Plan, built around five priorities:  Broadband, Housing, Education, Small Business Support, and Community Vitality.

Much has been accomplished through the collective struggle of the pandemic, and the NEK as a region drew together to address our mutual challenges and support each other through the experience.  We find ourselves now in a singular moment in time, to continue our healing and leverage unprecedented resources and opportunities in new ways toward a bright regional future.

This panel will discuss the progress made on the priorities of the Recovery Action Plan and our next steps into the future.

Facilitator: Sarah Waring, USDA Rural Development State Director, Vermont and New Hampshire

Broadband- Christa Shute, Executive Director, NEK Broadband & Rob Fish, Deputy Director, Vermont Broadband

Housing- Patrick Shattuck, Executive Director, Rural Edge 

Education- Tom Lovett, Retired Headmaster, St. Johnsbury Academy, and  Member, Vermont State Board of Education/Representative from NVU

Small Business Support- David Snedeker, Executive Director, NVDA

Community Vitality- Jody Fried, Executive Director, Catamount Arts

10:45 AM - Breakout Sessions

A Vision for Vermont State University

Dr. Parwinder Grewal, President, Vermont State University

Dr Parwinder Grewal became the inaugural president of Vermont State University in July 2022.  VTSU will combine and build upon the history of Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College.  Pending final approval of NECHE, VTSU will become a single accredited institution on July 1, 2023. The new University is meant to increase the reach of learning opportunities for all learners, fueling Vermont’s economic pipeline, and creating opportunities for learners of all ages.  Join this session to learn more about President Grewal’s vision for what will be the first statewide, hybrid institution in the United States.

Racial Literacy, A Healing Practice

Sha’an Mouliert, The Root Social Justice Center

Until the last few years, you’d hear, “We have made so much progress; I don’t think racism is a problem anymore”. How often have we heard, “I’m not racist”, or “I have Black and Brown friends?”  Most people fail to recognize or act on racial micro-aggressions because the stress of negotiating such conflicts is extremely high due to fears of incompetence, public exposure, and accusation. This introductory workshop will explore the challenges facing people of color living in Vermont. Using cultural humility practices, participants will be introduced to a foundational understanding to develop their racial literacy skills.

Raising Voices:  Learning about Community Organizing

Meghan Wayland, Lead Organizer, Northeast Kingdom Organizing (NEKO)

Framing Challenging Conversations Through the Lens of the Arts

Amy Cunningham, Deputy Director, Vermont Arts Council Jody Fried, Executive Director, Catamount Arts and Film Ryan Newswanger, Director of Programs, Vermont Humanities Council Molly Stone, NEK Zone Agent, Vermont Creative Network

Post-Pandemic Workforce and Business Leadership

Julie Laforce, Owner and Director of Organizational Development, Built by Newport, Abby Long, Executive Director, Kingdom Trail Association, Johnny Lotti, Co-Owner, Cafe Lotti, Steven Wright, President and General Manager, Jay Peak

12:00 PM - Lunch/Tabling/Weaving Project

1:15 PM - Breakout Sessions

NEK Caucus Legislative Forum

Senator Jane Kitchel (D)- Caledonia/Orange District, Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Robert Starr (D)- Essex/Orleans District, Chair, Senate Agriculture Committee, Representative Scott Beck (R)- Caledonia-3, House Committee on Ways and Means, Representative Michael Marcotte (R)- Orleans-2, Chair, House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development

Join some of our veteran legislators from the NEK Caucus for a conversation about priorities and challenges in Montpelier in the coming session. What are the issues important to NEKers, and what can we anticipate in the coming year?

Moving Stories

Sha’an Mouliert, The Root Social Justice Center

Stories have been a method of documenting and experiencing the human condition throughout the ages. In this problem-solving workshop, participants will experience a sense of agency and accomplishment through storytelling. They will have the opportunity to creatively explore their strengths, identify their challenges and develop a strategy to overcome obstacles.

Strategies to Address the Housing Challenges in the NEK

Dawn Cross, HomeOwnership Center Director, RuralEdge, Jim Kisch, CEO, President, Passumpsic Bank, Evan Oleson, NEK VT Program Manager, Northern Forest Center, Patrick Shattuck, Executive Director, RuralEdge

Housing is a challenge throughout Vermont, and especially in the NEK. Many organizations in the Kingdom are working on initiatives to increase affordable housing stock and create economic development in our communities.

Creating Community Space- NEK Outdoor Recreation Community Hub

Abby Long, Executive Director, Kingdom Trail Association, Brooke Pierce, Operations Director, Kingdom Trail Association

Learn how Kingdom Trails is putting into action the NEK Collaborative’s Tri-Sector Plan, to enhance economic growth through rural community hubs. We believe that by investing in infrastructure improvements to create outdoor recreation-friendly communities, we can connect outdoor recreation assets to other parts of the economy, including the creative and food sectors. KT will share how their USDA-funded Capacity Study led them to-USDA funded master planning for an NEK Outdoor Recreation Community Hub to elevate economic development, enhance visitor experiences, improve residents’ quality of life, and support the local workforce.  

Get NEKed!  Using Destination Stewardship to Support Economic Opportunity 

Joe Short, Vice President, Northern Forest Center, Facilitator, Gillian Sewake, Director, St. Johnsbury Chamber of Commerce, Pam Sullivan, President and Creative Director, Sullivan Creative, Rick Ufford-Chase, Director, Newport City Downtown Development

What are the benefits of marketing and stewardship on a regional scale?  Recent collaborations have built on the work done in the NEK Collaborative’s 2018 Tri-Sector Report to build regional resources, and help chambers and businesses leverage those resources to help support regional businesses.  How do we collaborate to align messages, attract the right visitors, and multiply our individual efforts?  And how do we sustain these efforts?

ARPA Updates

Annie McLean, Community and Economic Recovery Specialist, Northeastern Vermont Development Association 

The Working Communities Challenge in the NEK

 Juliet Emas, Director, St. Johnsbury Community Hub

2:45 PM - Plenary Workshop:  Equitable Community Engagement

Sue McCormack, Business Development Leader and Co-Founder, The Creative Discourse Group

Transformed people transform organizations.

All of us are seeking ways to create equity, justice, and inclusion in our communities, and we need conversations and tools to do that.  How do we come together and work toward a more equitable culture?

The NEKC Stands with People of Color

The Northeast Kingdom Collaborative stands in solidarity with people of color. We are committed to listening, learning, supporting, and taking action to dismantle systemic racism. 

We encourage you to watch Sha'an Mouliert's interview series "I Am Vermont Too" and the Visible in Vermont panel, both of which shine a light on the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) across Vermont. Both provide an opportunity for reflection and dialogue for people who may be unaware of the ways they perpetuate racial stereotypes and harm. 

As a white-led and predominantly white network, the NEKC is digging into what it means to actively participate in building a racially just society. We know that words are not enough and that we have work to do. We are partnering with local BIPOC leadership to identify steps we can take as an organization and how we can use our organizational privilege to do better. 

Sha'an Mouliert will be hosting her much-anticipated 6-session series on racial literacy as soon as it is safe to gather. In the meantime, we are talking with Sha'an about leading single-session trainings. Email katherine@nekcollaborative.org if you're interested.

We welcome your feedback--please email us your thoughts and consider joining the NEK Allies for Racial Justice Facebook group to add your voice to conversation.

Funding Recovery Efforts: Grants for Nonprofits & Community Groups Responding to COVID-19

Nonprofits and community groups in the Northeast Kingdom are working hard to accelerate the recovery of our region, which has been hit hard by the effects of the COVID-19 crisis.

Funding is available right away for all kinds of projects that aim to help the NEK recover from the COVID-19 crisis. Check out this list we've compiled to see if your group qualifies for immediate funding.

Working Lands Enterprise Grant

Who it's for: Agriculture and forestry operations
What it's for: Complement a business's ability to maintain operations while increasing capacity to rebuild and/or recover
Funded by: Working Lands Enterprise Board
Grant amount: $5k-$25K
When to apply: Now 'til May 31

Special and Urgent Needs

Who it's for: Vermont nonprofits with unexpected expenses that impact their ability to meet their mission.
What it's for: Unforeseen, and time-sensitive short-term needs. Although VCF recognizes that many organizations are feeling the strain of lost revenue associated with pandemic response and social distancing, this grant program is not designed to supplant lost revenue.
Funded by: Vermont Community Foundation
Grant amount: $500-$5000
When to apply: Now

Planning Grants

Who it's for: Municipalities with a confirmed local planning process
What it's for: Community recovery efforts
Funded by: DHCD
When to apply: June - October
Grant amount: Up to $22k (individual municipalities), up to $35k (group of municipalities)

COVID-19 Urgent Response Grant

Who it's for: Groups working on community recovery projects
What it's for: To support basic needs like food, shelter, and economic assistance.
Funded by: Haymarket People's Fund
Grant amount: $5k-$15k
When to apply: Now

Rapid Response Seed Grant

Who it's for: Grassroots groups
What it's for: Responding to local needs and building resilience in communities in response to the COVID19 pandemic and associated events.
Funded by: New England Grassroots Environmental Fund
Grant amount: Up to $1k
When to apply: Now

Vermont COVID-19 Cultural Relief

Who it's for: Vermont arts and humanities organizations facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What it's for: Recovery
Funded by: National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020.
Grant amount: $5k-$10k
When to apply: Now 'til May 31

Firefighters Assistance - Cares Act

Who it's for: Eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations and state fire training academies
What it's for: To purchase personal protective equipment and supplies
Funded by: FEMA
Grant amount: N/A
When to apply: Now 'til May 15

Farmer Resiliency Grants

Who it's for: NOFA-VT member farms, as well as farms certified by VOF who have had their businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
What it's for: To mitigate the impact of the COVID pandemic as they pivot their operations and respond to the unexpected changes brought about by this crisis.  
Funded by: NOFA-VT
Grant amount: Up to $5k
When to apply: Now 'til May 15

VT Community Action Team Program

Who it's for: Local, community-based Vermont non-profit programs
What it's for: Immediate community needs as they relate to this crises; access to housing, food, health care, elder and child care, and focusing on populations with the greatest need
Funded by: Ben & Jerry's Foundation
Grant amount: Up to $2k
When to apply: Now

Northern Border Regional Commission Economic & Infrastructure Development Grant

Who it's for: Nonprofit and governmental entities
What it's for: Employment-generating projects that help reduce poverty, unemployment, and out-migration
Funded by: NBRC
Grant amount: N/A
When to apply: Now 'til June 1

COVID-19 Emergency Relief & Response Fund

Who it's for: Essential non-profit agencies
What it's for: Work to ensure that individuals are: well-nourished, well-housed, physically and mentally healthy, financially stable, have the ability to meet basic needs
Funded by: Green Mountain United Way
Grant amount: $250-$2000
When to apply: Now

Local Grants Program

Who it's for: Nonprofits and community organizations
What it's for: Community revitalization
Funded by: Neil & Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
Grant amount: Up to $20k
When to apply: June 1

Other local grant opportunities can be found in the NEKC’s Grant Directory.

Small Acts, Big Impact: NEK Communities Step Up

Across the region, towns are banding together to care for their community members. Most have put up webpages featuring resources for food, healthcare, education and more. Many have mobilized phone trees and help lines to check on neighbors without internet access. Food pantries and school districts are working to ensure everyone is fed.

We absolutely need community response efforts. These groups compliment what state and federal agencies are doing to help. Without these local efforts, many of our neighbors would fall through the cracks.

Some towns have taken their response efforts to the next level. Check out these unique town projects that demonstrate just how resilient and innovative our region really is.

Irasburg

The Leach Public Library's "Staying in Common Project." is an Irasburg-specific project aiming to generate neighborliness, inspiration and community. Community members are encouraged to design signs to place along the perimeter of the Common, sharing messages of hope and comfort during social isolation. Email Molly Veysey for more info: director@oldstonehousemuseum.org

Brownington

To capture this moment in history, the Old Stone House is accepting hard copy and electronic submissions of peoples' written experiences during the COVID-19 crisis. OSH will also expand its gardens and team up with Green Mountain Farm to School to distribute produce to families in need. And Kids' Fridays, every Friday of the summer for children under the age of 15, will provide a to-go heritage activity kit plus a free lunch to children who participate. Email Molly Veysey for more info: director@oldstonehousemuseum.org

Orleans

This January, the Orleans Federated Church started a “Blessing Box”. Similar in design to a little free library, this mini food pantry was installed on an exterior wall of the church and provides emergency food access 24/7. During the pandemic, this resource has proven more valuable than anyone could have imagined! Email Alyssa May for more info: <vtrevam@hotmail.com>

Wheelock

The VT Public Service Department reached out to Wheelock's Town Clerk offering installation of a public WiFi hotspot at Wheelock Town Hall, thanks to donations from Microsoft and RTO Wireless. Wheelock's first publicly-accessible WiFi hotspot was operational in a matter of days!  Check out Wheelock's Facebook page to learn more.

Barnet

Three St. J Academy alums have spearheaded the Neighbors Helping Neighbors food drive for the Barnet area out of McIndoes Academy. Community volunteers drop off food, provide monetary support, assist with outreach efforts, and are now procuring a refrigerator to store perishable items like milk, eggs, cheese, and meat. Email Claudia Heisholt for more info: <cheisholt@hotmail.com>

Hardwick

The Hardwick Area Neighbor to Neighbor grassroots organization has initiated a whirlwind of activity in just one month. After reaching out for help making masks for free distribution, the organization connected with 26 people seeking to help meet the initial goal of 1500 masks. Over 200 masks have already been received, and the Hardwick Area Food Pantry has started distribution. Email for more info: hardwickneighbors@gmail.com

Greensboro

The Greensboro United Church of Christ has set up a Little Food Shelf at the door of Fellowship Hall which allows anyone who is hungry to take what they need and leave non-perishable items to share. The greater purpose is that no one goes to bed hungry.

Glover

Glover Pioneer Camp has an interactive, online plan to educate and entertain would-be campers and anyone else who wants to participate this summer.  They will post a new challenge every week on Facebook page related to early Glover history, the natural world and a “What Is It” question.  The answers will appear on their website the following week. Email Bethany Dunbar for more info: <bethany@hardwickagriculture.org>

Brighton

When a five-year-old’s birthday party was canceled, the community created a parade route filled with birthday wishes and smiling faces.  The teachers also created a parade to let the students know that they were missed.  And an anonymous community member posted handmade “Thank You” signs on each of the essential businesses in town. Email Michael Strait for more info: Mike@hearthandhomecountry.com

Lowell | Jay | Westfield | Troy

The #WeAreLowellJayWestfieldTroyAreaStrong Facebook group has close to 400 people tuning in for news they can use. All four towns have initiated a support warm line (802.327.3434 & info@kingdomcommons.com) and phone tree to answer questions, meet needs, and organize volunteers. The group also intends to reopen the weekly community meal in Westfield.

Albany

In collaboration with the Albany Community Trust and the Albany United Methodist Church congregation, the Albany Community Task Force has bolstered the Church's food share availability and provided a homemade meal to community members. Their first meal served 60 people and they expect to increase that to 100 for their next meal on May 9. Contact albanyneighbors@gmail.com for more info.

Peacham

In Peacham, families can purchase a $30 bulk CSA food order that includes a variety of fresh, local produce, baked goods, dairy and more sourced through Green Mountain Farm Direct. Volunteer organizers take orders, pick up and deliver the food to the school where it is sorted and packaged into sanitized food totes and then picked up by or delivered to participants. The town has worked out a system so that no money exchanges hands during the operation. Bonus: this program offers fresh food and supports local farmers. Visit for more info: https://peacham.org/

Groton

COVID-19 Informational Updates, held bi-monthly via Zoom, feature a different speaker offering outside perspective & expertise. So far, they've hosted the CEOs of Cottage Hospital, Wells River Savings Bank, and the NEK Council on Aging. The sessions are recorded, published on GrotonTogether.com and highlighted in their email newsletter and social media. Email Michael Gaiss for more info mgaiss@gmail.com.

Craftsbury

The Craftsbury Community already had the infrastructure in place to hold a community meal once a month, but they seized the opportunity to expand, offering meals once a week. Participants share community meals from the safety of their own homes. The meal provides 100+ individuals in Craftsbury and Albany a weekly, nutritious meal, made from locally grown and donated ingredients. Kris Coville <mama.kris.coville@gmail.com>

Nice work, NEKers!

Our towns are proving over and over that we are indeed #nekstrong. To join your town's response efforts, sign up for your area's Community Mutual Aid group.

NEK Farms with Food for Pickup or Delivery during COVID-19 Outbreak

Check out this growing list of farms who have delicious food ready for your family. No grocery store required! List includes town, products available and contact information.

If you or someone you know is selling products from their farm and isn't listed, contact katherine@nekcollaborative.org to be added.

nek farms →

Brownington Museum Celebrates Progressive African-American Legislator All Year Long

BROWNINGTON, VT—The Old Stone House Museum is pleased to mark Black History Month by announcing a year-long celebration of Alexander Lucius Twilight, the charismatic progressive African American educator, minister and legislator designed and built the monumental granite edifice in the Brownington Historic District after which the Museum was named. On April 24th, 2020 a concurrent resolution sponsored by Senators John Rodgers and Robert Starr and Representative Vickie Strong will be read at the Vermont State House. The resolution will designate Wednesday, September 23, 2020 as Alexander Twilight Day in Vermont. Several celebratory and educational events are scheduled during the museum season culminating with Alexander Twilight Day at the Old Stone House in Brownington on September 20th. The Museum invites the public to join them in celebrating the 225th anniversary of the birth of this remarkable man.

About Alexander Lucius Twilight

Born on September 23, 1795 Alexander Twilight graduated from Middlebury College in 1823, becoming the first black graduate of any American college or university. In 1829 he was hired to be principal of the Orleans County Grammar School and was minister to the Brownington Congregational Church. In 1836 he was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives, becoming the first African American to serve in a state legislature. Under his leadership, the Orleans County Grammar School thrived as a co-educational institution attracting both boys and girls from throughout New England who came from as far away as Boston and Montreal. Between 1834 and 1836 Twilight designed and built a four story granite dormitory, which he called Athenian Hall.

Twilight’s father Ichabod was born in Boston in July 1765. Both he and Alexander’s mother Mary were free and mixed race, most likely of African slaves and English colonists. Ichabod served in the Revolutionary War in a New Hampshire regiment and later moved with his family to Vermont where he and his wife were listed as “the first negroes to settle in Corinth” where they bought property, moving from Bradford on November 28, 1798.

Typical for children of his class, Alexander began working for a neighboring farmer when he was only eight. Reading and studying mathematics while performing farm labor, he was able to enroll in the Randolph Orange County Grammar School in 1815 at the age of 20. He enrolled in Middlebury College in 1821, graduating as the first known African American to receive a degree from any institution of higher learning in America in 1823.

In 1826 Alexander Twilight married Mercy Ladd Merrill from Unity, New Hampshire and taught in both New York and Vermont before assuming his position as principal at the Orleans County Grammar School. In addition to acting as minister for the Brownington Congregational Church, he led worship services and delivered sermons in numerous other churches. In 1847, he relocated to Quebec where he taught briefly.  However, without his leadership the Orleans County Grammar School experienced declining enrollment. He was persuaded to return to Brownington where he resumed duties as both teacher and pastor. In 1855 Twilight suffered a stroke and retired. He died on June 19, 1857 and is buried along with his wife Mercy in the Brownington Church Cemetery.  

About the Old Stone House Museum

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Old Stone House Museum was established by the Orleans County Historical Society and has been operating as a museum since 1926.  It has now grown from one building to become an impressive historic site with seven restored buildings and three neighboring structures, all dating from the early 1800s. Dedicated to its mission to preserve, educate and inspire, the Old Stone House Museum annually attracts nearly 10,000 visitors from across the country and abroad.

Education has long been a cornerstone of activity in Brownington. The former granite dormitory is not the only historic building at the Museum to tell the story of progressive education and diversity. Twilight’s 1830 Federal style home houses his books and letters, along with letters from his students, in an archival vault. Further up the hill an 1831 Federal-style Hall House stands as a testament to Samuel Reed Hall, a recognized pioneer in progressive education. Hall founded America’s first teacher training college in 1823 in Concord, Vt, invented the chalkboard, and published the first teacher-training textbook in 1829.

Through unique educational programs that use select items from its permanent collection as teaching tools, the Old Stone House Museum embraces hands-on, experiential learning as a way of connecting individuals to a way of life that still has much to teach us. Notable past activities have included a barn raising with area vocational students and a tree trimming and replanting project that was incorporated into the 3rd grade science curriculum at the Brownington Elementary School. A thriving adult education program teaches such traditional crafts as blacksmithing, rug hooking, stone wall building, and tree pruning. Spring and Fall Field Days for area schools, as well as its summer “Time Travelers Day Camp” emphasizes hands-on craft activities, theatre, and the scientific exploration of the garden and grounds.

The Old Stone House Museum is located in the Brownington Historic District just off Hinman Settler’s Road in Vermont’s scenic Northeast Kingdom. The Museum is open May 15-October 15, 11-5 pm, Wednesday-Sunday  

For more information, call (802) 754-2022 or visit www.oldstonehousemuseum.org.