Hey Neighbor,

Anyone else reeling from the last couple of weeks? Personally, I've been trying to get a myriad of projects done before we get rained out, and trying to remember to actually enjoy the sunshine, the cool breeze, the pungeant smell of cow shit. Some things are easier to be grateful for. 

Yes, the burrdock is sticky, I'm already so done trying to force chickenwire into submission, I guess I'm allergic to grass now(?), and ... at around 7pm the sun hits the mountain behind my house just right, so that the entire valley is cloaked in golden light for about an hour. It's a different kind of light that pours in through the windows and spreads across the room.

I hope you all find time to stop and appreciate something small, that your back outlasts your ambitions, and that you don't get a tick. Next time the wind blows the right way, I'll be grateful I don't have to buy fertilizer. 

I'll never be grateful for ticks. I hate those things. 

~A

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Small Scale Cover Cropping Workshop

On April 25th, we teamed up with our friends from Gardens at Yellow Barn Farm to learn and discuss all the benefits of cover crop planting at any scale. We learned how to build a DIY crimper to terminate the cover crop, leaving behind a thick layer of mulch you can plant into.

Cover cropping is relatively easy to do at a small scale -you don't need any heavy machinery or special tools. Anyone can use cover crops to protect their soil from weeds and pests, erosion, compaction, and nutrient loss while at the same time providing food and shelter for animals such as spiders, birds, insects, snakes, worms, etc...

Workshop attendees watching as Michael Fernandez, District Manager, talks about different type of cover crops.

We put together a printable resource to help build a DIY crimping tool. All items needed for this project were purchased new for under $100. However most of the supplies can be easily found for free or salvaged.

District Manager Michael Fernandez and VISTA employee Andrew Healy work together to build a DIY crimping tool. The tool was assembled in under 30 minutes.

District Manager Michael Fernandez demonstrating the crimping method with a homemade crimping tool. This method is ideal for small-scale farmers and home gardeners to spring-kill a cover crop.

A closer look at the cover crop we used, which included oats, rye, and peas.

Would you like to host a workshop or listening session in your community? Contact us!

Upcoming Events

This Wednesday! - Water Quality Public Info Session

Join us at the Winhall Community Arts Center from 5pm-7pm for a Water Quality Q&A with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. Read more...

MULTIPLE - Act 181 & Act 59 Community Listening Sessions

Join us for community conversations in Rupert, Winhall, Arlington, Bennington, Pownal, and Woodford as Vermont updates its land‑use and conservation planning frameworks. Read more...

06/05 - Community Resilience Municipal Workshop Series – Pilot Session (Pownal)

I wanted to let you all know about an event coming up in June focusing on Community Resilience. It is my hope that this event will serve as an opportunity for municipal staff and volunteers in Pownal and Bennington County to connect, reflect, and discuss how we can better serve our community in the face of a rapidly changing climate.

I've spent the last >year coordinating with some amazing people in our neighborhood and across the state, including the Vermont Council on Rural Development, Bennington County Conservation District, and Community Resilience Organizations, to bring people together face-to-face to talk openly about what it means to build community resilience in our region.

"Resilience? Why? Community resilience connects the past, present, and future. We have to learn from the past, understand the current situation, and act now to minimize negative impacts (from disasters, pandemics, climate change impacts, and other disruptive events) in the future. During a crisis, any community’s vulnerabilities and strengths are in the spotlight, and illuminate opportunities for greater resilience. Whether in a time of crisis or not, building resilience benefits all of us, and creates safer, more connected communities." (https://gocros.org/)

Our first pilot workshop in Pownal will bring together municipal staff, volunteers, and community members to explore practical tools for climate resilience, emergency preparedness, and long‑term planning. Read more...

06/21 - Vermont Invasives Patrollers (VIP) Workshop & Paddle at Gale Meadows Pond

Are you ready to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species? Join Vermont Lakes & Ponds Program staff for a free in-person workshop/paddle session focused on training Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIPs). VIPs are volunteers who monitor lakes and ponds for invasive species.

Training Workshop Topics

• Aquatic invasive species identification, biology, and lake ecology;
• Aquatic invasive species threats to native species;
• Surveying and monitoring techniques;
• Overview of invasive plant management and tools.

Field & Paddle Survey Training Topics

• Surveying and monitoring demonstration;
• Hands-on aquatic plant identification;
• Using field guides to key out specimen;
• AIS specimen review.

Pre-registration is required. Online training will use Microsoft Teams. Please register for all VIP/A trainings by clicking here.

Volunteer Days Coming Soon!

06/11 - Invasives Walk & Talk on the Walloomsac, North Bennington

As the growing season ramps up, we’ll be announcing several volunteer days across the county. Stay tuned for opportunities to get your hands dirty and support local conservation projects. Find us on the Bee app!

Don't have the time? Consider donating instead!

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