Can you donate now to join our fight?
We just launched the Power to Appoint Fund to highlight the important role Dem Govs play to ensure integrity in our country’s judicial process and protect fundamental freedoms. Your support will ensure we can make crucial investments in key states and protect our democracy. Please don’t wait: rush your gift to elect Democratic governors! >>>
Vt. Governor Shumlin touts expansion of CSA farm program
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin says the state is expanding statewide what was a three-county pilot program to get state employees involved in community-supported agriculture.
So-called CSA farms recruit consumers to sign up by making payments to farmers in the spring. Farmers then use the money as working capital and consumers get locally produced food as crops come in and animals are slaughtered.
Vermont launched an effort to get state employees to participate in such programs in Washington, Addison and Windsor counties last year.
Laura Olsen of the Green Mountain Girls Farm in Northfield said her farm saw 20 percent more CSA members as a result. Now Shumlin and Agriculture Secretary Chuck Ross say they want to take the program statewide.