[tkln]

I'm a snowboarder (only because at age 29, it was a lot easier to learn than skiing for me!), but I would have to agree with David - I've seen bad slope behavior on both sides of the coin...

[MRVphotog]

With 400 meat producers, 100 cheesemakers, 100's of sugarmakers, Green Mt Coffee and many other specialty good eats our little state produces alot of great food.

We all love Cabot cheese but if you happen to see some dairy products in the store from Vermont Butter & Cheese, Vermont's most coveted cheeses and butter and revered by chefs throughout the world, buy some as your taste buds will thank you. It's located in Websterville just outside of Barre. Lots of incredible artesian cheeses made all around the state. Organic cheese from Neighborly Farm in Randolph Center is another personal fav.

[chaz longue]

You can say that again, MRVphotog!




And speaking of food - (and since we've discussed food coops a bit here) here's something cool about VT (and some of other places): it's possible to belong to a CSA group here. A lot of CSA groups are sending out the season's spec sheets and brochures to members and the curious alike.

A CSA (also called a "subscription garden") is a bit like a food coop, but instead of just getting member prices at what is essentially a member owned market (which is open to the public), or going to a farmers market to buy food - a member joins and pays at the beginning of the season, and then goes every week to pick up a "share" at a certain time each week. One of the benefits is that unless you don't show up on a given week at pick-up time (in which case the local food shelf receives a lovely donation consisting of your fresh fruits and vegetables!) you get an allotment (a "share" in the parlance) of fruits and vegetables, grown by somebody you actually know, every single week. And I can tell you from experience, if you've already paid for it - you're more likely to eat it than if you have to make a decision to purchase it.

It's a lot easier to actually EAT your 5 a day if it's just waiting for you as fresh as can be every week.

One of my State Legislators runs the local CSA here. Here's what the members of his "CSA" got on a particular week last year. Remember, this is a mere example, because what's in season changes just about every week...





1 pint Sungold cherry tomatoes
2 lbs. heirloom or hybrid field tomatoes
6 ears sweet corn
4 cucumbers
2 zucchini and/or yellow squash
1lb green or yellow beans
1.5 lbs carrots/beets
choose 2 melon and/or watermelon
1 head garlic
2 onions
1/3 lb spinach or lettuce mix
1 bunch dill, cilantro, or basil
choose 1 kale, chard, red/gr cabbage


Dave just sent me his brochure, and my mouth is watering...

I have more details, but I thought this quick sketch of how a CSA works might be interesting...

David Beckett

[tkln]

I belong to a CSA down here, and it's the best. The one thing I'm looking forward to most up there though is the CSA's in winter...I know there are several in VT, though some just provide stored winter veggies and meat...

[chaz longue]

Cool - The farmer, David, and his family are about to introduce a new Winter program, but I have no details yet.


Thanks,
David Beckett

[seanpecor]

My wife's parents Paul and Frances own Stonewood Farm, the largest turkey farm in the state. They raised +/- 24,000 All Natural turkeys this year for the fresh/frozen Thanksgiving and Christmas markets. It is some pretty awesome turkey. I'd recommend trying one next Thanksgiving, you won't be disappointed! You can get them from most groceries but of course I recommend the natural food co-ops (Hanover, Middlebury) or Healthy Living, etc.

Sean

[Sherylcatmom]

My husband and I are grateful to live in Vermont for many reasons, but enjoying constant fresh, local food ranks right up near #1.

We buy a CSA share every spring and cart home an embarrassing bounty of gorgeous food every week from May to the end of October. Well, it's sparser in May but then there are times where we wonder how we're going to eat it all! (We always manage. :-))

I don't know of any local farms doing a winter CSA in Rutland, but our new weekly winter farmers market located in the back of the Rutland Co-op means that we have not been inside a conventional grocery store in months and months. Last week we attended a potluck to which I brought a salad made completely of local, fresh mixed greens & veggies. Mmmmmmm . . .

[chaz longue]

I went to the movies in downtown Burlington tonight. I emerged from the theatre and went for a walk, the length of Church Street and then home. As sure a sign of Spring as a Robin or little flowers coming up, is the sight of people sitting by candlelight at outdoor cafes in the evening. It looks like Paris on Church Street right about now.

Another sure sign of Spring - is the announcement of the programming for The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival. It's our 25th festival this year. That's a terrific time for a visit to Burlington. Dave Brubeck, Ornette Coleman, Joshua Redman, Paquito D'Rivera...it's a nice lineup if I do say so myself...

[Polaris]

I am from Pennsylvania and have driven through the New England States a few times. Vermont has to be my favorite. I think it is for alot of people. How are your taxes there and the price of land? Would anyone in Vermont like to have a 50ish female email pal from PA? Would love to hear from you.

[Beenaroundabit]

OK this is for People to tell why they think VT is the place to live. For we all Know how liberal it is. But what makes it so wonderful.

Actually, most real Vermonters aren't all that "liberal" in the current sense of the word, but maybe just a bit more open-minded and common sense-driven. That's what I liked about growing up in VT and I still seek out these kinds of people wherever I live, which has been quite a few places.