County farmers adapt with the times WELLS—The Larson Farm in Wells has changed from a large commercial dairy farm with 150 Holstein cows in 1993 to a smaller organic farm with 20 head of Jersey cows, some heifers, and 20 Devon beef cattle. Twelve years ago, Rich and Cynthia Larson began selling raw milk at…

The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB), Vermont Land Trust and the Intervale Center received a three-year, $546,000 grant from the USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program to help Vermont’s next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs access land and grow viable businesses. VHCB’s Viability Program provides planning services for established farm, food and forestry sector…

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets would like to remind all state farm operations that the 23rd annual winter manure spreading ban is underway.   As required by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets’ (VAAFM) Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs), between December 15 and April 1, no manure or other agricultural wastes (including: compost and…

The Bowse Health Trust Committee is pleased to announce that it has approved funding for three new programs. The projects will receive up to three years of funding starting in 2018. In twenty years the Bowse Health Trust has funded a total of 60 programs, which target residents of all ages in a variety of Rutland County…

Killington Police busy with traffic, alarm activations According to the media log from the Killington Police, officers responded to a total of 26 calls between Dec. 2 and 8. On Dec. 2, police completed three traffic stops in the areas of Bigelow Drive and Anthony Way. Police also responded to a welfare request on Brad…

The recent arrival of cold temperature has formed early-season ice on Vermont ponds, lakes and rivers. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reminds winter enthusiasts that ice should never be considered safe and ice conditions vary. “We are urging all outdoor enthusiasts – people going ice fishing, cross-country skiers, hikers, and snowmobilers -- to be extremely…

By Lani Duke Winter parking warning City winter parking rules went in effect Dec. 1, and will continue in place until April 1. Downtown parking is prohibited between 3 and 6 a.m., and on other city streets between midnight and 6 a.m. Cars interfering with snow removal may be towed and owners fined $75 or…

By Lani Duke Castleton Float Bridge contract approved, credit union permitting questioned CASTLETON—Blair Enman of Enman Kesselring Consulting Engineering told the Castleton Select Board Nov. 27 that his company has been involved in the Float Bridge rework since about 2014. The east side is finished and Enman Kesselring is working on the proposal to build…

By Lani Duke School back in session at Castleton CASTLETON—Castleton Elementary students returned to school Oct 31 after evacuating the school the day before. A small fire in a ceiling junction box caused officials to move students by bus to Castleton Village School to assure they would be warm and safe. Noticing a smoky odor…

By Lani Duke Wastewater release traced to a 50¢ fuse More than 1 million gallons of untreated sewage flowed into Otter and East creeks Aug. 5. At the time, Department of Public Works Commissioner Jeffrey Wennberg attributed the release to operator error, but the real culprit was a 50-cent fuse, the Rutland Herald reported. When…

Killington Police responded to 12 incidents between the dates of Oct. 28 and Nov. 3, including traffic stops, a drunk driver and a telephone scam, or almost two per day. At around 5 p.m. on Oct. 28, police responded with Killington Fire to a fire alarm activation on Barrows Towne Road. At around 6 p.m.…

Devil’s Bowl Speedway is getting back to basics, and that includes a return to Sunday night racing in 2018. As the historic Vermont stock car racing facility coverts its half-mile track from asphalt surface to natural clay, management is working diligently on the format for the 52nd season next summer. The decision to race on…

Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum is pleased to announce it has received a $102,000 grant to be disbursed over three years from The Canaday Family Charitable Trust to provide elementary school teachers with educational resources and programs in the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in Rutland County. The grant allows Wonderfeet personnel to deliver the…

Over 270 members of the Vermont Farm to Plate Network convened Oct. 26-27, 2017 at the seventh annual Farm to Plate Network Gathering in Killington to address workforce development and business succession challenges in Vermont’s farm and food economy. The local food economy is growing and gross local food sales currently account for approximately 7…

By Lani Duke Chamber annual meeting looking at Rutland positives RUTLAND—Good things are happening in Rutland, Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary Cohen told the Rutland Herald. The Chamber’s annual meeting Oct. 19 in the Paramount Theatre features the details of a regional marketing initiative and keynote speaker Bill Shouldice. It honors 2017…