Vermont Food Systems Panel
Meet us at the Worthen Library for the first Winter Wednesday event of the year!
Join farmers, business owners, and food access professionals to discuss our local food system and to learn more about the food that is being grown, sold, distributed, donated and enjoyed in our region. This panel brings together a wide range of expertise and knowledge about farming, food and food access that is sure to create lively and fruitful conversation about the current state of the food system and hopes for the future.
Panelists:
Heather Darby- Darby Farm, Alburgh
Heather Darby is an agronomic and soils specialist for the University of Vermont Extension and owner of the Darby Farm in Alburgh,VT. She received her MS from the University of Wisconsin in Agronomy and her Ph.D. in Crops and Soils at Oregon State University. Being raised on a dairy farm in Northwestern Vermont has also allowed her to play an active role in all aspects of dairy farming as well as gain knowledge of the land and create an awareness of the hard work and dedication required to operate a farm. These practical experiences complemented by her education have focused her attention towards sustainable agriculture and promotion of environmental stewardship of the land. Heather is involved with implementing many research and outreach programs in the areas of fuel, forage and grain production systems in New England. Outreach programs have focused on delivering on-farm education in the areas of soil health, nutrient management, organic grain and forage production, and oilseed production. Research has focused on traditional and niche crop variety trials, weed management strategies and cropping systems development.
Alisha Utter- Arbor Farmstead & Arbor Farm Market, Grand Isle & South Hero
Alisha is the owner/operator of Arbor Farmstead (Grand Isle) and Arbor Farm Market (Grand Isle). She holds a B.A. in Environmental Systems/Marine Science from UC San Diego and is in the process of completing her Ph.D. in Plant and Soil Science at UVM. The focus of her dissertation is on the principles of veganic farming and the intersections with food sovereignty, regenerative agriculture, and agroecology.
Lily Burnham- Champlain Islands Food Shelf, Grand Isle
Champlain Island Food Shelf Market Manager who works with a dedicated group of volunteers to distribute food to those in need in Grand Isle County.
Suzanne Curran- Champlain Islands Food Shelf, Grand Isle
After discovering the beauty of the Champlain Islands, Suzanne Curran and her husband relocated to Vermont in 2019 from Colorado. She began volunteering at Champlain Islands Food Shelf in 2020 and found the combination of her background as an Occupational Therapist and her experience organizing medical mission trips to Nicaragua a natural fit with the CIFS. Suzanne served on the original Board of Directors then became Interim Manager in July 2022. She has re-joined the Board as the Vice Chair with the goal of insuring the sustainability of CIFS as a vital Grand Isle County community resource.
The Winter Wednesdays 2023 series is a partnership project of the Worthen Library, South Hero Land Trust, and Healthy Roots Collaborative. Funding made possible by members and donors of each organization.
All events are free. All are welcome. Light snacks provided. Please email worthenlibrary@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns about accessing online content.