The Homestead

A harvest distribution day at a collective garden looks like this: a basket full of onions, winter squash lined up on a table and jars of dahlias. We believe collective gardening is an opportunity to increase access to fresh food and overcome barriers to growing food. And YOU can join this movement! We are looking to our community to help us kickstart a second collective garden in Burlington this season:

🌻 Starr Farm in the New North End - next to the dog park, playground, bike path and lake access - is where we are planting this new garden.

🌱 We are welcoming ten garden members to join the collective garden this season by offering ten full scholarships.

🍅 Applications are open! Link in bio. ...

We are currently hiring for three part-time, seasonal positions to expand our Growing Food, Growing Communities program at affordable housing sites. Application deadline is February 23.

Learn more and apply at the link in our bio! ...

Take advantage of our early bird registration discount and register for the Thriving Gardens Course before 2/12! Learn everything you need to know about the course at the link in our bio 🌱

(Photo of `23 Thrive grad, planning out her direct seeding layout for leaf and root crops! ) ...

There are three weeks left to apply for this year`s Fruit and Nut Tree Grant!

The goals of the program are:

🌳 To increase public access to fruit and nut trees across Vermont, particularly at sites serving underserved populations

🌳 To ensure survival and proper care of these trees through technical assistance, educational offerings, and resource sharing.

🌳 To develop and share success stories and best practices for community fruit and nut tree planting, care and use.

Go to our website (link in bio) to review the various guides we`ve created to determine if this opportunity is right for you. We look forward to hearing from you!

As always, a BIG thank you to our partners @branchoutburlington and @vtforestsparksrecreation ...

In late November we read through Margaret Roach’s article in the NYTimes “This Seed Season, Consider a Catalog That Takes a Different Approach”, and felt inspired to share our complementary version of some of our favorite seed catalogs. We’ve included brief descriptions of seed companies that made our list and links to online catalogs for easy browsing. We wish you many hours of seed catalogue browsing this month! Link in bio 🌱 ...

It’s that time of the year when gardeners dive into seed catalogs and decide what they’ll grow this season. For those of you managing a tight household budget this year, coordinating a community-based project, supporting mutual aid initiatives and wondering where to source seeds: VGN’s Seed Donation Bundles are a great place to start. Follow the link in our bio to request a bundle while supplies last! ...

📣 Registration is open for our Thriving Gardens Course ! This course will,

🌱 Teach you how to grow veggies, flowers, herbs from start to finish through weekly - in the garden - classes May-October
🌱 Teach you how to use what you grow through monthly workshops e.g. fermentation, fabric dyeing, medicinal salves
🌱 Connect you to your community and environment
🌱 Provide all resources needed to grow your own fresh, homegrown veggies for your family, friends and neighbors
🌱 Boost confidence and a sense of purpose

....And so much more

WE LOVE THIS COURSE AND YOU WILL TOO! Learn more about course details and how to sign up at the link in our bio ☀️

(Photo featuring the class of 2023 listening to UVM Professor Vic Izzo, one of our guest speakers, discussing Integrated Pest Management) ...

The 2024 Fruit & Nut Grant is officially OPEN. Review the grant preparation guide and site assessment resources and APPLY NOW! (link in bio)

The goal of the grant is to increase public access to fruit and nut trees across the state, particularly at sites serving underserved populations. Planting fruit & nut trees not only provides better access to fresh fruit and nuts, but it offers an opportunity for connection through collective growing and education, as well as enhances community gathering spaces. This grant is in partnership with the VT Urban & Community Forestry Program (VT UCF) and has received financial and technical support from Branch Out Burlington!. ...

VGN is excited to announce a 3rd year of the Fruit & Nut Tree Grant! This grant is in partnership with the VT Urban & Community Forestry Program (VT UCF) and has received financial and technical support from @branchoutburlington . The goal of the grant is to increase public access to fruit and nut trees across the state, particularly at sites serving underserved populations. Planting fruit & nut trees not only provides better access to fresh fruit and nuts, but it offers an opportunity for connection through collective growing and education, as well as enhances community gathering spaces. The 2024 grant application will open the first week of January (three weeks away!) - keep an eye out on our website/socials for more information on grant guidelines, timeline, and how to apply.

In the meantime, get inspired by learning more about last year’s grantees and their projects at the link in our bio. ...

The @branchoutburlington 17th Annual Tree sale is here! 🌳

Pre-order now for Spring pick up. Branch Out Burlington! is offering bare-root trees at affordable prices.

Choose from many varieties of beautiful trees for shade, fruit, flowers, and fall color.

All the trees are 5-6 feet tall, branched. Don`t delay these trees always sell out very early. For tree photos, descriptions, and to order online, go to the link in our bio!

Questions? call or text Kyle 802 825 4505 or email BOBtreesale@gmail.com

Proceeds from the sale support tree donations to schools and non-profits In Vermont (including VGN!), and to produce trees in the community for planting along Burlington`s streets. ...

Temps are low and mountains are covered in snow! ❄️ For many of us gardeners, winter is a time for rest, reflection, and for planning the season ahead. Any growth at this time of year is usually from within ourselves - unless one partakes in growing microgreens! 🌱 Whether you have a full grow light setup in your basement or an empty window sill, growing some nutritious microgreens right in your home is simple, financially viable, and adds some much needed vibrancy.

Follow the link in our bio to learn more! ...

The Sowing Seeds Internship is an opportunity for hands-on learning to support food access and garden education at the Vermont Garden Network. The internship will offer a unique opportunity to experience and support a handful of programs through administrative support and field work during a time of year when we are gearing up for the growing season ahead. The ideal candidate will skillfully assist with office-related tasks in late winter, then seamlessly transition to physical garden work in early spring, and joyfully wrap up the internship during peak planting time in late spring. Independent work and community-based work are both part of this internship.
January 22 to May 31 // 8 hrs per week
Link in bio with the full internship description! ...

We are excited to share transitions and transformations happening at our mighty organization!

After six years at the helm, our fearless leader, Michelle Gates, will be moving on to pursue new opportunities in the field of nonprofit education. This bittersweet moment is a time to reflect on and appreciate the tremendous amount of work Michelle has done for VGN, garden education and advocacy, and statewide food access, food justice and food security, nutrition, and wellness. No words can fully express the deep gratitude we all feel for the leadership, expertise, dedication, and thoughtfulness that Michelle brought to VGN.

This fall marks a time for great transformation at VGN. As Michelle transitions to a new role, our team is moving towards a shared leadership model as we introduce two Co-Executive Directors – a Director of Programs & Partnerships and a Director of Philanthropy & Communications. We are thrilled to announce that Carolina Lukac, VGN’s Garden Education Manager of 8 years, is bringing her wealth of knowledge and experience into the role of Director of Programs & Partnerships! Carolina’s vision for this work, her ability to make thoughtful and intentional connections with both individuals and groups in this space, and her dedication to garden education and access will propel VGN towards more positive growth.

Thank you for your critical support of the Vermont Garden Network. We are nothing without our network of gardeners, funders, partners and supporters, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate on the many exciting things our future has in store. The Board of Directors and Staff are leading a search for the position of Co-Executive Director, Director of Philanthropy & Communications. Please see the job posting in our bio and share with your networks to help us find the perfect fit for our organization. ...

VGN is seeking a Co-Executive Director of Philanthropy & Communications

The Co-Executive Director of Philanthropy & Communications is part of a shared leadership structure that governs the operations and program delivery of the Vermont Garden Network. This position reports to the Board or Directors and collaborates with the Co-Executive Director of Programs & Partnerships to educate, support and connect gardeners across the state of Vermont.

View the job description and how to apply at the link in our bio! ...