2022 ISQOLS pre-conference workshop, "Quality of Life and Local Foods: A Taste of Vermont"

2022 ISQOLS pre-conference workshop,

"Quality of Life and Local Foods: A Taste of Vermont" 

Tuesday, August 2

Vermont is a small state but mighty in its impact on many aspects of local and regional foods systems that are inclusive and equitable, regenerative agriculture, and related culinary and outdoor adventures. Overviews of these will be provided during the tour that starts in Burlington at the Intervale (an urban, multi-cultural farming incubator and more), heads to Shelburne Farms (a 1400-acre nonprofit farm and educational venue) for an agritourism experience and lunch, then to Shelburne Vineyard to learn about the local craft beverage industry. Participants will discuss indicators of neolocalism, strategies for sustainable and regenerative agritourism, equity and inclusion, and quality of life and well-being considerations of local food systems.

TOUR SCHEDULE: 

Intervale Center, Burlington

Embark on a guided walk across the Intervale landscape, beginning at theEthan Allen Homestead to learn about the Abenaki Native Americans who cultivated corn and other crops on the landscape 3000 years ago. Visit with Farms for New Americans representatives to learn about refugee resettlement in Vermont and the innovative incubator farmer and community garden program for refugees who have recently moved to Vermont typically from conflict zones.

Continue the guided walk across this biodiverse Intervale landscape situated adjacent to Burlington Vermont and along the Winooski River. The land is used by multiple user groups for recreation, sustainable agriculture, and community gardening. The tour will meet with representatives of the Intervale Center and incubator farms and learn about the multifunctional landscape that has been revitalized over the last 30 years.

Drive to Shelburne Farms, Shelburne

Participants will enjoy lunch in the courtyard at Shelburne Farms where sandwiches and snacks are available at the Farm Cart. Shelburne Farms is a vibrant center for learning, with a mission to inspire and cultivate learning for a sustainable future. The home campus is a 1,400-acre working farm, forest, and National Historic Landmark on the shores of Lake Champlain. The Abenaki, “People of the First Light,” are the First Peoples of this land. Over 140,000 visitors come to Shelburne Farms annually for education programs, overnight stays, walking trails, property tours, dining at the Farm to Table restaurant, visiting the Children’s Farmyard, and through partner programs hosted on the campus.

Wine Tasting at Shelburne Vineyards

After the visit to Shelburne Farms, we will stop on the way back to Burlington for wine tasting at Shelburne Vineyards. There is also a craft brewery nearby called Fiddlehead Brewing if people would prefer sampling beer. At both of these locations, we can meet with the owners/producers and learn about the craft beverage industry.

*This tour may be altered and/or adapted based on conditions at the time of the tour

Fee includes transportation with pick-up and drop off, lunch at the Farm Cart at Shelburne Farms, wine tasting at Shelburne Vineyards and any fees associated with visits to the sites.

Registration deadline: July 8