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Welcome to the February 29, 2008 issue of E-News. In this Issue
Faces Behind Our Success 
Patrick Kell, Grant Program Director Patrick Kell, originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, has been with the VYCC since 1999. Beginning as a Park Manager, he joined the HQ team in 2000, and served various Program roles through 2005, culminating as the Program Manager. He then switched gears to become the Development Manager, and has played a key role in our steadily increasing grant revenues over the past two years. Patrick currently splits his time working as both the VYCC’s Grant Program Director and as the Vermont Mountain Bike Association’s first Executive Director. His incredible work ethic and can-do attitude are great assets to both the VYCC and VMBA, and we are very grateful for all of his contributions over the years. Thank you Patrick for all of your hard work! Pass it on Know anyone who might be interested in our e-newsletter? Forward this email to a friend. Donate Make a secure online donation. Online Store Want a VYCC hat, Nalgene or coffee mug? Visit the Online Store. |
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Lamoille Union High School Crew This past month the Lamoille Union High School Crew explored the cycle of food and fiber products throughout Lamoille County. The crew began their quest by attending the Vermont Farm Show in Barre, where they met many farmers, business people, and organizations dedicated to the future of Vermont agriculture. They visited goat and sheep farms as well traditional bovine dairies in Lamoille County and helped out with a few chores while at the farms. The crew then visited companies such as Vermont Milk Company, Vermont Soy and Johnson Woolen Mill to see how the products of these animals were processed. The crew also took the Trapper Education class with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and each earned their certification. In the near future the crew will be helping local farmers with sugaring and starting seeds for spring planting. Instructors: Rebecca Francisco and Calley Hastings Read more about the crew’s agriculture projects. On January 30th, the VYCC hosted an information session for schools interested in learning about the Youth in Agriculture and Natural Resources program and how to bring the program to their schools. The program is a partnership between the VYCC, the Smokey House Center in Danby and the University of Vermont Extension. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and representatives from Winooski, Cabot, South Burlington, St. Albans, Randolph, Middlebury, Richmond, and Pine Ridge attended. The director for the Center for Technology-Essex partnership, Kathy Finck, and the principal of MMU, Jen Botzojorns, along with VYCC staff made up the panel which discussed curriculum, funding, and the impact of the program. Since the meeting, several follow-up meetings with schools have been very promising. With the help of a Next Generation grant from the Vermont Department of Labor and the support of private foundations and donors, the VYCC hopes to launch at least two additional schools in fall 2008. To learn more about the VYCC’s school programs, visit our webpage or contact Harry Frank at 434-3969 ext. 146 or hfrank@vycc.org. The VYCC is introducing Green Mountain Internships (GMI) this month. GMI specializes in making custom-made matches between students and employers throughout the state. These internships offer individuals the unique opportunity to learn, earn credit and become involved in organizations, technology and traditional trades where green initiatives are applied. For more information visit the Green Mountain Internships webpage or see what positions are available this summer and fall. If you have questions, would like to be in the program, or would like to host an intern, contact GMI Director Brian Cotterill at brian@vycc.org or 434-3969 ext. 132. Vermont Mountain Bike Association Patrick Kell, Grant Program Director for the VYCC, also serves as the Executive Director for the Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) and has split his time to between the two organizations since the fall of 2006. In 2007, VMBA held a conference in Stowe for representatives from eastern ski resorts to come together to collaborate and learn ways in which to make their resorts mountain biker friendly. It was a huge success and will be repeated this year. In the spring of 2008, VMBA will also sponsor a VYCC crew to complete trail work in the Fayston section of Camel’s Hump State Forest, and has applied for a grant to hire VYCC crews to complete trail work in the Moosalamoo region. For more information about the Vermont Mountain Bike Association contact Patrick Kell at patrick@vycc.org or 434-3969 ext. 112. For information on how to hire crews visit our Projects page or contact Operations Director John Leddy at john@vycc.org or 434-396 ext. 137. “...it was the time of my life, so challenging yet so rewarding.” – Scott Zapotocky, North Hero State Park 2002 The VYCC would like to welcome Ed O’Leary and David Conard to the Board of Directors. Ed is the Director of Operations for the Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation in Vermont. David joins us from the Burlington office of Langrock, Sperry and Wool, LLP Attorneys at Law. The VYCC also welcomes three AmeriCorps VISTAs: Lindsay Arbuckle will be working to develop a VYCC farm and nursery program at the West and East Monitor Barn sites. Matthew Nicholson will be working to help grow the LEAP program, for youth that are blind or visually impaired. Katherine Buell will be working to improve the operations and logistic systems for VYCC’s growing field programs. Welcome Lindsay, Matthew and Katherine! To read the complete profiles of Lindsay, Matthew, Katherine, or any of the current HQ staff, visit the Headquarters Staff Profiles webpage. |
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