The Upper Valley of the Connecticut River is made up of thousands of visible and invisible networks of people working together: launching businesses, growing food, creating art, making homes, teaching, healing, caring for the environment, and running the governments, across 69 distinct towns and cities and into two states.
Founded in 1993 and serving 69 towns in the Upper Connecticut River Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire, Vital Communities engages Upper Valley people, organizations, and communities to create equitable solutions to our region’s challenges, with a focus on those disproportionately impacted by them. Vital Communities works to build a thriving Upper Valley by focusing on the biggest issues facing our region including housing, transportation, climate disruption, and access to nourishing food and a resilient local economy.
Intrinsic to this work is a steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion so that people of all backgrounds and life experiences are involved at every level; and an ongoing acknowledgment that our office is sited and our work takes place within the sovereign homeland of the Abenaki Nation and People.
Vital Communities, a non-profit organization working to build a thriving Upper Valley, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ellen Hender as its new Executive Director, effective July 27. Vital…
In early April, over 30 municipal managers from Vermont and New Hampshire came together at the Woodstock Inn for the…
We all benefit from the public transit that serves the Upper Valley. MicroMOO vehicle. Courtesy of MOOver. The Upper Valley…
Leadership Upper Valley (LUV), a 10-month program that equips and motivates people to give back to their communities, is recruiting its…
What do the concepts of justice and human/constitutional rights mean in the current political climate and in reality, on the ground in communities…
Vital Communities is pleased to announce the appointment of Ellen Hender as Interim Executive Director, effective April 11. Hender joined…
Can more local farm produce find its way into more institutional dining halls, giving local farmers a steady market for…
Transit Equity Day is observed annually on February 4 to commemorate the life and legacy of Rosa Parks on her birthday. Rosa Parks…
The January session of Leadership Upper Valley (LUV) is the halfway point for this year-long program immersing people in the…
Sarah Jackson to Step Down after Five-Plus Years at Nonprofit’s Helm January 15, 2026, White River Junction, Vt. – Sarah…
What’s a crime? What’s proof of someone having committed one? How should society and government treat those who are convicted…
Valley Quest depends on a corps of over 40 volunteers who “monitor” the treasure boxes that are placed at the…
The Upper Valley’s First Cranksgiving truly cranked! Held Saturday, November 22, at the Upper Valley Haven in Wilder, VT, the…
Each year, the Leadership Upper Valley program takes a new cohort through 10 monthly sessions exploring aspects of our region…
In science terms, an “erg” is a unit of energy – and many ergs were evident on November 5 at…
Elected officials have always dealt with constituents and colleagues who disagree and sometimes become heated. But these days, there can…
Ideas and inspiration were bubbling for improving how we get around in Vermont when the Vermont Transportation Efficiency Network (VTEN)…
Identified community-endorsed transportation goals for Upper Valley regions A two-year project designed to help our region transition to greener…
Help for property owners hoping to build ADUs and other small-scale housing developments Photographed in Hartford, VT, on Saturday, June…
Katie Price leads an exercise. On October 8, this year’s Leadership Upper Valley spent a day considering K-12 education in…
The 2025 Housing Solutions Breakfast drew about 160 people to consider the current outlook on Upper Valley housing. Attendees heard from…
Following up on its July 2025 meeting focused on local health care institutions’ new Community Health Needs Assessments, the Vital…
At Ohana Camp above Lake Fairlee, Opening Day for Leadership Upper Valley 2026 began in fog that descended through the…
Children from birth through grade 12 benefit – physically and mentally – from eating nutritious, locally grown food and from…
Municipal leaders explore a new concept at recent meeting. For many, maybe most, of us, the construction of multiple new…
Six Upper Valley schools have been starting or enhancing their Farm to School programming this year thanks to mini-grants from…
A leaky window is like a hole in your wall, sucking in cold air when the temperatures drop. Since 2010,…
Affordable housing, transportation options, affordable childcare, and food access: It’s not surprising that these needs came out on top in…
“I just want to say one word to you. Just one word. Are you listening? Plastics. There’s a great future…
Passion for schools and kids procuring, serving, and even growing healthy food — as well as appreciating farming and farmers…
Three ways you can help Valley Quest remain a vibrant program connecting people to this place we cherish and share! …
Do you need financial or technical support to build an accessory dwelling unit in a White River Valley community? Applications…
A group of Upper Valley employers got a close-up view of workforce and demographic trends that could help them meet…
On May 14, the JAM podcast studio was the arena for freewheeling reflection by the current class of Leadership Upper…
Water, Wastewater, and Housing: A Webinar Series The ability to safely access water and process and dispose of wastewater is…
Town and city managers have a tough workload. What other CEO deals with the range of issues a town or…
Leadership Upper Valley is recruiting its 2026 Class! Learn more and apply at Leadership Upper Valley! By Ellen Hender, Vital…
Upper Valley employers are always on the lookout for good employees, but they face some big challenges. One is the…
Housing requires water going in and wastewater going out — whether through a private well and septic system or a…
Applications are being accepted now! Applications are open for Leadership Upper Valley (LUV), a Vital Communities program which since 2007…
Vital Communities is proud of the contributions made by two of our staff! The NH Food Alliance today announced the…
The January 2025 meeting of the Corporate Council focused on the issues highest on the Council’s agenda — the shortages…
By Ellen Hender, Vital Communities Program Manager, Housing and Transportation This past Sunday afternoon at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in…
New “Counting New Homes” Update Adds Data from 2022 and 2023 The new update of the Counting New Homes report…
Congratulations to Martha Doelle, Lindsay Ladd, Lois and Ted Frazer, and Linda James and Henry Ogden for completing this year’s…
Vital Communities’ staff, volunteers, and organization partners gathered to celebrate a successful year of 2024 e-bike programming including the first…
Feeding the Valley Alliance's Fall Harvest Distribution. Photo Courtesy of Monica Collins Feeding the Valley Alliance seeks to bridge gaps…
One core belief of Vital Communities’ work is that our communities do better when we connect and work together. One…
Many generations, types of bikes, and beings — bears, turtles, reptiles, fireflies, Austrian yodelers, and a bike lane — were…
On Friday, October 25, the BIPOC Home and Business Ownership Project (BHBO) team hosted its Community Kickoff Event, bringing together…
The “Secrets of Tucker Mountain” were revealed to a multi-generational group of 11 that took part in a guided exploration…
E-bikes are showing up in some Upper Valley communities where transportation solutions are most needed, thanks to the E-Bikes Everywhere!…
What goes on in Leadership Upper Valley sessions? LUV Manager John Drew sent us this report! October’s Leadership Upper Valley…
Farm To School programs need care and feeding! The purpose of Vital Communities’ Farm To School coaching is to foster…
Since 2007, Vital Communities’ Leadership Upper Valley (LUV) program has offered people of all ages and backgrounds a chance to…
Housing is a complex challenge and everyone’s story is different.This blog series offers close-up views of how our neighbors are affected…
A look at the map designed in partnership with Mount Ascutney Hospital and Health Center, Mount Ascutney Regional Commission, and…
A project to support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in putting down roots in the Upper Valley kicks…
Vital Communities and its partners in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Initiative will hold a breakfast gathering on Monday, October…
Andy Stevenson is a resident of Fairlee Vermont, where he also teaches 1st grade. He has two children – the…
Joy Conley wanted to get into early childcare due to a deep passion for educating young children. While nannying in…
During August, Vital Communities transportation staff, along with our partners in the Community Transportation Transitions project, Upper Valley Lake Sunapee…
Since our founding in 2009, Sustainable Woodstock has been dedicated to addressing our community’s food security needs. As part of…
Piecing together a life as a single mom in a rural community is hard enough on its own, but our…
The Alums Network of Leadership Upper Valley is bringing together graduates from classes who want to connect (and reconnect), form…
“He’s having to grow up a lot faster than he wants to, and quite frankly, than I want him to.” …
Our interviewee, who grew up in Hartford, reminisced about her time in an early childhood education program in the 90s…
The White River Land Collaborative (WRLC) is a farmer- and Abenaki-led collaborative dedicated to enabling affordable and sustainable access to farmland and adjacent natural areas…
Since Leadership Upper Valley began in 2006, a total of 400+ people have gone through the program. Over the course…
Vital Communities housing staff toured several new housing developments in Manchester along with housing coalition partners from across New Hampshire. These…
Seven Upper Valley schools and early childhood education programs were awarded mini-grants to support Farm to School projects this year!…
July 10, 2023 wasn’t the first major flood Clifford Park has experienced in recent years. In 2011 the floodwaters from…
Photos by Rob Strong Congratulations to the 27 new graduates of Leadership Upper Valley! On June 12, participants in the…
The 2024 Housing Solutions Breakfast took time to cite successes as well as challenges — and that was good news…
Thanks to Rob Strong for these photos! Responses were enthusiastic to the Home Creators Expo on June 1, at the…
The setting for the first Guided Quest of the year, on May 18, was Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center…
We follow an Upper Valley high school as it cultivates food and student leadership through a Farm to School program,…
Applicants are being sought for program to help low- and moderate-income Central Vermonters add accessory dwelling units to their home…
Saturday, May 18, 10 – 11 am Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center, 225 Pavillion Rd, East Thetford, VT 05043…
Since November 2023, some Vital Communities staff and community members have been at work on the Valley Quest Equitable Redesign…
Having greater impact in your community can start by learning what makes it tick. LUV Class at JAM in 2022.…
This article was originally published in the Valley News, April 15, 2024 By Rebecca Bailey, Vital Communities A “time-space machine”…
Farmers, artists, friends, and family joined us Friday, April 6, for an opening reception to kick off the “Portraits of…
“Whereas, early childhood educators have been frontline heroes, especially during the pandemic, underscoring the importance of their work in providing…
April 3, 2024 — Most list digests did not go out this morning because of a mistake we made in…
Want to see the beautiful, original artwork created for Vital Communities’ Climate Farmer Stories project? Last summer, you might have…
There are many ways to support Black communities during Black History Month. One way is to shop at Black-owned businesses.…
“Businesses can do a LOT to support people of color in the area,” said Julius Turner, a member of the…
“Uber with a van”: Could microtransit help more Upper Valley residents get around? Transportation is one of the challenges many…
After a brief hiatus, we are very excited to announce the launch of our next The Local Crowd Upper Valley…
Vital Communities’ Upper Valley Farm To School Network has funded six projects at area schools and early childhood education centers…
January 12 meeting spreads the news about homesharing Homesharing — which helps elders stay in their own homes and youngers…
On December 1 and 2, eighty young climate activists gathered with their high school teachers and the staff of the…
The Moving Houses Quest in Thetford, VT has a new name, Shifting Structures, and a new book that tells its…
To reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, our communities need to transition to “clean transportation” —…
Over 100 educators, professional development providers, administrators, and community members came together on Friday, October 13, at Lake Morey Resort…
More than 200 community members joined us at the Farm to Film Fest on Saturday, October 21, to learn about…
This October, Vital Communities is joining organizations across the country in celebrating “Walktober” – a time to celebrate how great it…
The last few years have reinforced the need for leadership that is based on empathy and a true partnership between…
This October, Vital Communities is joining organizations across the country in celebrating “Walktober” – a time to celebrate how great…
Learning about Walkable Communities and How to Create Them In a rural, car-oriented community, what can you do when you…
This October, Vital Communities is joining organizations across the country in celebrating “Walktober” – a time to celebrate how great…
Could an e-bike help you be less dependent on automobiles? Could the Upper Valley E-Bike Lending Library help you make…
Pandemic home-buying was a grind, but walkability was a surprise benefit. Housing is a complex challenge and everyone’s story is…
Leadership Upper Valley 2024’s Opening Day Twenty-seven new participants in Leadership Upper Valley gathered at the beautiful Ohana Family Camp…
Collaborative Progress on Early Childhood Education in 2023 For 21 years, Tammie Hazlett has been centering family, community, and play…
We Upper Valley communities say we want young people to move here. But where do we expect them to live?…
Anyone passing through White River Junction over the past several months would have likely noticed the rapid construction of a…
Twelve Upper Valley schools and early childcare centers were awarded mini-grants to support Farm to School projects this year! These…
Event to help those struggling with high energy costs Vital Communities and LISTEN Community Services are hosting the second annual…
A re-tooled purpose for The Local Crowd Upper Valley By Cameron Huftalen, Vital Communities Project Manager, Climate and Economy Vital…
Reflecting on the successes and setbacks defining our organization’s JEDI work By Sarah Jackson, Executive Director, Vital Communities For those…
October 13 Conference Brings Together Place-Based and Ecological Educators to Share Ideas, Inspiration, and Techniques Founded in 2017 as the Wellborn Hub, the Upper…
Both VT and NH NOFA’s have funds to help farmers The Vermont and New Hampshire chapters of the Northeast Organic…
A little separation and a good work culture can make all the difference. Housing is a complex challenge, and everyone’s…
Amanda Ehret is an Upper Valley parent who documents her adventures in homeschooling at “Because We Homeschool”. Her most recent…
Housing is a complex challenge and everyone’s story is different. In this blog series, Vital Communities Housing and Transportation team…
2023 Housing Solutions Breakfast June 2, 2023 Hilton Garden Inn, Lebanon NH The Housing Solutions Breakfast brings together employers, developers, advocacy…
On June 14 at VINS, Leadership Upper Valley ended the 22-23 program with a day of discussion, laughter, plans for…
Multiplier Effect Stimulated $78 Million in Additional Local Spending Westminster, Vt. — Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE), the innovative, statewide, $49…
On a cool morning in May, Place-Based Education Project Manager Andrew Deaett joined the seventh grade class from Thetford Academy…
Accepting the 2023 Partnership for Innovation Award from New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility. John Benford Photography. At its spring…
Leadership Upper Valley, which since 2007 has helped hundreds of Upper Valley residents acquire greater impact and confidence as community…
Housing is a complex challenge and everyone’s story is different. In this blog series, Vital Communities Housing and Transportation team…
We are thrilled to announce this year’s Farm to School mini-grant recipients. The following projects were selected from 22 qualified…
Engaging businesses can help a region meet its needs in early childhood education (ECE), according to a May 10 presentation…
Providing housing for employees, while finding housing for yourself, and the added challenge when there are pets. Housing is a…
The Climate Farmer Stories project continues with another cohort of Vermont and New Hampshire farmers and artists! At the end…
Where you can view in person a new multimedia exhibit celebrating Upper Valley farmers whose methods help the climate. From…
Upper Valley Housing: A Complex Problem with Complex Solutions June 2 Public Event Brings Together Employers, Developers, and Advocates …
Housing is a complex challenge and everyone’s story is different. In this blog series, Vital Communities Housing and Transportation team…
Several weeks ago Andrew Deaett, our Project Manager for Place-Based Education had the chance to connect with Megan Dubuque from…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Valley Quest 2023 Season Features Super Quest 2023: Ways to Go! Must we always jump in a car every time…
2023 Home Creators Expo in Hartford May 6 Promoting ADUs to Help the Housing Crisis; Encouraging Homeowners to Become Home…
April 1 to 7, let early childhood educators know how much you appreciate what they do for our children and…
A new multimedia exhibit shares the stories and portraits of 13 Upper Valley farmers who are using agricultural methods that…
Previous webinars looked at models where ownership of a property is shared between different parties. There are also tools that…
Even if you and your family don’t rely on early childhood education and childcare, you’re probably aware of the current…
The Upper Valley email list(uppervalley@lists.vitalcommunities.org) is one of almost 60 Community Discussion Lists (AKA “liservs”) that Vital Communities provides to…
Some people who can’t afford to buy real estate individually are interested in purchasing it collaboratively with others to whom…
This is the third of a new blog post series exploring promising solutions for addressing our region’s housing crisis, at…
The Farmer And Rancher Stress Assistance Network is a national program aimed toward connecting people who work in farming and ranching…
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
After two-and-a-half years and 3.5 million free meals that helped Vermont restaurants, farmers, and eaters weather the COVID pandemic, Vermont…
This webinar looked more closely at the scenario where a resident, homeowner, or farmer owns the buildings that they live…
Did you know that the Community Supported Agriculture movement in the United States was born in this region? Temple Wilton…
Are you looking to connect your Farm to School program with more community partners? The C.R.A.F.T program at Woodstock Union…
Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center, East Thetford, VT. By Cecily Anderson. Seeking figurative artists and illustrators to portray local…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Farmers are known to have some of the best stories around as they deal, day in and day out, with…
Support the Karibbean Restaurant’s The Local Crowd Upper Valley Crowdfunding Campaign The Karibbean Restaurant partnered with The Local Crowd Upper…
A community land trust is a specific type of nonprofit organization that owns real estate and is governed by community…
We’re highlighting the work of our Upper Valley Everyone Eats partners to encourage the community to support the folks and…
This is the third of a new blog post series exploring promising solutions for addressing our region’s housing crisis, at…
Nine diverse educational organizations from across the Upper Valley received Upper Valley Teaching Place Collaborative mini-grants this year, including several…
On October 5, our Place-Based Education Project Manager Andrew Deaett joined Thetford Academy’s Outdoor Program on an outing at Bill…
What are Climate Wise Business practices and how can businesses be wise about climate? This Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup invited…
Did you ride an e-bike this past year? If you were in Upper Valley, you would have had many chances…
Be inspired all year by the Climate Farmers 2023 wall calendar – a celebration of farmers whose practices draw down…
“When’s the next one? Will this be annual?” These questions dominated post-event conversations about the Affordable Energy Resources Fair, organized…
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
Grants Help Food Access and Farming Organizations Form Upper Valley-wide Network Imagine all Upper Valley residents having access to…
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
What do participants explore and experience in the 10 monthly sessions of Leadership Upper Valley? This second installment of a yearlong…
Droughts & Downpours forum hosted by Hypertherm in Lebanon, New Hampshire on Tuesday, October 30, 2018.Copyright 2018 Rob Strong The…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Two of the most important issues facing our communities are providing safe housing for all and supporting a new generation…
Vital Communities launched a crowdfunding campaign to support White River Junction businesses. White River Junction businesses create a resilient downtown…
On October 28 local housing advocates, municipal leaders and concerned citizens gathered to hear and discuss housing stories in action. The…
This is the second in a series of portraits of some of the restaurants, caterers, growers, social service agencies, and…
Prize Supports Regional Project to Increase Local, BIPOC-grown ingredients in meals for UVM Dining Services Thanks to a $200,000 “Food…
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
Successful food and farm businesses are critical to our region’s economy, environment, and ability to keep everyone fed and healthy.…
What do participants explore and experience in the 10 monthly sessions of Leadership Upper Valley? This first installment of a…
To celebrate “Walktober” Vital Communities has been exploring walkability in our Getting Around series. In a previous entry, “The Joys of…
Successful food and farm businesses are critical to our region’s economy, environment, and ability to keep everyone fed and healthy.…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
(Hover over these photos to see captions and click on them to enlarge them!) What do riffles, Tropical Storm Irene,…
Photos (L-R): Participants on the guided quest observe the tree canopy while guide Nathaniel Sharp calls migratory birds in with…
During the month of October, planners, advocates, and organizations across the northern Hemisphere take advantage of the autumn season to…
This is the first in a series of portraits of some of the restaurants, caterers, growers, social service agencies, and…
The news is full of reports of how hard the pandemic has been on schools, teachers, and students. One antidote…
How does a concerned community member effectively lead local climate projects? The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) encourages helps folks do just…
In preparation for “Walktober” Vital Communities staff member John Haffner explores pedestrian travel in a two-part contribution to our Getting…
Join Vital Communities and Keys to the Valley virtually for the Homes for All Summit: Exploring Housing Solutions for the Upper Valley on Friday, October…
Join us on Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 10:00 to noon for the Late Season Pollinators and Migratory Birds Guided…
The Local Crowd Upper Valley Crowdfunds Reduced-Price ‘Farm Shares’ Vital Communities has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support affordable fall…
Ten days after a malfunctioning sprinkler system caused a flood of more than three feet of water in the basement…
Valley Quests are a unique Upper Valley tradition. These treasure hunts take you on a journey through farms, fields, towns,…
This is the second of a new blog post series exploring promising solutions for addressing our region’s housing crisis, at…
Twelve Upper Valley schools and day care facilities were awarded mini-grants to support Farm to School projects this year! These…
Join us in improving night skiing and riding at Whaleback, the Upper Valley’s nonprofit outdoor snowsports destination. Whaleback Mountain…
This August, Vital Communities joins the American Independent Business Alliance, New Hampshire Food Alliance, and partners throughout North America for…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
National Farmers Market Week August 7-13, 2022 Let’s celebrate National Farmers Market Week! Visit one or more farmers markets this…
The White River Valley Consortium is a new collaboration of 14 towns near the White River in Central-Eastern Vermont, created…
Vermont Open Farm Week runs August 7 to August 14, 2022. Farms across the state are hosting events, farm tours,…
Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen — one that would strengthen your business, our community, and…
An annual study finds that more new homes were added to the Upper Valley last year than any year since…
Two new financial incentives can help Vermonters with the cost of purchasing e-bikes! The State of Vermont has incentives of…
This is the first of a new blog series exploring promising solutions for addressing our region’s housing crisis, at all…
On Saturday, July 16, individuals gathered at Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center in East Thetford, VT for a farm…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
We want to give a big thank you to Ledyard Bank for their generous $5,000 gift in support of our…
Coping with climate change involves not just state, national, and international leadership but also action in our communities. Although many…
The Climate Change Leadership Academy (2CLA) brings together aspiring community leaders from throughout the Upper Valley to support one another…
This July, take an Upper Valley Staycation! Looking for some inspiration?Take an Upper Valley Adventure, five curated itineraries around the…
Peanuts Dog Treats envisions a community where all animals are given an equal opportunity to live a long happy life…
Thanks to a $1.3 million allocation included by Vermont legislators in the final version of bill S.11, signed by Governor…
Leadership Upper Valley graduation in Quechee, VT, on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Copyright 2022 Rob Strong (L-R) Leon Dunkley and…
We northern New Englanders drive more per capita than most other Americans, and transportation is our biggest producer of greenhouse…
The Vital Communities Housing Breakfast took place Thursday, June 2, 7:30 to 9 am, at the Hilton Garden Inn. Housing…
Published in the Newport Times Locally owned businesses are the lifeblood of a community, paying local salaries, taxes, and material…
The Upper Valley faces a long-standing housing crisis that’s grown substantially worse during the pandemic. On June 2, housing leaders…
15th Annual Upper Valley Energy Committee Roundtable On May 12, 2022, Vital Communities hosted a virtual Local Energy Showcase featuring…
If you’re an Upper Valley home-seeker who is lucky enough to have found a home to purchase in this tight…
By Rebecca Bailey, Vital Communities For Valley News Enterprise, April 14, 2022 Reprinted with permission Imagine a refrigerator that increased threefold…
The weather is warming, the buds are bursting, and the calendar is turning to May — it’s time to go…
Vermont and New Hampshire Artists: Create Farmer Portraits and Change the Story about Farms and Climate Change Application deadline: May…
Only four years old, Aurora Bakery is already a treasured community asset. Located on Main Street in Newport, NH, and…
This April, Vital Communities will focus on Earth Day — ALL MONTH LONG.
Spring is here and at Bradford Elementary School, Farm to School coordinator Katie Cole is gearing up for another gardening…
In honor of the Week of the Young Child, April 2-8, communities all over the country are celebrating the Early…
Did you know that April is Fair Housing Month? Every April across the United States we celebrate the 1968 passage…
Invest in Sarah, Nate, and Hillside Botanicals Husband and wife duo Sarah Shaw and Nathan Bacon own and run a…
From The Main Street Journal The Main Street Journal, with sponsorship of the National Coalition for Community Capital (NC3) and…
Getting connected to your community can be hard in a rural area – which is why Vital Communities is excited…
Wanted: People of all ages with a love of the outdoors. Share that love by volunteering as a Valley Quest…
Want to: Make our community more equitable to people of all income levels? Cut down on greenhouse gases? Help the…
VCRD 4-Town Visit, by Michael F. Sacca Vermont has committed $2.32 million to expand the Working Communities Challenge (WCC) and…
Every year more people say yes. Since the model was first introduced in the US in the mid-1980s, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)…
During October 2021, all students at The Prosper Valley School (TPVS) participated in a service-learning program called Star Throwers. Inspired…
We’re thrilled to be celebrating another milestone for Vermont Everyone Eats. Over 2 million meals have been served! This statewide…
This article originally appear in the Valley News, January 20, 2022, and is shared with permission. By Rebecca Bailey Here…
This Valentine’s Day, “Love Local Upper Valley”: Show love for your sweetie and your whole community by purchasing gifts (or…
Organic agriculture plays an important role as a solution to the climate change crisis. Science demonstrates that organic farming reduces…
Thanks to your support, The Christmas Revels Festival was a success! Revels North appreciates all the support offered through their…
Educators, do you have an idea for a project that will connect students with the outdoors? The Upper Valley Teaching…
The 2021 SuperQuest winner is Team Small of White River Junction! Bettianne, Carter, and Luther (L-R, above) were one of…
On December 3, Vital Communities hosted Todd Chewning of Cowbell Mobile Bike Shop for an informal “E-bike 101” Q &…
Good news for those who love to cook and those who need that good food the most: The State of…
The two-session November online symposium on the childcare crisis in the Upper Valley was the center of a segment on…
So many traditions at this cold, dark time of year involve gifts – expressing love, generosity, abundance, creativity, and human connection.…
As the holiday season gets busier and busier, keep calm and Shop Indie Local on! Need some help with your…
The Christmas Revels Festival Come dance with daffodils, play with puppets, and lend your voice to our chorus as we…
As we celebrate the fall harvest this Thanksgiving week, we at Vital Communities feel grateful for Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE)…
From October 12 – 14, all students at The Prosper Valley School (TPVS) participated in a service-learning program called Star…
As part of Shop Indie Local Season, we invite you to celebrate an Indigenous Thanksgiving. Here’s some inspiration! Watch the…
Event Summary On November 9, 2021, over 100 leaders and supporters of climate resilient communities joined the Upper Valley Adaptation…
By Rebecca Bailey, Vital Communities For Valley News Enterprise, October 14, 2021 Reprinted with permission Next time you’re driving behind…
Recording and Resources related to: ADUs: How Homeowners Can Become Home Creators November 3, 2021 Zoom What are “accessory dwelling…
Give More this Holiday Season and Shop Indie Local Even with a smaller budget, you can give more this holiday…
In a rapidly changing global climate, rural New England has been highlighted as one of the nation’s most climate-resilient regions…
Colors in birding likely bring to mind plumage. Color in the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion lends a different…
The quest was an interesting journey A means of finding things out Classmates, this town and myself All of these…
What are “accessory dwelling units” (ADUs), and how can they help address our regional housing shortage? Find out in this…
The Local Crowd Upper Valley has numerous irons in the fire to move our local economy in a more resilient…
Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE), the innovative COVID-19 response program that provides meal assistance to Vermonters while supporting local restaurants, farmers,…
In the 17 years Kim Gibbs has lived in North Hartland, Vermont, she has become increasingly concerned about Route 5…
Shop Early, Shop Local: October is the New December Why Shop Indie Local early this holiday season? Supply and staffing…
Free and virtual – Register below to receive Zoom link Upper Valley employers and families both name access to high-quality,…
U.V.E.R. – the Upper Valley’s first consumer co-op delivery service – launched earlier this summer; now, we need your help…
Vital Communities’s Valley Quests allow you to undertake self-guided explorations of more than 160 special places throughout the Upper Valley.…
The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently released a 2021 Report detailing what science currently tells us about…
As the poet and farmer Wendell Berry once wrote, “There are no sacred and unsacred places; there are only sacred…
This essay is condensed from articles written by Kevin Geiger, Senior Planner at Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Planning Commission, and first published in the Vermont…
Team 1 of Weatherize Kearsarge at January 2019 kickoff. Contractor performs blower door test to find where home is losing…
The E-Bike Subsidy Program is currently closed. Run in a pilot phase in 2021, this program aimed to get e-bikes…
This August, Julia Guy completed a busy year with Vital Communities as an AmeriCorps Energy Savings Outreach Specialist. Originally from…
Are you hoping to test out an electric bike this summer? The Upper Valley E-Bike Library has been wildly popular…
14th Annual Upper Valley Energy Committee Roundtable On August 3, 2021, Vital Communities hosted a one-hour Local Energy Showcase Webinar…
Access to broadband is critical for Vermont families with students and ten percent of Vermont households with school-aged children cannot…
Even after seven and a half years working in the field of TDM (that’s Transportation Demand Management), I get confused…
We had an amazing group of projects that were supported this year through our mini-grant program. Read below to see…
Many years in the making, the Upper Valley now has a bus route between Claremont and Lebanon, run by Sullivan…
Everyone is concerned about climate change, but some don’t realize organic farmers are climate heroes. Fostering healthy soil is fundamental…
(L-R) Mel Hall, Rep. Peter Welch, Damaris Hall, June 2021. By Brooke Grams. Preparing Everyone Eats meals at Global Village…
The Local Crowd Upper Valley is at it again! Our newest crowdfunding campaign will support La Collina Vineyards in Barnard,…
Westminster, VT, July 14, 2021 – Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE), the innovative COVID-19 response program that provides meal assistance to…
Welcome to the refreshed Vital Communities website! We hope you’ll find it easier and more intuitive to use as you…
This next Light River Junction: First Fridays with WRIF, come out of yourself for a night of drag, burlesque, music,…
Place-based Ecology Education (PBEE) has emerged as a compelling approach to achieving the sustainability goals of Environmental Education (EE), including…
Place-based education immerses students in local heritage, culture, ecology, landscapes, opportunities, and experiences as a foundation for the study of language arts,…
Experts at Stanford University systematically searched the academic literature and analyzed 119 peer-reviewed studies published over a 20-year period that measured…
The June 4 “Light River Junction: First Fridays with WRIF,” subtitled “A Night to Remember,” promises more of the social,…
From small businesses and large, health care, municipal government, a church, and many other corners of the Upper Valley, 24…
The following speech was delivered by Monique Priestley, Chair, Vital Communities Board of Directors, at the Leadership Upper Valley Graduation…
An earlier version of this post had an incorrect title for Sally Kraft. At its May 20 meeting, the Vital…
At its May 20, 2021, meeting, the Vital Communities Board of Directors welcomed seven new members, more than replacing in…
The Vital Communities Housing Solutions Breakfast took place Friday, June 11, 7:30 to 9 am, on Zoom. This productive, inspiring,…
Some June graduates envision college or careers. The 18 Upper Valley residents who graduated on June 16 from the Climate Change Leadership…
Power of Produce Clubs are back! The free, fun, farmers market activity for children will happen again this summer at several Upper Valley…
The Local Crowd Upper Valley helped two businesses team up to close the carbon loop. The Local Crowd is a Laramie, WY-based…
We’re considering conference models that will keep us safe during COVID-19. Watch this space! The Upper Valley Teaching Place Conference…
Eating local helps people and communities stay healthy and resilient. Getting more of your food from local growers can be done…
The New Hampshire and Vermont Community Loan Funds are a homegrown solution for investing in our communities, energy independence, and…
Interested in investing locally but don’t want to do it alone? Investment clubs pool money to collectively invest in local…
Financial Institutions that are rooted in the Upper Valley invest in our communities! Local Focus: Unlike larger banks that may take…
Your energy-efficient home is different. Help prospective buyers see why. Boast Worthy Green Features ✔ Solar power or solar hot…
Fact #1 Energy will likely be your second highest cost of home ownership, after your mortgage, taxes, and insurance. Fact…
Reviewing Your Contract and Final Work Scope After you go back and forth with your contractor to settle on a final work scope, ask for…
Important Notes for Reviewing your Report Your energy audit report should include a comprehensive list of recommendations for making your home more energy efficient. Many…
Length Typically 3-4 hours. You will learn a lot from your contractor if you are at home during your energy audit.…
All Vermonters are eligible for Efficiency Vermont weatherization rebates. Efficiency Vermont requires you to hire your own contractor from their…
On Thursday, April 29, Vermont Everyone Eats, an innovative COVID-19 response program, is celebrating 1 million restaurant meals served to…
Spring must be here, because it’s time for Flavors of the Valley, our annual celebration of local farms. We hope…
Energy Help for Vermont Businesses Vermont businesses are eligible for multiple incentives from Efficiency Vermont, including HVAC, lighting, equipment, project…
The celebratory summer series Light River Junction First Fridays with WRIF kicks off May 7 with a fantastic line-up called…
The UV E-Bike Lending Library will run May – October 2022. Schedule to be announced! Do you wish biking was…
JOIN THE CHALLENGE MAY 1-16 AND BE ENTERED TO WIN PRIZES! Spring is here, so it’s a great time to…
Ten Upper Valley schools and day care facilities have been awarded $500 mini-grants to support farm-to-school projects this year! These…
Investing for Home Creation Thursday, April 8, 5:30 pm The Upper Valley faces a shortage of housing, particularly in the…
Peter Allison, Farm to Institution New England Birget Humper, New London Hospital Janet Taylor, Crossroad Farm Allen Reetz, Coop Food…
New Hampshire Businesses, Farmers, Entrepreneurs, Nonprofits, Community Initiatives: Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen? Want to…
Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 1: It’s a big one for Valley Quests! Not only is May 1 Opening…
Watch coverage of Claremont Everyone Eats by WCAX-TV reporter Adam Sullivan. Originally broadcast March 24, 2021.
Thanks to a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the Upper Valley Everyone Eats model crossed the Connecticut River: Vital Communities worked…
Ideas from the members and supporters of Local First Alliance! 1. Move your banking to a community bank or credit…
An underutilized parking lot behind the Hotel Coolidge in downtown White River Junction will become a vibrant, pandemic-safe place to…
Valley Quests are treasure hunts set in special locations around the Upper Valley. Each Quest follows a unique set of…
Climate Partners Summit Resources On February 25, 2021, over 70 interested partners and citizens joined the Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup…
What is local investing? What can it do for a community? Why is it important? Who can do it, and…
Combatting climate change depends not just on major national and global policy, but also on action within our local community.…
Climate change has the potential to affect everyone on the planet and virtually every aspect of our lives, including here…
Could your business benefit from professional consulting services to improve your marketing? With Rural Development funding, Vital Communities’ Local First…
Have you seen the star alight upon Mt. Tom in Woodstock? Wouldn’t it be fun to see it up close? …
This week marks the close of Vital Communities and volunteers’ 2020 Vermont Energy Savings project in seven towns in the…
In its 12th year, the Four Winds Nature Institute – Upper Valley Linkages for Environmental Literacy (UVLEL) grant program is getting…
As an organization that brings people together, bridging boundaries and engaging our whole community to create positive change, we were…
With the close of 2020 came a pause for Upper Valley Everyone Eats (UVEE), the local hub of Vermont’s coronavirus…
Climate Change Leadership Academy 2019-20 RESOURCES Session 1: ClimateSession 2: MitigationSession 3: AdaptationSession 4: Community Project Development Presentation: Slide Presentation,…
Congratulations to all our participants in our Quest to Refresh Challenge! 28 teams took us up on the Challenge to…
Don’t be deterred by wet, cold, or snow. Good times can be had when a-questing you go! Be sure to…
We are happy to have the opportunity to feature two strong voices in the place-based ecology education (PBEE) movement in…
Can Accessory Dwelling Units Help Meet Our Region’s Housing Needs? ADU expert Kol Peterson presented the opportunities and…
The UV E-Bike Lending Library will run May – October 2022. Schedule to be announced! Do you wish biking was…
We have an exciting project for new farmers in the White River valley portion of our region! The High Meadows Fund is…
We love pairing style with nighttime visibility, so we’ve ordered REFLECTIVE SLAP BRACELETS to reward people who bike or walk…
Certified Benefit Corporations are a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. Society’s most challenging problems cannot be solved by…
When Nikki Raney thinks about what skills she wants her third-graders at the Dothan Brook School to have when they…
Shop or Buy Local First is a common call to action. The threat to local businesses with competition from online…
Locally owned businesses are rooted in the Upper Valley and donate time and money to the community every month of the…
Local and independent businesses bring value to our communities in many ways: preserving community character, creating stable jobs, supporting area…
Droughts & Downpours: Managing for Extremes UVAW Forum October 30, 2018 Climate Science presentation by Dr. Erich Osterberg SOAK Up…
Crossroad Farm is the Local First Alliance November Business of the Month and to celebrate they are raffling off all…
Every dollar spent at a local, independent business returns 2-4 times more to be re-spent in the community than a…
Leslie Connolly and Jackie Atherley are a dynamic duo. Working together at Hanover’s Bernice A. Ray School, the two are…
Join us to celebrate the work we did together in 2018! Do your chores early, leave the spreadsheets behind, and…
Vital Communities will honor a dozen Upper Valley mentors at its 2016 celebration on May 19. The annual event, now…
We know that spending our dollars at local businesses has a big and positive impact, both economically, environmentally, and directly…
Cooking with herbs lends a bright, fresh note to food and, whether used sparingly or with gusto, can completely transform…
Vital Communities will honor 10 “Upper Valley Visionaries” at its 2015 Heroes & Leaders celebration. The annual celebration recognizes significant…
Winter squash is versatile, delicious, and healthy. This fruit makes a comforting soup, a sweet side, or a fabulous main…
“Woodstock Union Middle High School has had an exciting fall! Our fourth annual Zucchinator contest brought in zucchinis and squashes of all shapes…
Vital Communities will honor 14 women leaders whose work has significantly contributed to the Upper Valley at its 2014 Heroes…
On May 1st, UVFTS led a school compost tour! Nine FTS practitioners from all over the Upper Valley and beyond…
Free Town Hall Discussion about the challenges veterans face coming home and the opportunities available to them in the Upper…
Friday July 13th, Friday Night Food Fight and Everyday Chef Taste Test Watch as three contestants face off…
