JANUARY
When pandemic area food access programs ended, CAE pivoted to supporting more community meals. This work was not meant to replace those programs but rather to reconnect communities after distancing from each other. Over the last two years, as our community experienced tragic flooding events, we’ve seen how investing in community connections through food and agriculture before emergencies occur,  sow the seeds of resilience in challenging times. As we look down the road at the year ahead of us CAE will continue to make investments in our community and agriculture to our fullest ability. Many members of our community are uncertain of what lies ahead, but what is clear is we cannot let that uncertainty take us off track from doing the work we know is important to sustain and further invest in.

Exactly one year ago in January of 2024, CAE faced a moment of great uncertainty. We had already started to embark on the Food Hub project but our construction bid came in over budget more than we anticipated. Rather than decreasing our investments in energy efficiency and sustainable building systems that benefit our environment, we doubled down on those goals for the project. CAE took even greater steps to ensure we were constructing a facility that was economically viable to operate and would decrease our impact on the environment. By leaning further into our values during this time of uncertainty rather than backing away from them, CAE is operationalizing a facility that can serve as a model for future local food system investments. In the coming years many farmers will see their products move through the Food Hub. These products will go to schools, local community stores, and food pantries, both within and beyond Vermont. By increasing the amount of food moving from farms to people we are both expanding the accessibility of local food and improving farm viability for the future. Moments of uncertainty are challenging to navigate, but seeing the impacts of CAE’s work and how it will continue to benefit many farms and people gives me great hope for our future. I encourage you all to buy local, connect with your communities, and get to know your local farmers. 

With gratitude and in solidarity,
Jon Ramsay

FEBRUARY
Here in the Northeast Kingdom this winter reminded many of us what winter used to be like with abundant snow and many days of below zero temperatures. Despite these conditions winter is a busy time of year for CAE and the local food system. Since January, CAE has loaded trucks seven days a week through the cold nights, to move over $2 million in local food from farms to people across Vermont for the producers who rely on our services. Our Just Cut staff prepared over 38,000 pounds of local produce in just two months for use in our local schools and hospitals that has been stored since the fall by our local farmers. This is also an especially busy time of the year for CAE’s business resources staff. Farms are planning their spring plantings and the projects they hope to accomplish. Over a dozen farms are currently working with CAE’s business resources staff to update cash flow projections and prepare their finances for the year ahead. Many farms begin the process of securing the capital they need to accomplish those projects by connecting with Vermont Farm Fund. 2024 was a record year for the Vermont Farm Fund and in 2025 over $200,000 in loan requests have already been made. Monthly, the Hazen class A Recipe for Human Connection (facilitated by CAE's Place-based education coordinator, Reeve Basom) is preparing free community meals and Grow Your Own workshops are connecting community members to share skills and food. Lastly, CAE has been busy getting the Food Hub ready for operations. Over the winter, CAE staff connected with many community members and other organizations at the NOFA winter Conference, Vermont Veg and Berry Growers Annual Meeting, and NEK Day at the Statehouse. 


We’re hearing concerns from our community; farmers afraid of losing federal funding to complete long-planned projects, community members concerned services may go away, and partner organizations worried they may also lose funding. Despite these uncertainties CAE is moving forward, taking action, and providing resources and support. CAE has been gathering information, and multiple staff members have testified at the Statehouse articulating the importance of local food and how it supports our communities. CAE has supported the development of the legislative bill S.60 to establish the Farm Security Special Fund to provide grants for farm losses due to severe weather events. CAE’s work is an investment in our future: this work requires a long view while accomplishing small goals everyday. We are nimble and can adapt, but that does not mean we deviate from our long term goals. While the soil rests during this long winter CAE is building resilience and looking forward towards our future.

With gratitude and in solidarity,
Jon Ramsay