Due to flooding again in 2024, Barre Up! is actively organizing volunteers and folks in need. Find the current status and ways to help out, through their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/barreup/ In the wake of flooding events in July 2023, members of the Barre community came together on September 13th and October 18th, 2023 to connect with…
The mission of the Vermont Council on Rural Development is to “help Vermont citizens build prosperous and resilient communities through democratic engagement, marshaling resources, and collective action.” VCRD’s long-standing Community Visit program is core to this mission. Many times, communities create a long list of critical actions for the future, but the length of the…
Read VCRD’s 2022 Annual Report for an overview of our work in Community, Policy, Climate, and Leadership. Our work in 2022 also included the launch of the Youth Opportunity Initiative – a major statewide engagement effort that focuses on youth aspirations, community connections, and potential new ideas for strengthening the tie between youth aspiration and…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development is committed to supporting locally defined progress in rural communities throughout Vermont. This month with the severe flooding, many communities have experienced a devastating setback impacting individuals, families, businesses, downtowns and villages across the state. VCRD is not an emergency response organization, but in times like this, we need…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) today announced the recipients of the Vermont Community Leadership Award, which will be presented at VCRD’s 2023 Vermont Community Leadership Summit on August 15 at the Vermont State University Randolph Campus. The Vermont Community Leadership Award is presented each year to celebrate Vermonters who exemplify “dedication, integrity and…
For the fourth time, the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is gearing up for our statewide Vermont Community Leadership Summit on August 15 at Vermont State University Randolph. The Summit brings together over 500 attendees to celebrate and explore new ways to support local leadership and democracy in Vermont. It is one of the…
VCRD is seeking a dedicated, energetic and hardworking Community Engagement and Policy Associate to support VCRD community leadership and engagement efforts, and rural policy initiatives. The Associate must be a team player with excellent communications skills, an eagerness to learn, and a strong sense of mission in service to rural Vermont communities. We’re looking for…
For the fourth time, the Vermont Council on Rural Development is gearing up for our statewide Vermont Community Leadership Summit on Aug. 15 at Vermont State University Randolph. The Summit brings together over 500 attendees to celebrate and explore new ways to support local leadership and democracy in Vermont. It is one of the most…
The mission of the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is to “help Vermont citizens build prosperous and resilient communities through democratic engagement, marshalling resources, and collective action.” VCRD’s long-standing Community Visit program is core to this mission. Many times, communities create a long list of critical actions for the future, but the length of…
The “Sharon Connects” process brings community members together to actively participate in examining issues, decide top priorities and develop action plans for the future of the town. The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) provided the overall structure and neutral facilitation for the first two gatherings. On June 8th, 80 community members came together to…