Local Food Based Businesses Team Up to Find Local Talent

HARDWICK, Vt., March 16, 2016 -- The Center for an Agricultural Economy has teamed up with several area companies to host a job fair targeting food, beverage, and agriculturally based businesses in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. This event will introduce workers to many of the region’s growing employment opportunities, hoping to match talented people to open jobs, internships and apprenticeships. Participants include Jasper Hill Farm, High Mowing Seeds, Caledonia Spirits, Vermont Soy, Bonnieview Farm, Black Dirt Farm, Parker Pie Co., and the Craftsbury General Store, among others.

“Our food based economy needs human capital to make it work," said Emily Hershberger, Human Resources Manager at Jasper Hill.  She went on to say, “This will be a great opportunity to connect local people to some fantastic local businesses.”

The NEK Food & Farm Job Fair will be held from 10am-1pm on Saturday, April 2^nd, in the Hardwick Elementary School gymnasium (135 S. Main St., Hardwick VT 05843).

More about the Center for an Agricultural Economy:

The Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) is a non-profit organization located in Hardwick, VT. Its mission is to build a regenerative, locally based, healthy food system by engaging the greater Hardwick community through collaboration opportunities, educational outreach, and providing infrastructure. The CAE owns and operates the Vermont Food Venture Center, a multi-use processing facility, which provides kitchen, and consulting services for new food businesses.

More about the participating businesses:

Jasper Hill Farm is a working dairy farm and creamery located in Greensboro, VT. The business also operates cheese aging cellars, a hay drying facility, a sister dairy farm, and a satellite creamery located in the Vermont Food Venture Center. Recently named one of Vermont’s Best Places to Work by Vermont Business Magazine.

High Mowing Seeds was founded in Wolcott, VT, in 1996 to meet growing demand for organic seed. Today, High Mowing both grows seed crops, and works with other organic farms to market over 600 varieties of vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers.

Caledonia Spirits is a distillery located in Hardwick, VT, which produces fine spirits distilled with honey. Their award-winning products incorporate locally grown grain and honey, and are now distributed nation-wide.

Vermont Soy began selling fresh soymilk in 2007, and now includes artisanal tofu products. Co-owner Andrew Meyer also owns and operates the neighboring Vermont Natural Coatings, both located in Hardwick, VT.

Bonnieview Farm is a sheep dairy located in Craftsbury, VT, producing several aged sheep- and mixed-milk cheeses, as well as lamb and wool. Bonnieview’s mission is to produce healthy food to the local community, and offer people a connection to the source of their food.

Black Dirt Farm is a full-cycle farm located in Greensboro Bend, VT, designed to support long-term productivity and ecology.  Black Dirt Farm offers eggs, meat birds, compost, hay and timber.

Parker Pie Co. began as a small pizza shop in the Lake Parker Country Store in West Glover, VT, and has grown into a bustling restaurant and music venue and destination for fine local beer.

Craftsbury General Store is a growing food business located in the village of Craftsbury, VT. Many local products are featured here, as well as a full kitchen and growing catering business.

Contact:
Katrina Razionale
Community Outreach & Online Sales
Jasper Hill Farm
884 Garven Hill Rd., Greensboro Bend VT 05842
(802)533-2566
[email protected]