Hi all,

Just a quick reminder that our fall New Farmer Network meeting is scheduled for the Wednesday, October 5 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Berlin Extension office Classroom. (Directions below.) We will start promptly at 11 am this time.

The professional development focus for the October meeting is on "access to capital and credit" and our members from the Farm Services Agency and USDA-NRCS will be providing presentations on loan, loan guarantee, cost share and other programs that can help beginning farmers in Vermont.

I've invited the folks who are involved with the Vermont Farm Viability Program to join us for the professional development presentation, which will start promptly at noon.

Please bring a sack lunch -- The Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Women's Ag Network will provide beverages and some crunchy, salty and sweet things to go along with what you bring.

IMPORTANT! Please RSVP by Tuesday noon if you plan to attend.

Below is a draft agenda. Please let me know if there are items you'd like to add.

Beth

Agenda

1. Updates
2. "Access to Credit and Capital"
3. Upcoming events and scholarship opportunities
4. Grant proposals/project proposals
5. Scheduling Winter and Spring Meetings
6. Other business

Directions:
From Interstate-89: Take Exit 7 off I-89. At the first light, take a right (you'll see Applebee's Restaurant, Town & Country Honda, and the Comfort Inn). Continue straight about 1/4 mile to first intersection and take a left onto Comstock Road (dirt road). Continue straight on Comstock Road for about one half mile. University of Vermont Extension building is on the left; look for sign that reads, "USDA Service Center." The building is tan with blue trim.

From Barre City (Routes 302/14): At the intersection on Main Street take a left at the light onto Route 62 (you'll see the Pierre Motel on your left). Continue on Route 62 and proceed straight at the next set of lights (the LaGue Inn/Suzanna’s Restaurant are on the left). At the intersection at the top of the hill choose the left-hand lane to be able to turn left onto Airport Road.

Take the first right onto Granger Road. Travel to the end of Granger Road and turn left onto Comstock Road (dirt road). University of Vermont Extension building is on the left; look for sign that reads, "USDA Service Center." The building is tan with blue trim.

From Barre-Montpelier Road: Travel west on Route 302. Turn left at the light (you'll see Friendly's Restaurant on the right) and travel up the hill. Merge onto Route 62. At the intersection at the top of the hill choose the left hand lane to be able to turn left onto Airport Road. Follow directions, above, to reach office from Airport Road.

From East Montpelier: Travel west on Route 2. Turn left (after the bridge but before the light) onto Route 302 East. Turn right at the light (you'll see a Volkswagen dealership on your right) and travel up the hill. Merge onto Route 62. At the intersection at the top of the hill choose the left hand lane to be able to turn left onto Airport Road. Follow directions, above, to reach office from Airport Road.


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Beth Holtzman
Women's Agricultural Network

617 Comstock Rd.
Berlin, VT 05602

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802-223-2389 ext. 15
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