Get Involved

Sign up to Volunteer

We’ll need help from the Partnership to get the Action Plan implemented. We’re asking for an unprecedented investment in our Working Landscape, and we’ll need to let our elected officials know that Vermonters support this investment. You can help now by signing up to Volunteer. We’ll need all kinds of help, beginning in just a few weeks. We’ll need help with everything from data entry to public outreach. There will be something for everyone!

Click here to sign-up to help, and we’ll be in touch to find out the best way to get you involved. Even an hour a week can really help!

Outreach Efforts

We're also continuing efforts to build this movement that will be so important in our legislative efforts as we go forward. Toward that end, here are some tools and ideas that you can share with your members, constituents, and customers.Click HERE to view or download outreach materials.

  1. A quick way you can help right now is to post a link to the Vermont Working Landscape Partnership on your Facebook page, or Tweet a link to it with your recommendation to sign up for our email list.
    • Here is a sample Facebook post:
      The VT Working Landscape Action Plan will strengthen our economy and environment! Let’s create an agricultural and natural resource renaissance. Sign up today! http://vtworkinglands.org
    • Here’s a sample Tweet:
      @VtWLP will cultivate #vt vitality by creating jobs and making our #workinglandscape strong! Sign up today! http://vtworkinglands.org
  2. Write a letter to your local newspaper in support of the Working Lands Bill. Here's a link for some tips along with a list of Vermont newspapers with contact information: http://vtrural.org/webfm_send/450
  3. Show the video to local town or regional groups -- your local land trust, energy committee, grange, economic development group, or tourism council, etc -- host a house party to focus friends and neighbors on this issue and encourage them to stay involved. Please let us know where you presented it so we can track your part in our statewide effort.
  4. Please include the text below in your next newsletter (electronic or print), even if it is a few months away.
  5. Consider writing a feature for your newsletter or website on some aspect of the Partnership’s work that relates particularly to your mission or focus.
  6. We’ve printed handout cards (they are 5.5” x 8.5”—see sample here) and would be happy to send you some to distribute at meetings, conferences, or other events. Let us know how many you need.
  7. Keep the Partnership in mind when you prepare commentaries, speeches, Letters to the Editor, or blogs and include it as part of your message.
  8. Discuss the Partnership at your next staff and board meeting.

Paul Costello and other VWL Council members will be speaking to groups about the Partnership over the next six months. Let us know if you are hosting an event, conference or meeting that you think would be appropriate for them to visit.

Thanks for your action and support. Together, we can build on our strengths and make the landscape work for all of us.

SUGGESTED TEXT TO SEND THROUGH YOUR NETWORKS

Partnership Focused on Keeping Vermont’s Working Landscape Vital

Vermont’s working landscape—its open meadows and mixed forests—offers economic, cultural, scenic, environmental and recreational benefits that are essential to our future prosperity. Yet if alarming trends are not reversed, it could vanish within a generation along with Vermont’s unique character and many of the key values that unify the state.

The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is facilitating a non-partisan and broad-based partnership to support local agriculture and forestry, grow and attract farm and forest entrepreneurs, and conserve Vermont’s Working Landscape far into the future.

We encourage you to get involved. There is no cost to join the Partnership, but this show of support will go a long way when we talk to legislators.

In December 2010, leaders from the state, federal, nonprofit and private sectors packed the Vermont State House for the Summit on the Future of the Working Landscape. Over 500 individuals and 170 organizations have signed on in support of this campaign —one that will help everyone trying to make a living from the land. These organizations, which are already doing great work, are welcoming this effort to add a new voice to represent all their interests.

The easiest way to learn more about the Partnership, the threats to our working landscape and the real opportunities Vermont has to keep it viable is this short video (8 minutes). Or visit the website (www.vtrural.org) for ideas on how you can help us build momentum.

If Vermonters focus and work together, we can build an agricultural and natural resource Renaissance and keep our land working for future generations!

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