VSJF Impact Report 2022
January 24, 2023
As we look back on 2022, it was a year of new beginnings for Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) as an organization. We were pleased to hire four new staff members, increasing our capacity to deliver high-quality services to the agricultural, climate technology, and forestry sectors in Vermont. We welcomed three new board members, and the Board of Directors and Staff spent the first half of the year developing a new 3-year strategic plan to guide our work.
It was also another busy year for our programmatic work. Coming out of the pandemic, we celebrated the opportunity to meet in person again for events such as the Forest Industry Summit in June and the Farm to Plate Annual Gathering in November. Both had excellent attendance and we were thrilled to see so many familiar and new faces in person. The connections we fostered virtually throughout the pandemic were key to the warmth and excitement we felt during these events.
In the 2022 VSJF Impact Report, you’ll read more about our recent activities such as:
- Launching the Vermont Forest Economy Career Guide at the Forestry Industry Summit, which will provide high school, technical school, and college students with information about careers in the forest economy
- Welcoming the 7 cohort companies of DeltaClimeVT Energy 2022 to Burlington for an in-person sprint and awards ceremony
- Relaunching the Farm to Plate Network to reflect the 2021–2030 Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan and forming new groups such as the Racial Equity Action Plan Team to pave the way for the next ten years
- Increasing our capacity to provide high-quality management coaching to businesses in our market sectors through new funding from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board’s Farm and Forest Viability Program and the Small Business Administration/Vermont Small Business Development Center’s new Community Navigator Pilot Program; and by welcoming 2 new coaches to our line-up
- Leading a major research project through a new initiative called New England Feeding New England, aimed at increasing to 30% the food that is produced and consumed in New England by 2030
- Continuing to serve on a wide range of boards, commissions, and new collaborations—bringing our networks, expertise and knowledge to bear for the benefit of an even wider circle of partners
In the theme of new beginnings, we are also excited to announce the launch of the Discovery Fund. This fundraising initiative will enable us to explore the creation of a potential fourth program area centered around the circular economy and its connection to the doughnut economics and well-being economy frameworks, a market based-approach that centers human well-being within the limits of the planetary boundaries rather than never ending GDP growth. We hope you can join us by financially supporting this important and innovative work.
We are grateful for your ongoing support in helping the people and the environment of Vermont thrive together.
Ellen Kahler
Executive Director
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
The above originally appeared as a letter from Ellen Kahler, VSJF Executive Director in the 2022 VSJF Impact Report.
About The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) is a nonprofit organization committed to nurturing the sustainable development of Vermont’s economy. VSJF provides business assistance, network development, strategic planning, and value chain facilitation in agriculture and food system, forest product, waste management, renewable energy, and environmental technology sectors. The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1995 to partner with state government, private sector businesses, and nonprofits to build a thriving economic, social, and ecological future for Vermont.
