Bordertown: Recent Episodes
Vic Guadagno
The Bordertown Podcast tells the personal stories of those on the front lines of ecological, social and economic change.
Today on the podcast we welcome Pat Moulton.
In November of 2023 Pat was appointed by Governor Phil Scott as the Central Vermont Recovery Officer for the State of Vermont.
The Recovery Office is the state-level entity tasked with coordinating available federal funds and local mitigation and community revitalization work. Pat is the first geographic appointee to the office, focusing on central Vermont and the Winooski River watershed.
Pat has 40 years of experience in economic development and workforce development. She also has experience in environmental permitting, including chairing Vermont’s Environmental Board which oversaw Act 250.
I recorded this podcast at the end of June and I’m posting it in the first week of August. In the past six weeks, there have been two major floods in the state of Vermont, resulting in significant damage - again here in central Vermont and also in the Northeast Kingdom. Pat commented in this interview that her work is to spearhead recovery efforts as well as preparedness initiatives, as floods such as those on July 11th of 2023 will indeed happen again. I think we where all shocked that it happened just one year later.
Pat’s work is certainly critical, as is all of our efforts to understand the make the systemic changes necessary, to adapt to this new reality of a signivicant rainfall events in Vermont!
Music for this Podcast – "Bread and Water" by Railroad Earth.
Today we welcome Paul Costello, the former Executive Director of the Vermont Council on Rural Development. Paul retired from this position in 2021. Lifetime Vermonter, Paul dedicated most of his career to helping Vermont towns and cities build community, identify goals and visions and build strategies to accomplish these goals.
On July 11th, 2023, intense and widespread rainfall led to catastrophic flooding throughout the state of Vermont, leaving the entire downtown of the capitol city, Montpelier, underwater.
After the floods, Paul was instrumental in organizing the City of Montpelier, The Montpelier Foundation and Montpelier Alive, in a series of community conversations about recovery and the future of Montpelier. This led to the formation of the Montpelier Commission for Recovery and Resilience, which serves as a convening and resource partner for the city and all working groups advancing flood recovery and resilience projects in the city.
Bordertown is an ecomedia project coming to you from the Upper-Winooski watershed in central Vermont. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
Music for this Podcast – "One More Night On The Road" by Railroad Earth.
Today we welcome Jon Copans, the Executive Director of The Commission for Recovery & Resilience.
On July 11th, 2023, intense and widespread rainfall led to catastrophic flooding throughout the state of Vermont, leaving the entire downtown of the capitol city, Montpelier, underwater.
Immediately following the flood, Paul Costello, the former executive director of the Vermont Council on Rural Development, worked with the City of Montpelier, The Montpelier Foundation and Montpelier Alive, to convene a series of community conversations about recovery and the future of Montpelier.
The visioning process of those public forums resulted in roughly 20 priorities and the establishment of a new leadership structure to coordinate and advance strategies leading to recovery and resiliency in central Vermont. This paved the way for the hiring of Jon for a two-year term, as Executive Director beginning this month, May of 2024.
Bordertown is an ecomedia project coming to you from the Upper-Winooski watershed in central Vermont. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
Music for this Podcast – "Like a Buddha" by Railroad Earth.
Today we welcome Hans Estrin from the University of Vermont’s Ecological Planning Laboratory. Hans talks about his childhood days in the Plainfield/Marshfield, VT area, describes the trajectory of his career and gives a glimpse of the Ecological Planning Laboratory emerging out the UVM.
The Ecological Planning Laboratory helps communities tackle vital projects on their land, offering long-term support in partnership with UVM Extension and the Field Naturalist graduate program. Ecological management can be contentious. Rather than trying to step in and resolve all conflict, the EPL uses the tension in these thorny issues to drive and deepen civil engagement, cultivating resilience for people and communities in Vermont's watersheds.
Bordertown is an ecomedia project coming to you from the Upper-Winooski watershed in central Vermont. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
To learn more about UVM’s Ecological Planning Laboratory you can contact Hans directly at 802-380-2109, or email him at hestrin@uvm.edu
Today on the podcast we welcome Ben Doyle and Aly Richards, from The Commission for Recovery and Resilience.
On July 11th, 2023, intense and widespread rainfall led to catastrophic flooding throughout the State, leaving the entire downtown of the capitol city, Montpelier, underwater.
As the flood-waters resided, Paul Costello, the former executive director of the Vermont Council on Rural Development, worked with the City of Montpelier, The Montpelier Foundation and Montpelier Alive, to convene a series of community conversations about recovery and the future of Montpelier.
The visioning process of those public forums resulted in roughly 20 priorities and the establishment of a new leadership structure to coordinate and advance strategies leading to recovery and resiliency in central Vermont. This is truly democracy in action…
"If you want to go fast, go by yourself. If you want to go far, go with everyone". Says Ben Doyle, "We’re really committed to harnessing the intelligence, enthusiasm, commitment and love of this community".
Bordertown is an ecomedia project coming to you from the Upper Winooski River Watershed of Central Vermont. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage conversation around resiliency, equity, and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive. Bordertown is hosted by Vic Guadagno.
To learn more about The Commission or to make a donation to Central Vermont flood effort please visit Montpelier STRONG.
And thanks to Todd Sheaffer and Railroad Earth for providing the music.
The Bordertown Flood series tells the stories of Central Vermonters experiencing the 2023 flood disaster.
This episode features Beth Rusnock, president of the National Life Group Foundation and Daphne Larkin, Communications and Media Relations Director of the National Life Group.
Beth Rusnock says that the National Life Group wants to make sure that "the communities that their campuses are a part of - that they are vibrant. That they are places where our employees want to live, want to be a part of... "
Daphne Larkin adds that "this culture of volunteering and getting involved with our community is baked into everything that we do. Everybody feels it, every body lives it, and we have people doing good in the name of National Life, all over the country".
If you want to donate to the flood recovery effort in central Vermont flood please visit the Montpelier STRONG Recovery Foundation.
Music for this Podcast – "The Good Life" by Railroad Earth.
Bordertown is hosted by Vic Guadagno and recorded in Montpelier, Vermont – located in the Upper-Winooski Watershed. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
On July 11th A State of Disaster was declared for all 14 counties of the state of Vermont after extensive rain in two days triggered the worst flooding since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The National Weather Service reported unofficial rainfall observations for a 38-hour period with 6.82 inches at the Montpelier airport, 7.8 inches in Barre and up to 8.65 inches in Andover. The Winooski River at Montpelier, capital city of Vermont - jumped by over 14 feet in the space of 20 hours. The Winooski finally crested at 21.25 feet, well above Major Flood Stage of 17.5 feet
The Bordertown Flood series tells the stories of Central Vermonters experiencing the 2023 flood disaster.
This episode feature Katie Trautz, the Executive Director of Montpelier Alive.
Katie describes that Montpelier is not set-up as a resilient town in terms of systems, however, the community is extremely song. And that community resilience is most important. Not every place has a community that is this strong.
Katie says, "I really think that organizations like Montpelier Alive are there to support the downtown and support the city, no matter what the event is that is happening. A lot of downtown organization across the country do step in during these disasters. This is the true meaning of revitalization work".
If you would like to donate to Montpelier Alive, please visit their website.
If you want to donate the flood recover effort in central Vermont, please visit the Montpelier Strong Recovery Fund website
Music for this Podcast by From Good Homes
Bordertown is hosted by Vic Guadagno and recorded in Montpelier, Vermont – located in the Upper-Winooski Watershed. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
On July 11th A State of Disaster was declared for all 14 counties of the state of Vermont after extensive rain in two days triggered the worst flooding since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The National Weather Service reported unofficial rainfall observations for a 38-hour period with 6.82 inches at the Montpelier airport, 7.8 inches in Barre and up to 8.65 inches in Andover.
The Winooski River at Montpelier, capital city of Vermont - jumped by over 14 feet in the space of 20 hours. The Winooski finally crested at 21.25 feet, well above Major Flood Stage of 17.5 feet.
The Bordertown Flood series tells the stories of Central Vermonters experiencing the 2023 flood disaster.
Jaquelyn Rieke is the owner/operator of the Onion River Campground, the founder of Nutty Steph’s and a co-founder of the Rabble-Rouser Chocolate & Craft Co. in Montpelier. Jaquelyn speaks of the lessons she learned from the river as it rose around her home, stranding her and several other residents of the Onion River Campground.
If you would like to donate to the Onion River Campground, please their website
If you want to donate the flood recover effort in central Vermont, please visit the Montpelier Strong Recovery Fund website
Special Thanks for Ward Joyce for his generous support of this podcast
Music for this Podcast by Railroad Earth
Bordertown is hosted by Vic Guadagno and recorded in Montpelier, Vermont – located in the Upper-Winooski Watershed. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
On July 11th A State of Disaster was declared for all 14 counties of the state of Vermont after extensive rain in two days triggered the worst flooding since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The National Weather Service reported unofficial rainfall observations for a 38-hour period with 6.82 inches at the Montpelier airport, 7.8 inches in Barre and up to 8.65 inches in Andover.
Winooski River at Montpelier, capital city of Vermont - jumped by over 14 feet in the space of 20 hours. The Winooski finally crested at 21.25 feet, well above Major Flood Stage of 17.5 feet.
The Bordertown Flood series tells the stories of Central Vermonters experiencing the 2023 flood disaster.
Bill Fraser is the City Manager for Montpelier, Vermont, and has been in this role since 1995. The city manager is Appointed by the City Council, the City Manager is responsible for day-to-day operations of the city, advising the Council on public policy, and ensuring that their policies are carried out in a professional manner.
If you would like to donate to flood recover effort in central Vermont, please visit montpelierstorng.org
Special Thanks for Ward Joyce for his generous support of this podcast
Music for this Podcast – “Long Way to Go’” by Railroad Earth
Bordertown is hosted by Vic Guadagno and recorded in Montpelier, Vermont – located in the Upper-Winooski Watershed. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
On July 11th A State of Disaster was declared for all 14 counties of the state of Vermont after extensive rain in two days triggered the worst flooding since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The National Weather Service reported unofficial rainfall observations for a 38-hour period with 6.82 inches at the Montpelier airport, 7.8 inches in Barre and up to 8.65 inches in Andover
Winooski River at Montpelier, capital city of Vermont - jumped by over 14 feet in the space of 20 hours. The Winooski finally crested at 21.25 feet, well above Major Flood Stage of 17.5 feet
The Bordertown Flood series tells the stories of Central Vermonters experiencing the 2023 flood disaster.
The Lost Nation Theater has been called “One of the Best Regional Theaters in America” — NYC Drama League. Incorporated in 1977 in Bristol Vermont, Lost Nation Theater moved to it’s home in Vermont in 1986 and has been a critical center-piece of the theater scene in Central Vermont ever since.
Lost Nation Theater dedicates itself to staging stories about the hopeful possibilities of human interaction; to education; and to realizing the powerful potential of theater to transform people and communities.
If you would like to donate to Lost Nation Theater, please their website.
If you want to donate the flood recover effort in central Vermont, please visit the Montpelier Strong Recovery Fund.
Special Thanks for Ward Joyce for his generous support of this podcast
Music for this Podcast – “Take a Bow’” by Railroad Earth
Bordertown is hosted by Vic Guadagno and recorded in Montpelier, Vermont – located in the Upper-Winooski Watershed. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
On July 11th A State of Disaster was declared for all 14 counties of the state of Vermont after extensive rain in two days triggered the worst flooding since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The National Weather Service reported unofficial rainfall observations for a 38-hour period with 6.82 inches at the Montpelier airport, 7.8 inches in Barre and up to 8.65 inches in Andover.
Winooski River at Montpelier, capital city of Vermont - jumped by over 14 feet in the space of 20 hours. The Winooski finally crested at 21.25 feet, well above Major Flood Stage of 17.5 feet.
The Bordertown Flood series tells the stories of Central Vermonters experiencing the 2023 flood disaster.
Jaime Bedard. Jamie is the Executive Director of Just Basics, whose mission is to confront cycles of injustice by providing programs that increase awareness and access to basic resources needed for a resilient and vibrant community.
Their main program is the Montpelier Food Pantry which had been located at the Trinity Church on Main Street. The Food Pantry was completely flooded as was their brand-new Resource Center which had just opened across the street at 136 Main Street
Visit the Food Pantry at their new location in the City Center at 89 Main Street
If you would like to donate to the Food Pantry, please Just Basics.
If you want to donate the flood recover effort in central Vermont, please visit Montpelier Strong Recovery Fund.
Special Thanks to Ward Joyce for his generous support of this podcast
Music for this Podcast – “Hard Livin’” by Railroad Earth
Bordertown is hosted by Vic Guadagno and recorded in Montpelier, Vermont – located in the Upper-Winooski Watershed. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
On July 11th A State of Disaster was declared for all 14 counties of the state of Vermont after extensive rain in two days triggered the worst flooding since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The National Weather Service reported unofficial rainfall observations for a 38-hour period with 6.82 inches at the Montpelier airport, 7.8 inches in Barre and up to 8.65 inches in Andover
Winooski River at Montpelier, capital city of Vermont - jumped by over 14 feet in the space of 20 hours. The Winooski finally crested at 21.25 feet, well above Major Flood Stage of 17.5 feet
The Bordertown Flood series tells the stories of Central Vermonters experiencing the 2023 flood disaster.
Marek Zajac is the Farm & Forest Community Coordinator for the Montpelier Parks Department. He found himself at the center of volunteer activity as the City shifted the duties of the Parks Department to managing the volunteer HUB, the main focal point of disaster-response.
If you need flood-related help, or if you are willing to volunteer, please visit Montpelierhub.com You can also call 802-828-7108.
Make a donation to the broader Vermont flood effort through the Vermont Community Foundation.
Special Thanks for Ward Joyce for his generous support of this podcast
Music for this Podcast - "Chasing A Rainbow" by Railroad Earth
Bordertown is an ecomedia project coming to you from the Upper-Winooski watershed in central Vermont. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
On July 11th A State of Disaster was declared for all 14 counties of the state of Vermont after extensive rain in two days triggered the worst flooding since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The National Weather Service reported unofficial rainfall observations for a 38-hour period with 6.82 inches at the Montpelier airport, 7.8 inches in Barre and up to 8.65 inches in Andover
Winooski River at Montpelier, capital city of Vermont - jumped by over 14 feet in the space of 20 hours. The Winooski finally crested at 21.25 feet, well above Major Flood Stage of 17.5 feet
The Bordertown Flood series tells the stories of Central Vermonters experiencing the 2023 flood disaster.
Today we welcome Dan Groberg, who started his new job as Executive Director of the Kellogg Hubbard Library just 13 days before the flood. In the past Dan has also served as Executive Director of Montpelier Alive, the organization at the center of flood recovery and rebuilding.
If you would like to donate to the Kellogg-Hubbard Library directly visit their website
You can make a donation to the broader Vermont flood effort through the Montpelier STRONG Recovery Foundation
Special thanks to Ward Joyce for his generous support of this podcast
Music for this Podcast - "Long Walk Home" by Railroad Earth
Bordertown Description
Bordertown is an ecomedia project coming to you from the Upper-Winooski watershed in central Vermont. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
Flood Description
On July 11th A State of Disaster was declared for all 14 counties of the state of Vermont after extensive rain in two days triggered the worst flooding since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The National Weather Service reported unofficial rainfall observations for a 38-hour period with 6.82 inches at the Montpelier airport, 7.8 inches in Barre and up to 8.65 inches in Andover
Winooski River at Montpelier, capital city of Vermont - jumped by over 14 feet in the space of 20 hours. The Winooski finally crested at 21.25 feet, well above Major Flood Stage of 17.5 feet
The Bordertown Flood series tells the stories of Central Vermonters experiencing the 2023 flood disaster.
Today we welcome Julia Watson the owner of Capital Grounds. Julia took over ownership of Capitol Grounds in January of 2020 from her father Bob, who started the business with Bob Plante in 1998. Julia returned to Vermont with her husband and two kids, anxious to take over the family business. Since opening she has endured a global pandemic and now a devastating flood…but she is committed to keeping the business going.
Support Capital Grounds by direct donations and purchasing products at Capitol Grounds
You can also donate to the broader flood effort at Montpelier Alive and the Montpelier Foundation.
Special Thanks for Ward Joyce for his generous support of this podcast
Music for this Podcast - "Amen Corner" by Railroad Earth
Bordertown is an ecomedia project coming to you from the Upper-Winooski watershed in central Vermont. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
On July 11th A State of Disaster was declared for all 14 counties of the state of Vermont after extensive rain in two days triggered the worst flooding since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The National Weather Service reported unofficial rainfall observations for a 38-hour period with 6.82 inches at the Montpelier airport, 7.8 inches in Barre and up to 8.65 inches in Andover
Winooski River at Montpelier, capital city of Vermont - jumped by over 14 feet in the space of 20 hours. The Winooski finally crested at 21.25 feet, well above Major Flood Stage of 17.5 feet
The Bordertown Flood series tells the stories of Central Vermonters experiencing the 2023 flood disaster.
Today we welcome Lalitha Mailwaganam. Lalitha moved to Vermont from Malaysia in 2002. She is a single mom to two teens, a dog, two cats and a couple of chickens. She is an avid gardener, enjoys cooking, dancing and music as well as getting outside and appreciating the natural beauty of Vermont.
You can donate to the Montpelier Food Pantry at Just Basics.
You can also donate to the broader flood effort at Montpelier Alive.
Special thanks to Ward Joyce for his generous support of this podcast
Music for this Podcast - "Right In Tune" by Railroad Earth
Bordertown is an ecomedia project coming to you from the Upper-Winooski watershed in central Vermont. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
The Floods in Vermont: On July 11th A State of Disaster was declared for all 14 counties of the state of Vermont after extensive rain in two days triggered the worst flooding since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The National Weather Service reported unofficial rainfall observations for a 38-hour period with 6.82 inches at the Montpelier airport, 7.8 inches in Barre and up to 8.65 inches in Andover
Winooski River at Montpelier, capital city of Vermont - jumped by over 14 feet in the space of 20 hours. The Winooski finally crested at 21.25 feet, well above Major Flood Stage of 17.5 feet
The Bordertown Flood series tells the stories of Central Vermonters experiencing the 2023 flood disaster.
Today we welcome Alec Long. Alec and his wife Amanda purchased Chill Gelato last year and had reopened it in March. Chill has been a Montpelier staple since 2012 and Alec is enjoying his new career as a purveyor of fine Gelato. He also loves being part of the Montpelier business community and hopes to bring Chill back for all to enjoy. Chill was a Seven Days ‘Daysies’ finalist in 2018 and 2019 for the best gelatos in Vermont and in 2016 and 2017 a finalist for the best homemade ice cream.
Make a donation to Chill through their gofundme campaign
Make a donation to the Montpelier Flood Relief at Montpelier Alive
Make a donation to the broader Vermont flood effort through the Vermont Community Foundation.
Special Thanks for Ward Joyce for his generous support of this podcast
Music for this Podcast - "Lordy Lordy" by Railroad Earth
Bordertown is an ecomedia project coming to you from the Upper-Winooski watershed in central Vermont. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
On July 11th A State of Disaster was declared for all 14 counties of the state of Vermont after extensive rain in two days triggered the worst flooding since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The National Weather Service reported unofficial rainfall observations for a 38-hour period with 6.82 inches at the Montpelier airport, 7.8 inches in Barre and up to 8.65 inches in Andover
Winooski River at Montpelier, capital city of Vermont - jumped by over 14 feet in the space of 20 hours. The Winooski finally crested at 21.25 feet, well above Major Flood Stage of 17.5 feet
The Bordertown Flood series will introduce you to some of Vermont’s small businesses, community members, government officials anyone in the community that is collectively experiencing the 2023 flood disaster in Vermont.
On July 11th A State of Disaster was declared for all 14 counties of the state of Vermont after extensive rain in two days triggered the worst flooding since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The National Weather Service reported unofficial rainfall observations for a 38-hour period with 6.82 inches at the Montpelier airport, 7.8 inches in Barre and up to 8.65 inches in Andover
Winooski River at Montpelier, capital city of Vermont - jumped by over 14 feet in the space of 20 hours. The Winooski finally crested at 21.25 feet, well above Major Flood Stage of 17.5 feet
Bordertown is an ecomedia project coming to you from the Upper-Winooski watershed in central Vermont. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
Katie Swick is a long-time friend of the Bordertown Podcast (listen to Episode #44 to hear a conversation with her daughter and my daughter Elena from our days at Rabble Rouser). Katie is school teacher and a single-mom of two. She is current struggling with what to do next, after her house was severely damaged in the Vermont Floods of 2023!
To offer financial assistance to Katie and her family, please visit their gofundme page.
Make a donation to the Montpelier Flood Relief at Montpelier Alive
Make a donation to the broader Vermont flood effort through the Vermont Community Foundation.
Special Thanks for Ward Joyce for his generous support of this podcast
Music for this Podcast - "Like a Buddha" by Railroad Earth
The Bordertown Flood Series!
The Bordertown Flood series will introduce you to some of Vermont’s small businesses, community members, government officials anyone in the community that is collectively experiencing the 2023 flood disaster in Vermont.
On July 11th A State of Disaster was declared for all 14 counties of the state of Vermont after extensive rain in two days triggered the worst flooding since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The National Weather Service reported unofficial rainfall observations for a 38-hour period with 6.82 inches at the Montpelier airport, 7.8 inches in Barre and up to 8.65 inches in Andover
Winooski River at Montpelier, capital city of Vermont - jumped by over 14 feet in the space of 20 hours. The Winooski finally crested at 21.25 feet, well above Major Flood Stage of 17.5 feet
If you’ve been to Montpelier, you know that this is one of the best small towns in America. Ask most people why they live here and they will talk about the community and the small-town feel. We hope that listeners will learn a bit more about our town, get connected or stay connected…and if you can, make a donation to help with flood relief. I ask you to please visit Montpelieralive.com and see how you can help.
Today on the podcast we welcome Cindra Conison, owner of the Quicky Pet. The Quirky Pet is an independent pet store located at 5 State Street in downtown Montpelier and has become a tourist destination from folks traveling from all over the world. The store opened exactly 12 years ago today!
Bordertown is an ecomedia project coming to you from the Upper-Winooski watershed in central Vermont. Our goal is to serve as an instrument for relationship building and communication, and to encourage the conversation around resiliency, equity and justice. Our intention is to celebrate life and community - and to help create conditions for all life to thrive.
This episode features my daughter Elena, and her friend Juniper! Recorded on Dec. 16th, 2019 this is a fun conversation we had at the Rabble Rouser Chocolate Factory! A fun chat with two 9-10 year-olds...pre-pandemic!
Cara Robechek is the Executive Director of the Vermont Energy Education Program, whose mission is to build a deep understanding of energy through education, encouraging choices that result in sustainability in our communities, economy and environment. Cara has been with VEEP since 2014. Cara has worked in nonprofit development and managemen at the Center for While Communities in Waitsfield, served on the board of Planting Hope, as an elected Parks Commissioner for the City of Montpelier, and as a member of the Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee. She has a BA in Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College, and an MS in Renewable Natural Resources and Development form the University of East Anglia. She lives in Montpelier with her husband and two children.
Skyler currently worksin Washington DC as Project Manager for the Center for the Advancement of a Steady State Economy. He joined that organization in June, 2018, following his completion of his Masters program in Community Development and Applied Economics from the University of Vermont. Skyler also received a certificate in Ecological Economics from the Gund Institute at UVM. Skyler’s research focused on ecological economics and sustainable food systems.
Libby is the Montpelier / Roxbury School District’s superintendent. Prior to that, she was Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Franklin Northwest Supervisory Union. She also has experience as a consultant, adjunct professor, teacher development coordinator, co-principal, principal, and teacher. She holds master’s degrees from Michigan State University and Columbia University’s Teachers College and a bachelor’s degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. She resides in Jericho with her family.
Michele Braun is the Executive Director of the Friends of the Winooski River. Michele has a Master of Science in Natural Resources Planning from the University of Vermont. She has worked as an environmental policy analyst, responsible for managing projects, designing and facilitating multi-stakeholder meetings and workshops for city and state governments, US EPA, watershed organizations, environmental health associations, and multi-partner collaborative environmental planning projects.
David Zuckerman is the co-founder of Full Moon Farm, a NOFA-certified organic farm in Hinesburg, Vermont. Inspired by then Congressman Bernie Sanders, David first ran for the Vermont House in 1994 while enrolled at the University of Vermont. David served for fourteen years (1997-2010) in the Vermont House of Representatives. David served in the Vermont Senate as a Progressive/Democrat since his election in 2012. In 2016, David was elected as the 80th Lt. Governor of Vermont.
William Alexander writes fantasy, science fiction, and other unrealisms for young readers. His novels include Goblin Secrets, Ghoulish Song, Ambassador and Nomad. His latest novels are the companion set A Properly Unhaunted Place and A Festival of Ghosts. He currently serves as the faculty chair of the Vermont College of Fine Arts in the program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
Jim Birmingham is the Food Service Director of the Montpelier Roxbury School District. He is a graduate of Johnson State College and attended culinary school at Le Cordon Blue, London, UK. He is an American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef who spent several years working in resort hotel kitchens around Stowe, VT and more than a decade as a Chef Instructor at New England Culinary Institute in Essex and Montpelier. Jim lives in Waterbury with his wife and two teenage sons. He enjoys gardening, hiking and is an avid alpine and backcountry skier.
Walt Poleman is a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Ecological Planning Program at the University of Vermont. He specializes in natural history, place-based landscape analysis, and education for sustainability. He teaches courses in natural history and human ecology, landscape inventory and assessment, and conservation science.
Ryan Geary is the owner the of The Hive, and co-owner of Rabble-Rouser. He works in a variety of mediums and disciplines, including wood carving, furniture making and painting, but his preferred art form and main focus over the past 5 years has been 2D and 3D collage.
Janice Walrefen co-creates AllTogetherNow!, Community Arts Center in East Montpelier, with Ellen Leonard. Together they teach summer camp and produce our community seasonal pageants, parades and puppet shows. Janice has her Art Tiles clay studio, classroom, puppets and shares community gardens at AllTogetherNow! Ellen is the director of the awesome preschool at AllTogetherNow! and teaches family music classes. Their mission is to be an inspiration and model for sustainable living and celebration.
Matthew Binginot is a designer producer, and lover of all forms of media creativity. He is especially drawn towards photography, music, film and graphic design. When not producing his own media art, he teaches a program called Digital Media Arts at the Central Vermont Career Center. Every day he inspires young artist to be creative and show them new ways to practice their passion.
Chuck Collins is a Senior Policy Analyst for the Institute for Policy Studies. He is the author of many books including "Born on Third Base", "The Community Resilience Reader" and "Is inequality in America irreversible?". He is the co-editor of the "Inequality.org" website. Chuck has dedicated his life to understanding the basis of economic inequality in the US, and has pioneered countless efforts to connect investors, business leaders, and one-percenters to the common wealth of their place in the world. He is an organizing force behind "Patriotic Millionaires", a united network of high-net worth Americans, business leaders and investors who are united in their concern about the destabilizing concentration of wealth and power in America. Chuck’s story of wealth inequality is a first hand account…His great grandfather was the meat-packer, Oscar Mayer and Chuck grew up with the inherited wealth from his family fortune. He realized in his mid-twenties that the “mountain of privilege” that had defined his life so far…did not resonate with him…and he gave away his inheritance, to several foundations that funded “change, not charity”. He has been advocating for solutions to the ever-increasing wealth inequality in our country ever since. And as Chuck describes, "you can’t have community without real need and vulnerability". He speaks of the “invitation home” to wealthy people in our country...to bring their wealth back to community and invest in place and people. Chuck proposes that, “People are waiting to be invited to something bigger than consumption….and that is community”.
Sherri Mitchell speaks and teaches around the world on issues of Indigenous rights, environmental justice, and spiritual activism. Sherri was born and raised on the Penobscot Indian reservation. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Maine, and received her Juris Doctorate and a certificate in Indigenous People’s Law and Policy from the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law. Sherri is an alumna of the American Indian Ambassador program, and the Udall Native American Congressional Internship program. In 2010, she received the Mahoney Dunn International Human Rights and Humanitarian Award, for research into Human Rights violations against Indigenous Peoples. In 2015, she received the Spirit of Maine Award, for commitment and excellence in the field of International Human Rights. In 2016, Sherri’s portrait was added to the esteemed portrait series, Americans Who Tell the Truth, by artist Robert Shetterly. . Her work is featured in a documentary film on transformational change, by New Story Film, and her book Sacred Instructions; The Heart of Spirit Based Change was published this year..
Christine Hanna is the Executive Director of YES Media. She grew up in Virginia, received her bachelors degree in economics from UVA and her MBA from the University of Washington. She spent the early part of her career swept up in the dot.com revolution. She ultimately entered the non-profit arena and founded Go Next Door in Seattle, a web-based network dedicated to supporting local businessess and building community. After that, she went on to cofound the Seattle Good Business Network in 2010. Christine and her colleagues grew the organization from a small startup to an influential Seattle player, strengthening the region's locally owned retail, manufacturing and food sectors. She is a passionate advocate for a sustainable, inclusive local economy, with a great track record for putting that passion into action. Christine joined YES in March 2017 and says the role couldn't be a better fit.
Jacqueline Fernandez Rieke has been the owner/operator of Nutty Steph’s for the past 14 years. Born and raised in Suburban Chicago, Jacqueline made her way east after college. Spending a bit of time in Baltimore, she ultimately made her way to central Vermont where she’s been ever since. Jacqueline is currently transitioning Nutty Steph’s to a worker owned coop. She is dedicated to building a more civil society.
Alex Chernomazov and his wife Ella are the co-founders of Greenspark, an Interactive Sustainability Park in development on Route 100 in Waterbury Center, Vermont. Their mission is to inspire local and global communities to adapt current green technologies through interactive hands-on experiences. Alex and Ella’s goal at Greenspark is to make it easy for our guests to experience all aspects of sustainable living – renewable energy, green building and pollution-free transportation – in one place.
Stretching over 640,000 sq. kilometers and encompassing parts of 7 different Chinese provinces, the Loess Plateau is approximately the size of France. John Liu’s film, “Hope in a Changing Climate” chronicles large-scale ecological restoration projects in the Loess Plateau, as well, as in Ethiopia and Rwanda. On October 24th, John visited from Beijing, China and we hosted a film screening at the University of Vermont. Amy Seidl and Jon Erickson joined John for a panel discussion following the film. The event drew a full house. .
During the summer of 2016, Vic Guadagno was the guest host for Carl Etneir’s radio program, Relocalize Vermont, that broadcasts on the Goddard Collage Community Radio station. For many of these broadcasts, Vic condensed previous Bordertown podcasts. This episode features Andrew Faust (Episode 16) and Mark Krawczyk. (Episode 11). Andrew Faust is one of the premier Permaculture teachers and designers in North America with nearly two decades of experience. Andrew has extensive experience in a wide range of climates and habitats including desert, forest and mountain – and has been focusing much of his attention over the past decade on urban landscapes. He is the founder of the Center for BioRegional Living, a design, education and consulting center located in Brooklyn New York. With a campus located in Ellenville, NY, that he is developing with his partner Adriana Magana and their daughter Juniper. Mark is the owner of Keyline Vermont, a permaculture design, consulting and education business. As a student of permaculture design since 2000, Mark Krawczyk has explored tree crop and agroforestry systems, coppice forestry, natural building, traditional woodcrafts, community organizing and both small and broad acre site design. .
Joseph Kiefer grew up on a small-diversified family farm in the Hudson Valley of New York State. As the oldest son of six kids his farm chores with cows, pigs, sheep, chickens and a mean old rooster, taught him much about caring for the land and being a farmer. He received his M.A. in Social Ecology from the Institute for Social Ecology in Plainfield Vermont in 1980. In 1982 he was asked to be part of a Community Task Force on Hunger with the Central Vermont Community Action Council in Barre, Vermont. As a result of this quiet crisis he started a Garden Science / Hunger Education Program with local schools. At the Main Street Middle school a Garden Lab of raised bed gardens, small fruits, fruit trees and a compost was set up with a bed dedicated for the Emergency Food Pantry. This Task Force quickly learned that this dramatic increase in demand for emergency food was being experienced around the state and decided to investigate starting a Food bank for the state. In 1986 Joseph Co-founded the Vermont Food bank. In 1985-86 he served on the Governor’s Task Force on Hunger attending six regional hearings around the state. Upon completion of these projects he cofounded Food Works with a mission to address the root causes of childhood hunger by starting school gardens and food education programs. In 1997 Food Works teamed up with Shelburne Farms and NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) to start VT FEED (food education every day). In 2006 Food Works helped launch the first Food Bank farm in Vermont growing exclusively for emergency feeding sites in the state. At Food Works Joseph was the Director of Education and offered professional development courses and workshops to teachers, food service staff and community organizers on how to grow, process, cook and store locally grown foods. He has taught at California Polytechnic University at Pomona, California, Trinity College, Goddard College, The Union Institute, The College of St. Joseph and Johnson State College and Castelton University all in Vermont. He is a co-author of “Digging Deeper” A comprehensive Guide to School and Community Gardening and “Living Traditions” Teaching Local History Using State and National Learning Standards. Joseph now works as a Food Justice Consultant working with the Good Food Good Medicine Program at Highgate Housing and Green Acres Housing, the Vermont Community Garden Network as well as the Vermont Rural Partnership. He serves on the Boards of Just Basics Inc. in Montpelier and Highgate Housing in Barre Vermont, as well as on the cross cutting Food Access Team of the Vermont Farm to Plate Group. He lives with his wife Amy and their two dogs Chester and Molly on the White Dove Herbal Sanctuary in East Montpelier.
Soil4Climate, a nonprofit organization, advocates for soil restoration as a climate solution. They promote regenerative land management practices to capture atmospheric carbon and encourage collaboration with the larger body of climate activism. Uniting “drawdown” strategies with emissions reduction, divestment from fossil fuels, a price on carbon, and climate justice advocacy, together creates a powerful alliance. Soil4Climate is inspired by the work of Allan Savory which is summarized nicely in his TedTalk as "if we do what I am showing you here, we can take enough carbon out of the atmosphere and safely store it in the grassland soils for thousands of years, and if we just do that on about half the world's grasslands that I've shown you, we can take us back to pre-industrial levels, while feeding people. I can think of almost nothing that offers more hope for our planet, for your children, and their children, and all of humanity." Seth Itzkan is co-founder of Soil4Climate and President of Planet-TECH Associates. Jesse McDougall owns and operates Studio Hill, LLC on Pullman Farm with his wife Caroline - their family’s fourth-generation farm in Shaftsbury, Eric Becker Is Chief Investment Officer at Clean Yield Asset Management, and Karl Thidemann is a co-founder of Soil4Climate and a Strategic Planner for Planet-TECH Associates.
Sarah Waring is the Executive Director of The Center for an Agricultural Economy in Hardwick Vermont. Their mission is to engage the public in building a regenerative, locally based, healthy food system through collaboration opportunities, food access and hunger relief, educational outreach and providing infrastructure. It was a pleasure speaking with Sarah and asking direct questions relevant to our Designing Abundance project here in Central Vermont. Sarah has helped us over the past year and we look forward to continued callaboraiton in the years ahead. It was fun learning about her off-grid days growing up in Glover – the hope of Bread and Puppet, our shared love for the Rockies, and her joyful return to the Green Mountain State. I was drawn to the Center for an Agricultural Economy when I first arrived in Vermont and continue to look to them for inspiration and guidance. It was a pleasure learning more about Sarah and it’s clear that her enthusiasm and vision lends itsels well to their mission of a regenerative Vermont.
Bo Muller-Moore is the founder and owner of Eat More Kale. He prints T-shirts, bumper stickers and other items and is most famous for his Eat More Kale T-shirt. Bo is the inspiration for this year's Eat More Kale Festival. This first annual event is sure to be a good one. Their goal is to strengthen the arts and agricultural communities here in Vermont, which is at the core of the Designing Abundance mission, as we continue to understand and encourage our "PERMAnent CULTURE" here in Vermont. Several years ago, Bo’s wife gave him a Home-T-shirt screen-printing kit. It consisted of a silk screen, a squeegee, a pint of black ink and a short instructional book. The book suggested that simple prints could be produced using hand-cut stencils. Sounded simple and off he went. “CHEESE” was his first print. It was a hit among his friends and co-workers. Having heard that he was printing t-shirts from home a couple of friends of his, Paul and Kate of High-Ledge Farm, penned the phrase “EAT MORE KALE” and special ordered two shirts for themselves. In less than 20 minutes. Bo printed their shirts and delivered them at the next farmer’s market. The idea became “viral” before people knew what “viral” was, then quickly spread to all corners of the world. Bo was born in the city of Blues, Rock n’ Roll, BBQ and Elvis…..Memphis, TN. He’s lived in Tennessee, Michigan, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia and Vermont. He received a History Degree from Samford University (B’ham, Al) in 1998. Before that he failed out of Auburn Univ and before that Rhodes College in Memphis. Bo liked college but was not very good at it. He now live in the state capital of Vermont, Montpelier, where he’s been living since 1998.
Keith Morris owns & operates Willing Crossing Farm in Johnson Vermont along with his partner Kori Gelinas, growing one of the most diverse collections of fruit and nut trees in the northeast as well as bees, herbs and apothocary. Keith is also the founder of Prospect Rock Permaculture, Vermont’s longest running Permaculture Institute and a co-founding board member of the Permaculture Institute of the Northeast (P.I.N.E.). He has been instrumental in bringing Permaculture to the northeast and teaching at the university level - including the University of Vermont, Sterling College, Saint Michaels College, Paul Smiths College and the Yestermororw Design Build School in the Waitsfield, Vermont.
Andrew Faust is one of the premier Permaculture teachers and designers in North America with nearly two decades of experience. Andrew has extensive experience in a wide range of climates and habitats including desert, forest and mountain – and has been focusing much of his attention over the past decade on urban landscapes. He is the founder of the Center for BioRegional Living, a design, education and consulting center located in Brooklyn New York. With a campus located in Ellenville, NY, that he is developing with his partner Adriana Magana and their daughter Juniper.
Geoff Lawton is perhaps the world’s most influential Permaculture teacher. He has created a global network of students, activist and Permaculture demonstration centers and has undertaken thousands of of jobs - teaching, consulting, designing and implementing Permaculture design projects. He is the Managing Director of the Permaculture Research Institute. Geoff is optimistic and inspired, and is now teaching thousands of people through his online courses and video series.
Mark is co-founder and lead designer with Roots To Fruits Ecological Design - an ecological design firm committed to the restoration of local food systems, economies, and ecologies. Mark is a student of gardening, botany, ecology, food systems, herbalism, perennial agriculture and agrecology. A true generalized specialist, Mark's work spans from forestry and gardening to craft and woodwork. He produces hand carved woodenware through Quercus Wood Craft. He also writes and teaches about wild edible plants with Eat Here Now, where he works to foster a deep connection to local ecosystems and nature. He lives and works in southeast Michigan.
Trevor Newman is an amateur pomologist, avid gardener, student and teacher of regenerative design and all-around plant geek. He owns and operates TerraNu Nursery, an edible and useful plant company based in Clarkston, MI. He also owns and operates an edible landscaping firm called Roots To Fruits Ecological Design. In addition, Trevor is the founder and purveyor of The Fruit Nut a media project dedicated to promoting ecologically sound and economically viable practices. He is a teacher and lecturer - and passionately works to raise awareness about locally and ecologically grown food and has been involved for many years in developing southeast Michigan’s local food culture.
The Good Foot Project – “We left everything in Los Angeles and started down the road to sustainability. This is our Story.” On April 28th, 2013 Anastasia King and JC Jarris began a year-long expedition, by RV, across the USA visiting low-impact organic farms and eco-villages to learn best practices in sustainable farming, construction, energy, water and waste management. This trip is to educate and prepare them for establishing their own sustainable, low-impact, eco-retreat and training center.
Mark Krawczyk is the owner of Keyline Vermont, a permaculture design, consulting and education business. As a student of permaculture design since 2000, Mark Krawczyk has explored tree crop and agroforestry systems, coppice forestry, natural building, traditional woodcrafts, community organizing and both small and broad acre site design. Mark works as a community educator and organizer with Burlington Permaculture, the non-profit he helped found. He is the owner/operator of RivenWoodCrafts - a traditional woodcraft and natural construction business.
James Maroney is an American Art Dealer and former Organic Dairy Farmer. He has a Master’s degree in Environmental Law and Policy from the Vermont Law School, and is a passionate advocate for water quality, often focusing his attention on Vermont Dairy. James puts forth a compelling argument to transition the entire Vermont Diary industry to organic. He also gives us a glimpse into his life as an Art Dealer, and provides a succinct history of the evolution of U.S. Industrial Agriculture.
Lisa Mase, of Harmonized Cookery is a whole foods cooking educator, food writer, translator, and herbalist, living between Italy, Vermont and New Mexico. LIke many people she imagines a time where people relied on their neighbor and food and medicine came right from the local region. Unlike many people, Lisa lived this life as a young girl growing up in the mountains of northern Italy. In a thoughtful and practical way, Lisa explains the role food plays in our individual health, community resiliency and cultural heritage.
Chris Shanks is a Co-Director at Project Bona Fide located on Isla de Ometepe in Nicaragua. He is a multi-talented teacher, organizer, permaculture enthusiast, and design visionary. A graduate of the University of Vermont, Chris is fascinated with living systems and whole systems design. When not working in the non-profit or design world he can be found masquerading as a builder, a mason, as a decent plumber, as a poor electrician, as a sailor, as a fanatic for bamboo, as a lover of palms, as a permaculturalist with a rock/tree climbing habit, and as an avid motorcyclist.
Jon Erickson is Professor of Ecological Economics and Interim Dean at the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. He teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in ecological economics (EE); leads an international service-learning program in the Dominican Republic focused on human rights and health in migrant communities; co-supervises a graduate certificate program in EE; and leads a research program on both the theoretical development of EE and applied work on human and ecosystem health, rural livelihoods, regional sustainable development, land and biodiversity conservation, watershed planning, forest management, climate change policy, and renewable energy technology. He has published extensively on these topics in journals such as Science, Ecological Economics, Land Economics, Climatic Change, Bioscience, Energy Policy, and Landscape and Urban Planning. Dr. Erickson’s work on problem-based learning in EE was published with Josh Farley and Herman Daly in a workbook with Island Press (2005), and recognized by University of Vermont’s inaugural service-learning award. His most recent co-edited book on The Great Conservation Experiment: Voices from the Adirondack Park was published by Syracuse University Press in July 2009. He is also president of the U.S. Society for Ecological Economics, past president of the Adirondack Research Consortium (ARC), past board member of the International Society for Ecological Economics, and currently serves as board member of the ARC, trustee of the Conservation and Research Foundation, executive editor of the Adirondack Journal of Environmental Studies, and editorial board member of Environmental Policy and Governance and Ecological Economics Reviews.
Angella Gibbons, Founder and Director of EarthWalk, has been connecting groups of children to the Earth for 25 years. She was the founder and director of Lotus Lake Discovery Center in Williamstown, VT. from 1993-2003, creating and leading environmental and adventure based school programs for over 15,000 students, teachers, and community members. Angella led the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Summer Kayak Building Expedition Program for teens, from 1998-2004. Her experiences also include teaching 1st and 2nd grade, and 7th and 8th grade science in CostaRica. Her certifications and coursework include: B.A. from UVM (1983), expeditions with the National Outdoor Leadership School and Outward Bound, and certification in Wildlife Tracking. Angella is a certified lifeguard and Wilderness First Responder.
Amy Seidl is a practiced ecologist, activist and author who writes with a lucid and passionate eye about the state of life itself in the age of global warming. By drawing on her 20-year career studying ecology, evolution, and butterflies across the North American continent, she illuminates the historical significance and the everyday impacts of global warming upon the 21st century landscape. A passionate speaker on contemporary environmental issues, Amy frequently keynotes and lectures on climate change, renewable energy, local food systems, and the emerging field of sustainability science. Her research in ecological systems and alternative energy makes her a sought-after lecturer on global warming and she emphasizes the need to innovate and build new physical infrastructures that do not rely on fossil fuels.
Elizabeth Courtney began her career as a printmaker and ceramicist. After moving to Vermont in 1974, she developed an interest in land use issues. In 1979, she enrolled in the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and graduated in 1982 with a Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture, she returned to Vermont to practice land use planning. Madeleine Kunin appointed her to the Vermont Environmental Board in 1985 where she served three governors over nine years and was chair from 1990 to 1994. She is a 1995 Harvard Loeb Fellow in Advanced Environmental Studies. She served on the Vermont Law School Board of Trustees from 1995-2004. Elizabeth was the Executive Director of the Vermont Natural Resources Council from 1997 to 2011 and the Legacy Project Director from 2011 to 2012, during which time she authored, with Eric Zencey, Greening Vermont: The Search for a Sustainable State.
Joe Bossen, is the founder and owner of Vermont Bean Crafters. A 2008 graduate of Green Mountain College, and at the ripe age of only 26, Joe has already attempted several small businesses. Vermont Bean Crafters gives him the opportunity to participate in his love for farming, while playing a critical role in Vermont's transition to local food. Joe is taking on a critical role in the transition to local foods, by creating demand for staple crops. He is actively working to integrate his bean-based products into regional schools, health facilities and of course retail outlets. And this summer he has taken on a new aspect as Bean Crafters has already successfully catered large events and weddings. Joe Bossen - master bean crafter and yurt-dweller describes the path from fast food strip malls to agricultural enlightenment.
Ben Graham is an architectural designer by trade with a B.Arch from the Rhode Island School of Design. He is also a third generation woodworker and housebuilder, learning homebuilding first-hand from his grandfather. He is a partner in New Frameworks, the Natural Design Build company located in Burlington, Vermont. Ben has been at the front of developing the natural building movement in Vermont and the Northeast since 2000 as a professional contractor and an organizer for the Network of Natural Builders in the Northeast. His advocacy work has brought him attention in books, newspapers, TV and conferences.
Today will be an interview with Ben Falk of Whole Systems Design. Ben developed Whole Systems Design as a land-based response to biological and cultural extinction and the increasing separation between people and elemental things. Life as a designer, builder, ecologist, tree-tender, and backcountry traveler continually informs Ben’s integrative approach to developing landscapes and buildings. His home landscape and the WSD studio site in Vermont's Mad River Valley serve as a proving ground for the innovative land developments featured in the projects of Whole Systems Design. Ben has studied architecture and landscape architecture at the graduate level and holds a master’s degree in land-use planning and design. He has taught design courses at the University of Vermont and Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum as well as on permaculture design, microclimate design, and design for climate change. He recently served on the Board of Directors at the Yestermorrow Design-Build School and teaches there from time to time. Ben latest book, The Resilient Farm and Homestead can be purchased on his website.