June 28, 2007

By MEGAN JAMES

MIDDLEBURY — Five years into his role as president of the University of Vermont, Dan Fogel stressed in an interview this week at the Addison Independent offices that creating jobs for the larger community, including Addison County, is as important to his research university as attracting and retaining students.

The key to achieving this, he said, is to bolster an academic environment that encourages the development of entrepreneurial projects, from students and faculty alike, that fit into “Vermont’s environmental brand” and sustainable technology niche.

June 28, 2007

By CYRUS LEVESQUE

BRIDPORT — The Lake Champlain Restoration Association has been working since 2001 to combat the spread of aquatic nuisance plants like Eurasian milfoil in the southern part of the lake, and they recently got a helping hand. In an unusual partnership, Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) is leasing aquatic weed harvesting equipment to the group, a much more effective system than what they have been using.

Chip Morgan, president of the LCRA, said that the project is all the more valuable because the southern end of the lake receives relatively little help.

“There’s been a lot of attention paid to the north end of the lake, and not enough to the south, in my opinion,” he said.

June 25, 2007

By JOHN FLOWERS

ADDISON COUNTY — What a difference a year can make down on the farm.

Last summer, farmers’ finances and collective patience were being stretched to the limit by anemic milk prices and a weather-beaten hay crop.

On Thursday, however, many farmers were making room in their barns for a fast-growing second cut of hay and were celebrating soaring milk prices that Agri-Mark Cabot Economist Bob Wellington said could climb beyond $22 per hundredweight before the end of the year.

“We’re right in that transition where milk prices are starting to move upward pretty dramatically,” Wellington said. “For farmers in Vermont, the (price of milk) will be well over $22 per hundredweight.”

June 25, 2007

By JOHN FLOWERS

SHOREHAM — Citizens serving on public school boards in Vermont toil many hours for little reward, other than the occasional pat on the back and the knowledge that they are helping local kids get a good education.

But every once in a while a school board member really gets noticed.

Such was the case last week for Bridport Central School board member Sharon Koller, who received a statewide award from the Vermont Board of Education for her many contributions to her district.