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April 25, 2020

Serving Addison, Rutland & Chittenden Counties

Vt. State College closings: draconian steps Plans to close multiple campuses From Staff & News Reports THE EAGLE

MIDDLEBURY | Gov. Phil Scott last week issued the following statement over the plans to shut down several Vermont State College campuses permanently. The VSC Chancellor’s plan, made public last Friday represents a whole system transformation focused on eliminating program duplication, reducing overhead and investing in programs that are high demand, economically viable, and provide valuable career opportunities for Vermont students. It includes the consolidation of the two residential career-focused liberal arts campuses of Northern Vermont University to Castleton University, along with refocusing Vermont Technical College’s programs at its Williston campus and closing the Randolph Center campus “Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, Vermont State College trustees faced a difficult and unsustainable financial reality: A declining enrollment and systemwide overhead costs rising much faster than tuition and taxpayers can afford,” Scott said. “The board has been signaling for years that the system is not financially sustainable. We’ve seen many private colleges across the country close for similar reasons. Now, accelerated by the economic impacts of the pandemic, we must have some difficult discussions about how to save the state college system. Scott said problems also face the state’s preK-12 education system as well, but the state college system can’t rely on property taxes to cover its continuously rising costs. “From my perspective there are three fundamental paths to choose from,” Scott added. “Adopt the current plan: Ask already overburdened taxpayers to pour tens of millions more into the current system, knowing it is unsustainable; or Seize this opportunity to save the state college system and use it to strengthen our entire education system, from cradle to career.” Scott said he doesn’t support adopting the current plan as proposed or asking taxpayers to bailout a system that is no longer financially viable. “There is a far better, more positive path forward – including for the communities that rely on state college campuses to sustain their local economies – if we are creative and committed to the hard work ahead,” he said. “For this reason, I’m calling on the legislature to begin work immediately on a statewide plan to rethink, reform and strengthen the education system in ways that are fair and equitable to every student, every community and every taxpayer... This is a significant challenge, and an opportunity with enormous potential for the future of our state and all 251 of its communities.” ■

Image: Curt Teich Postcard Archives Collection

VERMONT TOURISM HIT HARD BY ‘STAY AT HOME’ EFFECTS Unemployed waiting weeks for state checks

the economic impact on individual Vermonters continues, as the backlog of unemployment insurance cases continues to leave thousands of claims unpaid. The state has assured those still waiting for checks that they will not lose

By Lou Varricchio EDITOR

MIDDLEBURY | A new study of stateby-state tourism trends indicates that Vermont is in the top five overall most negatively affected states in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The online study by the financial website WalletHub was released last week; it indicates that Vermont’s share of GDP generated travel and tourism industry has already taken a hit. Travel and tourism workers appear to be the most negatively affected, according to the study. To make matters worse, many Vermonters report not receiving unemployment checks owed them even weeks after having applied for their compensation. According to Tim McQuiston reporting in Vermont Business Magazine last week, “The bad news is that

Jeff Zagorsky: “Our data set ranges from share of businesses in travel and tourismrelated industries to travel spending per travel employee and presence of stay-athome orders.” Pictured: The Middlebury Inn in downtown Middlebury. any money as they work fix the process.” Meanwhile, the WalletHub report shows exactly where Vermont’s travel and tourism has been hit, with “1” being most affected, and “25” being average:

Fifth – Share of employment in travel and Tourism-Related Industries Sixth – Share of businesses in travel and tourism-related industries Sevent h – Travel & Tourism Consumer Spending per Capita Ninth – Share of travel and tourism industry Generated GDP Eleventh – Share of Consumer Expenditures on Travel Twentieth – Travel Spending Per Travel Employee. “To identify the states (such as Vermont) where tourism is most affected by COVID-19, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 10 key metrics,” according to WalletHub spokesperson Diana Polk in Washington, D.C. “Our data set ranges from share of businesses in travel and tourism-related industries to travel spending per travel employee and presence of stay-at-home orders,” Polk noted. Jay Zagorsky, an adjunct professor at Boston University, has looked at the New England states as well as other states. See TOURISM » pg. 4

Two local farms focus on online sales Ice House Farm and Blue Ledge Farm lauded by Greener World By Lou Varricchio EDITOR

LEICESTER | Two AGW-certified Addison County farms were recently highlighted for their outstanding work in raising animals sustainably while producing meat, dairy, eggs and fiber in ways that are good for animals, the environment, and people during the current pandemic and beyond. The Ice House Farm in Goshen is managed by Morgan and Chad Beckwith and is a reflection of many other farms across the country right now, according to farmer Katie Amos of Greener World, the Oregon-based organization that is behind AGW certification. Amos recently lauded the Ice House farmers for making swift changes so

Coretta is the only “grown up” that will still sit in Morgan Beckwith’s lap like a kid at the Ice House Farm in Goshen. Last year was Coretta’s first year on the milking line; she miscarried early and her season was cut short. “I milked her long enough to dry her off... During a welcomed break in rainy weather she had a daughter. Now my little girl has her own little girl. Lucky for me, I got to be there for her,” Beckwith said.

that they can continue farming and get food safely to customers during the current pandemic. “With restaurant closures and uncertainty of farmers markets (even though some are still open with strict safety precautions), the farm’s markets are moving under their feet,” Amos said. “In the midst of uncertainty, the Beckwiths are focused on getting food into their community, so they find ways to adapt.” Last week, the Beckwiths launched a new online store to sell and ship their high-welfare, sustainable goat’s milk products throughout New England, and the site even includes a “Goat Pantry Bundle”, a selection of the various flavors of their AGWcertified kefir and goat cheese. “They’re excited to now offer online sales, but they’re needing help to get the word out so folks can take advantage of this option,” according to Amos. Amos said other Addison County farms are doing similar important things during the COVID-19 crisis

Facecbook photo

Trout season

Fishing season for trout and landlocked salmon opened on April 11 in Vermont. The day provided an ideal excuse to get outdoors and enjoy the early spring weather during the pandemic. Pictured is angler Hannah who enjoyed a morning fishing along Otter Creek in western Addison County. Photo by Christy Alger

See FARMS » pg. 2

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