Annual Report to the General Assembly - Vermont Housing and ...

2008
Vermont
Housing &
Conservation
Board
Annual Report to the General Assembly

Vermont Housing & ConserVation Board
Christine H. Hart, Chair; Executive Director, Brattleboro Housing Authority
Thomas Weaver, Vice-Chair; Bartlett-Weaver Associates, Essex Junction
Roger Allbee, Secretary, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
Sarah E. Carpenter, Executive Director, Vermont Housing Finance Agency
Kevin Dorn, Secretary, Agency of Commerce and Community Development
John T. Ewing, Burlington
Roy Folsom, Farmer, Crooked Brooks Farm, Cabot
G. Kenneth Perine, President, National Bank of Middlebury
Jonathan Wood, Secretary, Agency of Natural Resources
agriCultural adVisory Committee
Cecile Branon, Fairfield farmer
Vicky Drew, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Colleen Leonard, UVM Extension Service
George Putnam, Yankee Farm Credit
Jon Satz, Brandon farmer
Harvey Smith, USDA Farm Service Agency
VERMoNT FARM ViABiLiTY PRoGRAM ADViSoRY BoARD
Anson Tebbetts, Chair; Deputy Secretary, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
Gary Braman, Loan officer, USDA Farm Service Agency
Vicky Carson, Newbury farmer
Jane Clifford, Starksboro farmer
Sarah isham, Vermont Economic Development Authority
Doug Lantagne, Dean, UVM Extension Service
David Marchant, Fairfax farmer
George Robson, Vermont Department of Economic Development
Gus Seelig, Executive Director, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
Bill Suhr, Shoreham apple grower
VHCB STAFF
Executive Director: Gus Seelig
Financial: Kathy Barrows, Cheryl Morris, Janet Stone
Administration: Larry Mires, Kym Andrews, Pam Boyd, Laurie Graves
Conservation: Nancy Everhart, Billy Coster, Karen Freeman, Ethan Parke
Housing: Polly Nichol, Rick DeAngelis, Willa Darley Chapin, Ariane Kissam,
Craig Peltier, Kathleen Kanz
Lead Paint Hazard Reduction Program: Ron Rupp, Marty Bonneau,
Diane Mackay, Bob Zatzke
Vermont Community Stewardship Program: Joan Misek, Francis Sharpstene
Vermont Farm Viability Enhancement Program: Ela Chapin
Legal: Jim Libby, Elizabeth Egan
Photography: staff, grantees, and as credited
Writing: VHCB staff and as credited
Design: Pam Boyd
Printing: Stillwater Graphics
oN THE CoVER:
West Rutland farmer Greg Cox at
the Rutland Farmer's market. The
Vermont Land Trust conserved 70
acres of farmland at the Cox farm
with an option to Purchase at
Agricultural Value. Story, page 11.
Caleb Kenna photo
Montpelier Mayor Mary Hooper
and Central Vermont Community
Land Trust Director Eileen Peltier
cutting the ribbon at the Bianchi
Block on Barre Street. Community
members, funders, staff and board
members joined the celebration.
Chris Wood photo

Julie Richards photo
James H. Douglas, governor
governor
Dear vermonters,
state of vermont
office of tHe governor
January 30, 2009
i’m delighted to present the annual report of the vermont Housing and
conservation Board. This agency, with many partners around the state and in state
government, has been a catalyst for positive community development for more than 20
years. This year the Board invested in the preservation and development of 438 homes
and apartments and the conservation of 26 farms while in addition conserving 1,917
acres for public recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection and natural areas.
The Board’s essential values are reflected in vermont’s long-standing smart
growth policies of compact village settlements surrounded by a working landscape.
its innovation and creation of the farm viability Program as a partnership with our
agency of agriculture, food and markets has been an outstanding development. This
year the Board’s program sponsored the first national conference of farm viability
providers with visitors from 15 states and canadian provinces.
a hallmark of the Board’s programs is the ability to attract federal resources to our
state and to leverage public and foundation funding. Thus, our investment of $15.1
million this year resulted in projects with a total value of $87 million.
The state’s difficult financial circumstance may curtail and delay some projects. it
will not, however, curtail the creativity and can-do community spirit that the Board
supports.
We look forward to working with the general assembly and the Board in the
coming year.
sincerely,
James H. Douglas
governor
Rbbon cutting at the reopening of
the Lund Family Center’s Residential
Treatment Center in Burlington. VHCB
helped support the renovation, which
increased capacity from 18 to up to
30 women and their children.

Letter from the Chair
Above, workers at Champlain
Housing Trust’s King Street
Housing—20 new apartments and
CHT offices. Below, boardwalk
at the Mount Cavalry Red
Maple Swamp conserved by the
Burlington City Parks Department.
2
Dear members of the general assembly,
i am pleased to provide you with the annual report of the vermont Housing
and conservation Board. in this very difficult economy, it is important that we
maintain the highest level of accountability, and providing this report is one step
in that process. along with our staff, i look forward to meeting with you and your
committees to answer your questions about the choices we make investing these
funds in community development and conservation projects around the state.
as you examine our report you will note a very high amount of leverage in
the projects we invest in. overall, more than $4 has been leveraged for every state
dollar appropriated. over the last year, this resulted in commitments to build or
rehabilitate 438 homes and apartments and make 35 homes accessible for people
with mobility impairments while also preserving and conserving 26 farms with
4,459 acres, assisting in the conservation of significant natural communities and
public recreation areas and investing in diverse historic buildings for community
and cultural use including the Bradford library, randolph’s chandler music Hall,
and the samuel read Hall House in Brownington.
Beyond the investment in community capital assets, what impresses me most
is the high level of community involvement and commitment to these assets. The
Board regularly hears presentations from your constituents about why the investments
we are making are necessary and how they will benefit both the economy
and quality of life in our communities.
You will also note that the efforts of vermonters supported by our programs
continue to be recognized on a national and international level. The champlain
Housing trust won the World Habitat award for the northern Hemisphere from
the united nations. The Windham Housing trust was recognized by the national
community reinvestment coalition as the most outstanding rural housing nonprofit
in 2008. The vermont land trust received an environmental merit award
from the environmental Protection agency of new england. Those are but a few
of the recognitions that have come from the outstanding and creative work of
vermonters.
“Vermont’s landscape of compact villages separated by farms,
fields, and forests is an economic asset. Customers come to
Smugglers’ for the specific amenities and experiences that we
offer, but being in Vermont is definitely part of the draw. In a very
real way, VHCB’s conservation work supports Vermont’s travel
and tourism industry.”
— Bill Stritzler, Owner and Managing Director, Smugglers’ Notch

This year has also brought significant
economic difficulty. We have reduced
our grant making and administrative
operations by almost $2 million as a
result of rescissions, creating a pipeline
of projects that are awaiting funds when
the new fiscal year begins.
as you consider the many competing
needs for the limited resources the
state can provide, please know that we
will work carefully with you and your
constituents to stretch our dollars as far
as possible and to maintain the health
of the vibrant community development
organizations that are serving every
corner of our state.
We look forward to meeting you in
your committee rooms and answering
all your questions about our programs.
sincerely,
christine H. Hart, chair
2008 Awards and Recognition
Champlain Housing Trust CEO Brenda Torpy and board
member Richard Kemp traveled to Luanda, Angola in
October to accept the 2008 United Nations World Habitat
Award for the Northern Hemisphere. CHT was recognized
for its innovative shared-equity homeownership program
which uses public and private funds to create permanently
affordable homes.
The Vermont Land Trust received an Environmental Merit
Award from the Environmental Protection Agency of New England for outstanding
contributions on behalf of our regional environment.
In Washington, D.C., Windham Housing Trust director Connie Snow accepted the 2008
James Leach National Achievement Award for the most outstanding rural non-profit
in the nation. The award was presented by the National Community Reinvestment
Coalition.
The Federal Administration on Aging named HomeShare Vermont a 2008 National
Aging Program Champion, highlighting the organization’s mission to assist elders and
persons with disabilities to live independently in their own homes by providing matching
services for homesharing and caregiving.
Smart Growth Vermont presented the 2008 Arthur Gibb Award
for Individual Leadership to Paul Bruhn, founder and Executive
Director of the Preservation Trust of Vermont. Paul was
honored for his significant contribution to preserving Vermont’s
landscapes, village centers and historic landmarks. Since 1980,
the Preservation Trust of Vermont has touched the lives of
Vermonters in almost every city and town in the state.
The American Institute of Architects 2008 Vermont Design
Awards: Gossens Bachman Architects of Montpelier won an
Honorable Mention in the Historic Preservation Category for the
Bemis Block Restoration and Renovation in Hardwick (p. 34). Bread
Loaf Corporation of Middlebury won an Honor Award in the Recent
Public Project Category for the Ferrisburgh Grange Hall (left).
The Lake Champlain Land Trust is one of an inaugural group of
39 land trusts nationwide officially accredited by an independent commission of land
conservation experts, the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. The Lake Champlain
Land Trust is celebrating 30 years of partnering with local communities to conserve more
than 4,000 acres of land, 16 islands, and 16 miles of Lake Champlain shoreline.
Ed Stretch, retiring director of the Gilman Housing Trust, was
presented with a Community Development Champion Award
by the Vermont Community Development Program. Ed’s tenacity,
leadership skills, and vision for community development improved
housing opportunities for many low-income Vermonters. The
State of Vermont thanks Ed for all his years of dedicated service
in creating affordable housing in the Northeast Kingdom.
3

4
Housing Programs
Responding to Need, Supporting
Communities & Stimulating the Economy
Vhcb awards state and federal dollars to meet a variety of housing needs in
communities throughout the state. Through a statewide network of nonprofit
housing developers and service providers, vhcb funding has led to
the acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of over 9,300 affordable homes since
1987. every county in the state has benefitted from affordable housing developed
by this network, whether in the form of rental housing for seniors or families,
homeownership opportunities for first-time homebuyers or service-supported
housing for individuals and households with special housing needs.
challenging economic times have increased pressure on the rental housing
market and resulted in a greater need to support the most vulnerable vermonters
who may need support services in order to live independently. opportunities to
acquire federally assisted developments from the original owner/developer have
resulted in the preservation of a substantial number of apartments that house
the lowest income vermonters. vhcb funds have been used to construct new
apartments, to acquire and rehabilitate existing ones and to acquire and preserve,
usually for a modest investment of state dollars, rental properties in which there
had already been an investment of public funds. The sharp increase in energy
costs during the summer resulted in a strong focus on bringing buildings acquired
or renovated with vhcb funds to a new level of energy efficiency including, in
a number of cases, the use of alternative energy technology including biomass
boilers or solar hot water.
for every dollar of state funds invested in an affordable rental housing
development by vhcb, another $7 in federal and private money is usually invested
as well. in the case of homeownership, that leverage is typically 5 to 1. not only
does the state’s contribution directly generate substantial investments from other
sources, it also helps to create jobs and support local economies. according to the
u.s. Department of commerce, an investment of $1 million in housing creates 35
construction jobs. investments in affordable housing also benefit local businesses
by increasing the likelihood of employee retention when employees have an
affordable place to live in close proximity to where they work. When fire has ravaged
an important downtown or village center building, or when disinvestment has
left a commercial or residential structure blighted or vacant, time after time the
community has turned to the non-profit sector to rebuild using vhcb and other
funds. such investments not only create affordable housing but also bring renewed
economic vitality to a downtown or village center. often this rebuilding includes
commercial space as well as apartments.
Fiscal Year 2008
HOUSING
State Funding Commitments
$8,622,000
438 units; 25 projects
Federal Funding Commitments
HOME Program
$4,293,348
Lead-Based Paint
Hazard Reduction Program
$ 502,645
Above, Sylvan Woods in Stowe
constructed in 2007 with 28
rental homes (24 affordable)
and 8 condominiums (3 with
homeland grants). The Lamoille
Housing Partnership had 157
applicants for the apartments.

Preservation of existing rental developments
in which public investment has already been made
is one of the major priorities for vhcb funding.
During the period covered by this annual
report a number of important preservation
opportunities presented themselves and received
vhcb funding. These investments not only result
in improvement of physical conditions but also
keep these properties affordable permanently
through the use of housing subsidy covenants,
insuring that the public will not have to buy these
properties again to keep them affordable.
Keeping vermont’s most vulnerable citizens
adequately housed with the support services
necessary to enable them to succeed as tenants
is an important part of vhcb’s mission. recently
funded developments include housing for people
leaving homeless shelters, people with mental
illness, battered women and their children,
homeless veterans and individuals in recovery
from substance abuse.
an important element of vhcb’s housing
program is creating permanently affordable
homeownership opportunities. since 1987 vhcb
has helped approximately 800 vermonters
become homeowners, most for the first time.
During the period covered by this annual
report 85 households benefitted from such
vhcb assistance though a number of programs
including homeland, Habitat for Humanity,
new developments of condominiums or single
family homes and resales of existing permanently
affordable homes that are being stewarded by
community land trusts and other non-profit
housing organizations. The resale restrictions
that accompany vhcb purchase subsidies limit
the buyer’s share of the home’s appreciation
and thereby insure that the property will
remain affordable to future generations of
homebuyers.
in all of its housing programs, vhcb remains
committed to responding to community
identified needs, investing in downtowns and
village centers, and serving lower-income
vermonters with a wide range of housing
needs.
Funding Programs
Through a number of innovative programs, the Board funds the acquisition,
rehabilitation and construction of affordable housing. All vhcb-funded housing
serves households earning less than 100 percent of median income. The
majority of housing funded by VHCB serves households with incomes less than
80 percent of median and often between 30 and 50 percent of median income.
Feasibility Funds Grants of up to $15,000 pay for predevelopment costs such
as appraisals, engineering and environmental studies, energy audits, options,
preliminary architectural and title work and market analyses.
Multi-Family Rental Housing The Board funds acquisition and rehabilitation
or new construction of rental housing.
HOME Program Private developers and non-profit organizations are eligible to
apply for federal HOME funds to increase the affordability of rental housing.
Annual reporting and income verification requirements apply.
Service-Supported Housing Social service agencies provide support services
specific to residents’ needs (for elders, battered women, or physically, developmentally,
or mentally disabled persons, for example).
Site-Based Home Ownership Funding is available for home ownership units in
multi-unit developments.
Home Ownership Programs
• Homeland Grants of up to $40,000 subsidize the cost of single family
homes, duplexes and condominiums, increasing affordability and guaranteeing
perpetual affordability upon resale. Appreciation is limited by an
agreement between the non-profit and the home owner. In return, the
purchase price of the home is reduced significantly.
• Single Family Assistance Program Participating non-profit housing organizations
administer grants of up to $4,000 to assist homebuyers with down
payment and closing costs.
• Habitat for Humanity & Vocational Education Grants help pay for land
or lower the costs of construction. The resulting savings are passed on to
first-time home buyers.
• Mobile Home Parks VHCB funds assist with the purchase and upgrading
of mobile home parks by non-profit housing organizations or co-ops.
• Mobile Home Purchase Subsidy Program Funds assist low-income households
to purchase mobile homes in non-profit– or cooperatively-owned
mobile home parks. Funds are provided for down payment assistance, to
prevent foreclosure, or to upgrade or replace deteriorated homes.
Transitional Housing Fund supports the development of housing for people in
transition who need both temporary housing as well as support services.
Housing for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS Federal funds from the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development subsidize housing and supplemental
services for persons living with HIV/AIDS.
Energy Fund One-time set aside provides small grants for upgrades to building
systems in multi-unit apartment buildings leading to reduced energy costs.
Lead Paint Hazard Reduction Program Homeowners and landlords utilize federal
funds for services to reduce lead hazards in older buildlings.
5

6
Conservation Programs
“I could have sold the land to a developer for more, but they would
have developed every square inch. And can you imagine the impact
on the town? I’ve spent my whole life here. This was our chance to
do something good for Hinesburg.” — Wayne Bissonette
VHCB Conservation Programs
Benefit Environment and Economy
In the last 18 months, vhcb funded 26 farmland protection projects, 20 natural
area and outdoor recreation projects, and five historic preservation projects.
in addition, the farm viability enhancement Program, supported and administered
by vhcb, provided business planning and technical assistance to a total of
54 farmers. The stories profiled in this report, along with the list of project awards,
provide an overview of the multiple benefits of conservation.
Farmland Protection
acting on applications from all corners of the state, the farmland Protection
Program reflects the diversity of agriculture in vermont. to name a few examples
funded this year:
• Bennington: An 86-acre Christmas tree farm owned by Barry Horst was
protected with a vhcb grant to the vermont land trust (vlt) for the purchase
of development rights.
• Alburgh: The Board made a grant to vlt for the purchase of development
rights on leo and nancy Henry’s 359-acre organic dairy farm on the canadian
border.
Fiscal Year 2008
CONSERVATION
STATE FUNDING COMMITMENTS
Agricultural Land:
$3,596,207
26 farms; 4,459 acres
Natural Areas, Recreational Lands,
Historic Properties:
$2,913,161
20 projects; 1,917 acres
5 historic properties
FEDERAL FUNDS
Farm and Ranchland
Protection Program:
$4,089,500
Vermont Land Trust photo

• Springfield: vhcb made funds available for the protection of a 38-acre,
fifth generation vegetable farm on the connecticut river owned by David and
Jennifer Blais.
• St. Johnsbury: vhcb granted the agency of agriculture funds for development
rights on gary and veronica olcott’s 155-acre dairy farm.
Natural Areas and Recreation Lands
The demand for natural area and recreation land funding exceeds vhcb’s funding
capacity. among the projects funded this year:
• Bellows Falls: The Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association moved quickly
to save Bald Hill, a prominent wooded hill behind the high school for hiking,
skiing, mountain biking, cross-country running, and educational activities.
• West Haven and Fair Haven: The Nature Conservancy needed funds to
secure the habitat around one of only two known timber rattlesnake dens in
vermont. vhcb made the grant that will allow for this important acquisition.
• Middlesex: The Middlesex Conservation Commission worked diligently
to negotiate the purchase of over 400 acres of forested land at the southern end
of the Worcester range. vhcb’s grant may lead to the creation of a new hiking
trail from middlesex notch north toward the summit of Hunger mountain.
Historic Preservation
In historic preservation, the Board focuses its efforts on community groups
that seek to save important historic buildings and renovate them for public
use. a sampling:
• Readsboro: The Board provided funds to Readsboro Hometown Redevelopment
inc. for the rehabilitation of the 1890 Bullock Building—a landmark,
three-story structure in the center of the village. a mixture of public uses is
planned.
• Brownington: vhcb funded restoration of the samuel read Hall House.
This 1831 federal style mansion, owned by the orleans county Historical society,
will become part of the old stone House museum complex, and will be used
primarily for education activities.
Farm Viability Enhancement Program
The farm viability enhancement Program helps farmers expand, innovate,
diversify, and transfer ownership. examples of farm enterprises that received
viability assistance include an organic dairy and maple operation in fairfield;
an apple orchard in shelburne; a nursery and vineyard in Poultney; a large
dairy in Braintree; an organic dairy and poultry operation in Hardwick; and a
poultry and vegetable operation in Wheelock. read more about the program
on page 30.
Pictured opposite: The Vermont Land Trust, the Hinesburg Land Trust and the Trust
for Public Lands worked with Wayne and Barbara Bissonette to conseve 600 acres of
open and forested land in Hinesburg including productive agricultural land. The project
features trails for the public, restoration of 130 acres of wetlands (with funding from
the Clean and Clear Program), creation of a town forest and a town cemetery and
protection of habitat for an endangered bat species. (VHCB, federal and town funds,
local fundraising, foundation funding and a bargain sale by the Bissonettes.)
Economic and
Environmental Impacts
of Land Conservation
What is the economic impact of conservation
projects funded by VHCB?
Farm and forest land protection preserves
jobs in agriculture, forestry, and
value-added processing. Income from
farming and forestry ripples through
communities, sustaining small businesses
and services. Conservation helps
diversify and stabilize local economies,
drawing additional entrepreneurs to the
area. Conservation also focuses growth
and investment on village centers,
where historic building rehabilitation
can strengthen downtown commercial
activity. On a larger scale, conserved
landscapes protect the rural image and
maintain the competitiveness of products
that capitalize on the Vermont name.
Land conservation also pays dividends
in environmental protection. A
uvm researcher found that acre for acre,
developed land generates three times
more phosphorous than farmland (and
40 times as much as an acre of forestland).
Case studies by Forest Trends,
an organization based in Washington
D.C., have documented that conserving
forestland in a public watershed is far
less expensive—and as effective—as
upgrading water treatment plants. In
addition, forests take in carbon dioxide (a
greenhouse gas) while cooling the air and
reducing the danger of flooding.
7

8
Family Rental Housing
THE DALY SHOE BUILDING:
Brattleboro’s New Historic Housing
On Birge street in Brattleboro, a boarded up commercial warehouse that
was originally owned by the Daly shoe company is now home to 29
households. The non-profit housing developer Windham Housing trust
(wht) also calls the building home, with their offices located in 5,000 square feet
on the ground floor.
The 37,000 square foot building was acquired by wht in 2007 with assistance
from vhcb. This ambitious project was the organization’s first adaptive reuse
initiative, creating new rental housing from vacant commercial space. Daly
shoe Building is among a growing number of more financially complex housing
development initiatives undertaken by Windham Housing trust in recent years.
The majority of wht’s prior development work (encompassing more than 450
permanently affordable homes and apartments) involved rehabilitation of existing
rental housing in historic buildings and neighborhoods in downtown Brattleboro
and Windham county towns. at Daly shoe, more new housing units were created
in the town of Brattleboro than had been created in wht’s first 19 years.
While preserving historic features including post-and-beam construction, large
windows, high ceilings and original wood warehouse floors, wht incorporated
new technologies and systems to save energy, water, and money. What’s more, the
comfortable, permanently-affordable apartments and office space are conveniently
located within walking distance of downtown Brattleboro.
“The Daly Shoe building is the nicest
place I have ever lived and the most
affordable place I’ve lived. This building
is so beautiful with the large windows
and views. There is a nice playground
for my son to play, and I have great
neighbors. I love living here.”
— Tifani Tasca (with son, Mitchel)
Andrew Kline photo
© 2007 Jeff Woodward

Hollis Burbank-Hammarlund/WHT photo
Solar Gain
in recent months, the Windham Housing trust has turned to the sun for
assistance in maintaining the affordability of its rental apartments, installing its first
set of solar panels high atop the Daly shoe Building. additional domestic hot water
solar installations are planned for five other WHt buildings with 28 apartments
in Brattleboro, including the abbott Block on canal street and properties located
on elliot street and Horton Place. funding for these solar energy projects is made
possible through the vermont energy investment corporation’s solar and small
Wind incentive Program.
Daly shoe’s new solar hot water system will act as a pre-heater for the existing
indirect water heaters, which are heated by the building’s oil-fired boilers, and
will provide an estimated 70 percent of the hot water needs for the building. This
technology represents an important new direction for wht, as the organization
searches for innovative ways to improve the energy efficiency of its housing
portfolio. (like most non-profit housing developers, wht pays tenants’ heating
costs. The organizations are limited in their ability to raise rents due to affordability
restrictions that come with vhcb and federal home Program funding.)
on average, wht’s water heating bills should drop 50–80 percent by going
solar. The installation of solar panels at other wht properties in 2009 is expected
to annually save wht more than $12,500 and nearly 3,000 gallons of heating oil.
and because energy from the sun is free, wht will be protected, in part, from fuel
shortages and price hikes in the future. in turn, this will ensure wht is able to keep
its rents affordable and its tenants comfortable.
before
DALY SHOE FACTS:
Developer:
Windham Housing Trust
Adaptive reuse of 37,000
square feet on two floors
29 apartments plus
Windham Housing Trust offices
Walking distance to downtown
Preservation of historic details:
post-and-beam construction, large
windows, high ceilings and original
wood warehouse floors
Energy-saving technologies and
systems including wht’s first
solar hot water system
Total Development Costs:
$6,922,670
General Contractor:
Baybutt Construction
Architect:
Williams & Frehsee Architects
Engineer:
Stevens & Associates
Development Consultant:
J.D. Kantor, Inc.
9

Since 1987, VHCB’s Farmland Conservation
Program has conserved
over 126,000 acres on 490 farms.
Working in partnership with the Vermont
Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets and non-profit conservation organizations
such as the Vermont Land Trust and the Upper Valley Land Trust, Vermont’s investment
has been met with private support from the Freeman Foundation and the
Merck Fund. Since 1997, with help from Senator Patrick Leahy, VHCB has received
$26 million through the federal Farmland Protection Program administered by
the usda Natural Resource Conservation Service. These federal funds match up
to 50 percent of the cost of each easement, leveraging the state’s investment to
conserve Vermont’s most productive farmland.
Agriculture remains an important sector of Vermont’s economy, generating
$674 million in cash receipts in 2007. Securing Vermont’s agricultural land base
is vital to ensuring that our agricultural sector remains vibrant and strong. While
dairy farming remains the backbone of Vermont’s agricultural industry, interest in
diversification, direct marketing, and transitioning to organic continues to intensify,
with many farmers seeking assistance through the Farm Viability Enhancement
Program described on page 30.
With milk prices expected to drop sharply in 2009, and costs of production
such as fuel and grain remaining high, dairy farmers are bracing themselves once
again for tough economic times, and are more likely than ever to seek to diversify
or transition to other types of farming enterprises.
Through the purchase of permanent conservation easements, the Farmland
Conservation Program protects working farmland with good agricultural soils in
strong farming communities where agriculture is likely to remain viable. Farmers
use proceeds from the sale of development rights to invest in their operations by
modernizing facilities, financing new farm enterprises, buying additional farmland,
or to transfer conserved farmland to the next generation of farmers at an affordable
price.
The Farmland Conservation Program operates on a willing buyer/willing seller
basis, with appraisals determining the price that is paid for an agricultural conservation
easement. In order to keep conserved farmland in the hands of working
farmers, VHCB encourages farmers to include the “Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value” in the easement. Farmers who decide to include this affordability
option in the easement are compensated additionally if they agree to restrict the
future sales price of the conserved land to its agricultural value. During the last
year, all the conserving farmers have agreed to include the affordability option in
their 10 easements.
Farmland Conservation Program
Bob Eddy photos
“Federal funds match up to
50 percent of the cost of
each easement, leveraging
the state’s investment to
conserve Vermont’s most
productive farmland.”

Rutland Area Farm and Food Link:
An Incubator for Young Farmers in Rutland County
Reprinted from the Vermont Land Trust Annual Report.
Story by Tamarack Media Photos by Caleb Kenna
Rutland farmer greg cox likes to talk about his diversified farm in terms of rudolf steiner’s
theory of biodynamics. “my philosophy is that you need to think about the farm as a whole
and how things are connected,” he explains, “and also how people are part of that connection.”
out in his 15 acres of organic vegetables, these connections mean using the manure from the animals
he raises as fertilizer and trusting that each year there will be thriving crops that compensate for any
disappointing harvests.
greg also sees these connections extending beyond Boardman Hill farm to the rutland community.
for example, through a pilot program administered by the northeast organic farming association
(nofa), he is providing nutritious, local food to
over 150 seniors in the area—a satisfying complement
to his thriving city farmstand, large csa, and
bustling farmers’ market trade.
Despite growing interest in local food in rutland
county, greg remains concerned about one
major challenge to agriculture in the region: the
lack of young people going into farming. as a mentor
to nofa apprentices and green mountain college
students, he cultivates the next generation one
farmer at a time. and if a particularly committed
and passionate intern comes along, greg and his
wife, gay, have been known to lend the aspiring
farmer equipment and a few acres on which to
hone skills and develop his or her markets.
a few years back, greg joined with other farmers,
local planners, and concerned citizens to expand his efforts to grow agriculture in rutland from
the bottom up. The result is the rutland area farm and food link (raffl), a new incubator for young
farmers modeled on Burlington’s intervale. Their plans range from acquiring land with the help of vlt
to investing in flash freezing equipment and other infrastructure.
“The economic model that we want to create here is a real community-based food system with a
priority on accessibility,” says greg. “Where’s our economic future? i think it’s what started communities
from the beginning—agriculture. We can create a community and an engine for jobs around clean,
local food that’s affordable.”
in an early raffl planning meeting, greg was introduced to local vlt staff and began to think about
the future of his own farm. This last year, he conserved it through vlt with support from the vermont
Housing and conservation Board. “i owe this place a lot more than it owes me. it has provided for my
family and provided for so many families over the years. so i really wanted to conserve this land to
make sure it continued as a farm.”
greg feels in his heart that his children will continue to farm at Boardman Hill, but now he knows for
sure that if they don’t, someone will. and, with raffl helping new farmers get started and weaving the
connections between farms and the community, the future of agriculture in rutland is looking bright.
11

12
Home Ownership
At Green Woods Village in Shoreham,
the Addison County Community
Trust is developing eight homes,
three of which are subsidized with
VHCB Homeland grants. Located close
to the village green in the center of
town, the home designs blend in with
the historic restoration of the Newton
Academy, also supported with VHCB
funds. The homes have the highest
government Energy Star rating of 5+
stars, and come with energy efficient
appliances.
ACCT is working in partnership with
local contractor Jeremiah Parker Restoration,
who is building the homes
and completing the work on the
Newton Academy. The First National
Bank of Orwell recently donated a
178-year-old, two-story farmhouse
that ACCT moved to the site to be reconfigured
into two additional homes
for sale.
The Vermont Smart Growth Collaborative
has praised the public-private
partnership between ACCT, the local
bank and the builder.
Homeland Program
The Homeland Program provides purchase subsidies and assistance with down
payment and closing costs to make home ownership more affordable for moderateincome
vermonters. since the program was established in 1990, vhcb has enabled
nearly 800 households to purchase a new home with the help of a Homeland
purchase subsidy grant. in addition to grants for the purchase of single-family
homes, vhcb also provides awards to subsidize the purchase of condominiums
in multi-family developments.
This year, vhcb awarded $802,000 to provide purchase subsidies to 16 purchasers
in chittenden, addison, rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor
counties. nine rehab loans were also awarded to existing homeowners to help
with home maintenance. There are now 10 groups across the state working with
this program.
Homeland funds subsidize the purchase of for-sale homes, increasing affordability
and guaranteeing permanent affordability upon resale. appreciation is limited
by an agreement between the non-profit and the home buyer. in return, the price
of the home to the buyer is reduced by the amount of the grant. The non-profit
retains the first option to market the property when the home buyer who received
the subsidy decides to sell. This model results in the affordable resale of homes
without additional public subsidy.
How It Works
applicants for Homeland funds are pre-qualified to purchase a home within
a given price range based upon their income. Depending on income level, need,
and other factors, home owners may receive grants of 20 percent of the purchase
price—up to $40,000—towards the price of a home. Buyers obtain mortgage loan
financing and contribute at least $1,500 of their own cash resources towards down
payment and closing costs. low-interest mortgage loan financing from the vermont
Housing finance agency is available through private banks statewide. usda rural
Development also sponsors low-interest mortgage financing programs. additional
loans of up to $4,000, repayable upon the sale of the home, are available to assist
with rehabilitation, down payment and closing costs.
successful completion of a one-day home purchase education program at one of
the neighborWorks ® Homeownership centers around the state is a requirement
for each buyer receiving Homeland funds. The six neighborWorks ® Homeownership
centers are located in Burlington, st. albans, springfield, West rutland,
lyndonville and Barre.
To find out more about the Homeland Program
or to be referred to a participating non-profit,
call 828-2965 or find contact information for
participating organizations at:
www.vthomeownership.org

Harvey and Trina Draper with daughter Tenika and sons Ryan and Jordan.
g r e e n mo u n t a i n ha b i t a t fo r hu m a n i t y :
Creating A New Neighborhood in Milton
Located off Barnum street near the center of milton is trayah street, the site
of a 5-lot development created by green mountain Habitat for Humanity
where this year, volunteers and families together built three identical ranch
homes. next year, two more homes will be completed. according to David mullin,
Director of the Habitat chapter, “vhcb provides funds that enable us to start
the projects, and we bring private donations to create the most affordable housing
available.”
neatly finished with grey clapboard and white trim, each home has a front
porch, an open floor plan with kitchen, living and dining area, three bedrooms, a
full basement and a separate shed.
The three families that moved in early in november have eight children between
them, creating a new neighborhood. The kids walk to school together—one group
to the high school and another to the elementary school. They got to know each
other this summer.
“We hit it off right from the beginning,” trina Draper says of her neighbors.
While the homes were going up, the kids were “hanging out,” says trina, mother
of ryan (14), Jordan (12) and tenika (10).
trina and Harvey Draper moved their family to milton from fairfax, where for
15 years they had lived with trina’s parents. for the last 10 years, trina has provided
care for her mother, who is disabled—nearly a full-time job. she’ll continue to do
so, traveling to fairfax daily. The Draper’s home is wheelchair accessible, so when
her mother feels up to it, she can come visit.
as part of their contract with Habitat,
each adult in the family is required
to contribute 200 hours of “sweat equity,”
helping to build their own home, with
ten percent of that time spent working
on another Habitat home or fundraising
for the organization. Harvey Draper
works for Business interiors in Williston.
He was able to pitch in on the
weekends.
“i put 500 hours in,” said trina, “i
had the crew we called ‘the old geezers.’
There was grant and gil and Joe, two
lees, and a guy named ron. They were
all older than 70. everyday we set a goal
for ourselves, something we knew we
could accomplish.”
The regular crew worked two days a
week, beginning in July. They were joined
by volunteer crews from ge Healthcare
information technology, Best Buy, iBm,
loews and church groups.
trina recalls, “We put together a crew
on a saturday. There were about 10 of
us here that day, and a boom truck, and
mind you it was 90º. We got the trusses
up in an hour and a half.”
asked if they will help with the two
houses going up next summer, trina
says, “We know how we felt. i’d work
the next house just to have a good time
building like i did. We’d all be working
on our houses together and could holler
back and forth. it was fun, and we had
a good time.”
“it was time to get our own place,”
says Harvey, and the kids seem to be adjusting
to their new home, new friends
and new schools.
VHCB funding helped Green Mountain
Habitat for Humanity purchase the land
for the 5-lot development and provided
purchase subsidy grants to the home
owners. The benefit of the initial subsidy is
passed on to subsequent buyers.
13

14
Recreational Land and Natural Areas
Hiking the Windmill Ridge
by susan shea and ted vogt
This is an abridged version of an article that originally appeared
in The long trail news, published by the Green Mountain Club
Susan Shea photo
In the southeastern corner of vermont, thanks to the efforts of dedicated
volunteers, a new trail system has emerged over the past two decades. The
14-mile long Windmill ridge trail and its ten side trails traverse a long ridge
through rockingham, athens, Westminster, Brookline, and Putney. The Putney
mountain association (pma) and the Windmill Hill Pinnacle association (whpa)
joined forces to build this trail network, and have conserved over 2,000 acres to
create a nature reserve surrounding it. says Bev major, one of the founders of the
Windmill Hill Pinnacle association, “This part of vermont has much less public
access and conserved land than other areas. We wanted there to be a trail for local
people to use to enjoy the outdoors.”
Blazed in white, the Windmill ridge trail follows a south-north running ridge
connecting the summits of Putney mountain (1660 ft.), the Pinnacle (1683 ft.) and
Paul’s ledges. from the high points, there are stunning vistas to the west of mount
snow, magic mountain and the green mountain range, including Bromley, stratton
and Killington. Pocket views may be had to the east of the connecticut river valley
and mount monadnock in new Hampshire. on a clear day, mount ascutney can
be seen to the north and the southern White mountains to the northeast.
stone Walls, Hawks, and Hemlocks
Hugh Davis, President of the Putney mountain association, notes that Windmill
ridge is “unique in that it’s pretty remote and untouched by development due to
the difficulty of access.” true today, but as the many stone walls, old roads, and
occasional cellar hole attest, the area was cleared for agriculture and habitation in
colonial times. it was used extensively for sheep pasture, in some places as recently
Since 1987, VHCB has assisted
the Windmill Hill Pinnacle
Association and the Putney
Mountain Association with grant
awards for 11 projects to acquire
2,022 acres.

as the 1940s. The remains of a lime kiln from the first half of the nineteenth century
can be found along the Dunn nature trail, where impure marble was heated for
days to obtain lime.
many species of wildlife live in the recovering forests along the Windmill ridge,
including moose, black bear, deer, and fisher. Habitat is varied, and ranges from
groves of beech-maple and red oak to pocket wetlands and the rare hophornbeam
savanna, an open woodland that may have originally been established by fire.
several rare plant species are found in the reserve, including the vermont
endangered barbed bulrush. Dense stands of hemlock provide important deer
wintering habitat. Hemlocks were once prevalent on the northwestern oriented
slopes of the ridge but were heavily logged. The patches that remain are a beautiful
feature of the trail, and contain some extraordinary trees.
Putney mountain has long been known as a hawk-watching site during the
fall migration. Thousands of raptors ride the thermals which rise above the ridge.
Broad-winged hawks, red-tails, kestrels, ospreys, and turkey vultures are some
of the birds of prey commonly sighted. The reserve contains over a dozen vernal
pools, small temporary ponds in the woods where frogs and salamanders breed in
the spring. a goal of both organizations is to conserve these uplands for wildlife
habitat, in addition to recreation and education.
Beginning in the late 1980s, to date the Windmill Hill Pinnacle association has
conserved 23 parcels of land totaling 1,562 acres through purchase, donations, and
conservation easements. The Putney mountain association has now protected 460
acres. The success of the groups’ conservation efforts has been due in large part to
funding from the vermont Housing and conservation Board. “vhcb has been a
marvelous resource for us,” says major.
An Outdoor Lab
in addition to providing a wonderful recreational trail network and a wildlife
corridor, the Windmill ridge serves as an outdoor laboratory to teach children
about nature, says arthur Westing, a whpa founder and long-time board member.
The Westminster and Putney schools and the private compass school all use the
area. a uvm Ph.D. student studied bears there, and the fieldwork for at least two
master’s degrees has been conducted in the nature reserve. pma and whpa have
monitored animal tracks in the winter and vernal pools in the spring. The reserve
has two self-guided nature trails with brochures available at the trailhead.
future plans of the two groups include closing the mile-long gap in the ridge trail
at the northern end of the reserve and extending the trail southward to link with
trails being developed in Dummerston. a new side trail off the Pinnacle is under
construction, with the assistance of the vermont Youth conservation corps.
side trails and dirt roads in the area allow a number of loop hike possibilities.
most of the Windmill ridge trail is easy to moderate in difficulty. once one is on
the ridge, though there are some short, sporty bits, there are no extended climbs
or descents.
This trail system packs a lot of beauty and natural diversity into its 20 or so
miles. What a wonderful way to explore southeastern vermont!
For more information and to download a map, visit the websites
www.windmillhillpinnacle.org and www.putneymountain.org
“v h c b has been a
marvelous resource for us.”
— Beverly Major, Windmill
Hill Pinnacle Association
Public Trails Supported
with VHCB Funding
East Montpelier Trails
Ascutney Mountain
The Long Trail
Cross Vermont Trail
Catamount Trail
Alburgh Rail Trail
Lake Paran Trails, Bennington
Burlington Bike Path
Colchester Pond Trails
North Branch Park, Montpelier
Charlotte Community Trails
Lowell Lake State Park
Wrights Mountain, Bradford
Hartford Trails
Windsor Trails
North Pownal Trails
Cross Vermont Trail, Groton
15

Homeless and Transitional Housing
16
(before)
“Pretty much anything that
needs to be hooked up,
fixed, what not, I tear apart
and fix it. I’m pretty good
with numbers, computer
skills, electronics.”
— Jessica LaBelle
Northern Lights House: A Partnership for Success
NORTHERN LigHTS HOuSE is a transitional housing residence where
women being released from prison can rebuild their lives. The project
was developed by the Burlington Housing Authority in partnership with
a consortium of social service agencies. The HowardCenter manages the
11-bed house, providing case management, skill building and relaxation
groups, 24-hour staffing, supervision and support. Additional support
services are provided by Vermont Works for Women, Vermont Childrens
Aid Society, the Mercy Connections Womens Mentoring Program,
Probation and Parole, and Women Helping Battered Women. Each
resident is required to be working or engaged in something positive at least
30 hours a week. According to HowardCenter Northern Lights Program
Coordinator, Cara Gleason, “Our goal is that people move out and have
long-term success in the community.”
tiffany Bluemle of vermont Works for Women had heard for years from prison
program graduates about the difficulties they face finding safe, affordable
housing. Her staff had witnessed how stable, affordable housing is fundamental to
successful outcomes for women while they build longer-term job skills.
on the lookout for a site to create model housing with support services for
this population, tiffany noticed a vacant and abandoned house and learned it was
owned by the catholic Diocese and slated for demolition. following negotiations,
the Burlington Housing authority was able to purchase the property from the
Diocese. located central to downtown Burlington on cherry street, the historic
victorian is now restored and painted a handsome grey green with blue trim and
burgundy doors.
section 8 vouchers provided by the Burlington Housing authority cover up to 70
percent of each resident’s rent obligation. residents meet weekly with a mentor who
is trained by mercy connections to support the needs of previously incarcerated
women. vermont Works for Women provides one-on-one employment support
to assist the women to find, apply for and keep a job—a critical component of
living independently.
“not surprisingly, when women are released they find it hard to get hired if
they disclose the fact of their incarceration,” explains leigh steele, vww’s program
coordinator. “We’re working to help place women with employers who are open
to hiring women with prior convictions—and to support them through the first
few months of their initial transition to work.”
at northern lights there is a house dinner twice a week for residents and
volunteers. in the kitchen, each resident has her own cupboard for food storage.
every monday night there is a house meeting and every Thursday night there is a
group activity of some kind after dinner—often an outing.

“
It’s an awesome program, it’s honestly changed my life a lot,” says Jessica laBelle,
who moved in april 21, 2008. Jessica credits the support services at northern
lights for providing her with the tools she needs to learn to live sober. a
recovering addict, she’s been clean since october 3, 2007.
a variety of support services are available at northern lights, including a staff
person on hand 24/7, provided by Howardcenter. Jessica suffers from post traumatic
stress disorder (ptsd) and has frequent nightmares. she can find someone to talk
to in the middle of the night, if need be, and she’s involved in complementary
programs to guide her transition to independent living. Seeking Safety is a behavior
science program she attends at uvm serving individuals with ptsd and substance
abuse disorders.
Jessica grew up in Burlington. she has a seven year old son who has been adopted
by her mother, who lives in grand isle. “she is his registered foster parent.
so he stayed with my family. i get visits, i talk to him every saturday at noon.
our relationship is a lot healthier now that i’m sober.”
Her grandparents live on archibald street. she visits them there once or
twice a week. Jessica’s grandfather owned clem’s tv shop on north Winooski
avenue where she spent a lot of time growing up.
“Pretty much anything that needs to be hooked up, fixed, what not, i tear apart
and fix it. i’m pretty good with numbers, computer skills, electronics,” she says.
Jessica has a new job training opportunity with Holiday spirit, a program of
the vermont children’s aid society, where she will earn a stipend from vocational
rehabilitation. she’ll maintain a data base and organize donations of holiday gifts
for children of incarcerated women and for children in state custody. in stores set
up at the women’s prisons, Windsor and Dale, women can choose gifts for their
children, along with wrapping paper, cards and ribbon.
“i’m very proud of myself. . . i feel like i’m going to be successful when i leave
here as long as i finish the program in the right way.”
candy mayo is one of the first to “graduate” from northern lights. she lived
here for just over a year, beginning in october 2007. candy is a recovering
alcoholic and addict who spent time in jail on drug-related charges.
“i kind of miss the house,” she says, “it’s like leaving another family. i moved
in with my boyfriend, in essex. it’s very quiet. i can take the bus down here to
visit, and i do! There’s so much they offer. if nothing else, i want to stay connected,
because it seems to work. There is so much structure and so much support. . . . it’s
a privilege to live here, it really is.”
she credits leigh steele of vermont Works for Women for helping her find a
good job as a cashier at interstate shell on the Williston road. she’s been there for
five months. “The pay’s not bad,” she says, “$9.00 per hour, and i love my job!”
candy has four children, ages 23, 20, 19 and 16, and two granddaughters, 5
years old and 6 months old. for a long time, she only saw her youngest daughter
once a year.
“my life is so much better today. i have a relationship with my children, my mom
again, my grandchildren . . . Those are the blessings you get when you do what you
are supposed to do. so long as i keep doing what i’m doing, it gets better.”
“I definitely could not have stayed
out of jail without this house. If I
hadn’t come here, I would have been
doing the same thing—in and out, in
and out—but here it’s like a security
blanket. There is so much structure
and so much support. ...If you really
apply yourself, it works, it becomes
a routine part of your life. That’s
what’s worked for me. You’ve got
to give it your all.”
— Candy Mayo
Economic Impact
The $637,000 project
employed 18 local contractors
and was funded by
VHCB, the Burlington Electric
Department, the Department
of Corrections, the Agency of
Human Services and private
donations.
17

Farmland Conservation
All in the Family: A New Generation
Takes Over at Islandacres Farm
A
six-year odyssey of financial ups and downs ended in June 2008, when
steve and Kelly robinson were finally able to purchase the 75-cow dairy
farm that had been in steve’s family more than 50 years. a vhcb grant to
the south Hero land trust for the purchase of development rights was instrumental
in the deal.
“my father stopped milking 12 years ago,” explained steve. “Then six years ago he
wanted to sell the farm. We established an llc to purchase the cattle and machinery
and paid rent to cover the farm debt. But in 2002 milk was $9 a hundredweight.
sometimes we’d get a call from st. albans [co-operative creamery] saying we don’t
have enough [after deductions] to send you a check. it was discouraging.”
to make matters worse, the location of the farm, along route 2 in south Hero
village, and with frontage on lake champlain, made it a prime piece of real estate,
which steve’s parents, with retirement looming, and four heirs, could not afford
to give away. enter the south Hero land trust. executive Director minner Hobbs
and her staff set about raising $320,000 in private donations, while applying to
vHcB, with assistance from the vermont land trust, for the balance needed to
18 purchase development rights.

The combined funding resulted in protection of 151 acres. after discussions with
the town, a 19-acre portion of the farm, in the heart of the village, was excluded
from the conservation easement to allow for future village expansion.
steve and Kelly are pleased with the outcome. “We’re now in a position paymentwise
to make some renovations,” declared steve. “We’re paying less than a third of
what we were paying before. and we could actually go on a vacation for the first
time ever”—but not during vegetable season.
steve and Kelly’s vegetable business has been an important complement to
the dairy. all summer they sell produce at the south Hero farmers’ market and
at a roadside stand. a senior citizens’ center where Kelly works two days a week
also serves meals that use robinson farm vegetables. sweet corn is the farm’s
specialty.
“The first two years we made enough money on sweet corn to pull us through
and buy groceries,” said Kelly. “The demand is unbelievable. We never could
physically keep up with it. ten thousand cars drive by here daily, and we can sell
30 dozen ears in less than 20 minutes, always on the honor system. We’ve never
felt that people were taking more than they should.”
as the farm begins to prosper, Kelly and steve are also mulling new enterprises.
They are looking into the possibility of selling pasteurized bottled milk, or perhaps
cream for a local ice cream maker’s use. These ideas may help make the business
profitable for the robinsons’ two grown sons—the newest generation hoping to The South Hero Land Trust conserved
make a living on the family farm.
the Robinson farm with the help of
“The next project is to figure this thing out for the boys,” confirmed Kelly.
a VHCB grant and a successful
“so they won’t have to go through what we went through,” added steve, in
local fundraising campaign.
reference to the six-year struggle to buy the farm.
for the time being, however, the robinsons are just happy to be in south
Hero. “i could have gone 20 miles west of here [to new York state] and bought a
farm,” steve reflected. “But this area is where we both grew up, and we’re glad it’s
all worked out.” Economic Impacts of
Intergenerational Transfer:
• Farm buyer gains
asset at reduced cost
• Farm seller secures
retirement
• Capital freed up for
modernization, expansion
or innovation
• Farmland secured for
the local ag economy
19

20
Senior Housing
The Heineberg Senior Housing Resident Choir, Burlington
Housing for Seniors in Village and Town Centers:
Construction Spurs Local Economies
In st. albans, Derby, newport, st. Johnsbury, milton, vernon and irasburg,
vhcb funds are assisting with acquisition, rehabilitation and new construction
of more than 145 affordable homes for elders. together, the total development
costs of these seven projects amount to $24 million. using u.s. Department
of commerce multipliers, that equates to 590 jobs for construction workers,
electricians, plumbers, landscapers, painters, roofers, etc. additionally, new senior
housing creates jobs for staff and service providers for the residents.
most senior housing developed with vhcb funding includes rental subsidies,
usually provided by the u.s. Department of Housing and urban Development
(hud) or usda rural Development, making these units affordable to individuals
with limited, fixed incomes.
Meadowlane Apartments, Milton—Bigger and Better
Housing foundation, inc. acquired and rehabilitated the 20-unit meadowlane
apartments and is constructing 16 new apartments with rental assistance from
usda rural Development. vhcb and home Program grants to the $6.06 million
project total $807,678.
Newport Seniors Gain Downtown Digs
The gilman Housing trust will complete 13 new apartments for elders this year
in downtown newport. gilman acquired two buildings on main street where they
are refurbishing the street level commercial space and adding a third floor and
an elevator to create housing on the two upper stories. federal funding from hud
provides rental assistance to 12 of the tenants; the 13 th apartment will be occupied
by a resident manager.
Vernon Senior Housing
A 24-unit development with 19
affordable apartments developed
by the Windham Housing Trust and
Housing Vermont.
Meadowlane Apartments, Milton
The Housing Foundation, Inc. is
rehabilitating 20 apartments and
constructing 16 new units.
Senior housing being developed on
two upper stories in Newport by
the Gilman Housing Trust.

In Irasburg, Senior Housing on the Green
in irasburg, the gilman Housing trust will create ten affordable apartments
near the village center using modular housing units. The development will include
a common area for gatherings and activities. The site is located within 1,000 feet
of the town common, a market, the post office, the library and two churches, with
beautiful views of farm and forestland to the north and west.
Derby Senior Housing Acquired by Gilman Housing Trust
Derby line gardens, a beautiful historic home (circa 1830) provides 11 onebedroom
apartments for seniors. Developed with a large investment of federal
and vhfa funds in 1979, it was sold to the gilman Housing trust this year by the
original owner/operator. The building faces main street and the public green in
the village of Derby line and is located close to retail businesses, offices, and the
public library. acquisition by gilman will preserve the rental subsidies and maintain
the quality of the development. vhcb and home Program awards to the $767,500
project total $400,000.
Four Winds Senior Housing: New Ownership in St. Albans
cathedral square corporation purchased four Winds senior Housing, comprised
of 11 four-unit buildings and a community building. The group rehabilitated the
development, increasing accessibility with new kitchen and bath fixtures and
introducing social services for the residents, including on-site health services,
wellness clinics, nursing services, 24-hour emergency call response, recreational
activities and general needs assessment and service coordination. vhcb and home
Program funding provided $640,000 to the $3,914,500 project.
St. Johnsbury’s Passumpsic Housing Gets a Facelift
fourteen senior apartments with section 8 subsidies in three buildings located
close to downtown have been rehabilitated and refinanced by Housing vermont.
Housing subsidies will be preserved at these apartments serving households
at less than 60 percent of median income. rehab will include new heating and
hotwater systems, plumbing systems, roofing and external stairs as well as increased
accessibility. vHcB invested $350,000 in the $3.06 million redevelopment, which
also includes 14 family apartments at a different site.
Vernon Development Home to 24 Senior Households
Housing vermont and the Windham Housing trust worked with a community
group to develop Huckle Hill senior Housing in 2006—a 24-unit development with
19 affordable apartments supported with vhcb and federal home Program funding.
The community raised nearly $1 million in donations and the project benefitted
from hud funding, further increasing affordability. The town of vernon donated
the land for the development. an additional vhcb grant in 2007 subsidized the
affordability of two additional units and filled a funding gap due to a shortfall of
federal funds. Huckle Hill is one of the first projects in the country to use the hud
202 Program with low income housing tax credits.
Residents in 44 apartments at
Four Winds Senior Housing in
St. Albans will appreciate social
services being intoduced by
Cathedral Square Corporation,
including on-site health services,
wellness clinics, nursing services,
24-hour emergency call response,
recreational activities and general
needs assessment and service
coordination.
Preserving Rental Assistance
Non-profit acquisition of these
properties will preserve not only
the physical structures, but also the
147 units of rental assistance from
hud and usda Rural Development,
each of which is worth more than
$7,000 annually to a household
earning $675 per month from Social
Security.
21

22
Farmland Conservation
A New Home for the Maxham Family’s Jerseys—
Conserved Farm Maximizes Comfort, Profits
These beautifully clean, doe-eyed Jersey cows, in three tidy rows in the spotless
tie barn, are the maxham family’s pride and joy.
“it’s a lot of work. They get brushed every day. They have mats and sawdust under
them. We get done milking and they lie right down. You know they’re comfortable.
a year ago they would have been in and up to their knees in mud because i didn’t
have a facility. in our freestall we were never able to reach the level of comfort i
wanted. But here….”
This facility—the renovated cow barn on the former roy farm—is home to
the maxham family’s registered Jerseys because of a complex conservation project
engineered by the south Hero land trust (shlt) and the vermont land trust,
funded in part by vhcb.
it all started in 2006 when shlt began working with John and sharon roy to
save their 92-acre farm for agriculture. The farm had sandy, loam soil and the place
looked ripe for subdivision. time was of the essence, because the roys had sold
their cows and needed to realize the value in their real estate in order to retire.
“Here the goal is to take as good
care of the cows as possible. We’ve
increased milk production and are
making 51 to 54 pounds of milk per
cow at 4.9 to 5 percent butterfat.”
— Jill Maxham

meanwhile Jill and tim maxham, the operators of the largest dairy in south Hero,
were looking to expand their land base and also to separate their registered Jerseys
from their 300-cow Holstein herd. The separate Jersey herd was a diversification
strategy. in a good facility the cows could be showcased to cattle buyers and the
maxhams could supplement their milk income with the sale of breeding stock.
However, the maxhams were in no position to buy the roy farm, least of all
at its full market value, which because of its location, was appraised at more than
$750,000. When it became clear that the roys were not able to wait through what
could be a lengthy process of fundraising for the development rights purchase, shlt
approached the castanea foundation, a vermont-based philanthropy, to become
interim owners. in 2007 castanea bought the farm and began working with shlt,
with the maxhams, and with Jill maxham’s parents, ron and celia Hackett.
The castanea foundation agreed that fixing up the house, and especially the
barn, was important so that the maxhams could begin leasing the farm for the
Jersey cows. castanea generously invested in the improvements. “We gutted it and
added on; the barn was rehabbed completely,” said tim maxham. now the barn
has 49 comfort stalls, three big box stalls, and a new milking system.
The maxhams enrolled in vhcb’s farm viability Program to develop a business
plan, but buying the farm was still out of the question. it was then that Jill’s parents,
owners of the conserved Hackett orchard in south Hero, offered to become the
second interim owner. in 2008, when vhcb funds combined with shlt private
fundraising to purchase the development rights, the Hacketts purchased the farm
at a reduced price and continued the lease to tim and Jill.
someday in the future, the maxhams will buy the farm from Jill’s parents. for
now, they will just try to keep the cows happy in this old fashioned style stable
and make some milk.
“it’s a shame we’ve all been pushed to the bigger facilities,” said Jill. “Here the
goal is to take as good care of the cows as possible. We’ve increased milk production
and are making 51 to 54 pounds of milk per cow at 4.9 to 5 percent butterfat.” The
high fat content is important to the maxham’s milk buyer, st. albans creamery,
which markets milk to Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.
The maxhams have found that it is also good business to produce milk of the
highest quality. With the remodeled barn, they are able to maintain high standards
for cleanliness and herd health—the Jerseys do the rest.
Economic Impacts of
Farmland Conservation
•
•
•
•
•
Farm jobs retained
Food processors supplied
Farm service sector
supported
Stable land base
maintained
Environment protected
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24
Main Street and the Arts:
Restoring and Redeveloping
Historic Landmarks for Public Arts
t he
Historic Preservation
restoration of historic buildings as arts and cultural facilities secures
and stabilizes architectural treasures and enhances the future potential
of these buildings. as centers of civic pride, these resources help define
the individuality of communities. important arts-related landmark buildings in
morrisville, randolph, readsboro and Hardwick are icons of those downtowns,
known for the numerous ways they have served their communities.
Lamoille Grange
originally home to morrisville’s high school, the former lamoille grange
Hall building has become an important component of morrisville’s downtown
revitalization. under the new ownership of river arts, the grange Hall is now the
center for diversified arts and community events programs that are improving the
quality of life in town and spawning other investments. The nonprofit organization
offers accessible, affordable and centrally located events space to the public. The
river arts center is also the home to the new lamoille valley year-round farmers
and artisans market which opened in march 2008. By restoring its historical
integrity and improving long-term functionality, the 160-year old greek revival
building has been returned to community use for arts education, performance and
gallery space, and public gatherings. The transformation has sparked a renewed
spirit, met by the rehabilitation and reuse of other buildings in the downtown.
Chandler Center for the Arts
The chandler center for the arts is a historic facility known for its acoustical
excellence and elegant interior. undergoing structural improvements and
restoration, the arts center is not only a venue for cultural enrichment, but also
a community gathering place. chandler is a place where young people get their
first exposure to the arts, where teens gather after school, where the community
votes. chandler contributes to the randolph area’s economy in direct and indirect
ways: salaries, supplies, and services to operate and maintain the building stay in
the community. more than 15,000 patron visits are made to chandler annually to
experience arts performances or see exhibits, resulting in the purchase of goods
“What I love about the Chandler
is the fact that one week I can
hear Midori perform, and the next
week, true community theater
presented by amazing high school
talent. Chandler energizes the
whole region, making it a place
where people want to raise
their children and conduct their
business,”
— Alex Aldrich,
Executive Director,
Vermont Arts Council
Above, Randolph’s Chandler
Center for the Arts; on stage at
the Chandler. Above left, the circa
1890 Bullock Building in Readsboro
Village, slated for restoration as a
cultural facility with potential for
housing and commercial uses.

and services at local stores, cafés, restaurants, and service stations. Performers
stay, shop and eat in randolph. The historic music hall and gallery is one leg of a
stool that keeps the community healthy and the historic downtown vibrant. The
chandler is within walking distance for elders and young families and also draws an
audience from a population of 300,000 in a 60-mile radius that includes Burlington,
springfield, and st. Johnsbury as well as new Hampshire’s upper valley region.
Bullock Building
The Bullock building is an 1890 landmark structure in the center of readsboro
village. sometimes referred to as the “masonic Building,” the building first housed
the e.J. Bullock & co. store. later it was used as a masonic temple, the town library,
an apartment complex and, in 1911, for the first screening of a silent movie in town.
time, neglect and decay have led to serious degradation of the building and the
structure has not been suitable for public use since 2004.
the recent acquisition of the Bullock building by readsboro Hometown
redevelopment is enabling the stabilization and restoration work to begin. original
architectural elements such as larger two-over-two windows on the building’s
sides and wooden cornice brackets below the eves of the roof will be reinstalled.
fortunately, a great deal of these original historic materials had been salvaged and
were stored in the building.
Public participation has been high in planning the redevelopment of this local
icon into a mix of business, community and residential uses. Working with another
local nonprofit, readsboro arts, the partners are supporting the growth of the arts in
readsboro and the surrounding communities and creating a variety of community
spaces as part of the Bullock project. The redevelopment of this historic building
is seen as the impetus to revitalizing this once thriving mill town. The renovated
facility will function as a cultural center, economic anchor, community gathering
place and regional asset.
GRACE’s Old Firehouse
one of the key components emerging from the preservation of cultural and
historic resources is their critical role in a community’s economic rebirth. centrally
located in Hardwick’s commercial district, the old fire House is located between
mill st. and the lamoille river, just off main street in Hardwick’s downtown. Built
originally as a church, and later serving as the Hardwick fire station for 72 years, the
1885 building is listed on the national register of Historic sites. The facility is owned
by grass roots art and community effort (known as grace), an organization that
serves a diverse population including elders, children, and developmentally delayed
adults from the surrounding communities of vermont’s northeast Kingdom. recent
restoration of the building is providing space for public workshops, exhibitions,
offices, art collections, and a central location for community meetings and events.
The replacement of the bell tower and original 1886 bell to the top of the old
firehouse last summer symbolizes the preservation of a significant historic asset,
the emergence of a cultural center and the strengthening of a sense of community
and local economy through the adaptive use of a meaningful landmark.
River Arts, Morrisville
Above: workers repairing the
bell tower of the Lamoille
Grange, now a community arts
center. Below, a common area in
the building provides space for
public meetings, workshops, and
events organized by River Arts.
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26
Forestland Conservation
Protecting Vermont’s Forestry Resources:
Forest and Parkland Acquisitions
vermont is 78 percent forested, making us the fourth most forested state in
the country. However, as a foundation of vermont’s economy, forests are
often overlooked. forested land provides jobs, encourages tourism and
recreation, provides habitat for fish and game, and contributes raw materials to a
diverse forest products industry. in addition, research shows that forests save money
by keeping the environment healthy. trees reduce runoff and protect drinking water
supplies, they remove pollution from the air, convert harmful carbon dioxide to
oxygen, and help to lower temperatures in the hot months of summer.
for these reasons and more, vhcb continues to invest in forestland protection.
When a state agency or a vermont municipality seeks to acquire forest land for
public uses, they typically turn to vhcb for funding. for instance, in the last two
years, vhcb, working with the Department of forests, Parks and recreation,
funded three acquisitions of state forest land, and one acquisition of state parkland.
in the same period, vhcb also funded three acquisitions of public wildlife lands
for the Department of fish and Wildlife. Working with town officials and local
conservation groups, vhcb also funded the acquisition of four town forests during
the two-year period.
The Town of Middlesex will acquire
403 acres on the southern end of
the Worcester range, creating a new
town forest. The property is a timber
investment for the town and offers a
unique recreational opportunity—the
possibility of a ridgeline trail leading
from Middlesex Notch north toward
the trails on Hunger Mountain within
the C.C. Putnam State Forest.
Vermont Land Trust photo

townshend state forest
one of the most recent state forest projects funded by vhcb is the chamberlin
acquisition in townshend. This 138-acre parcel is bounded on three sides by
townshend state forest and is within walking distance of townshend state Park
campground and hiking trails on nearby Bald mountain. for years, state land
managers had been worried about the impact on the state park and the state
forest should the chamberlin property be developed. suddenly, the tract was on
the market.
With vhcb to turn to, the state negotiated a purchase, and applied to the Board
for funding. The result is that this piece of forest is now joined to the larger block
of townshend state forest. it offers good hunting territory, the potential for hiking
trails, and excellent commercial timber potential in sugar maple, cherry, ash, beech,
red oak, yellow birch, white pine, and hemlock.
Keiser Pond, Danville
vhcb also funded an acquisition on Keiser Pond in Danville and Peacham for
the Department of fish and Wildlife. The 39 acres of forest land added to existing
public acreage around the fishing access on this wild and scenic pond. The forest
contains white cedar, balsam fir, spruce, and tamarack. in recent years the pond
has also been host to a pair of nesting loons, completing the wilderness feel to
this experience.
With the state land acquisition and conveyance of accompanying conservation
easements to the vermont land trust, nearly all the developable shoreline
will remain forested forever. The opportunity for the public to fish for yellow
perch, pickerel, and bullhead on this beautiful pond is now protected for future
generations.
middlesex town forest
another project with a wilderness feel adjoins a mountain notch in central
vermont. The town of middlesex wanted to acquire 403 acres of forest on the
southern end of the Worcester range. The property held potential as a timber
investment for the town, but also offered a unique recreational opportunity—the
possibility of a ridgeline trail leading from middlesex notch north toward the trails
on Hunger mountain within the c.c. Putnam state forest.
Working with the vermont land trust, the middlesex conservation
commission approached vhcb for funding. The outcome will be a new town forest
stocked with typical northern hardwoods and providing habitat for black bear and
other reclusive mammals such as coyote, bobcat, and fisher. The town looks forward
to planning for recreational access and sustainable timber management.
“Vermont’s most precious and effective mechanism for
countering climate change is our forested landscape.”
— the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change
Bob Eddy photo
FORESTLAND PROTECTION
PLAYS VITAL ROLE
IN VERMONT’S FUTURE
VHCB investments in forest land
are a small but vital component of
the effort to retain forestland in the
northeastern U.S.. Federal programs,
Vermont’s Use Value Appraisal Program,
Act 250, and local land use
regulations also play important roles.
However, according to a 2005 U.S.
Forest Service report, the advance
of new subdivision and development
could reach even the remote corners
of the northern New England forest
by 2030, imperiling water supplies,
and fragmenting forest land into
tracts that are no longer viable for
commercial management or for
wildlife habitat. State forests, state
parks, state wildlife areas and town
forests are bulwarks of protection
against these trends, even as
challenges to forest land protection
show few signs of slackening.
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28
AmeriCorps Program
VCSP AmeriCorps members working
with housing organizations:
• help children with school work,
organize before and after-school
activities, act as role models
• educate first-time home
buyers at NeighborWorks ® Home
Ownership Centers
• help Vermont’s homeless and
marginally housed population find
permanent affordable housing
• facilitate workshops and classes
on nutrition, budgeting, health, and
resumé writing.
• organize residents to create
community gardens & newsletters
and hold community meals &
events
• educate residents about their
rights and responsibilities and
help connect residents with
social services and educational
opportunities
Members working with
conservation organizations:
• organize and lead environmental
education and service opportunities
for school-aged youth
• recruit volunteers
• serve as group leaders
• maintain trails and perform land
stewardship responsbilities
www.vhcb.org/vcsp.html
2008-2009 Members at their Pre-Service Orientation
Vermont Community Stewardship Program
An AmeriCorps National Community Service Program
of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
Vhcb’s americorps project, the vermont community stewardship Program
(vcsp), places americorps members with affordable housing, land conservation,
and environmental education organizations statewide. members
provide direct service to residents of affordable housing developments, educate
new home buyers at vermont’s neighborWorks Homeownership centers and
assist homeless individuals and families. They provide environmental education
for students, clear trails and remove invasive weeds. They develop out-of-school
programming for youth, promote energy conservation, and mobilize volunteers.
The vcsp program provides members with a series of trainings emphasizing
civic engagement and professional skills development. in turn, the members enable
partnering organizations to extend their reach and expand the quality of their services.
vcsp members represent their sponsoring organizations, providing services
and acting as a liaison between the organization and the community.
in exchange for their term of service, members receive a living allowance,
education award, health insurance, and training opportunities. members who
have completed a season of service with the vcsp leave equipped with on-the-job
experience with a vermont nonprofit and first-hand knowledge of issues affecting
the quality of life in vermont. over the past decade, an average of 27 percent of
vcsp alumni have been hired on by their sponsoring organization following their
term of service.
The long-term impact of americorps members’ participation in vermont
communities cannot be overstated. Beyond the tangible achievements of service
activities, members positively impact the lives of thousands of vermonters, young
and old. members carry their ethic of service with them beyond their vcsp term.
in fact, for the last two years, 100 percent of graduating vcsp members reported
that they planned to continue volunteering for the rest of their lives. Whether

helping a homeless family find stable
housing, helping an elder resident find
resources to heat her home, developing
libraries and computer labs at affordable
housing properties, teaching children
the importance of caring for our natural
environment or stabilizing a weakened
river bank, vcsp has made a positive
difference, resulting in safer, healthier
communities and a more beautiful, ecologically
sustainable vermont.
AmeriCorps is a federally-sponsored network
of local, state, and national service
programs that connects 75,000 Americans
each year in intensive service to meet our
country’s need in education, public safety,
health, and the environment.
Meg McFadden served at the John
Graham Shelter in Vergennes.
AmeriCorps Members Helping the Homeless
In Rutland, Vergennes, Brattleboro and Burlington, VHCB sponsors AmeriCorps
members providing services to homeless and transitionally housed Vermonters.
Since 1987, the Board has funded more than 330 beds in developments including
shelters, single-room occupancies and apartments with support services
designed to help homeless families and individuals develop basic life skills that
help them retain stable housing.
The John Graham Emergency Shelter in Vergennes serves about 180 individuals
per year and offers a food shelf, laundry vouchers, transportation, counseling
and medical care in cooperation with the Open Door Clinic. Meg McFadden,
pictured at left, served two terms of service as a case manager, learning “about
loyalty, about hope, and about forming community in the midst of struggle.”
Meg was instrumental in strengthening relationships with Middlebury College,
local churches, and volunteers.
Elizabeth Ready , Executive Director of the 17-resident shelter, says that
Meg’s specialty was to “make life changing differences in the lives of residents,
especially moms and children, through simple loving kindness.”
The Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) provides emergency shelter,
services and housing and advocates for long-term solutions to end homelessness.
COTS has utilized three AmeriCorps positions each year since the inception of
VHCB’s AmeriCorps program.
The Children’s Program Specialist provides educational and recreational
opportunities and activities for children, working closely with parents, shelter
staff, case managers, schools, and local agencies to address the special needs
of children. The Community Support Staff AmeriCorps member builds trusting
relationships with clients, fostering empowerment and assisting with the transition
from homelessness to housing. An AmeriCorps member serving as Housing
Resource Specialist works with marginally housed and homeless individuals and
families to find housing or stabilize tenuous housing situations.
Kelly Pulawski, Family Services Specialist with the Rutland County Housing
Coalition, is serving her second term of service, acting as a mentor to families
and individuals seeking affordable housing, assisting them in setting goals and
finding tools and resources to meet their goals. She advocates with agencies on
behalf of families, assists with self-advocacy and helps coordinate volunteers,
memorial services and moving clients.
Morningside Shelter in Brattleboro provides shelter, outreach, referral, intervention,
and transitional housing services to help eliminate homelessness.
AmeriCorps member Eric Luebbert has been serving as the Resource Developer
there for two years. He maintains Morningside’s Homeless Management Information
System, tracking and documenting services provided to the homeless
and providing outreach to organizational supporters. Eric finds his AmeriCorps
service rewarding when he is able to help clients that are homeless find the
materials and resources they need.
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30
Vermont Farm Viability Program
Dancing Cow Dairy:
Churning Milk Into Gold
Steve and Karen Getz, pacesetters
in organic grass-based
dairying and value-added farm
production, bought their Bridport
farm in 2003 and produce
an aged raw milk cheese that
retails for about $16 per pound.
Their 25 cows are milked seasonally
and only once a day.
The Farm Viability Program
helped them develop a comprehensive
business plan in
2006, and recently awarded
them a $3000 grant to help
purchase a vat and expand
their cheese-making facility.
The farm viability Program was established at the vermont Housing and
conservation Board in 2003 in collaboration with the vermont agency
of agriculture, food and markets. The Program is funded through vhcb
with matching federal funding from usda natural resources conservation service,
secured annually with support from senator leahy.
services are delivered to farmers on the farm, and are provided by vhcb
contractors or grantees such as the intervale center, northeast organic farming
association–vermont, the university of vermont extension service, and Working
landscapes, inc.. The vermont small Business Development center is another
important partner, providing a variety of services through grantee organizations.
Business Planning and Technical Assistance
since 2003, 193 farms have completed business plans through the vermont
farm viability enhancement Program. These farms utilize more than 60,000
acres and provide the equivalent of more than 700 full-time jobs. in fy2008, 44
farms completed business plans with the program: 21 are dairy farms, 14 grow
vegetables, 12 produce maple syrup, and many are quite diversified in the products
they produce, including sheep, goats and rabbits, oil seed crops, berries, flowers,
vegetable starts and mushrooms. The program provided 10 farms with planning and
technical assistance that resulted in cash flow and enterprise analyses and federal
grant applications for energy efficiency and value-added producer grants.
Program contractors offer in-depth financial analysis, assistance in goal setting,
and analysis of the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the farm business.
targeted assistance is offered in specific cases for farm transfer planning, cash flow
analysis or enterprise analysis.
Implementation Awards
in 2008 the Program provided implementation assistance and grants to 27
farms. a usda rural Development rural Business enterprise grant supported
further business planning, financial analysis, and professional services to
implement business plan projects. With funding from the argosy foundation,
implementation grants ranging from $2,000-$5,000 were awarded to 12 farms for
capital improvements and expenditures.
in 2009 the implementation grants program will be expanded with a generous
grant from the castanea foundation. competitive grants will be available to farmers
for business plan implementation projects, as well as to ag-related businesses
that provide processing, distribution and marketing for vermont agricultural
products. The first round of funding is for meat processing projects (deadline
march 2009).
Dairy Management Teams
The farm viability Program has provided $100,000 in funding to uvm extension
for the Dairy management team Program, which brings farmers, facilitators and
advisors together in teams for monthly on-farm meetings to address issues affecting
a dairy farm’s profitability. approximately 25 dairy farms will be enrolled and 10
farms will have completed their first year with the program by the end of 2009,

“I love it when people tell me
you can’t do something.”
— Roger Rainville
Experimenting with Fuel Alternatives:
Farms in Alburgh and Shaftsbury Grow Their Own
Roger rainville, owner of Borderview farm in alburgh, produces energy.
one of the most innovative farmers in vermont, he plants canola,
sunflowers, soybeans, and other crops, primarily to make oil and biodiesel
for fueling his tractors. He also conducts seed trials of wheat, oats, corn, and barley,
and raises dairy replacement heifers on his 300-acre farm on the canadian border
north of alburgh village.
vhcb’s farm viability enhancement Program is helping rainville develop a
business plan for his farm; meanwhile rainville is helping other farmers adapt to
the energy crisis. Here’s the situation as he sees it: one hundred years ago farmers
were surprisingly self-sufficient. They met their own energy needs by growing oats
and hay that were fed to the draft horses that did the heavy work on the farm. today,
most farms are big consumers of fossil fuel, which is costly and nonrenewable.
roger is leading the way to a resurgence of home-grown energy.
“i wanted to do the whole cycle,” he explained, “to try and show that farmers
can make their own fuel.” He not only grows the crops, he harvests them, presses
the seeds, makes the oil, processes it into biodiesel, and then runs the final product
through his diesel tractors. He also wants to convert some of his tractor engines
so that he can run them on straight vegetable oil.
31

32
one by-product of oil seed processing is the pulp, or residue that is left after the
crop has been run through rainville’s press. The pulp from oil seed is a nutritious
meal that can be fed to cattle or hogs. for ease of handling, rainville pelletizes the
meal in a pelletizing machine. in pellet form, the material can be readily stored and
sold for feed, or it can be used in pellet stoves as a fuel. Pellets made from sunflower
seeds have a higher btu rating than prime hardwood pellets.
With multiple enterprises in progress, and with so much experimentation
involved, roger needed a roadmap to plot where his business was heading overall.
That’s where the farm viability enhancement Program came in handy. The vhcb
program is funded by a combination of state appropriations and federal funds
from the natural resources conservation service. The program is paying for the
services of greg mruk, a uvm extension business planning consultant.
With mruk’s assistance, a detailed set of financial statements is being developed
for the farm. The statements paint a picture of the farm’s current financial status.
in addition, the farm’s cash flow is projected into the future, allowing the farmer to
see the immediate impact of various management decisions. The financial data is
also integrated with a narrative description of the farm’s mission, its strengths and
weaknesses, and its strategy for the future. it’s a process that helps farmers improve
their business management skills and set a long-term strategic plan. The finished
business plan is also useful in applying for grants and loans.
surveying several rows of soybeans waiting to be harvested, rainville declared:
“We don’t have to be that dependent on foreign oil, i’m convinced.” He noted that
he enjoys figuring out how to overcome a challenge. He said he’s always willing to
try something new and is currently working with uvm Professor Heather Darby
and Washington state university to try and develop a hops that will have good
production and quality for this region. “i love it when people tell me you can’t do
something,” he said.
John and Betsey Williamson
State Line Farm, Shaftsbury
The viability Program is also assisting a farm in southern vermont that has
been forging the way to energy independence. John and Betsey Williamson
grow a variety of oil seed crops on their 107-acre state line farm in
shaftsbury. like roger rainville, the Williamsons are experimenting with a seed
press and with making biodiesel, and like its alburgh counterpart, the shaftsbury
farm is working with uvm extension to develop its farm viability business plan.
according to Dr. vern grubinger of northeast sustainable agriculture research
& education, “John [and steve Plummer] have an exciting vision about energy
independence for local agriculture, and they’ve put innovative thinking and
practical know-how to work to start making that vision a reality. it’s amazing how
much they’ve accomplished in short time to figure out how to grow and process
oil seed crops for fuel, on a scale that makes sense for vermont’s farms.”
The vermont sustainable Jobs fund awarded both farms grants to develop onfarm
biodiesel production facilities. The Williamson farm will also receive a $3500
implementation grant to purchase grain measuring equipment in 2009. This grant is
administered by the viability Program, supported by private foundation funds.
Containers for pressed oil sit by
the barn at Borderview Farm.
John Williamson with the
Governor, above, and with a crop
of oil-producing sunflowers.

Vermont Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program
The vermont lead Hazard reduction Program continues to help lowincome
vermonters to remediate lead paint hazards in their homes.
funded primarily through a series of competitive hud lead Hazard
control grants, the program has made over 1,800 homes and apartments lead safe
since 1994. outside of the city of Burlington’s lead Program, the vhcb program
is the only source of assistance available for lead hazard reduction in the state, so
demand continues to be high. in 2008 vhcb closed out a successful hud grant
and continued to administer another $3 million grant awarded in late 2007. These
funds help stimulate economic activity in construction and other areas and create
jobs for vermont residents.
The program provides technical and financial assistance to eliminate lead paint
hazards in private, low-income housing. Homeowners with young children and
rental property owners receive comprehensive assistance in the form of lead paint
testing, development of hazard control plans, construction oversight, and dust
testing to ensure properties are safe to be re-occupied. grants and zero percent,
interest-deferred loans are provided to pay certified lead abatement contractors
to complete the necessary work. a typical lead hazard reduction project includes
window replacement, stabilization of painted surfaces, removal of lead paint from
friction or impact surfaces (such as door jambs and floors), and specialized cleaning.
The program also provides funding and expertise to vhcb’s non-profit housing
partners to ensure lead safety and regulatory compliance in projects involving the
rehabilitation of older housing. Because lead funds are utilized together with other
sources of funding on non-profit rehabilitation projects, these units typically achieve
a much higher level of lead safety and are more cost effective for the program than
stand alone lead projects.
The vhcb lead Program continues to promote awareness about lead paint safety
issues through various means including its web site (www.leadsafevermont.org), and
through partnerships with community-based groups and state agencies. The lead
Program also provides essential maintenance Practices training classes throughout
the state and has worked with both the vermont Department of Health and the
vermont attorney’s general office to offer additional classes in communities that
have been targeted for increased enforcement of the emp law.
lead Program staff devoted considerable time in 2008 to implementation of
changes made by the legislature to vermont’s lead paint laws. in the spring of
2008, governor Douglas signed into law updates to the essential maintenance
Practices law and a new consumer protection law that addresses lead in a variety of
consumer goods including children’s toys. more information about these changes,
a schedule of upcoming training sessions, and many other resources are available
on the web site.
For more information or to
apply, contact us at
1-800-290-0527
or (802) 828-5064
or visit our web site:
www.vhcb.org/lead
All children should be
screened for lead poisoning
at ages one and two.
To learn about free lead
screening, contact the
Department of Health
at 1-800-439-8550
For general information and
a schedule of free training
sessions, visit:
www.leadsafevermont.org
.
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34
HOME Program
HOME Funds Supplement VHCB Awards
Serving Low-Income and Disabled Vermonters
Since 1992, the vermont Housing and conservation Board has administered
more than $51 million in federal home Program funds. annually, the state
of vermont receives between $3 and $4 million in home funds from the
u.s. Department of Housing and urban Development. These federal funds are
used to rehabilitate existing housing and to build new developments serving very
low-income vermonters and those with special needs.
new developments utilizing home funds to create a total of 427 affordable rental
homes have recently been completed in Brattleboro, middlebury, Hardwick, st albans,
and stowe. home-funded developments underway will create an additional
414 affordable homes including new buildings in Warren, st albans, irasburg and
colchester, and renovations in st Johnsbury, montpelier, Winooski, newport,
Brattleboro, and Bellows falls. The majority of the developments provide family
rental housing; some provide senior housing or transitional housing with supportive
services for the formerly homeless.
This year, vermont’s home Program has again been named by hud as the most
effective home program among 51 participating jurisdictions in the country. The top
designation for the third year in a row reflects the program’s efficiency in disbursing
funds to produce rental housing affordable to the neediest vermonters. vermont
ranks among the top four jurisdictions in the country in serving the lowest income
households: those with incomes less than 30 percent of median income.
home Program funds help to bring housing costs within reach of families with
incomes as low as $29,450 to 35,300 for a four-person household, depending upon
the county. home funds are generally used in conjunction with several other funding
sources such as deferred loans from the vermont Housing and conservation
Board, vermont community Development Program grants, loans from the vermont
Housing finance agency or private bank loans, and tax credit equity raised
by Housing vermont and other non-profit organizations.
C. Gary Hall photo
Left, the Bemis Block in
Hardwick, with 14 affordable
apartments and commercial
space leased by Claire’s
Restaurant. Restored by the
Lamoille Housing Partnership
following a fire in 2005.
HOME Funds Used to Address
New Septic Permitting Rules
At the request of the legislature,
VHCB set aside
$200,000 in home Program
funds for septic repair and
replacement for permanently
affordable homes. The funds
helped pay for work affecting
a total of 70 units. Hill
House Supportive Housing in
Middlebury was hooked up to
town sewer lines and failing
wastewater systems were
replaced at Shady Pines Mobile
Home Park in Westminster and
Limehurst Mobile Home Park in
Williamstown.
Private and nonprofit developers
are eligible to apply for
federal home Program funding
to rehabilitate existing housing
and to build new developments
serving very low-income
Vermonters and those with
special needs.

Federal Programs Administered by VHCB
Following a fire in 2003 that destroyed
the Visitor's Center at the Green Mountain
Club Headquarters on Route 100 in
Waterbury Center, a replacement building
is nearing completion. With help from a
HUD Economic Development Incentive
Special Project Grant administered by
VHCB, the new 5,500-square-foot visitor
center will include retail space for selling
maps and guidebooks, interpretive
displays, space for educational programs
and a large meeting room upstairs for 130
people. The timber-framed building is well
insulated and features efficient lighting,
biomass heating, composting toilets, and
locally harvested and milled timber.
In recent years, more than 3,000 visitors
per year have stopped at GMC
headquarters. The campus of the Green
Mountain Club is an important fixture in
the landscape and economy of Waterbury
Center and beyond. GMC’s seasonal and
year-round employees, volunteers, and
visitors are part of the customer base
for local small businesses including a
hardware store, service stations, eateries,
and resorts.
conjunction with state funds, vhcb
In administers federal funding for
programs to develop housing, increase
affordability, add support services, provide
technical assistance, and leverage state and
private dollars for land conservation in
Vermont.
Lead-Based Paint
Hazard Reduction Program
With funding from the u.s. Department
of Housing and Urban Development, this
program has been operating since 1994,
administering $19.5 million to reduce lead
hazards in 1,900 homes and apartments
statewide. To read more about the program,
see page 33.
AmeriCorps Vermont
Community Stewardship Program
This program has operated for ten years, cosponsoring
AmeriCorps members to serve
with non-profit housing and conservation
entities statewide. vhcb has administered
$3.3 million in funds for this program
since 1996. In 2008 the program placed 29
AmeriCorps members with housing and
conservation non-profits statewide. To read
more about the program, see page 28.
Agency of Transportation TEA-21
vhcb has been awarded $2.4 million in
tea-21 funds to conserve land in proximity
to state highways. The “transportation
enhancement” funds leverage state
funds, providing another source of funds to
conserve farmland, open land and historic
resources.
HOME Program
Federal home Program funds are aimed at
serving low- and very low-income Vermonters
in housing projects meeting the priorities
of the State Consolidated Plan. These funds
help to cover project development costs, to
create greater affordability in the projects,
and to supplement vhcb funds. The Board
administers the program on behalf of the
Department of Housing and Community
Affairs. vhcb has administered $51.7 million
in home funds since the beginning of the
program in 1992.
Farmland Protection Program
Through the usda Natural Resource Conservation
Service, vhcb administers funds from
this federal program to conserve farmland.
These funds supplement Vermont’s state
and private efforts, increasing the amount of
farmland conserved. Since 1997, the Board
has committed $25.9 million in fpp funds
for farmland conservation.
HUD Economic Development
Incentive Special Project Grants
The Board administers these one-time
federal grants to designated housing and
conservation projects in the state. Last year,
Special Project Grant funds were awarded
to housing developments in Windsor and
St. Albans, to the Green Mountain Club
and to the Vermont Food Venture Center
in Hardwick, among others. Since 1987, the
Board has administered nearly $15.3 million
in Special Project Grants.
Housing Opportunities
for Persons with AIDS
hopwa funds provide rental subsidies,
emergency assistance and supportive
services to persons living with hiv/aids.
This program was developed in collaboration
with the Vermont hiv/aids Care Consortium,
the Department of Health, the Persons
with aids Coalition, the Vermont Center for
Independent Living, and the aids service
organizations. vhcb has administered more
than $5.5 million in hopwa funds.

Hardwick Discovers New Opportunities
As a Center of Food-Based Industries
Last October the New York Times published a feature article describing how Hardwick
was pulling itself up from economic hard times by developing a hub of food-based
industries. VHCB is proud to have played a role in this resurgence.
Two years ago VHCB funded the Center for an Agricultural Economy, a new nonprofit
that sought to purchase an 18-acre site in Hardwick Village, to be turned into a
sustainable agriculture business incubator. The parcel contained former granite sheds
as well as some good agricultural soil and woodland.
The buildings on the site will be rehabilitated and reused for storage, processing,
product development, and marketing of products from area farmers and value-added
processors. The land will be used for seed trials, demonstration crops, a teaching
garden, and recreational trails.
Using HUD Special Purpose Funds, VHCB also made a grant to assist the expansion
and relocation to Hardwick of the Vermont Food Venture Center. The Center, which
had been based in Fairfax for 12 years, needed to move from its aging and undersized
facility. Hardwick presented an attractive opportunity with its cluster of local food
and agriculture-related enterprises.
VHCB’s grant of $100,000 will go toward construction of a new building in the
Hardwick Industrial Park. The building will contain a meat processing area, a canning
room, a baking area, and a cheese room, as well as refrigerated storage and freezer
space. For a modest rental fee, the facility will be available for use by local food producers.
Center staff will also offer technical assistance to new entrepreneurs.
According to the Times article, the bustle of activity in Hardwick is attracting
investors who are interested in sustainability. The investors are also interested in
Hardwick’s emerging economic model, which relies on local farms, local processors,
and community support.
Pictured above is the Bemis Block (with housing on the upper stories also funded
by VHCB), where Claire's Restaurant uses local foods grown by area farmers.
C. Gary Hall photo
HUD Technical Assistance Funds
vhcb’s Community Housing Development
Organization Technical Assistance Program
has administered more than $340,000 in
various hud funds to provide training,
operating support and technical assistance to
non-profit developers of affordable housing.
vhcb uses hud technical assistance funds to
develop and co-sponsor trainings.
Farm Viability Enhancement Program
vhcb funding for this new farm program
is supplemented by federal fund-ing
administered by the usda Natural Resources
Conservation Service. The Board has
administered more than $976,000 in usda
funds for this program. To read more about
the program, see page 30.

Housing Awards July 2007– June 2008
Addison County Community
Action Group/HOPE
Hill House, Middlebury. $59,020 award to
renovate an existing 9-room transitional,
supportive housing project for homeless
people with psychiatric disabilities near
the center of Middlebury. $140,424 HOME
award, of which $45,000 comes from the
special set-aside for septic. Total project
costs: $284,000.
Addison County Community Trust
Pine Meadows, Middlebury. $350,000
award to renovate an existing 30-unit rental
project near the center of Middlebury. Total
project cost: $2,404,055.
Brattleboro Housing Authority
Ann Wilder Richards Project, Brattleboro.
$775,000 award to purchase and renovate
property located at 1063 Western Avenue
in Wester Brattleboro, creating 21 affordable
apartments and 7,689 square feet of commercial
space. $250,000 HOME Program
funds. Total project costs: $5,415,754.
Burlington Housing Authority
105 East Allen Street, Winooski. $150,000
award for acquisition, rehabilitation and
reconstruction of 6 units of permanent
supportive rental housing in Winooski.
$206,000 additional Home Program award.
Total project costs: $874,000.
East Allen Dismas House, Winooski.
$162,000 award to rehabilitate a building in
Winooski for use as transitional housing by
Dismas House, Inc. which provides transitional
housing for offenders leaving prison.
Total project costs: $623,500.
The Champlain Housing Trust completed
construction of 20 new affordable apartments
on King Street in downtown Burlington.
The organization's offices are located
on the first two floors, with housing on the
upper two stories.
Cathedral Square Corporation
Four Winds Senior Housing, St. Albans.
$440,000 award to acquire and rehabilitate
a 44-unit senior housing development with
11 (4)-unit buildings plus a community
building. Introduction of social services.
$200,000 HOME program award. Total
development costs: $3,914,500.
Champlain Housing Trust
Brookside Village Housing, Colchester.
$890,000 award to develop 42 units of
multifamily rental housing. $500,000
additional HOME Program award. Total
project costs: $9,995,368.
Hagen Hill Condominiums, Charlotte.
$225,000 award to provide purchase subsidies
for 5 energy efficient condominiums
in a private development in East Charlotte
Village. Option to purchase to CHT. Total
project costs: $1,245,000.
Salmon Run, Burlington. $700,000 award
for rehabilitation of eighty (80) rental units.
Total project costs: $7,300,000.
Central Vermont Community Land Trust
Bianchi Building/Stonewall Meadows.
$100,000 additional award for acquisition
and rehabilitation of 2 properties, creating
18 affordable apartments. Total development
costs: $2,954,165.
Covered Bridge Therapeutic
Communities, Inc.
184 Pearl Street, St. Johnsbury. $89,922
award to renovate an existing eight bed
transitional, supportive housing project for
men with substance abuse problems, with a
special focus on men returning from prison.
$70,078 additional HOME Program award.
Total project costs: $302,700.
Fairfax Street Realty, LLC
Brookside I, Town of St. Albans. $250,000
HOME Program award for the first phase
of a four-phase housing development, 3 of
which are multi-family and one phase of
homeownership. The first phase contains 37
units of multi-family rental housing. Total
project costs: $6,637,163.
Gilman Housing Trust
Derby Line Gardens, Derby. $150,000
additional award for acquisition of an 11unit
apartment building for seniors with
HUD Section 8 rental assistance. $140,000
additional HOME Program award. Total
development costs: $767,500.
Irasburg Senior Housing, Irasburg. $250,000
award to develop ten units of senior housing
on a 1.8 acre parcel in the center of Irasburg.
$120,726 additional HOME Program award.
Total project costs: $1,476,726.
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38
Housing Awards July 2007– June 2008
Newport City Senior Housing, Newport.
$325,000 award to renovate two commercial
buildings in downtown Newport City, construct
a third floor, add an elevator and acquire
a parking lot. Two floors with thirteen
affordable apartments (2 accessible units; 11
adaptable); federal rental assistance; historic
preservation. Commercial space on ground
floor. $160,000 HOME Program award.
$200,000 HUD Special Purpose Grant. Total
development costs: $4,194,100.
Good Samaritan Haven, Barre
$92,000 award to renovate existing 22-bed
homeless shelter and add a two-story addition.
Structural and code improvements
including new roof, insulation, sprinkler
system, upgraded fire alarm system, new
heating and ventilation system, accessibility
improvements, new flooring, ceilings,
cabinets and countertops, energy efficient
appliances and fixtures, new storm windows,
repairs to exterior siding and trim,
and painting. Total development costs:
$545,067.
Housing Foundation, Inc.
Meadowlane Apartments, Milton. $445,500
award to acquire and rehabilitate a 20-unit
senior housing development with Section
8 rental assistance and to construct 16 new
(3 accessible and 13 adaptable) apartments
with Rural Development rental assistance.
$362,178 Home Program award. Total development
costs: $6,060,873.
Housing Vermont
Passumpsic Housing, St. Johnsbury. $350,000
award for rehabilitation of 14 senior apartments
and 14 family apartments on 2 sites.
Total development costs: $3,062,965.
Housing Vermont and
Rutland Housing Authority
Forest Park Renewal, Rutland. $50,000 project
related capacity award towards planning
costs for redevelopment of a 75-unit multifamily
housing development. Architect and
engineering fees, market study, and consultants
on funding and legal issues for HUD.
$170,000 for redevelopment of a housing
authority development that will consist
of 78 rental and 9 homeownership units.
$250,000 HOME Program award.
Willard Mill, St. Albans. Adaptive reuse of this rambling
historic mill building by the Champlain Housing Trust
and Housing Vermont created 27 new apartments (25
permanently affordable) just two blocks from Main
Street. With enormous historic windows, novelty siding
and exposed wooden beams, the large units rent
for $517 for the most affordable one-bedroom unit
to $825 for a market rate three-bedroom unit with
utilities included. Along with VHCB and HOME Program
funds, the project also received HUD Lead Paint Hazard
Abatement Funding and an Economic Development
Incentive Special Project Grant, both administered by
VHCB. Other funding sources included Low Income and
Historic Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credits, Vermont
Community Development Program, commercial debt,
State of Vermont Tax Credits, VCDP Brownfields, the
City of St. Albans, and Efficiency Vermont. Total development
cost was $6.6 million. CHT photo

Housing Awards July 2007– June 2008
The Regional Affordable Housing Corporation
acquired, rehabilitated and constructed
12 affordable apartments on South and
School Streets in Bennington. Solar panels
on the roof are heating domestic hot water
for this 4-unit building on South Street.
RAHC photo
John Graham Shelter
East Street Apartments, Vergennes. $87,000
for acquisition, rehabilitation and related
expenses for a transitional housing development
at property located at 3 East St. in
Vergennes and consisting of 3 apartments
comprising 4 rental units.
Regional Affordable Housing Coalition
Pownal Project Related Capacity. $50,000
award to identify potential sites and secure
site control of land suitable for development
of decent, permanently affordable housing
within the town of Pownal.
Rockingham Area
Community Land Trust
Bellows Falls Family Housing, Bellows Falls.
$170,000 award for rehabilitation of 28 rental
units. $50,000 additional HOME Program
award. Total project costs: $6,473,557.
Armory Square Apartments, Windsor.
$1,275,000 for acquisition, rehabilitation
and related expenses of a 58-unit apartment
complex. Reduction in density; health and
saftey code improvements; provision of social
services; landscaping. $750,000 HOME
Program award. Total development costs:
$16,616,500
Rutland County Community Land Trust
Cottage-Pine-Williams-Dorr, Rutland.
$469,500 award for development of twentyseven
units of rental housing on seven different
sites in downtown Rutland. $375,000
additional HOME program award. Total
project costs: $5,190,478.
Vermont Land Trust
Stranahan Project Homeownership. $35,000
purchase subsidy for an affordable home
located on conserved town forestland. Bargain
sale of conservation easement; Vermont
Land Trust subsidy of purchase price. Total
development costs: $35,000.
Windham Housing Trust/Housing Vermont
Vernon Senior Housing, Vernon. $44,322
additional award for development with 17
independent apartments for elderly on a
20-acre parcel donated by the town. $85,698
Home Program award. Total development
costs: $4,226,671.
Single Family Assistance Program. $20,000
set-aside to provide assistance with downpayment
and closing costs to 7 families
purchasing single family homes.
Vermont Center for Independent Living
Home Access Program. $435,000 award for
approximately 50 home access modification
projects for low-income Vermonters
with physical disabilities. Total project cost:
$1,085,000.
STATEWIDE
American Dream Downpayment Inititative.
$52,091 award to supplement federal
program providing downpayment assistance
to home buyers.
Feasibility Fund Recapitalization. $125,000
recapitalization of fund to analyze feasibility
of individual projects. Awards are made for
appraisals, engineering and environmental
studies, options, preliminary architectural
and title work and marketing analysis.
HOMELAND PROGRAM. $1,275,000
recapitalization of program to provide
purchase subsidies to 29 homebuyers purchasing
homes through community-based
housing organizations and NeighborWorks®
HomeOwnership Centers; down payment
and closing cost assistance; 9 rehabilitation
loans to HOMELAND home owners.
Organizational Development Grants
$550,638 for organizational development
grants to 12 housing organizations operating
around the state. $176,173 in HUD funds
for 10 Community Housing Development
Organization (CHDO) organizational development
grants.
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Housing Awards July – December 2008
Central Vermont Community Land Trust
North Branch & Barre St Rehab, Montpelier.
$770,000 award to construct 45 affordable
apartments at scattered sites including 87
and 89 Elm Street, 47 Barre Street, and 6-8
Monsignor Crosby Avenue in Monteplier.
$350,000 HOME Program funds. Total
development costs: $5,636,511.
Champlain Housing Trust
Pleasant Street Apartments, Enosburg.
$330,000 award to construct 24 affordable
apartments at 30-72 Kennison Drive in
Enosburg Falls. Total development costs:
$3,242,947.
Clara Martin Center.
Safe Haven, Randolph. $48,000 in Transitional
Housing funds award to rehabilitate
existing facility for homeless individuals.
Total project costs: $80,111.
Committee on Temporary Shelter
and Housing Vermont
Canal Street Veterans Housing, Winooski.
$525,000 award to construct 30 affordable
apartments at 120 West Canal Street.
$200,000 HOME Program funds. Total
development costs: $ 5,656,212.
Housing Foundation, Inc.
Project Related Capacity, Windemere Estates
Mobile Home Park Rehabilitation,
Colchester. $42,795 award to investigate options
to redevelop the park which consists of
85 mobile home lots on Johnson Avenue.
Trust for Public Lands &
City of Montpelier
Project Related Capacity, Sabin's Pasture,
Montpelier. $43,962 award to investigate
options for creation of 194 affordable housing
apartments on a portion of the Sabin's
Pasture property.
Twin Pines Housing Trust
Colby House, Fairlee. $677,428 award to
construct 14 affordable apartments located
on Route 5. $327,428 of this award
is HOME funds. Total development costs:
$2,938,686.
Veterans' Place, Inc.
Project Related Capacity, Vine Street Transitional
Housing, Northfield. $25,000 to
investigate options for creation of 20 bedrooms
consisting of 27 beds for transitional
housing for homeless veterans.
Windham Housing Trust
Abbott Neighborhood Housing, Brattleboro.
$811,000 award to purchase and renovate
properties located at 10 Canal Street, 18
Canal Street, 172 Elliot Street, 12 Horton
Place and 16 Horton Place, creating 28
affordable apartments. $380,000 of this
award is HOME funds. Total projects costs:
$4,232,100.
Central Vermont Community Land Trust
Staff visiting the site of Wheeler Brook
Housing—new construction of 16 rental
apartments on the Sugarbush Access Road
in Warren. The Sugarbush Resort Group
made a bargain sale of the land for the
development. CVCLT vphoto

Housing Awards July – December 2008
Burlington Co-Housing. VHCB subsidized
the purchase price of 10 affordable homes
in a 32-unit new development on East
Avenue. VHCB also made a grant for the
conservation of 3 acres of the site with
public walking trails and a grove of chestnut
trees to be transferred to the University of
Vermont for addition to Centennial Park.
Burlington Co-Housing photo
STATEWIDE
Energy Efficiency Fund
$400,000 set-aside to assist existing permanently
affordable multi-family rental
properties with energy efficiency improvements.
Organizational Development Grants
$550,638 for organizational development
grants to 12 housing organizations operating
around the state. $171,220 in HUD funds
for 10 Community Housing Development
Organization (CHDO) organizational development
grants.
Vermont Center for Independent Living
Home Access Program. $435,000 award
to assist approximately 40 low-income
households with home access modification
projects for Vermonters with physical
disabilities. Total annual program budget:
$1,085,000.
HOMELAND program
$892,000 recapitalization of program
providing purchase subsidies, closing
cost assistance and rehabilitation loans to
homebuyers purchasing homes through
community-based housing organizations
and NeighborWorks HomeOwnership
Centers. This funding will lead to the purchase
of approximately 30 affordable homes
for low and moderate income Vermont
households.
Habitat for Humanity/
Vocational Education
$108,000 recapitalization of program to
provide grants for 4 homes built by Habitat
for Humanity chapters or vocational educational
programs.
Organizational Development Grants
$550,638 for organizational development
grants to 12 housing organizations operating
throughout the state. $171,220 in HUD
funds for 10 Community Housing Development
Organization (CHDO) organizational
development grants.
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42
Conservation Awards July 2007– June 2008
Bennington Project Independence
Harwood Hill Barn Stabilization. $100,000
in Vermont Agency of Transportation Enhancement
funding to stabilize and preserve
the integrity of a rare example of an early
English-style barn, dating to 1785. Part of a
larger effort to rehabilitate significant historic
building and grounds. Supplements
previous VHCB award. Total project costs
for stabilization: $155,153
Bradford Public Library, Inc.
Woods Library Building, Bradford. $42,500
award for repair of a slate roof, repointing
of brick walls, and restoration of terra cotta
detail on the exterior of historic public library
building, built in 1895. Listed on the
National Register of Historic Places and
within the Bradford Village Historic District.
Total project costs: $327,500.
Chandler Center for the Arts
Chandler Music Hall and Gallery, Randolph.
$107,500 award for strengthening the back
wall of the historic Music Hall. VHCB funds
leveraged other funds for overhaul and improvements
to the 1907 building. The Hall
is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places and is used for music and theater
performances as well as community events.
Total project costs: $5 million.
Cross Vermont Trail Association
Benton Property, East Montpelier. $133,000
award for acquisition of an 11-acre parcel to
be used to construct a key segment of the
Cross Vermont Trail—a multi-use recreational
path to run from Lake Champlain
to the Connecticut River. The parcel also
provides a 3-acre lot for development of a
Habitat for Humanity affordable home. The
remaining eight acres will be conveyed to
the town of E. Montpelier as a park. Total
project costs: $164,500.
Lake Champlain Land Trust
Upper LaPlatte River Natural Area, Shelburne.
$318,000 award for acquisition of a
conservation easement and public access
on 65 acres of wooded and open land along
the LaPlatte River. The project protects an
endangered fish species and is part of a coordinated
effort to create a greenway along
the river to its mouth at Lake Champlain.
Total project costs: $318,000.
Orleans County Historical Society
Samuel Read Hall House, Brownington.
$78,000 award for restoration and rehabilitation
of an 1831 historic house that is listed
on the National Register of Historic Places.
The original home of educator Samuel Read
Hall, the house is a fine example of federal
style architecture. The building will be used
for Historical Society public programs. Total
project costs: $179,350.
Preservation Trust of Vermont
Bradford Public Library, Bradford. $7,500
award for documentation and stewardship
of an historic preservation easement on
historic public library building.
Samuel Read Hall House, Brownington.
$7,500 award for documentation and stewardship
of historic preservation easement on
historic building used for Historical Society
public programs.
Chandler Music Hall and Gallery, Randolph.
$7,500 award for documentation and
stewardship of façade easement on historic
performing arts center.
Horst Tree Farm, Bennington
The Vermont Land Trust conserved 86
acres of farmland with high quality soils
and views of Mount Anthony. The Horst
Tree Farm is surrounded by a productive
block of conserved agricultural land.
Vermont Land Trust photo

Conservation Awards July 2007– June 2008
Stowe Land Trust
Fred Chase Property, Stowe. $106,000 award
for acquisition of 26 acres of forest land abutting
the Sterling Town Forest. The property
provides connections for hiking, mountain
biking, and cross country ski trails. The
property will be owned and managed by the
Town of Stowe and will be added to the town
forest. Total project costs: $198,000.
The Nature Conservancy
Turkey Mountain, Jamaica. $503,000
award consisting of a $397,000 grant and a
$106,000 loan for the acquisition of 319 acres
of woodland abutting Hamilton Falls State
Natural Area. The property has frontage on
the West River, provides a trail connection
from Jamaica State Park, and offers opportunities
for hunting, fishing, and hiking. Total
project costs: $608,850.
Palmer Property/Cornwall Swamp, Whiting.
$120,500 award for acquisition of 174
acres as an addition to conserved land
within the Otter Creek Swamps complex.
The property contains an extremely rare
natural community, a maternity roost for the
federally endangered Indiana bat, and two
state-threatened plant species. Total project
costs: $211,750.
Burleigh Forest, Charlotte. $250,000 award
for acquisition of 127 acres of woodland, including
an uncommon natural community
and a 25-acre wetland that will be restored
with funds from the Vermont Clean and
Clear Program. The project will also offer
public access for non-motorized dispersed
recreation. Total project costs, including
bargain sale: $880,103.
Prunier Property/Porcupine Ridge Swamp,
Fair Haven. $75,000 award for acquisition of
93 acres of habitat for the state-endangered
eastern timber rattlesnake and the stateendangered
eastern rat snake. The property
also contains vernal pools, a state significant
natural community, and two rare plants.
Total project costs: $122,730.
Southern Vermont Arts Center Forest.
$250,000 award to help fund acquisition
of property on the face of Mt. Equinox in
Manchester. Considered one of the best
examples of a rich northern hardwood forest
community in the region. Total project
costs: $895,350
In Fair Haven, the Nature Conservancy
of Vermont acquired 93 acres of habitat
for the state-endangered eastern timber
rattlesnake and eastern rat snake. Known
as Porcupine Ridge Swamp, the property
also includes vernal pools, a significant
natural community, and two rare plants.
The Nature Conservancy of Vermont photo
Upper Valley Land Trust
Loftus/Blythedale Farm, Corinth. $130,500
award for acquisition of a conservation
easement on a 35-acre dairy farm equipped
with an on-farm cheese processing plant. An
Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value
was included in the project. $110,000 federal
NRCS funds. Total project costs: $240,500.
Sweet Farmland, Bradford. $48,000 award
for acquisition of a conservation easement
on 57 acres of farmland along the
Connecticut River. Project includes prime
agricultural soils, public trail access, and an
Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value.
$27,500 federal NRCS funds. Total project
costs: $75,500.
South Branch Farmland, Corinth. $62,500
award for acquisition of a conservation easement
on 69 acres of farmland used by nearby
cheese provider. Project includes an Option
to Purchase at Agricultural Value and public
access to a four-season recreational trail.
$57,500 federal NRCS funds. Total project
costs: $182,000.
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Conservation Awards July 2007– June 2008
Vermont Agency of Agriculture
Food and Markets
Mitigation Funds. $39,000 award to support
the Agency’s work on issues related to Act
250 mitigation. The Agency contracts with
the Vermont Association of Conservation
Districts for this work.
Mitigation Funds. $50,000 award to support
the Agency’s work on Act 250 mitigation.
The Agency contracts with the Vermont
Association of Conservation Districts for
this three-day per week position.
Stewardship and Policy Development.
$26,000 award to support the Land Use
Planner position at the Agency. This staff
position focuses on easement stewardship,
policy development and VHCB project
development.
Vermont Department of Forests,
Parks and Recreation
Long Range Management Planning. $35,000
award for management planning for lands
conserved with VHCB funds.
Chamberlin Acquisition, Townshend.
$160,000 award for acquisition of a 138-acre
addition to Townshend State Forest. The
property adds recreational opportunity,
wildlife habitat, and timber resources and
is within walking distance of Townshend
State Park and campground. Total project
costs: $160,000.
Vermont Departments of Fish and Wildlife
and Forests, Parks and Recreation
Anderson Acquisition, Ludlow. $92,400
award for acquisition of a 19-acre addition to
Okemo State Forest. The property is within
a known bear corridor and contains a twoacre
vernal pool. A right-of-way will provide
management access to the state forest and to
Tiny Pond Wildlife Management Area. Total
project costs: $115,400.
Vermont Land Trust
Wyman Farm, Weybridge. $85,000 award
for retroactive Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value. Facilitates transfer of farm.
Total project costs: $86,606.
Abenaki Village and Cemetery, Alburgh.
$100,000 award consisting of a bridge loan
to support pending conservation easement
purchase on a 3-acre nationally significant
archeological site. The parcel contains an
intact burial ground dating to circa 1500
A.D., as well as fire pits and house remnants.
Total project costs: $317,935.
Norris Farmland, Shoreham. $180,500 award
for acquisition of a conservation easement
on 199 acres of farmland with frontage on
the Lemon Fair River and one identified
archeological site. The project facilitated
a farm transfer and includes an Option to
Purchase at Agricultural Value. $175,000
federal NRCS funds. Total project costs:
$355,500.
Stoney Springs Farm, Orwell. $43,100 for
retroactive Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value. Total projects costs. $43,100.
Wolaver Farmland, Shoreham. $204,500
award for acquisition of a conservation easement
on 290 acres of farmland that is contiguous
with a large block of other conserved
agricultural land. The project includes an
Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value.
$184,000 federal NRCS funds. Total project
costs: $388,500.
Loftus/Blythedale Farm, Corinth. The
Upper Valley Land Trust conserved this
35-acre dairy farm equipped with an
on-farm cheese processing plant.
Upper Valley Land Trust photo

Conservation Awards July 2007– June 2008
Doores Acquisition, Arlington. $169,574
award for acquisition of a 13-acre parcel of
land along the Batten Kill. The project resulted
in conveyance to the Town of Arlington,
which will use the property for public recreation,
access to the river, and educational
and agricultural activities. Bargain sale. Total
project costs: $339,324.
Lake Paran Shaftsbury Trail, Bennington
and Shaftsbury. $118,827 award for acquisition
of 106 acres of land to be transferred to
the Fund for North Bennington. The project
makes possible a public trail from Lake
Paran in North Bennington to the Robert
Frost Museum in South Shaftsbury. Bargain
sale. Total project costs: $280,827.
Ittleman Farmland, Shoreham. $112,500
award for acquisition of a conservation easement
on 113 acres of farmland with 3,400 feet
of frontage on the Lemon Fair River and a
recorded archeological site. The project includes
an Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value. $97,000 federal NRCS funds. Total
project costs: $214,500.
Horst Tree Farm, Bennington. $144,700
award for acquisition of a conservation
easement on an 86-acre Christmas tree
and vegetable farm. The property is part
of a growing block of conserved land. The
project includes an Option to Purchase at
Agricultural Value. Bargain sale. $207,000
federal NRCS funds. Total project costs:
$434,500.
Bowdish Farmland, Weybridge. $57,500
award for acquisition of a conservation easement
on 98 acres of farmland. The project
facilitates a transfer of 81 acres to a nearby
dairy farm, which will donate a conservation
easement on an additional 17 acres. The
project includes an Option to Purchase at
Agricultural Value. $63,000 federal NRCS
funds. Total project costs: $141,500.
Trudell Farmland, Fairfield and Bakersfield.
$112,000 award for acquisition of a conservation
easement on 190 acres of farmland with
4,800 feet of frontage on Black Creek. The
project includes an Option to Purchase at
Agricultural Value. Bargain sale. $127,500
federal NRCS funds. Total project costs:
$285,500.
The Vermont Land Trust conserved 199 acres
of Lemon Fair Valley farmland on the Norris
Farm in Bridport and Shoreham. The project
will enable the Pope’s to buy the farm and
transition this former dairy farm to beef.
Vermont Land Trust photo
Zuckerman Nevitt Farm, Hinesburg
$220,500 award for acquisition of a conservation
easement on a 151-acre former dairy
that will be converted to a mixed livestock
and vegetable farm. The project includes an
Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value
and a recorded archaeological site. Bargain
sale. $300,000 federal NRCS funds. Total
project costs: $625,500.
Buzeman Farmland, Addison. $78,900
award for acquisition of a conservation
easement on 97 acres of farmland abutting
the Dead Creek Wildlife Refuge. The project
abuts three previously conserved farmland
parcels and includes an Option to Purchase
at Agricultural Value. $58,000 federal NRCS
funds. Total project costs: $136,900.
Middlesex Town Forest, Middlesex.
$268,000 award for acquisition of a 403-acre
woodland parcel to become a town forest.
The property abuts the Middlesex Notch
Wildlife Management Area and a portion of
the C.C. Putnam State Forest. The property
holds potential for a hiking trail to connect
to the Worcester Range trails. Bargain sale.
Total project costs: $361,000.
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46
Conservation Awards July 2007– June 2008
Vermont Land Trust
Charron Farmland, Benson. $136,500 award
for acquisition of a conservation easement
on 198 acres of farmland. The project includes
protection for a 17-acre rare clayplain
forest. The project also includes an Option
to Purchase at Agricultural Value. $116,000
federal NRCS funds. Total project costs:
$252,500.
Noble Farm, Benson. $147,500 award for
acquisition of a conservation easement on
a 142-acre dairy farm. The project facilitates
a transfer of the farm to a younger family
member. The project also includes an
Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value.
$127,000 federal NRCS funds. Total project
costs: $274,500.
Wagner Farmland, Franklin. $198,500 award
for acquisition of a conservation easement
on 371 acres of farmland and a forested wetland
known as Little Pond Bog. The project
includes protection for the bog and also includes
an Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value. $177,500 federal NRCS funds. Total
project costs: $420,500.
Beenen Farmland, Ferrisburgh. $283,000
award for acquisition of a conservation easement
on 283 acres of farmland. The project
facilitates a transfer of land to a nearby dairy
farmer. The project also provides protection
for a rare clayplain forest and includes an
Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value.
$262,500 federal NRCS funds. Total project
costs: $545,500.
Couture-Wilson Farmland, Barre Town,
$126,000 award for acquisition of a conservation
easement on 84 acres of farmland.
The project facilitates transfer to a nearby
dairy farmer who owns an adjacent conserved
farm. The project includes an Option
to Purchase at Agricultural Value. $105,500
federal NRCS funds. Total project costs:
$231,500.
Loftus/Blythedale Farm, Corinth. $2,000
award to steward an Option to Purchase at
Agricultural Value.
Sweet Farmland, Bradford. $2,000 award
to steward an Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value.
Burleigh Farm, Charlotte. $38,000 award for
acquisition of a conservation easement on 68
acres of farmland, facilitating an intergenerational
transfer. $200,000 federal NRCS
funds. Significant bargain sale and local
fundraising. Total project costs: $798,000
Tillman Farmland, Cornwall. $181,500
award for acquisition of a conservation easement
on 331 acres of farmland with 6,800
feet of frontage on the Lemon Fair River. The
project includes a recorded archeological site
and public trail access. Also included is an
Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value.
$150,000 federal NRCS funds. Total project
costs: $331,500.
South Branch Farmland, Corinth. $2,000
award to steward an Option to Purchase at
Agricultural Value.
Blais Farm, Springfield. $163,107 award for
acquisition of a conservation easement on a
38-acre vegetable farm. The project includes
protection for two recorded native American
archeological sites. The project also includes
an Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value.
Local funding match also included. $150,000
federal NRCS funds. Total project costs:
$326,500.
Noble Farm, Benson. The Vermont Land
Trust conserved this 142 -acre dairy farm.
The project facilitates a transfer of the
farm to a younger family member.
Vermont Land Trust photo

Conservation Awards July 2007– June 2008
J. and T. Boissoneault Farmland, St. Albans.
$257,000 award for acquisition of a conservation
easement on 328 acres of farmland
abutting Black Creek Wildlife Management
Area. The project includes special protection
for a floodplain forest and also for two
archeological sites. $236,500 federal NRCS
funds. Total project costs: $493,500.
Bingham Farm, Middlebury. $110,500 award
for acquisition of a conservation easement
on a 99-acre livestock and vegetable farm.
The project includes special protection for
a clayplain forest, and also public access to a
trail for nonmotorized recreation. $100,000
federal NRCS funds. $10,000 funds from the
Town of Middlebury. Total project costs:
$220,500.
Moore Farm, Pawlet. $65,500 award for
acquisition of a conservation easement on a
128-acre farm that will be added to a previously
conserved mixed livestock farm, with
a possibility of becoming a farmstead cheese
operation. Bargain sale. $130,000 federal
NRCS funds. Total project costs: $280,500.
Blue Spruce Farmland, Bridport. $277,500
award for acquisition of a conservation
easement on 441 acres of farmland abutting
a segment of the Dead Creek Wildlife Management
Area. The project includes special
protection of a clayplain forest. $257,000
federal NRCS funds. Total project costs:
$534,500.
Vermont Land Trust and
South Hero Land Trust
Hackett Farm, South Hero. $59,000 award
for acquisition of a conservation easement
on a 92-acre dairy farm. South Hero Land
Trust was a co-applicant for this project,
which facilitates the purchase of the property
by nearby farmers. Significant bargain
sale and Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value. $267,000 federal NRCS funds. Total
project costs: $560,000.
Robinson Farmland, South Hero. $141,000
award for acquisition of a conservation easement
on 151 acres of farmland with 380 feet
of Lake Champlain frontage. The project
facilitated an intergenerational transfer and
Olcott Farm, St. Johnsbury. The Vermont
Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
conserved 115 acres of productive
farmland with over a mile of Moose River
frontage. Sylvia Jensen/VAAFM photo
includes an Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value. $410,000 federal NRCS funds.
Total project costs: $844,000.
Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association
Windmill Ridge, Phase IX, Avery Acquisition,
Westminster and Athens. $104,345
award for acquisition of 46 acres of wooded
and open land abutting the ridgeline of the
Windmill Ridge Nature Reserve and Trail for
addition to assemblage of conserved land.
Total project costs: $114,565.
Bald Hill Conservation, Westminster.
$166,515 award for 57-acre parcel for public
recreation and natural area protection.
Abuts local high school property, providing
hiking, walking and running trails and
educational opportunities. Total project
costs: $264,515.
STATEWIDE
$309,000 for organizational development
grants to 10 conservation groups operating
around the state.
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Conservation Awards July – December 2008
Preservation Trust of Vermont
Readsboro Bullock Building, Readsboro.
$7,500 award for documentation and stewardship
of preservation easement on the
historic building Bullock Building.
Putney General Store, Putney. $7,500 award
for documentation and stewardship of preservation
easement on the historic Putney
General Store.
Putney Historical Society
Putney General Store, Putney. $67,500
award for acquisition and initial rehab of
historic village store building damaged
by fire. Part of larger project to rehab and
reopen an anchor business in town. Total
project costs: $367,506.
Readsboro Hometown
Redevelopment, Inc.
Readsboro Bullock Building, Readsboro.
$44,000 award for acquisition of the Bullock
Building. Total project costs: First phase
of larger project to rehab and reopen this
mixed-use landmark building in the village
center. Total project costs: $104,000.
The Nature Conservancy
Claycreek Farm Natural Area, Fair Haven
and West Haven. $130,000 award to acquire
and conserve 136 acres for natural area protection.
Site includes one of only two known
timber rattlesnake dens in Vermont. Total
project costs: $180,600.
Burleigh Farm and Forestland, Charlotte.
The Nature Conservancy and the Vermont
Land Trust partnered to conserve 191 acres of
farmland and forestland along Spear Street.
The Burleigh family’s significant bargain sale,
and local, state and federal funds combined
to fund a project with high agricultural, recreational
and natural community values.
Al Karnatz/Vermont Land Trust photo
Trust for Public Lands &
City of Montpelier
Sabins Pasture, Montpelier. $212,500 award
to assist with purchase of approximately 80
acres of land that will be conveyed to the city
of Montpelier for a park. This is part of a
larger dual goal project that will also include
affordable housing on additional acreage.
Total project costs: $2,300,000.
Vermont Agency of Agriculture,
Food & Markets
Gary & Veronica Olcott, St. Johnsbury.
$288,500 award for acquisition of conservation
easements, associated costs and
stewardship of 155 acres farmland. Option
to Purchase at Agricultural Value. $137,500
federal NRCS funds. $19,482.98 ACT250
funds. Total project costs: $288,500.
Darlene & Newton Reynolds, Alburgh.
$228,500 award for acquisition of conservation
easements, associated costs and
stewardship of195.5 acres farmland. Option
to Purchase at Agricultural Value. Bargain
Sale. $137,500 in NRCS funds. Total project
costs: $288,500.
Vermont Department of Forest,
Parks & Recreation
March Acquisition, Jamaica. $20,500 award
to acquire and conserve 12.7 acres of natural
area protection and public outdoor recreation
lands. Total project costs: $23,500.
Vermont Land Trust
Marilyn Bingham, Middlebury. $5,000
additional award to acquire conservation
easement and Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value.
Vermont Foodbank/Kingsbury Farm, Warren.
$168,000 award to acquire conservation
easement and affordability restrictions on 20
acres. Includes riparian buffer and recreational
trail along the Mad River. Facilitates
transfer of farm to the Vermont Foodbank.
$85,000 NRCS funds. Total project cost:
$288,000.

Conservation Awards July – December 2008
Vermont Land Trust
Hogback Mountain, Marlboro. $318,590
award to acquire 593 acres for natural area
protection, public outdoor recreation and
forest management. Total project cost:
$1,727,590.
LaCroix Farm, Moretown. $110,500 award
to acquire conservation easements, associated
costs and stewardship of 46 acres farmland.
Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value. $63,500 federal NRCS funds. Total
project cost: $165,235.
Larocque Farm, Bethel. $113,000 award to
acquire conservation easements, associated
costs and stewardship of 150 acres farmland.
Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value.
$112,500 federal NRCS funds. Total project
cost: $245,500.
George & Joann Madison, Shoreham.
$95,500 award to acquire conservation easements,
associated costs and stewardship of
95 acres farmland. Facilitates purchase of
additional cropland for organic dairy operation.
Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value. $75,000 in NRCS funds. Total project
cost: $170,500.
Marshall Farm, Enosburg. $125,500 award
to acquire conservation easements, associated
costs and stewardship of 157 acres
farmland. Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value. $105,000 in NRCS funds. Total
project cost: $230,500.
Leo & Nancy Henry, Alburg. $165,500
award to acquire conservation easements,
associated costs and stewardship of 359
acres farmland. Abuts Mud Creek Wildlife
Management Area. Special ecological
protection of approximately 100 acres of
wooded wetlands. Option to Purchase at
Agricultural Value. $145,000 in NRCS
funds. Total project cost: $310,500.
John & Carmen Palmer (Misty Knoll),
New Haven. $130,500 award to acquire
conservation easements, associated costs
and stewardship of 242.5 acres farmland.
Facilitates purchase of additional farmland
for large poultry operation. Special ecological
protection of 193 acres of a large wetland
complex. Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value. $110,000 in NRCS funds. Total Project
Cost: $240,500.
Chamberlin parcel, Townshend State Forest
The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
added 138 acres of recreational land,
wildlife habitat and timberland to the state
forest. Close to the popular Townshend State
Park and Campground. FPR photo
Dennis & Patricia Nolan, Highgate. $90,500
award to acquire conservation easements,
associated costs and stewardship of 127 acres
farmland. Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value. $70,000 in NRCS funds. Total
project cost: $160,500.
Richards Farm, Benson. $228,500 award to
acquire conservation easements, associated
costs and stewardship of 396 acres farmland.
Facilitates transfer to established dairy
operation, allowing expanded production.
Special ecological protection of 9 acres of
clayplain forest. Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value. $210,000 in NRCS funds.
Total project costs: $439,500.
STATEWIDE
Organizational Development Grants
$309,000 for organizational development
grants to 10 conservation organizations
operating around the state.
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50
Vermont Housing &
Conservation Board
Balance Sheet
June 30, 2008
General Funds Restricted Funds
ASSETS
Cash Accounts $ 12,061,693 $ 1,360,487
Due from Other Funds 324,822 657,632
Receivables 12,985 23,964
Loans Receivables 75,667,159 34,096,198
Administrative Reimbursements Receivable - 2,985,310
Anticipated Grant Revenues 5,515,622 8,042,074
TOTAL ASSETS 93,582,281 $ 47,165,665
LIABILITIES and FUND EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable & Accruals $ 276,560 $ 9,226
Due to Other Funds 657,893 324,561
Due to the State of Vermont - 2,675,808
Deferred Revenue – Loans 75,667,159 33,824,503
Anticipated Grants Committed 5,515,622 8,042,074
Long-term Debt - 271,695
TOTAL LIABILITIES 82,117,234 45,147,867
FUND EQUITY
Fund Balances
Restricted for Project Commitments 11,459,437 586,768
Restricted for Programs - 1,431,030
Unreserved 5,610 -
TOTAL FUND EQUITY 11,465,047 2,017,798
TOTAL LIABILITIES and FUND EQUITY $ 93,582,281 $ 47,165,665
To receive a copy of the audited financial statement, please contact VHCB.

Revenues
$25,732,185
Expenditures
$25,215,281
Loan
Repayments
1%
Federal Grant
Revenue
35%
Other Project
Related Expense
7%
Interest
Income
1.5%
Other Income
2.5%
Grants and Loans
83%
State Property
Transfer Tax
60%
Administration
10%
To receive a copy of the audited financial statement, please contact VHCB.
51

52
Housing and Conservation Applications
VHCB makes grants and loans to
nonprofit organizations, housing
co-ops, municipalities, and qualifying
state agencies. The Board is able
to respond quickly to assist municipalities
and nonprofits to preserve
agricultural land, natural areas, public
recreational land and historic properties,
and to preserve, rehabilitate, and
develop permanently affordable housing.
Special encouragement is given to
projects that meet both the affordable
housing and the conservation goals of
the Fund.
All applicants are required to
show long-term benefit to Vermonters
through deed restrictions or other
mechanisms that ensure the funds
provided will have a lasting effect.
Housing projects must target Vermonters
with incomes at or below
median. Program beneficiaries range
from tenants, potential home owners,
and farmers, to all who enjoy
Vermont’s natural, recreational, and
historic properties.
The Board meets and makes decisions
on applications approximately
eight times a year. Applications are
usually reviewed and decisions made
within five to ten weeks of submission.
Applications are rated according to the
Adopted Rule of the Board. Applicants
are invited to attend the meeting at
which the project is reviewed, and are
informed of the Board’s decision that
same day.
Site visits by VHCB staff are
required prior to submission of housing
applications.
Purchase of Conservation
Easements on Farmland
The Board evaluates farmland conservation
applications in a two-step
process. Pre-applications are reviewed
by the Agricultural Advisory Committee.
This group recommends projects
to be considered by the full Board,
and complete applications are developed
for those projects. Evaluation is
based upon soil quality, location, farm
infrastructure, management, and other
resources brought to the project.
Federal HOME Funds and
Lead-Based Paint Hazard
Reduction Funds
Applications for HOME Program
funds are due on the same dates as
VHCB housing project applications.
Applications for Lead-Based Paint
Hazard Reduction funds are reviewed
as they are received.
Farm Viability
Enhancement Program
The Vermont Farm Viability Enhancement
Program provides funding to
organizations working with farmers to
supply technical assistance, business
planning and implementation services.
Farmers may apply to the program
by filling out an application available
from VHCB, NOFA-Vermont, the
Intervale Foundation, the University of
Vermont Extension Service, or Working
Landscapes, Inc.. Applications are
reviewed as they are received.
Application Procedures
Feasibility Funds
The Board provides awards of up to
$10,000 to assist with feasibility analysis
for individual projects and up to
$15,000 for housing projects involving
more than one building. This program
pays for appraisals, engineering and
environmental studies, options, energy
assessments, and market analyses.
These awards are instrumental in
helping grantees bring projects to the
development stage. For a number of
years, the Public Service Department
has provided the Board with funds for
energy efficiency analyses in proposed
housing developments.
Organizational Grants
The Board provides grants to nonprofits
for some of the costs associated
with developing affordable housing
and conservation projects. This crucial
support ranges from up to $15,000 for
new organizations to up to $40,000
for regional groups actively engaged in
developing VHCB projects.
Application deadlines, Board meeting dates and VHCB policies are available from
the VHCB office and are posted on the Board's web site (www.vhcb.org). Applications
are available by request. Please call us for more information or with any
questions:
General Information: 828-3250
Housing: 828-3526
HOME Program: 828-5061
Lead Paint Program: 828-5064
Conservation: 828-5066
Farm Viability: 828-2117
AmeriCorps: 828-3253

GRAND ISLE
19 units
3,227 acres
ADDISON
643 units
42,366 acres
BENNINGTON
340 units
4,957 acres
PROJECT AWARDS BY COUNTY
1987–2008
CHITTENDEN
2,805 units
12,903 acres
RUTLAND
355 units
16,833 acres
FRANKLIN
428 units
32,104 acres
LAMOILLE
189 units
15,333 acres
WASHINGTON
765 units
10,826 acres
WINDHAM
717 units
9,618 acres
WINDSOR
1,099 units
10,889 acres
ORLEANS
285 units
19,332 acres
ORANGE
330 units
10,263 acres
CALEDONIA
393 units
5,437 acres
ESSEX
13 units
179,468
acres

since 1987, creating affordable housing,
conserving agricultural and recreational lands,
historic properties, and natural areas.
Vermont
Housing &
Conservation
Board
58 East State Street, Montpelier, Vermont
telephone: 802 828 3250 | www.vhcb.org