I didn’t have enough room in this week’s column to provide updateson the ongoing compost controversies, so readers following the storycan tumble these tidbits around for now:
Vermont Compost Company has officially appealed the administrative order issued by the Natural Resources Board.That order, if approved by a judge, would have levied an $18,000 fine,forced an immediate shutdown of the compost operations, and requiredthe company to remove some buildings and compost from their Montpeliersite, costing them tens of thousands of dollars.
Karl Hammer, the company’s founder, has appealed the order, whichwill keep the composter in business for now. Hammer’s friends, led by NOFA-VT,have set up a legal fund to help defray the cost of the appeal.Interested in helping out? You can mail checks to Vermont CompostCompany Legal Fund, c/o Vermont Compost Company, 1996 Main St.,Montpelier, VT 05602. Or, you can visit the company’s website and finda handy PayPal widget.
No more news on the Intervale Center’songoing discussions with the attorney general’s office and two majorstate agencies. For some background on the center’s problems and issuesfacing the Intervale as a whole, check out this Fair Game column.
I’m not sure what the outcome of the Intervale mess will be, but Ithink most people have come to the conclusion that its currentoperation is too large for where it is. A smaller demonstration compostproject should be kept somewhere down in the Intervale to help keep thesoils there healthy and the farm-to-table loop intact. Butsolid waste diversion for the county may need to happen at one, or two,other sites around the county.
This article appears in Jul 23-29, 2008.
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The Vermont Compost Company, in partnership with LACE, Rural Vermont, Foodworks at the Two Rivers Center and NOFA, will host a brunch to benefit the Vermont Compost Company Legal Fund. Brunch will feature Vermont Compost Co. eggs and other local farm fresh foods, along with guest speakers and a silent auction.Come out and show your support for the Vermont Compost Company!Sunday, August 24th10 am – 2 pmLACE, Main Street, BARRE$25 for adults; kids/family price TBDFor more info, to volunteer, or to donate to the silent auction, contact Jessica Bernier at (802) 279-1261 or jessicabernier@ymail.com.