Young African Leaders visit Cobb Hill

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Around 30 Fellows from the President Obama Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) came to Cobb Hill for an afternoon and evening of tours, conversations, soccer, a barbecue, s'mores by the campfire and a bit of music.  There were close to 80 people in attendance, between Cobb Hill families, YALI Fellows and YALI administrators from Dartmouth.  It was fabulous to see our Cobb Hill kids in deep conversation with the Fellows, or watch the impromptu, multi-generational soccer game.  YALI Fellows got to taste Cobb Hill cheese and frozen yogurt.  It was a blast introducing them to maple syrup and explaining that it is made from the sap of trees.  YALI Fellows brought their own treats to share, including grasshoppers!  

Fellows shared their interests and heard about life a Cobb Hill.  There were great conversations about conflict resolution, governance, small-scale farming, green building and energy systems, and our small businesses.  

After dinner, we sat around the fire pit.  The kids taught the YALI Fellows how to roast a marshmallow and make a s'more.  People brought out instruments and shared a love of music.  

It was an extraordinary day.  

Protecting Soil and Water

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Protecting Soil and Water

Recently our Natural Resources Conservation Services pasture specialist dropped off a 48 page bulletin from the Vermont Natural Resources Conservation Districts titled: Conservation in Vermont--Best Management Practices for Farm and Forest Owners. The guide outlines state-of-the-art practices that promote water and soil conservation on farms. Of the 18 practices listed specific to farms we are implementing 13:

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An observation on our electricity use

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Typical Vermont house electric bill is $96/ month.  The monthly bill for the trailer (fairly low use situation) is 75/month.

Our electric bills come out to be about 55/household, due to our commercials rate and investments in energy efficiency.  With cow power, our bill is about 66/household/month.

That means that with 100% renewable energy (and the double climate win of cow power where we also reduce methane emissions) our electric bills are still just 2/3 of the average home in Vermont.