Shelburne Vermont Real Estate
Sustainability Series Continues This Week at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne Vermont
Recently, I completed my course work for acquiring the National Association of Realtors new Green designation. In keeping with my commitment of bringing new awarenesses to those of you who are sensitive to issues of sustainability, green building practices and smart developments/communities, I want you to be aware of the Lecture, Film & Workshop Series currently underway each week for the next 7 weeks running at Shelburne Farms. Last week, I attended the 3 part series on "Assessing Our Eco-impact." Each event was first rate. The presenters imparted their immense knowledge on their subjects. The documentary "Home" was stunningingly filmed and carried both messages of our stark realities and hope.
Transition Tookit Series:
Learning Opportunities
for a Sustainable Future.
Events for Week Two: Permaculture
Lecture: Thursday 6:30 Ed Center, Farm Barn at
Shelburne Farms $7.
As we consider the convergent crises of climate change, peak oil and economic ‘uncertainty’, we can become anxious’ and stuck, or embrace one of the greatest opportunities in generations: to restructure society so that it is based on ecological and ethical principles, as well as local resilience. This presentation introduces the concept of permaculture, and explores the ways we can design and establish our homes and communities as ‘human ecosystems’ that are not only less fuel reliant, but also beautiful, productive, ecologically restorative, and wholly nourishing. To learn more about permaculture visit: www.permacultureactivist.net
Film: Shelburne Town Hall 7PM, $5 Sugg. Donation
The Global Gardener tells the story of permaculture founder and practical visionary BILL MOLLISON. For nearly two decades Mollison has traveled the globe teaching permaculture, the method of sustainable agriculture and human habitat design that he and David Holmgren developed. Permaculture weaves together ecosystems, annual and perennial plants, animals, soils, water management and human needs into intricately connected productive landscapes. The Global Gardener shows how Mollison helped empower people to turn environmental wastelands, in places as different as the dessert and inner cities, into beautiful, food producing landscapes. An inspiring testimonial to the ability of people and nature working together to heal the planet, while providing for humanity.
Workshop: South Gate Cottage at Shelburne Farms.
10AM-2:30PM, $20, (bring a bag lunch)
Join Keith Morris, a professional ecological designer, for a day of practice ‘in reading a landscape’, and exploring the potentials for home-scale food and energy production, waste management, and ecological regeneration. We’ will focus on the design process, articulating goals, analyzing a site, and generating graphical representations of our interpretations and design ideas for the South Gate Cottage at Shelburne Farms. Bring a big pad of paper, colored markets and your creativity! To learn more about permaculture visit: www.permacultureactivist.net
Presenter:
Keith Morris has been applying his life-long love of nature and people to permaculture and ecological design since 1996, and has worked professionally as a designer, farmer, natural builder, and educator facilitating healthy and healing human ecosystems since 2000. His work integrates community building, ecological regeneration, shelter and structures, and diverse, nutrient-dense food production into beautiful and productive whole systems. He teaches at Sterling College, the Yestermorrow Design Build School, the University of Vermont, and has worked for USAID Farmer to Farmer in Nigeria and Ghana.
PLEASE add your own comments here at Hurd's The Word. If you have questions about buying a home or property, please call me at 802.238.5256 or email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com or go to my website at Shelburne Vermont Real Estate.
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Lectures - Film Series - Workshops at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne Vermont
Beginning on October 1st, 2009 and running through November 21st, 2009 Shelburne Farms will be hosting eight Lectures, a Film Series and a set of Workshops under the heading“Transition Toolkit: Learning Opportunities For A Sustainable Future.” This phenomenal set of events is the culmination of sponsorship of the following organizations: Shelburne Farms, Burlington Permaculture, Transition Shelburne and Transition Charlotte. All events are open to the public and you are sincerely encouraged to attend.
During this eight week period, topics will range in the following areas:
Week One - The Context For Transition
- Oct. 1st: Lecture - “Sobering Realities, Exciting Possibilities”
- Oct. 2nd: Film - “Global Gardener”
- Oct. 3rd: Workshop - “Reducing Your Eco-Impact” *
Week Two - Permaculture
- October 8th: Lecture - “Caring for the Earth, Caring for People”
- October 9th: Film - “Global Gardener” *
- October 10th: Workshop - “Hands-On Permaculture Design”
Week Three - Water
- October 15th: Lecture - “More Important Than Oil”
- October 16th: Film - “Flow” *
- October 17th: Workshop - “Using Rain Barrels”
Week Four - Home Heating
- October 22nd: Lecture - “Home Heating 101?
- October 23rd: Film - “The End Of Suburbia”
- October 24th: Workshop - “Reducing Your Heating Bill”
Week Five - Garbage and Sewage
- October 29th: Lecture - “Gone Today - Here Forever?”
- October 30th: Film - “Garbage Warrior” *
- October 31st: Workshop - “The Joy of Composting”
Week Six - Food
- November 5th: Lecture - “The Story of Food”
- November 6th: Film - “The Power of Community” *
- November 7th: Workshop - “Welcome to Root Cellars”
Week Seven - Transportation
- November 12th: Lecture - “Getting Around Better”
- November 13th: Film - “Who Killed The Electric Car?” *
- November 14th: Workshop - “Bike Commuting Made Simple”
Week Eight - The Psychology of Change
- November 19th: Lecture - “Moving Beyond Fear - Taking Action Now”
- November 20th: Film - “A Convenient Truth” *
- November 21st: Workshop - “Envisioning A Positive Future” *
All Events are located at Shelburne Farms unless noted with an *. Check website for details, more information and registration at www.GreenShelburne.WordPress.com or call 802.985.9830.
Senior, student and workstudy rates available.
Single Tickets as follows:
- Lectures at 6:30pm $15
- Films at 7pm $5
- Workshops 10am -12:30pm $35
Flexi-Pass as follows:
- Any 4 lectures $45
- Any 4 workshops $100
The Whole Enchilada
I should mention in the spirit of full disclosure, I am a member of the Steering Committee of Transition Shelburne and a general member of Transition Charlotte. Your participation in these organizations is encouraged and we would welcome you.
PLEASE add your own comments here at Hurd's The Word. If you have questions about buying a home or property, please call me at 802.238.5256 or email me at
Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com or go to my website at
Shelburne Vermont Real Estate.
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Summer 2009 Top Ten Fun List for Shelburne VT
Unashamed and completely subjective with additions all the time (hopefully with a few by you). Grab a friend, your spouse, a significant other, your child(ren), all of the above and celebrate summer in Shelburne, Vermont:
PLEASE add your own favorites to this list by placing your comments here at Hurd's The Word. If you have questions about buying a home or property, please call me at 802.238.5256 or email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com or go to my website at Shelburne Vermont Real Estate.
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Shelburne VT is a great livable town close to Burlington
Elements of community differ amongst people.
Last week while attending the National Association of Realtors Green core curriculum course in Montpelier, the topic of “Smart Growth” was discussed. “Smart Growth” is the notion that a community has certain elements that contribute to its sustainability, resiliency and vitality. These elements include the following essential components as outlined by The Vermont Smart Growth Collaborative:
- Maintaining the historic development pattern of compact village and urban centers separated by rural countryside,
- Developing compact, mixed-use centers as a scale appropriate for the community and the region,
- Enabling choice in modes of transportation,
- Protecting the state’s important environmental, natural and historic feature, including natural areas, water quality, scenic resources and historic sites and districts,
- Serving to strengthen agriculture and forest industries and minimizes conflicts of development with these industries,
- Balancing growth and the availability of economic and efficient public utilities and services,
- Supporting a diversity of viable businesses in downtowns and villages, including locally owned businesses,
- Providing for housing that meets the needs of a diversity of social and income groups in each community.
Of course, these are the goals. The Gold Standard.
Armed with new sensitivites relating to Smart Growth and what comprises Green Homes, I have been mulling over communities that come close to meeting these criteria. It is quite the process I must say…
I have been taking a closer look at Shelburne Vermont in the days since my course last week and she seems to plug into the Smart Growth equation pretty darned well.
If I were to be actively considering a place to live, Shelburne Village would be VERY high on my A-list.
A budding local organization called Transition Towns (this organization originates from the UK) is taking root in Shelburne and in Charlotte among other Vermont cities and towns, nationally and globally.
This group’s centerpiece is the notion that “Peak Oil” has been achieved on our planet and the complexities confronting us by way of Global Warming/Climate Change compel us to re-think our patterns. We see current fuel prices creeping back up again. No new refineries coming on line in decades is a sign the oil industry isn'’t even willing to invest in itself. What does that tell you?
Transition seeks to build local resiliency at the town/neighborhood level. Its goal to strengthen community via an interconnected awareness and reality that we must transition to a new notion of community, sustainablity and resiliency in the face of exponentially growing challenges.
Of course, there are many elements to these assertions and it will be in our collective best interest to open constructive dialogue with a plenitude of diverse voices around these important matters. Start by reading Rob Hopkins book entitled “The Transition Handbook.” In his book, Hopkins lays out the challenges and solutions in a format that is virally spreading across the globe.
Ultimately, if you accept these notions, Transition Towns is all about dealing with these matters now before we’re forced to or before it’s too late.
“Smart Growth,” “Green Homes” and “Transition Towns” are part of an emerging new vocabulary leading us down a path of enormous opportunity and hope. I urge you to read the following link/article from the New York Times Magazine Earth Day Edition from last month about the Transition Towns Initiative.
If you are interested in any of the above topics or interested in learning more about the Transition Movement, please call me at 802.238.5256, Blog me at Hurd's The Word, go to my website at Shelburne Vermont Real Estate, or email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com.
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Shelburne Vermont Annual Market Data & Trends for all of 2008
Based upon information provided by the Northwestern Vermont Board of Realtors (NVBR) as of today for all of 2008, there were 73 single family residential and condominium units sold within Shelburne Vermont with a total sold volume of $29,251,083. These numbers represent a 7.35% INCREASE in the number of units sold from the same time period one year earlier (1/1/07-12/31/07). Divide this number by the units sold (73) and you get an average sale price of $400,700. These numbers represent a 25.15% reduction in the average sales price from the same time period one year earlier (1/1/07-12/31/07).
Average days on the market for all these 73 properties was 97 compared to 86 one year earlier or 12.79% longer on the market.
Armed with solid numbers, buyers and sellers alike can manage their expectations and the current realities of our local market.
Call me at 802.238.5256, email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com or post your comments at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Shelburne Vermont Real Estate.
(These figures include sold numbers for single family residential and condominium only in all the towns which comprise Chittenden County, Vermont only. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed by Vermont Real Estate Information Network which supplies these figures.)
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Rediscovering Shelburne Farms in Shelburne Vermont
Remember the feeling when you rediscover something or see it in a new way? Remember those feelings? Something is triggered deep within. I had such an experience last Sunday afternoon. I decided I needed fresh air and it had been some time since I had hiked the property at Shelburne Farms. Most the time, I journey to Lone Tree Hill for its unbelievable views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains to the west and Vermont's Green Mountains to the east. (Truth be known it's one of the very best places to see sunsets and moon rises. A full moon rise over the Farm Barn is a sight to behold.
Last Sunday was cold. A fair amount of biting wind to boot as I crossed the open meadows from the Visitor's Center en route to the Farm Barn and Loan Tree Hill. There were a few other like minded souls out and about exchanging warm, friendly smiles. Economy be damned I thought.
As I reached the granite bench atop Lone Tree Hill, the views simply compel one to sit and take stock. In what can be described as a pre-meditative euphoria, I absorbed the churning clouds weaving their way through the Adirondacks's lofty summits. The clouds were moving at such high speed from the north. A squall line was clearly visible with its accompanying wall of snow advancing across the lake.
I sat and marvelled at the beauty sprawling before me. (Now, this is my idea of sprawl I thought.)
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Sheer, simple beauty.
I must have been there fifteen minutes or more. Reminiscing other visits here, to this very spot, within all seasons and weather...
I felt deeply moved in those moments.
I felt a rediscovery of Shelburne Farms for sure but I also felt a rediscovery of something far greater. A re-connecting with something within which periodically flickers or reverts to hibernation.
I could feel my body responding to the vigorous walk - a bit winded as I took my seat on the stone cold bench. My senses opened by the beauty of the landscapes on display in so many forms. The weather creating its own dynamic energy. All of this I could see, feel, hear, touch and taste.
As the cold from the bench permeated one end of me and the ever increasing winds buffeted another, I felt inspired to continue the journey down unexplored trails and warm up my chilled body. Descending the southwest corner of Lone Tree Hill into the woods, the wind ceased to gnaw. It grew rather quiet. My senses were realingning - once again. Ahhhh. This is good too I thought.
The trail opened up into a meadow with views of the west, the south and the north. Undulating landscapes bordered by trees and forest. What sorts of critters hid from my view I pondered...
Further west, I travelled into deeper snow the result of unused, unworn trails. Ohhhhh, I like this even more. I felt somewhat pioneering.
To my astonishment, the snow squall line seen from above had reached my body. A fiercesome wind and heavy snow stung my face. I shielded my cheeks and eyes from the pounding I was taking. But strangely, it felt good. The snow melting and drooling across my face.
Wow.
I came upon a building which turned out to be the backside of The Coach Barn, an angle I had never seen before. And there I could see Lake Champlain up close. I continued another one hundred and fifty yards to the lake's edge where high up on a cliff I could feel the frigid dampness enhanced by the combination of Mother Nature's forces. I wove my way between various trees, whose names I wish
I'd known, for a closer look.
Ice flows hugging the shores, the howling wind, the grayness of it all, horizontal snow, waves crashing against rocks.
I stood there quietly. I was in love.
After five minutes or so, I continued on past the Inn, long closed up for the season. I remembered summer concerts on the lawns there, thunderstorm watching under the south facing portico, my dad's visits when he would splurge and stay as a guest...
Facing directly north now my cheeks tightened as I tacked into the wind.
Why on earth did this feel so good?
Walking along the access road, past the milking barn, up the hill into the woods, I felt I was living a
Robert Frost poem.
Further up the hill and around a bend the Farm Barn came back into view. Frederick Law Olmstead got this place just right.
Still snowing furiously, I reached my blanketed car. While brushing her off, I contemplated. I contemplated it all.
And I thanked God for places like this.
Call me at 802.238.5256, email me at Chris@ChrisHurdVT.com or post your comments at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Shelburne Vermont Real Estate.
Top Ten List for Shelburne VT Real Estate
A purely personal list subject to change (guaranteed!) of my favorite things to do in Shelburne VT throughout the year:
10. Canoeing or kayaking on Shelburne Pond in summer or fall,
9. Dinner at Cafe Shelburne,
8. Kayaking the Laplatte River as the birds migrate home from the winter,
7. Launching out of Shelburne Bay,
6. Shelburne Market,
5. Dinner at Sauce Bistro,
4. Summer Concert Series at Shelburne Museum,
3. Hike to the top of Lone Tree Hill at Shelburne Farms,
2. Picnicking at the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Concerts at Shelburne Farms,
1. Picknicking at the Mozart Festival Concerts at Shelburne Farms.
If you would like to add a comment or add your favorite Top Ten list, please do so by posting a comment here at Hurd's The Word or go to my website at Shelburne VT Real Estate.
