The Vermont Council on Rural Development is a non-profit, federally supported, state rural development council that combines public and private resources to fund programs that improve the rural communities of Vermont, a largely rural American state. The organization was created in 1992.

Recent initiatives

The organization coordinates two key initiatives around creating a green economy: an initiative called "Vermont Climate Economy Initiative" designed around developing enterprises focused on responding to global warming; and a "Climate Model Communities Program" coordinated with Efficiency Vermont to improve the sustainability of whole communities in Vermont.

Other programs include a community leadership award program, investment in working lands, and regularly policy meetings and summits.

Further reading

  • "" by Erin George, The Brattleboro Reformer (March 13, 2001)
  • "", editorial, The Burlington Free Press (April 15, 2006)
  • "" by Lauren Ober, The Burlington Free Press (April 29, 2006)
  • "" by Paul Costello and Sarah Waring, Rutland Daily Herald (Dec 30, 2007)
  • "" by Paul Costello, Rutland Daily Herald (Dec 26, 2010)
  • "" by Jon Copans (op-ed by the director of the Climate Economy Model Communities Program at the VCRD), Rutland Daily Herald (March 3, 2017)