Nulhegan Food Security Programs

 In 2020, the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation partnered with  the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) and  Rooted in Vermont (a program of the Vermont Farm to Plate Network) to  provide Indigenous seeds to over a dozen gardeners, homesteaders, and  farmers around Vermont who dedicated land to grow and harvest squash,  corn, and beans for Abenaki citizens. In 2021, this partnership and  project expanded to include almost 40 growers around the state. The food  sovereignty project is part of Abenaki Helping Abenaki, a nonprofit of  the Nulhegan Abenaki Tribe. Growers are providing their land and  donating their time, skills, and resources. During this panel, learn  more about the project and this harvest season with Chief Don Stevens,  Joe Bossen, Guy Maguire, JoAnne Dennee, and NOFA-VT.  

     Chief Don Stevens is Chief of the Nulhegan Abenaki and the Executive  Director of their non-profit, “Abenaki Helping Abenaki,” which is  responsible for all the tribal programs and services. An engaging  spokesperson, Chief Stevens helped lead the fight for state recognition  of the Abenaki people of Vermont, who were recognized by the Vermont  Legislature in 2011. Don was able to acquire land and hunting/fishing  rights for the Nulhegan Tribe, which had been absent for over 200 years.  Don continues to work with the federal government, legislators, state  and local governments, institutions, and other Indian Nations to  represent Nulhegan Abenaki viewpoints.   

     Joe Bossen is the founder and owner of Vermont Bean Crafters and  co-owner of All Souls Tortilleria. Joe is deeply committed to food  justice, plant-based diets, and local food systems. He grows crops for  the Abenaki Land Link project and serves in a leadership role in  processing and preserving the project’s harvest. 

      Guy Maguire is the Programs Director at South Hero Land Trust, as well  as an avid gardener and rare plant volunteer with the Native Plant  Trust. Guy engages with students and adults in hands-on, outdoor  learning that honors the land and the people who steward it. This year  he coordinated a unit for 3rd and 4th graders about the Abenaki Land  Link Project, and looks forward to more opportunities for learning and  connecting with others around food, plants, and justice. 

      JoAnne Dennee is the Land/Food Educator at Common Roots in South  Burlington. She mentors college interns in nutrition and stewardship as  it relates to local habitats and restorative land practices, and is a  grower for the Abenaki Land Link project. The Common Roots farm is eight  acres of VOF and Real Organic Project certified vegetables and flowers.  JoAnne maintains an Abenaki Gateway Garden as the entrance to the 40+  raised bed school garden. Common Roots has delivered 13 years of  farm-to-school lessons, provides freshly harvested and prepared products  to the local food shelf, and teaches an after school Farm-to-Fork  program for middle schoolers who prepare a balanced organic dinner for  their family, and more!

       Agricultural Literacy Week is generously funded by the Vermont  Department of Libraries and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and  Markets.  Recorded Thursday November 18, 2021.