Ski Vermont’s Fifth Grade Passport Raises Record Funds for Local Farmers

Ski Vermont presented a contribution check of a record breaking $10,800 to the Keep Local Farms Fund at Rosina Wallace Farmin Waterbury, VT on Friday, September 19, 2014. The contribution comes from the proceeds of Ski Vermont’s Fifth Grade Passport program which enabled 2,150 children to ski and snowboard for free in Vermont during the 2013-14 season. 

This is the fourth year in a row that the profits were donated to the Keep Local Farms Fund, whichsupports the long-term viability of New England’s dairy farms using three strategies: educating New Englanders about dairy farming, promoting purchases of milk and other dairy foods, and raising funds to support the sustainability of New England’s dairy farms. Contributions from Ski Vermont to the Keep Local Farms Fund over the last three years total nearly $36,800.

“Ski Vermont and our resorts are proud supporters of the farm industry in Vermont and happy to be able to donate proceeds from a great program to local farmers,” said Ski Vermont Public Affairs Director Sarah Wojcik. “The ski and farm industries are both integral parts of Vermont’s tourism and economic landscapes, and it is great that we can work together to guarantee the future success of both  industries.”

”Ski Vermont has been an amazing supporter of our Must Be The Milk program and Keep Local Farms Fund. We are honored to partner with Ski Vermont, a like-minded partner who sees the connection between dairy agriculture and tourism and how the relationship benefits the local community, economy and environment,” said New England Dairy Promotion Board CEO, Gary Wheelock.

Ski Vermont’s Fifth Grade Passport program will launch its 14th year of enabling children to ski free at all partner resorts, inspiring them to connect with the Vermont landscape. Ski Vermont also pledges to continue to donate proceeds from the passport’s $10 processing fee to support the sustainability of New England’s dairy farms during the 2014-15 season.

About the Associations and Programs:

Must Be The Milk is an initiative of the New England Dairy Promotion Board. The program aims to educate people about the value of local dairy farms to our economy, our environment and our health and wellness. The Keep Local Farms Fund is the home of Must Be The Milk’s funding support for New England dairy agriculture. Beginning in 2013, the Keep Local Farms Fund will partner with New England non-profit organizations to support projects and programs related to three key dimensions of thriving dairy agriculture: Environment, Economy and Education.
Learn more at www.mustbethemilk.com.

Ski Vermont (Vermont Ski Areas Association) is a proud ambassador of the thriving winter tourism industry in Vermont, where the legislature has designated skiing and snowboarding as the official state sports. Vermont is not only the #1 ski state in the east and third in the US, but also reigns supreme in snowmaking quality and coverage, variety of terrain and historical impact on the sports of skiing and snowboarding - making it one of the most significant ski  and ride destinations in the world. Ski Vermont’s mission is to help create a legislative, economic and social environment in which the state’s ski areas can grow and prosper. It serves its 19 Alpine and 30 Nordic member resorts in three major areas: Governmental Affairs, Marketing and Public Affairs.

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