Dave here:

The Extra Row Project is in its 4th year as a cooperative effort between local farmers and Transition Town Jericho (TTJ). Our main participant is Tucker Andrews of Bone Mountain Farm. Tucker provides the space in his field, plants the squash and ensures that the plants are healthy and watered. The Transition Town Jericho team then harvests and distributes the yield.  Without both these teams working in support of each other, this opportunity would not be available.  

TTJ provided over a dozen volunteers on a late summer day in September, including families and children that worked like a hive of bees; one listening closely may have heard a distinct buzz of excitement and possibility!


​We were able to pick 350 squash this year. Distributions included:
Aunt Dot's - 80 
Heavenly Food Shelf Essex Junction UCC - 90
Family Room - 90
Jericho, Underhill, Essex Food shelf - 90

Thanks to Chantal O'Connor for providing the pictures for this blog.

​This past July, Tucker’s farm and home was flooded and most of the farm crop was destroyed.  The squash plants did survive, but two thirds of the farm produce were lost.  Even with this loss, Tucker still believes that the mission to support the community is vitally important. Transition Town Jericho is one of many groups and individuals that have contributed to Tucker in recovery support. If interested in making a contribution, here is the contact info:
Farmer: Tucker Andrews
Email:  [email protected]
Address: 3533 Nashville Rd, Bolton VT 05465

Laura here:

“I hope one day a tree is planted here, and it will be the source of nutrition”
“Instead of depressing it was strangely life affirming”
”It seemed so normal…so natural”

These are just a few quotes from people who’ve experienced green burial of a family member. 

On September 23, representatives from the Vermont Forest Cemetery (VFC) came to the Jericho Community Center to present on Vermont’s first and only green burial ground, located in Roxbury VT. 
About 20 of us were present; we watched the film From Earth to Earth: The Lost Art of Dying in America and heard from  presenters Jim Hogle and Andrea Stander, both VFC board members.

In green or natural burial “the un-embalmed body is placed in a biodegradable container or shroud...then placed directly in the soil at least three and a half feet below the surface...” according to the VFC brochure.

Jim said family members are encouraged to be part of the process, and may choose to physically help place the departed’s body into the earth, saying that the involvement often aids in letting go, aiding the grieving process.

Besides having its first green burial site, much has evolved in Vermont around death and burials in the last few years. Andrea said that cemeteries can legally put aside space for green burials, and laws have changed around home burials as well. There are death cafes around the state (one here in Jericho!) and one can now study at UVM to become a death doula.

Michelle Acciavatti, founder of the VFC has presented at transition town meetings in the past; thus, many of us in Jericho can appreciate how her dreams have come to fruition! Regular VFC tours are offered and for more info, go to www.cemetery.eco