Saint Michael's College

CSA Registration Opens for Returning Members
2025-03-10
CSA Registration Opens for Returning Members
Monday, March 10th
Get ready to register for our 2025 Free Choice CSA! As former CSA members you will be granted special early access to our sign-up forms on Monday, March 10th–two weeks earlier than other members of the SMC community.
As in years past, we plan on launching our CSA in early-to-mid April and running it through the end of October/early November. Once the season gets started, account funds can be can be spent at the Self-Serve Farm Stand located in the Institute for the Environment or used to order produce online for pick-up (we’re excited to offer expanded pick-up windows this year—more details to come during registration). See below for a full breakdown of share options:
Employees & Alumni Shares

Extra Large Share: $400.00 (we’ll add $25.00 to your starting balance!)
Large Share: $300.00 (we’ll add $25.00 to your starting balance!)
Medium Share: $200.00
Small Share: $150.00

Student Shares

Large: $100.00
Small: $50.00

If you have any questions about this year’s planned offerings feel free to reach out directly. If not, simply keep an eye on your inbox for an email on Monday, March 10th with further details and registration instructions. Last year was our most successful CSA season on record and we hope you’ll join us again this season!

Pruning Workshop
2025-03-10 15:45 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | The Farm at Saint Michael’s College, One Winooski Park, Colchester, VT, 05439, United States
Pruning Workshop
Monday, March 10th, 3:45pm – 5:00pm
SMC Farm
Student employees from the Leahy Institute for the Environment will be hosting a pruning workshop for anyone in the SMC community who is interested! SMC student or employee–anyone is welcome! Our student leaders will teach you how to identify fruiting trees and other plants that need pruning, what tools to use (we will provide these during the workshop), and how to foster healthy growth through the process of pruning. Join us at the SMC Farm on Monday, March 10th at 3:45pm!

CSA Registration Opens for New Members
2025-03-24
CSA Registration Opens for New Members
Monday, March 24th
Get ready to register for our 2025 CSA program! New member registration opens Monday, March 24th.
As in years past, we plan on launching our CSA in early-to-mid April and running it through the end of October/early November. Once the season gets started, account funds can be can be spent at the Self-Serve Farm Stand located in the Institute for the Environment (STE 119) or used to order produce online for pick-up (we’re excited to offer expanded pick-up windows this year—more details to come during registration). See below for a full breakdown of share options:
Student Shares

Large: $100.00
Small: $50.00

All students who purchase any share size will be entered into a raffle to win an extra $25.00 to their starting balance!
Employees & Alumni Shares

Extra Large Share: $400.00 (we’ll add $25.00 to your starting balance!)
Large Share: $300.00 (we’ll add $25.00 to your starting balance!)
Medium Share: $200.00
Small Share: $150.00

In addition to our regularly-priced CSA shares, through a partnership with HR we have a limited amount of financial support available to provide Medium ($200) shares free of charge to SMC employees who may not otherwise be able to choose to access our CSA. To apply, please use the Employee Registration Form and simply indicate your interest when prompted. If applications exceed support, individuals will be entered into a random drawing and notified of their selection in early April.
If you have any questions about this year’s planned offerings feel free to reach out directly. Last year was our most successful CSA season on record and we hope you’ll join us again this season!

Leahy Scholarship Program Applications Close Today!
2025-04-01 09:00 - 17:00
Leahy Scholarship Program Applications Close Today!
This scholarship program is part of a $6.5 million federal appropriation that seeks to establish Saint Michael’s as a lighthouse for the institutional models needed to span the educational and workforce development continuum for coordinated, systemic action.
Applications for the AY 2025 – 2026 opened Tuesday, February 18th and are due today Tuesday, April 1st by 5pm! Read more about the scholarship program by visiting https://www.smcvt.edu/academics/institute-for-the-environment/student-opportunities/.

Leahy Scholarship Program Application due date EXTENDED to April 7th!
2025-04-02 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-04-03 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-04-04 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-04-05 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-04-06 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-04-07 16:00 - 17:30 | Institute for the Environment, Saint Edmund’s Hall
Leahy Scholarship Program Application due date EXTENDED to April 7th!
This scholarship program is part of a $6.5 million federal appropriation that seeks to establish Saint Michael’s as a lighthouse for the institutional models needed to span the educational and workforce development continuum for coordinated, systemic action.
Applications for the AY 2025 – 2026 opened Tuesday, February 18th and have a new extended due date of Monday, April 7th by 5pm! Read more about the scholarship program by visiting https://www.smcvt.edu/academics/institute-for-the-environment/student-opportunities/.

Water for All: A Path to Global Health and Equity
2025-04-09 12:00 - 17:00 | McCarthy Arts Center
Water for All: A Path to Global Health and Equity
Wednesday April 9
Panel – 12 p.m. in McCarthy Arts Center
Walk-A-Thon – 1 p.m. in the McCarthy Arts Center parking lot

Walk-a-thon Registration & Donation Form

This campus—and community-sponsored collaboration aims to reflect the mission and impact of SMC students on real-world issues, particularly a lack of access to clean water. ​​The initiative seeks to leverage education, outreach, and community development with our community partner, St. Francis Xavier Parish & School. Groups from across the college are coming together to support the St. Francis Xavier students in raising money for 4 communities in southeastern Mexico to support Healing Waters International with the upcoming project of designing and installing clean water infrastructure in these communities. ​​
The project originated with Father Yvon Royer- SMC Alum, 3 years ago when his former Parishes were involved in helping a Community in San José Monteverde, México, have clean drinking water for the first time. They worked with Healing Waters, a Christian company that works mostly in South America focusing on working with communities to assess what their needs are for water, the possible source, and what needs to be done to bring the Community drinkable water.
Throughout this academic year, Father Yvon has been leading both educational and fundraising initiatives at Saint Francis Xavier School (SFX) in Winooski. Students have heard from speakers, conducted fundraising events at their local parishes, and will participate in a fundraising Walk-A-Thon. To support this initiative, Saint Michael’s College will host a series of educational events on April 9th and the SFX students will have access to everything we have to offer, from our pre-service educators to our MakerSpace to our ability to bring in high-impact speakers, which will build awareness, increase education, and fundraise for clean water projects in the coastal region of Chiapas México, a stand-alone project in the community “23 de Enero” and project Rosalbali which support the communities of Rosarito, Alianza, and Albores.
​On Wednesday, April 9th, all SFX students and staff will be visiting SMC to take part in the series of events. A highlight of this day is a 1-hour panel with Walter Nonemaker, Director at Healing Waters International, Oliver Niyonshuti, SMC international student with personal experience related to lack of clean water in Rwanda, and Judy Dow, local Indigenous Scholar and Educator and Executive Director of Gedakina. The panel will take place at 12:00 pm at the McCarthy Art Center.
After the panel, we will join a call for action about access to clean water as a human right as well as fundraising. The Walk-A-Thon will start at 1 pm, and walkers will gather at the McCarthy Arts parking lot. More information will be available next week. We are counting on our SMC community to make this initiative a success!
Please join us, bring your classes to the panel, encourage students to participate in the Walk-A-Thon, and donate!

OVE Farm Friday: Spring '25 #1
2025-04-11 14:00 - 17:00 | The Farm at Saint Michael’s College, One Winooski Park, Colchester, VT, 05439, United States
OVE Farm Friday: Spring ’25 #1
Friday, April 11th from 2 to 5 p.m.
The Farm at Saint Michael’s College
Are you looking for an excuse to get outside, a distraction from stress, or a chance to meet some of your community members? Then come on down to the SMC Farm (located across Route 15 behind the Public Safety building) from 2pm – 5pm on Friday, April 11th! The SMC Farm Crew will be leading the volunteers in a variety of farm tasks, from weeding to bed preparation.
Sign up is not required, but highly encouraged for planning purposes! linktr.ee/farm.smcvt

Water For All Movie Screening
2025-04-11 16:00 - 18:00 | Institute for the Environment, Saint Edmund’s Hall
Water For All Movie Screening
Friday, April 11, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Institute for the Environment, Saint Edmund’s Hall
Water for Life follows Indigenous activists in Latin America as they face death threats and murder to save their precious water resources from mining and hydroelectric projects. Water For Life illuminates a growing recognition of Indigenous rights and a rising demand for corporate responsibility and environmental justice that’s being seen around the world. It is a story that begins and ends with water.

Leahy Summer Extended & Immersive Learning Applications Close Today!
2025-04-12 09:00 - 17:00 | Institute for the Environment, Saint Edmund’s Hall
Leahy Summer Extended & Immersive Learning Applications Close Today!
Apply for paid positions, service/study trips, and online academic enrichment opportunities to expand learning and develop skills and knowledge in the environmental field!
Applications for the AY 2025 – 2026 opened Friday, March 28th and are due today Saturday, March 12th by 5pm! Read more about our new programs and apply by visiting: https://www.smcvt.edu/academics/institute-for-the-environment/student-opportunities/

Harvest, Wash, Pack Wednesday: Spring '25 #1
2025-04-16 10:00 - 12:00 | The Farm at Saint Michael’s College, One Winooski Park, Colchester, VT, 05439, United States
Harvest, Wash, Pack Wednesday: Spring ’25 #1
Wednesday, April 16th from 10am to 12pm
The Farm at Saint Michael’s College
Join the SMC Farm Crew at the Farm on Wednesday, April 16th from 10am to 12pm to help harvest, wash, and pack our produce! Never done an activity like this before? Even better! Our Farm Crew will lead you in navigating the field plots and hoop houses, using harvest knives, and preparing our produce to be sold back to the SMC community. Anyone part of the SMC community is welcome!

Harvest, Wash, Pack Wednesday: Spring '25 #2
2025-04-23 10:00 - 12:00 | The Farm at Saint Michael’s College, One Winooski Park, Colchester, VT, 05439, United States
Harvest, Wash, Pack Wednesday: Spring ’25 #2
Wedneday, April 23rd
The Farm at Saint Michael’s College
Join the SMC Farm Crew on Wednesday, April 23rd from 10am to 12pm to help harvest, wash, and pack produce on the Farm! Never done anything like this before? Even better! Our Farm Crew will lead you in navigating the field plots and hoop houses, using harvest knives, and preparing produce to be sold back to the SMC community. Anyone part of the SMC community is welcome!

The CoProduction of Knowledge between Native Communities and Scientists
2025-04-23 17:00 - 18:30 | Cheray Science Hall, VT
The CoProduction of Knowledge between Native Communities and Scientists
Wednesday, April 23, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Cheray 111, Cheray Science Hall
Alex Whiting developed the Native Village of Kotzebue Environmental Program in 1997 and has directed the Program since then. Over 120 tribal citizens have participated in some aspect of tribally led, or co-produced research efforts, through the Environmental Program. In his talk he will discuss the many successful co-produced research efforts the program has led, or participated in.

OVE Farm Friday: Earth Week and Sophomore Salad Day
2025-04-25 14:00 - 17:00 | The Farm at Saint Michael’s College, One Winooski Park, Colchester, VT, 05439, United States
OVE Farm Friday: Earth Week and Sophomore Salad Day
Friday, April 25 from 2 to 5 p.m.
The Farm at Saint Michael’s College
Are you looking for an excuse to get outside, a distraction from stress, or a chance to meet some of your community members? Then come on down to the SMC Farm (located across Route 15 behind the Public Safety building) from 2pm – 5pm on Friday, April 11th! The SMC Farm Crew will be leading the volunteers in a variety of farm tasks, from weeding to bed preparation.
Today is a special celebration targeted toward alumni, those who choose to celebrate Earth Week with us, and Sophomores; however, any member of the SMC community is welcome! We will be hosting work parties from 2-4pm, and having a FREE farm-fresh salad from 4-5pm.
Sign up is not required, but highly encouraged for planning purposes! linktr.ee/farm.smcvt

Arctic Ascent Film Screening
2025-04-25 19:00 - 22:00 | Cheray 101, Cheray Science Hall
Arctic Ascent Film Screening
Friday, April 25, at 7 p.m.
Cheray 101, Cheray Science Hall
Join us for a viewing of Arctic Ascent featuring rock climber, Alex Hannold and watch as he ventures into Greenland’s remote wilderness to scale unclimbed peaks while exploring the impact of climate change on the rapidly melting Arctic landscape with a team of climate researchers. Q & A to follow with Northeast regional educators and researchers.

Opening Celebration for Natural Area Interpretive Signage Trail
2025-04-28 15:30 - 17:30 | Teaching Pavilion, the Natural Area
Opening Celebration for Natural Area Interpretive Signage Trail
Monday, April 28, at 3:30 p.m.
Natural Area Teaching Pavilion (158 Knight Hill Road, Colchester, Vt.)
Join the Patrick ’61 and Marcelle Leahy Institute for the Environment for the grand opening of the Interpretive Signage Trail in the College’s Natural Area!
The event will be held Wednesday, April 28, at 3:30 p.m. at the Natural Area Teaching Pavilion (158 Knight Hill Road, Colchester – just down the hill from Merrill Cemetery across the street from campus). There will be light refreshments, brief remarks, and the opportunity to go on a guided tour of part of the trail.
The Interpretive Trail, titled “Your Watershed, Your Lake,” covers 2 miles of trails in the Natural Area and campus. Ten new signs have been installed to explain how the College has improved storm water management to reduce our impact on pollution in Lake Champlain as well as how we can reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species. The project was funded by the Lake Champlain Basin Program and the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission.

Harvest, Wash, Pack Wednesday: Spring '25 #3
2025-04-30 10:00 - 12:00 | The Farm at Saint Michael’s College, One Winooski Park, Colchester, VT, 05439, United States
Harvest, Wash, Pack Wednesday: Spring ’25 #3
The Farm at Saint Michael’s College
Join the SMC Farm Crew on Wednesday, April 30th from 10am to 12pm to help harvest, wash, and pack produce on the Farm! Never done anything like this before? Even better! Our Farm Crew will lead you in navigating the field plots and hoop houses, using harvest knives, and preparing produce to be sold back to the SMC community. Anyone part of the SMC community is welcome!

OVE Farm Friday: Spring '25 #3
2025-05-02 14:00 - 17:00 | The Farm at Saint Michael’s College, One Winooski Park, Colchester, VT, 05439, United States
OVE Farm Friday: Spring ’25 #3
Friday, May 2, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Are you looking for an excuse to get outside, a distraction from stress, or a chance to meet some of your community members? Then come on down to the SMC Farm (located across Route 15 behind the Public Safety building) from 2pm – 5pm on Friday, May 2nd! The SMC Farm Crew will be leading the volunteers in a variety of farm tasks, from weeding to bed preparation.
Sign up is not required, but highly encouraged for planning purposes! linktr.ee/farm.smcvt

Salad Day on the Farm at SMC
2025-07-16 11:45 - 13:00 | The Farm
Salad Day on the Farm at SMC
Wednesday, July 16, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Farm
Join us on the Farm at SMC (Across Route 15 behind the Pomerleau Alumni Center) from 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. for a farm fresh salad & good times!

Salad Day on the Farm at SMC
2025-08-06 11:45 - 13:00 | The Farm
Salad Day on the Farm at SMC
Wednesday, August 6, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Farm
Join us on the Farm at SMC (Across Route 15 behind the Pomerleau Alumni Center) from 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. for a farm fresh salad & good times!

Extra Special OVE Farm Friday - Salad Day!
2025-09-26 14:00 - 17:00 | The Farm
Join us for an extra special OVE Farm Friday!
2pm: Volunteer Projects Kick Off
3pm: “Speed Friending” hosted in partnership with BeWell and Random Acts of Kindness will allow us to continue tackling volunteer projects while meeting new friends!
4pm: Take a break from work to enjoy a Salad Day hosted in partnership with the Student Success Center!
(Don’t forget to bring your own bowl & utensils!) Can’t wait to see you there!

"No Farm {Workers}, No Food"
2025-10-06 17:00 - 18:30 | Roy Room, Dion Family Student Center
Wondering about how much you impact the lives of undocumented immigrants? Anthropologist Teresa Mares will speak at SMC on Oct. 6 about the role of migrant labor in our economy, how deeply the food industry depends upon immigrants, and the lived experiences of migrant families here in Vermont.
This talk is sponsored by the Institute for the Environment, the Institute for Global Engagement, The Center for Diversity, Empowerment & Community, and MOVE.

Goodnight Garden
2025-10-22 14:00 - 17:00 | Teaching Gardens
Join the Ecological Restoration Crew as they put the Teaching Gardens to bed for the winter! Come enjoy fresh air and fall snacks!

Goodnight Farm & Garlic Planting
2025-10-24 14:00 - 17:00 | The Farm
Join the farm crew as they put the farm to bed for the winter and celebrate the 10th growing season with a delicious meal!

Community & Networking Event: Dale Bell and the Journey of the Black Farmer from Sharecropping to Black Farmer Prosperity
2026-01-20 17:30 - 19:00 | Pomerleau Alumni Center
Dale Bell is the Associate Programs Director for Comprehensive Community Development at Edmundite Missions in Selma, Alabama. He invites the Vermont farming and food community to gather to build connections and support the Black Farmer Initiative in Rural Alabama.
Dale will speak on “Planting New Seeds: the Journey of the Black Farmer from Sharecropping to Black Farmer Prosperity.”
This presentation traces the transformation of Black farmers from the era of sharecropping – where many worked land they did not own under exploitative conditions – to the modern pursuit of land ownership, agricultural independence, and economic stability. Grounded in the teachings of Dr. King and the work of the Edmundite Missions, it examines the challenges Black farmers have historically faced, including limited access to resources, discriminatory lending practices, and generational barriers to ownership. Despite these obstacles, the narrative emphasizes the resilience, skill, and determination of Black agricultural communities as they reclaim their agricultural legacy. New initiatives, including impact grants, heirs property workshops, entrepreneurship training and community programs, are helping to support and empower Black farmers by expanding access to equipment, education, capital, and land. Through these efforts, Black farmers are planting new seeds of opportunity – transforming historical hardship into modern prosperity and building a stronger, more equitable future in agriculture.

Branching Out Symposium
2026-01-29 17:30 - 20:30
The Leahy Institute for Environment is hosting the inaugural Branching Out Symposium—an evening of presentations and celebration focused on Teaching, Learning, and Leadership in, for, and about the environment. The event will be held January 29th from 5:30–8:30 p.m. in the Roy Room.
The goal of the event is to uplift the work of students, faculty and staff, and highlight the many ways we learn about and care for the environment —across fields, disciplines, and lived experiences. The Leahy Instittue for the Environment looks forward to showcasing work that may not be traditionally labeled “environmental” but speaks to themes of sustainability, justice, community, identity, or our relationships with place. Alumni and local business partners are invited to join us for networking, conversation, and community building around shared environmental values and practices.
Full Event Schedule
5:30-6:30pm
Enjoy light snacks and refreshments while connecting with local alumni and community businesses during an informal networking opportunity
6:00-7:00pm
Kick off the evening with a warm welcome from Kristyn Achilich, Director of the Leahy Institute for the Environment, and hear from student speaker(s) as we transition into a dynamic series of presentations that showcase their work and perspectives.
7:10-8:00pm
Explore the poster session through an interactive gallery walk, with time to mingle, ask questions, and connect with presenters.
8:00-8:30pm
Join local alumni and local businesses for an engaging networking session with time to mingle, share ideas, and build meaningful connections.
