Contacts:
Kelly Loftus, Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Montpelier, Vt. – The Vermont Agency of Agriculture announces the addition of Helen Labun Jordan to its Agricultural Development team. In her new role with the Agency, Helen will work to expand markets for Vermont agricultural products.

Helen Labun Jordan most recently worked as the Director of the Creative Communities Program at the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD). As director of VCRD, she traveled across the state to lead public processes to develop projects that draw upon local culture, character and innovation as ways to support economic development. She received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and previous to her position with VCRD, Helen worked for the Center for Rural Studies while pursuing her master’s degree in Community Development and Applied Economics at the University of Vermont.

While at UVM, she worked with University Dining Services to bring more local foods in to the school, wrote the Farmer’s Manual for the Vermont Fresh Network, organized the first Young Entrepreneurs in Agriculture and Local Foods Network. She wrote her thesis while at UVM on marketing local foods in a conventional setting.

“We are thrilled to have Helen as a member of our team. Her work experience and personal dedication to the buy local movement will be a real asset to our efforts here to research challenges and opportunities to making more local products available to consumers,” said Anson Tebbetts, Deputy Secretary for the Agency of Agriculture. “She brings a vision and focus to the position.”

Helen has also worked as an organizer for the Central Vermont Localvores and was instrumental in the 2007 Eat Local Leadership Challenge and Kick Off Cook Off on the State House lawn. Helen currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Vermont Foodbank. She is originally from Newbury, VT and now resides in East Montpelier, VT.