We would like to extend a year-end thank you for your support of Slow Food in the Tetons and Full Circle Education. It is through such generous contributions that we are able to function successfully and continue to foster a healthy, sustainable community.

We are pleased to share a few exciting developments as of this holiday season:

Slow Food in the Tetons recently joined forces with Full Circle Education, a non-profit “seed-to-plate” organization started by Erika Eschholz, with the mission to teach and promote sustainable living patterns through hands-on learning experiences associated with local farms and gardens. Slow Food has assumed sponsorship of Full Circle in hopes of creating a strengthened, multi-faceted network of resources from which to draw in order to effectively accomplish our similarly aligned goals.

Just last week we received a Community Foundation of Jackson Hole grant of $1,500 for the Vertical Harvest project. Vertical Harvest’s mission is to grow premium grade produce in the heart of the Jackson while providing a supportive, learning environment that fosters individual growth for children and adults with developmental disabilities, as well as other children in the community. The grant money will be used to fund a feasibility study of building a vertical greenhouse near downtown Jackson and to create a presentation for the Town of Jackson in order to gain approval for the project.

We are also proud to announce the addition of a part-time staff member to our team. Nancy VanDyke earned degrees in Biology and Natural Science from Bowdoin College and the University of Wyoming, respectively, and has served as an environmental educator through the Teton Science Schools. She has volunteered extensively with Slow Food and Full Circle Education in recent months, and is presently working with Cosmic Apple Gardens and Teton High School. Ms. VanDyke will doubtless be an invaluable resource to our efforts, and we are lucky to have her on board!

We have also taken on a great young intern named Katie Powers, a recent graduate of St. Lawrence University. She has studied English and Environmental Studies and has a passion for learning, gardening, and the outdoors. She will be with us through March.

Finally, we are re-vamping our Board and hope to have it fully staffed by Jan. 15. We welcome Steve Michel, the Director of Sustainability at the Jackson Whole Grocer as our newest member and we are currently seeking a few more additions. Specifically we would like more representation from the chefs, producers, and educators in our community, especially a long time, local farmer. If you or someone you know is interested in joining our Board, please let us know.

Slow Food and Full Circle Education are committed to cultivating knowledge, well-being and sustainability in our community, within our families, and in our interactions with the natural environment. Contributions from dedicated individuals allow us to continue these local efforts, and we would like to ask you to please consider Slow Food in the Tetons and Full Circle Education as you make end-of-year donations.

We also invite you to join (or renew) your membership to Slow Food USA at www.slowfoodusa.org. Membership fees would go to supporting Slow Food projects at a National and International level.

Thank you for your enthusiastic support!

Sue Muncaster Erika Eschholtz Bob Arndt Paulette Phlipot Tye Tilt Steve Michel