Vermont – A Global Model for Sustainable Business

Over the years I've become a passionate believers that the way Vermont does business should become a global model for sustainable business practices. So much so that one of the goals with this Blog will be to continually showcase and promote the unique expressions of Vermont’s compelling style of doing business.

Though there are many exemplary business owners in our state, it’s doubtful that any one of them ever set out to fashion business practices that would become global models. Yet without doubt, a natural combination of Geography, Geology and Social Culture has incubated Vermont’s compelling style of sustainable enterprise.

There have been many progressive individuals, business owners and industry associations who have played a part in creating Vermont’s unique business culture. The list is long and deep. But my focus is not so much on who has created this style of business. The question I keep pondering is what is it about Vermont’s distinct way of doing business that makes it so unique, so compelling, and such a powerful model for the rest of the world?

Some time ago I was fortunate enough to be present when a group of people met at The Center for an Agricultural Economy -- 30 Vermont business people who'd come to tour Hardwick’s “emerging 21st century food system." The question of the day became what is it about Hardwick that spawned this now nationally recognized local movement?  Are the causes unique to Hardwick, or can this kind of grass roots movement be consciously recreated in other parts of the world? 

This group never really arrived at a clear answer to this question on this particualar day, but as I've continued pondering this question I'm coming to believe that what we are observing in Hardwick and throughout Vermont—our unique and compelling brand of sustainable business—can be synthesized down to three key components – three key features that make doing business in Vermont unique, and factors that must be present in any economy seeking to become more sustainable.

1)      A sense of scale - especially around communities.

2)      A reverence for and connection with the land. 

3)      Passionate, purpose-driven, people and enterprises.

As the work of growing a durable economy in the green mountains continues, no doubt I'll continue to explore how these three core qualities show up. I also look forward to hearing from others about their experience and perspective around what makes doing business in Vermont so unique.