Vermont Woods Studios - Eco Furniture Blog

Living Planet Report 2012

 

World Wildlife Fund's landmark Living Planet Report underscores our mission of Forest Conservation at Vermont Woods Studios

 

Our friends at the World Wildlife Fund have just published their bi-annual Living Planet Report.  It's a landmark study of our planet in terms of the health of our forests, rivers and oceans.

 

The results aren't pretty.  Here are some of the facts they highlighted about our environment:

 

• We’ve lost 30 to 70 percent of our wildlife since 1970. That's an average.  The tropics have lost 50 percent of their animals over the last 40 years, and tropical freshwater ecosystems have lost about 70 percent. The wild tiger population has suffered a 70 per cent decline in populations

 

• We are living as if we have the resources of an extra planet at our disposal. We’re using 50 percent more resources than the Earth can provide sustainably

 

• The U.S. has the fifth largest ecological footprint in terms of the amount of resources each person annually consumes. We rank only behind Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Denmark in the global rankings of the Ecological Footprint

 

These are just a few of the statistics noted in the 80 page report.  But the good news is that it's not too late to save wildlife species and reverse unsustainable trends. 

 

Green commerce plays a fundamental role in this as do you and I.  The choices we make about our purchases will determine our planet's future. 

 

Excerpts from World Wildlife Fund's landmark Living Planet Report

 

 

 

Learn more about what Vermont Woods Studios is doing to promote forest conservation and preservation of endangered species like the Sumatran tiger. Join us in our green mission!

 

Lyndon Furniture: The Real (American Made) Thing

 

Ken (on left) and the management team at Lyndon Furniture:  Christine Drown (sales and marketing manager), Dave Allard (owner and founder) and Brian Ball (general manager)

 

 

Ken and I traveled up to Lyndon, Vermont today to meet with Lyndon Furniture.  We carry all of Lyndon's line of Shaker, Mission, Modern and Traditional hardwood collections.

 

That's Lyndon's owner and founder in the middle, Dave Allard. 

 

Dave started Lyndon Furniture over 30 years ago, building his first woodworking shop from timber he cut on his family farm and had milled locally.  Since then his business has grown and earned a reputation for producing high quality, eco friendly furniture that lasts a lifetime.

 

One of the things I love most about Lyndon Furniture is that when times got tough and all the other American furniture companies fired their employees and went to China to cash in, Dave Allard and Lyndon Furniture stayed right here in Vermont.  They remained true to their employees, their community, their integrity and their quality.  I see that integrity in their furniture.

 

Lyndon Furniture in Lyndonville, Vermont. American made hardwood furniture made to last for generations

 

It's interesting because we're seeing another mass exodus of so-called "American furniture companies" now.  But it's from East to West.  They're all hurrying back to American from China now that Chinese wages and trans-oceanic shipping are so costly.  But I have to wonder how long they'll stay.

 

I think it's safe to say, though, that regardless of global economics, Lyndon Furniture will remain right here in Vermont making high quality, handcrafted furniture and contributing to their community.  It's the Vermont way.

 

The Ultimate in Eco Friendly Furniture

 

Peter Cook grows his own furniture at Pooktre

 

How cool is this?

 

Check out Peter Cooks website, Pooktre.  Peter's tree gardens are in Austrailia where you can learn how to shape your own tree, or commission him to grow and shape a tree for you.  If you choose the latter, it takes about 7 years or so till the tree is shaped and you can transport it to your own garden.

Pretty wild.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vermont Woods Studios Eco Friendly Furniture

 

 

All Weather Polywood Outdoor Furniture: Recycled From Plastic Trash

 

All weather outdoor pool, patio, beach and garden furniture by Polywood is made from recycled plastic bottles

Many thanks to our Vermont Woods Studios staff members who volunteered to pick up trash today as part of Vermont's Green Up Day.

 

We bagged about a dozen pounds of old beer bottles, empty cigarette packs and plastic shopping bags, most of which we were able to place in Vernon's recycle bins.

 

So that's a fun project for us to do and besides supporting our community it also it dovetails into our new line of Polywood all weather outdoor furniture. 

 

Polywood is a line of patio, porch, pool and beach furniture that's made from (90-100%) recycled plastic bottles.  We love the Polywood brand because of it's eco-friendly, green nature but also because it's 100% made in America and the quality is superior to any comparable patio furniture we've seen. 

 

If you're looking for super strong and sturdy all weather outdoor furniture check out these polywood collections on our website:

  *     Adirondack Classic Furniture

  *     Deep Seating Patio Furniture

  *     Modern Euro Poly Wood Furniture

  *     Kids Indoor - Outdoor Furniture

  *     Traditional Garden Furniture

 

Vermont Woods Studios Green-up crew

Many additional collections are available on our Outdoor furniture Sets and Collections page or use the top navigation bar for further detail.  Most pieces can be delivered to your patio or beach in less than a week.

 

 

 

 

 

Vermont's Green-Up Day Is Tomorrow

 

Help keep your community clean, green and natural by volunteering for Green Up Day. Connect with your town's volunteers here.

Tomorrow is Green Up Day in Vermont. That annual Spring day when thousands of good, green Vermonters don their muck boots and head on out along our state's highways and byways to pick up the trash left by others who are... well, not so eco-conscious let's say.

 

This year Green Up Day has officially been designated part of Vermont's post-Hurricane Irene recovery effort.

Have you participated in Green Up day before?  If not, how about giving it a try? 

You can find out who's coordinating Green Up day in your community and join them. 

In Vernon, Faith Jobin and her son Jemez have volunteered to lead the project this year.  They'll get all the volunteers together in the morning at the Vernon recreation center, send us out with trash bags and snacks, then throw a pizza party at noon to thank everyone for helping.  It's a good time to get outside with your neighbors and help steward your community's natural landscape and waterways.

Manjula has volunteered to lead our Green Up efforts at Vermont Woods Studios tomorrow and we'll be working to clean up the Vernon Pond on Newton Road.  If you live nearby, come and join us!  We'll post pictures on our Facebook next week.  Green on.

Celebrate Arbor Day!

"Other holidays repose upon the past... Arbor Day proposes for the future." 

 

140 years after J. Sterling Morton initiated Arbor Day in 1872, the future brings an ever-increasing need to fulfill his mission of planting trees.

 

At Vermont Woods Studios, as a wood furniture company, forest conservation is part of the foundation of our business.  Without healthy, sustainable forests we have no future.

 

So we're celebrating Arbor Day today and honoring trees--the wonder plants of the universe.  How about joining us?  Here are some ideas for celebrating Arbor Day from The Arbor Day Foundation.  If you're not up for anything quite that ambitious, then maybe plant a tree for $1 on our Plant A Billion Trees webpage or just have a look at this beautiful 39 second video about trees and wood.

 

Or join the Arbor Day Foundation for $10 and get 10 free trees to plant in your yard.  Have I convinced you yet?  Just in case, I'll leave one final attempt.  This one by a professional--  poet Alfred Joyce Kilmer:

Trees

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

Nationally, Arbor Day is celebrated tomorrow on April 27.  In Vermont the holiday is the first Friday in May or May 5th this year.  And just so you know, our state tree in Vermont is the Sugar Maple.  What is yours?

Green-Up Your Workplace With Natural Cleaning Products

 

Shannon purged our office of Clorox, Febreeze and Glass Plus, replacing them with greener cleaners by BioKleen, EcoVer and Seventh Generation

 

Guest Blogger:  Shannon Albritton

WARNING: No hazmat suits, protective eyewear or gloves required to read this message

My very first thought when we launched our Green-Up Your Workplace Challenge here at Vermont Woods Studios was “I can’t wait to get those toxic cleaning products out of our bathroom!”  There’s nothing worse than walking into a ‘freshly cleaned bathroom’ and needing to open the window to dissipate the smell of bleach and chemicals. I was quick to volunteer for the task of purchasing a new assortment of green cleaning products. Permission granted!

My personal aversion to the odor of chemical-based products aside, there are a variety of factors to consider when selecting cleaning products:

 

 

Important reasons to consider when going green with your clean:

• When toxic chemicals are sprayed, dumped, rinsed or washed the hazardous environmental effects are outstanding
• 6 billion pounds of chemicals are dumed into the environment each year
• Cancer, autism, birth defects, skin & respiratory sensitivies and asthma are on the rise without adequate explanation why

Possible environmental consequences of using chemical cleaning products:

• Air pollution
• Bioaccumulation of toxic substances in plants and animals
• Endocrine disruption in wildlife, which affects reproductive ability
• Ozone depletion
• Water pollution

And, if the above isn’t enough to convince you, consider the following warning label comparison:

Warning Label Clorox Clean-Up reads: Eye & Skin Irritant: Causes substantial but temporary eye injury. Do not get in eyes or on clothing. Wear protect eyewear (really?) Harmful if swallowed. For sensitive skin or prolonged use wear gloves. Avoid prolonged breathing of vapors and use in well ventilated areas. (Yeesh! – did they forget the hazmat suit?)

Warning Label Biokleen Bac-Out Bathroom Cleaner: Caution: In case of eye contact, flush eyes with cool water for 15 minutes. In case of ingestion, do not induce vomitting; drink plenty of water to dilute. (That was easy)

Have I convinced you yet? Here comes the reinforcement…

• Animal Testing – I’ll leave the gory details to your imagination but let’s face it, choosing products which use No Animal Testing and No Animal Ingredients should be a no-brainer in 2012. Store shelves provide a variety options and alternatives for friendlier choices that don’t include a science lab full of beagles testing your bathroom cleaner for skin allergies...

Products from earth-friendly companies like Biokleen (my personal favorite), Ecover, Seventh Generation offer a safe and comprehensive product line for cleaning your office and home. Many products are available in concentrated form which also helps keep our planet green. Less waste in plastic bottles and containers has a direct impact on our energy consumption and pollution from manufacturing. In many cases these concentrated products are very cost effective because you’re not paying for the bottle over and over again.  I’ve been using Biokleen for years and strongly recommend them. Not only are their products safe and green they actually work and smell wonderful!

So, let’s recap: Choosing to green-up your workplace by replacing toxic cleaning products laden with harsh chemicals with green cleaning alternatives is my # 1 choice because it:

• Removes harsh chemicals from the air
• Keeps chemicals from leeching into our water systems and plants
• Prevents negative effects on the reproduction of our wildlife
• Keeps the air quality safe for myself, my coworkers & our customers
• No hazmat suit, protective eyewear or gloves required
• No Animal Testing or Animal Products
• Concentrated formulas save on waste and pollution
• Smells great – no artificial fragrances, colors or preservatives

Now head on over to the Vermont Woods Studios Virtual Green-Up Your Workplace Challenge and show your love for my #1 green-up tip. Be sure to share your green cleaning tips with the rest of us and tell us how you’re greening up your workplace too!

Behind the scenes as Shannon Greens Up Our Workplace at Vermont Woods Studios

 

 

Warning: No animals, vegetables or minerals have been harmed in the making of this message

 

 

The 3 Best Features Of Faux Wood All Weather Outdoor Furniture

 

 

Many times customers who come to us looking for real wood (usually teak or mahogany) outdoor furniture opt instead for our "faux wood" Polywood all-weather furniture. 

 

Why?  Well although we love the warmth and integrity of real wood, it's is increasingly being seen as inappropriate for outdoor, all weather furniture.  The main issue from an environmental standpoint is durability and longevity.  Eco conscious customers are looking for furniture (both indoor and outdoor) that's built to last a lifetime... stuff that's not going to end up in a landfill.  So for all you wood lovers (myself included), here are the:

 

Three Best Features Of Faux Wood All Weather Outdoor Furniture

1. Faux wood, Polywood furniture doesn't rot, mold, mildew, crack, flake or warp like real wood outdoor furniture does
2. Faux wood, Polywood furniture is maintenance free. No more scaping, sanding or painting.  It's made to rest and relax in, rather than create work at the end of the season
3. Faux wood, Polywood eliminates the need for winter storage.  You can leave your polywood furniture outside all winter.  So you save storage space, you save wear and tear on your back (remember wood and polywood furniture are heavy).  And you save the time it takes to haul that heavy furniture around every Spring and Fall

Now I know how hard it can be for wood lovers to come to terms with buying "fake wood".  I never would have considered it myself if I hadn't seen the statistics our environmental conservation partners are citing about the rate we're losing the world's precious rainforests.  But as I started to look into Polywood and try out their "faux wood" furniture I became hooked.  It looks fabulous, it's very comfortable and it's maintenance-free.  It's the clear environmental and design/style choice for all weather outdoor furniture. 

At Vermont Woods Studios, as wood furniture makers, our mission is built upon forest conservation.  We're especially committed to preservation of the rainforests-- the places where teak and mahogany outdoor furniture originate.  In concert with rainforest protection groups worlwide, such as Rainforest Relief, we'll continue to work showcasing better alternatives to outdoor furniture made of tropical woods as part of our rainforest conservation efforts. 

Still not convinced?  Here's a few more reasons to buy polywood "faux wood furniture".  Check them out and let us know what you think.

HGTV: Got Any Green Home Office Ideas for Earth Day?

 

Home offices aren't necessarily in a separate room anymore.  This one saves space with a large desk that could double as a kitchen table.  Less space means lower carbon footprint.

I am ashamed to say that my home office decor is deplorable.  You can see it in this video taken last year when I had 6 other people working in it with me.

 

So with our Green-up Your Workplace Challenge coming up for Earth Day, I decided to look for green design ideas to spif it up with eco-friendly home office furniture, lighting and accessories.

I started looking for ideas at HGTV and was delighted to find they are showcasing over 125 home office design ideas submitted by homeowners and interior designers. 

They've got modern home offices, eclectic home offices, traditional home offices, contemporary home offices, arts and crafts home offices, cottage home offices, tropical home offices, English country home offices, transitional home offices, mid-century modern and even Mediterranean home offices.

I hope they add a green home office project with all natural, all American made wooden office furniture: desks, file cabinets, credenza, occasional tables and chairs (maybe even using reclaimed, recycled barnwood).  Then add in organic cotton rugs, draperies and upholstery, energy efficient electronics, light bulbs, light fixtures and maybe even FSC certified wood flooring.  That would be a good project to post on Earth Day, HGTV.  Just a suggestion.

Earth Hour: Turn Out The Lights

Today, hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world will unite at 8:30pm local time to support the largest environmental event in history - Earth Hour.

Last year more than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour, showing solidarity for a common cause: our natural world.

This year, be a part of it! Check out Inhabitat for ideas of fun things to do while the lights are out.  Candlelight dinners, star-gazing, nighttime bike rides, moonlit picnics and more.  Join the folks at Vermont Woods Studios Fine Furniture and nature lovers from all around the world.  Turn the lights out for our future.

 

Congratulations to Vermont Naturalist, Patti Smith

Fourteen years ago Patti Smith convinced me to keep Kendall and Riley (who were 2 and 4 at the time) up past their bedtime and march them outside into the streets of Vernon on a cold and rainy night in the early Spring.  What kind of person would be able to persuade me and hundreds of other mothers and nature lovers to do such a thing? 

Only Patti Smith. And why?  To save salamanders, frogs and toads.  Well you just have to check out her project on Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center's (BEEC) website to understand the animal magnetism that keeps me and other nature lovers padding along Vermont's country roads every Spring on cold, wet nights.

So with such a challenging job that goes unnoticed by many, we are thrilled to see Patti being recognized and nominated by the Central Vermont Public Serivce Corporation for the 2012 CVPS-Zetterstorm Environmental Award.  Way to go Patti!  And congratulations to the other nominees who help protect Vermont's natural resources to make our state the outstanding place it is to live and work in.

Oh... and just to let you know, we have a beautiful collection of natural, eco-friendly, handmade wood furniture we named after Patti Smith several years ago.  In case you're in the market for a new bedroom set ;)

 

Earth Day 2012 "Green-Up Your Workplace Challenge"

 

If you had to give your workplace a grade for "greenliness" what would it be?  Most people I've talked to say they at least have recycling containers at work.  For paper that is.  Not many have recycling for cans or plastic though.  Not many have consistently emphasized programs for energy efficiency either (with a focus on turning computers and equipment off at night, turning lights out when not in use, replacing old incandescent bulbs with high-efficiency ones, etc.) 

Come on now.  It's 2012.  We've had 42 Earth Days come and go since the first one in 1970.  What seems to be the problem?  Don't settle for a "D" on your report card.

At Vermont Woods Studios we're trying to help make this year's Earth Day (April 22, 2012) a little more successful in the workplace.  Manjula and Dennis cooked up a "Green Up Your Workplace Challenge".  It's a virtual Facebook event and we're asking you to attend.  You can do so by liking us on our Facebook and then attending the "Green Up Your Workplace" event (a Facebook page where we'll post photos, links, stories, tips and advice for how to get an A in 'greenliness" for your workplace). 

Give it a try!  Our goal is to get 400 people to attend the "Green Up Your Workplace Challenge" between now and Earth Day and we're going to plant a tree for each person who attends.  How about giving us a hand?

 

Green-up Tip # 1, Re-use whatever you can instead of buying disposable things. This is Manjula using her terry towel instead of paper towels. Each of us has our own color.

 

 

 

 

All Weather Outdoor Furniture From Recycled Plastic

No matter how worried we may be about global warming, you have to admit the early Spring weather felt pretty good today.  We put a couple of our colorful polywood chairs out in front of the office so we could soak up a few rays. 

Polywood all weather outdoor furniture is made from recycled plastic.  It's hard to believe that this high end, luxury beach and patio furniture is the product of plastic milk jugs and water bottles, but it's true! 

As Earth Day approaches, we're excited to let you know that this high end eco-friendly furniture helps to keep plastic trash out of our landfills and out of the ocean.  But don't let the recycled, green nature of this all weather outdoor furniture fool you into thinking it's quality is any less than the best. 

It's the only outdoor furniture I know of that is so strong, sturdy and durable it comes with a lifetime guarantee.  And because the color is infused throughout the poly lumber, there's no need to paint, scrape or polish these Adirondack chairs, patio dining tables and chaise lounges. All weather, recycled plastic outdoor furniture that's maintenance free and 100% made in America.  You gotta feel good about that.

Vermont's Organic Furniture

 

Speaking of organic, did you know that Vermont is also famous for it's organic furniture?  Last count there were some 2000 small wood furniture makers scattered across Vermont.  Although the styles and methods of craftsmanship are quite varied, these furniture makers have in common a deep respect for the forest where their wood furniture originates.

 

I haven't been able to find a definition for organic furniture yet but I do think Vermont would logically be the place to start.  Vermont woodworkers have a long history of sustainable woodworking, sourcing their wood from our local forests abundant in native hardwoods like maple, oak, ash, cherry and birch.  And we avoid the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in Vermont's sustainable forests, relying instead on Mother Nature to regenerate after careful selective harvesting.

When it comes to applying a finish to Vermont's furniture, you'll be hard-pressed to find harsh chemicals with high levels of VOCs or formaldehyde.  Instead furniture makers use natural linseed oil finishes, clear non-toxic lacquers and even a natural coating made from whey (a recycled byproduct of our dairy industry).

Yesterday I wrote about organic food in terms of where it comes from and how it's grown.  The organic food movement has been around for over a century but has picked up more steam in the last 20 years as people become more aware of where their food comes from.  I think the next step for the organic movement is into the world of organic furniture.  And Vermont will lead the way.

Vermont's Organic Farms

Relly Bub Farm in Wilmington Vermont

Shannon and Kendall have been very consistent at reminding us to buy local, organic food at the Brattleboro Farmers Market and Co-op whenever possible.

I guess we tend to take these opportunities for granted in Vermont because there's such an abundance of local, all-natural food. 

Our good friend Annette has been raising organic, grass-fed beef on her Malhanna farm just down the road for many years.  Some photo-journalists from the Vermont Center for Photography chronicled Annette's farm last weekend and I'm trying to get permission to share some of their photos with you.  In the meantime, I thought you might enjoy this beautiful video about Lilac Ridge, an organic family farm in Brattleboro, Vermont.

It's good to stop and think about where your food comes from.  Check out our Vermont Woods Studios Pinterest board on Vermont's Organic Farms for more photos, info and inspiration.  Bon appetit!

Sneak Peak at HandCarved Adirondack Carousel

 

My mother keeps me up to date on the progress of  The Adirondack Carousel, a project that involves many of our passions at Vermont Woods Studios: woodcarving, nature, wildlife and the human spirit.  It's just across Lake Champlain in Saranac Lake, NY and I'm excited to see how it's going. 

The story behind it is inspiring.  Over 10 years ago, a Saranac Lake wood carver Karen Loffler, "while working on a master’s degree in creative studies, came across an article in a woodcarving magazine that showed a small children’s carousel fitted with woodland animals. The combination of a creative approach to problem solving, her love of woodcarving, and a desire to foster imagination and strengthen her local community, inspired Karen’s dream of building a full-size carousel complete with hand-carved figures of animals indigenous to the Adirondack Mountain area."

 

Now, after a decade of relentless hard work, supported by a close-knit community of like-minded people Karen's dream of the Adirondack Carousel project is becoming a reality. Woodcarvers from near and far have donated their skills, sponsors have underwritten the cost of production and local builders and volunteers have worked tirelessly to make it all come together.

 

We're thrilled for Karen and crew and wish them all the best during this exciting grand opening year.  You can have a Sneak Peak this Saturday, March 10 in Saranac Lake. Don't miss it and don't forget the camera!

Vermont Furniture Featured in The Practical Environmentalist

We're sending out thanks to Kent Swanson and Lars Hundley for featuring Vermont Woods Studios Furniture in The Practical Environmentalist under Eco Friendly Furniture Options:

There are few things as satisfying as furnishing a new home, or choosing new furniture to update a home.  The items we choose to make a place feel like a home do so by creating a feeling, and by reflecting our own unique style. Home is sanctuary.  And the furniture options we have to choose from are almost limitless. However, furniture production is resource-intensive and can involve chemicals that are bad for your health.  Seeking out eco-friendly furniture can be a great way to make a difference without any sacrifice of comfort or style.

We've been following Kent and Lars for awhile.  They're experts on eco-friendly cars and green energy but they also take time out now and then to write things like Party Time! Here Are Some Eco Friendly Party Ideas and Eco-Friendly Hotels: What to Look For.  Check them out!

Old Barns Get A Second Chance As Vermont Fine Furniture

 

Here's a familiar site in Vermont and throughout New England... a beautiful old barn that's finally beginning to cripple under the stress of Mother Nature's 100+ years of wind, rain, snow, hail and other weather events (like hurricane Irene in this case).

 

But lucky for us, Vermont craftsmen are giving these beloved ancient structures a new lease on life-- as rustic, reclaimed barnwood furniture.

We're amazed at the amount of work involved in rescuing old lumber from the floors, walls, beams and siding of these fallen soldiers.  Craftsman pick through a great deal of unusable lumber in order to find pieces suitable for furniture. 

Once sorted, the wood must then be tested with a metal detector and de-nailed, before milling.  But once that is done, an incredibly beautiful patina often emerges that can go on to become a unique piece of heirloom furniture, rich with our American history.

 

 

Here's an example of a reclaimed barnwood table we crafted and sold lately.  This one even made it into Yankee Magazine as part of an article called, Reclaimed Style.

 

If you're looking for reclaimed barnwood furniture, give Rebecca or Shannon a call.  They work closely with our craftsmen to customize these pieces with your choice of antique wood.

Just as an aside, did you know that only 50 years ago about half of Americans were living in rural areas or on a farm? Today less than 2% of the American population is involved in farming.  In Vermont that number is 50% higher... still only 3%.  Perhaps that's why there are so many old barns that have fallen into disrepair.  Sad, but nice to have a way to recycle them and re-capture their story.

Many thanks to Picture Ninja for the use of their photograph of this forlorn old Vermont barn.

Planting Trees Makes Vermont Furniture More Sustainable

 

Naturally, as wood furniture makers, we at Vermont Woods Studios Fine Furniture have to be concerned about forest conservation.  It's the foundation of our company's viability.

Although our Green Mountain Forests in Vermont are healthy and sustainable we know that, from a global perspective deforestation is the Number 1 environmental problem on our planet today.  Deforestation is a huge contributor to global warming, climate change, air pollution (carbon and other emissions from slash and burn practices), habitat loss, biodiversity loss, pollution of marine habitats (due to run-off from pesticides and fertilizers used to transform diverse forests into mono-cultured plantations) and more.

So at Vermont Woods Studios, we are working with The Nature Conservancy in support of their Plant A Billion Trees project.  We plant one tree for every order we fulfill and we support many non-profits dedicated to forest conservation.

We appreciate your concern for the environment.  When you buy wood furniture from us, you can rest assured that the forest where your furniture began it's life, will still be around for generations to come.  As will your furniture!

Fundraiser for Heifer International

Vermont Furniture Sponsors Benefit For Heifer

Tomorrow on February 15, Vermont Woods Studios Fine Furniture is doing a fundraiser for one of my very favorite charities, Heifer International.  50% of all profits will be donated to Heifer, a non-profit organization that benefits children and families all over the world who are suffering from poverty, war and starvation.  Heifer was started 60 years ago as an effort to end world hunger by helping people obtain a sustainable source of food and income. 

Their idea is to give a family a heifer and teach them how to care for it and make it a part of their family and their livlihood. When the animal has an off-spring it is passed on to another family and a wonderful chain reaction of empowerment begins to occur.  The program has been widely acclaimed and has achieved tremendous success.  Now you can give heifers, goats, chickens and all sorts of other animals to help families make a living. 

Did you know that 55% of the people on this earth are suffering from hunger...getting nothing more than a  small bit of rice and water to eat every day?  Hard to imagine, isn't it?  But it's true.  Check out this story about Beatrice Biira a young African girl who was able to go to school in her village, thanks to Heifer.  Beatrice did so well that she was offered a scholarship to Northfield Mount Hermon high school (the same school that Kendall and Riley go to) and from there she has gone forth and done great things.

So if you or someone you know has been looking at our Vermont made furniture and waiting for the right time to buy, consider tomorrow!  Your purchase will change someone's life.