Root Words

FAIN: ZR-256776-18

Vermont Farmers Food Center (Rutland, VT 05701-2851)
Gregory Cox (Project Director: February 2017 to present)

An oral history project that will collect and present the stories of rural Vermont.

In partnership, the Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC), Shrewsbury Institute for Agricultural Education(SAGE), and the Shrewsbury Historical Society will create the Root Words project; a forum for collecting and presenting the stories of rural Vermonters. The sharing and study of great works of poetry and literature will inspire our participants and guide our process as we consider the elements that make a story powerful and accessible. Collaboratively, we will host a series of live storytelling events that will culminate in an audio visual story series shown at SAGE’s Russellville Schoolhouse and made publicly available on all participating organization’s websites. Community members will have ongoing access to our work through a permanent, interactive, historic photo installation at VFFC. This program will solidify our position as leaders in the community who understand our past, honor the individual while considering the whole, and create new histories from this thoughtful position.

Media Coverage

Root Words: Exploring Rutland area community, agriculture and history (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Janelle Faignant
Publication: Rutland Herald
Date: 4/17/2021
Abstract: A black-and-white photo installation going up in the Vermont Farmers Food Center on West Street in Rutland is the beginning piece in a series of stories that take a deeper look into our local community, agriculture and history, giving a voice to many untold stories. “The installation is like a preview,” explained Stephen Abatiell, who spearheaded the project and took most of the photos. “The photo presentation provides space for a lot of stories connected with food and agriculture that are less known.”
URL: https://www.rutlandherald.com/features/vermont_arts/root-words-exploring-rutland-area-community-agriculture-and-history/article_ce3a431d-4d1f-585b-9874-fc3bc26b9144.html

Associated Products

Root Words Multimedia Installation (Exhibition)
Title: Root Words Multimedia Installation
Curator: Stephen Abatiell
Abstract: Root Words is an arts & culture project facilitated by Vermont Farmers Food Center, Shrewsbury Agricultural Education & Arts Foundation, Shrewsbury Historical Society, WEXP, and many other community members. Root Words shares stories of how people experience their foodways in Vermont and how that experience connects us with our landscape and communities. The images in the installation provide a picture of a community and place from an agricultural perspective and hang over the community space that hosts the region's winter farmers market.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://www.vermontfarmersfoodcenter.org/root_words

Root Words Installation Catalog (Catalog)
Title: Root Words Installation Catalog
Author: Stephen Abatiell
Abstract: Root Words is a collaboration between Vermont Farmers Food Center, Shrewsbury Agricultural Education & Arts Foundation, Shrewsbury Historical Society, WEXP, and many other community members. Root Words showcases stories of how food and agriculture connect us with our community and our landscape. The project ran from 2017-2021 and was made possible by support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, as well as from this community. These images provide a picture of a community and a place, from an agricultural perspective.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://assets.nationbuilder.com/vffc/pages/1104/attachments/original/1651240712/Root_Words_Catalog-2.pdf?1651240712
Catalog Type: Exhibition Catalog

Root Words (Radio/Audio Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Root Words
Writer: Stephen Abatiell
Director: Stephen Abatiell
Producer: Stephen Abatiell
Abstract: Root Words is an arts & culture podcast facilitated by Vermont Farmers Food Center, Shrewsbury Agricultural Education & Arts Foundation, Shrewsbury Historical Society, WEXP, and many other community members. Root Words shares stories of how people experience their foodways in Vermont and how that experience connects us with our landscape and communities.
Date: 5/31/2021
Primary URL: https://rootwords.podbean.com/
Primary URL Description: Home page for Root Words on the podcast hosting site.
Secondary URL: https://www.vermontfarmersfoodcenter.org/root_words
Secondary URL Description: Website for Root Words on Vermont Farmers Food Center's website.
Access Model: Open Access
Format: Radio
Format: Digital File
Format: Web

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