Mike Winters
In short, to give back to my community and my co-op that has supported my farm and business in so many ways over the last six years.
What excites me most is being in a position to assist my co-op and its leadership during this challenging time of growth.
Please describe any professional skills you have that will help you to be an effective Board Member. How would you help the Board to balance the business needs of a $50 million business with the need to meet our Global Ends as a community-owned cooperative?
- I am a Vermont attorney who actively practiced for nearly all of my thirties. I have extensive experience in Vermont land use law including Vermont state environmental permitting, which could prove useful as leadership seeks to subdivide and sell part of the lot the south end store is situated on.
- I successfully ran our Intervale farm and retail juicing business for nearly seven years here in Burlington.
- Mediation and negotiations were a specialty during my active practice of law.
Describe your prior involvement with community organizations and/or cooperatives. What did you learn from these experiences?
My involvement is minimal. I’ve been a full member of the Burlington Farmer’s Market for six years and its Vice President for two. I’ve been a member of our co-op for quite some time now and have been a member of other Vermont co-ops. My first was the co-op in South Royalton, VT.
Again in short, it does, in-fact, “take a village” and that its a bit magical when a community comes together around sourcing and consuming its food.
What opportunities and challenges do you see in the future of City Market?
The southend location stands as both City Market’s biggest opportunity and challenge. I would love the opportunity to help my co-op realize the vision of a thriving second location in Burlington’s south end.
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