Laura Markowitz (Jericho Food Hub)

Laura Markowitz

Jericho Food Hub Task Force

Laura Markowitz is passionate about supporting local farmers. When the Jericho Food Hub Task Force was formed in 2023, she became a member and was thrilled when the group merged with a similar group in Underhill last year.

Markowitz said the Food Hub has close to 15 committed members and meets monthly. Those meetings are generally used as forums for overseeing the activities of the hub’s many pods. One of those pods organized a community brunch at the Covered Bridge Blueberry Farm in Underhill featuring produce from several local farms. Roughly 120 people attended including a number of local farmers. A second community event is being planned for January 8 at Browns River Middle School from 4:30 to 7:00 pm.

Another successful project of the Food Hub was the creation and mailing of a flyer which featured information on local farms. There have also been three forums with farmers, activists, and community members to talk about what farmers might need to better serve their communities. The hub is hoping to find ways to further promote the farmers of Jericho and Underhill. “They are our heroes and leaders and need to be acknowledged and honored,” Markowitz said.

Markowitz has a history of activism around local issues. When she lived in Burlington, she was active in promoting the local bartering currency called Burlington Bread. After moving to Jericho, she got involved in a gardening group designed to help its members learn from one another. When Transition Town Jericho was founded in 2016, Markowitz enthusiastically became a member. She continues to be part of that group but notes that are trying to find new goals now that the Food Hub has been formed. Transition Town Jericho meets semi-regularly and brings in speakers who talk about sustainability issues. They hold garden contests for children and encourage people to take part in the Extra Row program to grow food for those in need.

Markowitz has a long career as a musician and music teacher. She teaches both adults and children to play the violin and fiddle. For many years she shared a studio in Richmond with her life and music partner John Dunlop and some opera singers. Most of her work has been as an orchestral musician with some chamber music.

Markowitz was part of the Burlington Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Reel which have since disbanded. She is a long-time member of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. She also performs with the Opera Company of Middlebury and local choral groups. Markowitz and Dunlop have played on the recordings of some local legends, including Pete Sutherland, Deb Flanders, and Phish. They’ve also performed live with Lyle Lovett, the Moody Blues, and Bernadette Peters among others.

Although she has thought about retiring from performing, some recent events have re-energized Markowitz. One of those was a Holocaust Remembrance Day concert three years ago. Together with a violist and cellist, Markowitz was part of a trio which memorialized composers who died in the Holocaust. More recently, she joined the Burlington Choral Society for a concert called “Birds, Byrd, and Birding to Change the World.” As an avid birder Markowitz was excited about the event and confesses that she almost got sick from the stress. “At the ripe old age of 63 it was my first time as a soloist in front of a string orchestra,” she said.” It’s the kind of thing where you’re very nervous but when you’re doing it, it’s a release. Butterflies are mental monsters. It was a thrill to be part of that and very rewarding.”

Markowitz enjoys performing for seniors either at activity centers or residences where she plays 45 minutes of solo violin. “I did that as a young person and have come back to it,” she said. “I really love doing it. There is a lot of dialogue and communication. With the state of the world, music seems more important than ever.”

Markowitz lives at the Barber Farm Homestead and loves seeing an open sky and having access to fields and woods for hiking. She has grown close to other families in the enclave which has about fifteen homes. Markowitz said that most of her Jericho friends are people she has met through organizing. “I love the people here,” she said. “There are a lot of truly committed people.”

For Markowitz, the Food Hub is energizing, and she is impressed that farmers and young people have been coming to meetings. “My hopes and dreams are that more and more people will understand the significance of the people growing our food,” she said. “We’re trying to fulfill the needs of the farmers and community members who need access to better health and affordable foods.”