Montpelier, VT – Ski Vermont on Saturday presented a contribution check of $8,830 to Keep Local Farms at The Big E fair in West Springfield, Mass. The contribution comes from the proceeds of Ski Vermont’s Fifth Grade Passport program which enabled 2,100 children to ski free in the 2011-12 season.

This is the second year in a row that the profits were donated to Keep Local Farms which supports New England dairy farmers. Last year’s contribution totaled $8,495. The Vermont Community Foundation will provide guidance and management for all funding received by the Keep Local Farms program, and fund organizations advancing dairy farm sustainability across New England and New York State.

“Vermont’s skiing and farming economies are closely intertwined and rooted deep in our local communities, so working together to guarantee the future success of these iconic Vermont industries makes perfect sense,” said Ski Vermont Public Affairs Director Sarah Neith. “We look forward to continuing our partnership as we launch the 12th year of the Fifth Grade Passport program, inspiring youth to connect with the landscape and take up the long tradition of skiing in Vermont. Equally important is supporting Vermont’s agricultural heritage, which is at the core of our state’s enviable brand identity.”

Neith presented the contribution check to Marion Seifert, a dairy farmer from Orwell, Vt. and representative and beneficiary of Keep Local Farms. Also in attendance were Vermont Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jolinda Laclair, and Ryan Torres of the Vermont Community Foundation.

Ski Vermont’s Fifth Grade Passport program is in its 12th year of enabling children to ski free at all partner resorts and Ski Vermont pledges to continue to donate proceeds from the passport’s $10 processing fee to support New England dairy farmers in the 2012-13 ski and snowboard season.