Our Mission & Vision

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NOFA-VT Venn Diagram showing overlap between People, Land, and Justice values

Mission

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont promotes organic practices to build an economically viable, ecologically sound, and socially just Vermont agricultural system that benefits all living things.

 

Vision

Vermont is home to thriving organic farms and agriculturally-based communities that nourish people and enhance the environment.

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Photo collage of farmers and market attendees

Our Values

Food Equity

All people, regardless of circumstance, should have access to nourishing local and organic food.

Farm Viability

Farmers should be able to make a living on the land and support themselves, their families, and their employees. Farms and farm enterprises should be capable of being passed on to the next generation of farmers.

Organic Integrity

Organic production enhances soil, plant, animal, and human health to protect the environment for current and future generations. Organic certification verifies these practices, ensuring that organic products are produced with integrity and transparency and providing consumers with a label they can trust. The VOF label and certification process is credible and a valuable tool for farmers.

Community

Engaged communities are resilient communities. A vibrant food system provides opportunities to create genuine connections between people and the land, nurture relationships, and celebrate those who feed others.

Health

Food should be nourishing and support general health. Organic production enhances soil, plant, animal, ecosystem, and human health.

Respect for Farmers

Honor the work done by food producers and those who support them. Farmers are the foundation of our working lands, local economies, and agricultural heritage. Public policies should support organic farmers, healthy agricultural communities, and the environment.

Stewardship

Organic land stewardship is a critical component of resilient agricultural and environmental systems. Farming should contribute to biodiversity and ecological health.

Education

Educational and outreach efforts (i.e. technical assistance) are basic elements of a culture of sharing, which in turn builds community. Good information benefits everyone.

Our Areas of Work

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Burelli Farm

Farmer Services

We support the viability of Vermont farms via technical on-farm assistance, business planning, transition planning, funding opportunities, and other critical resources. 

Learn More about Farmer Services

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Enid and Senator Leahy at the rally for keeping the soil in organic

Advocacy & Policy

We rally our community and work in coalition with partner organizations to ensure better laws and regulations for farmers and consumers at both the state and federal levels.

Learn More About Advocacy & Policy

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Child eating school lunch

Food Access

We make local and organic food findable and affordable for schools, institutions, and individuals because it benefits farmers, communities, and the local economy. 

Learn More About Food Access

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Volunteer cook working the NOFA-VT mobile pizza oven at an on-farm social

Education & Community-Building

We facilitate knowledge sharing and foster a more connected and resilient community through our on-farm workshops, annual winter conference, mobile pizza oven events, and more.

See Upcoming Events and Workshops

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A farmer displays the VOF seal on a farm stand counter.

Vermont Organic Certification

NOFA-VT owns Vermont Organic Farmers (VOF), an LLC that certifies farms and producers as organic, as determined by VOF's high-integrity interpretation of the USDA National Organic Program regulations.

Learn More About VOF