It is with heavy hearts and much gratitude that we announce the retirement of Kirsten Bower, NOFA-VT’s current Finance Director. Kirsten has worked for NOFA-VT for 32 years and has been our behind-the-scenes pillar of support and consistency. Kirsten has worked many different roles and positions at NOFA-VT. Before becoming our Finance Director, she was an organic inspector and office manager, managed the farmer bulk order, and more! Chances are, if you ever called NOFA-VT throughout the years, you got to speak with Kirsten on the other end of the line.
Kirsten was hired as NOFA-VT’s second employee by our former Executive Director, Enid Wonnacott, when NOFA-VT consisted only of a milk crate of files and a strong vision for a better food and farming system. Kirsten and Enid worked together for the next 29 years, shaping and growing the organization into what it is today. Over the years, Kirsten has worked with an open heart, always putting our farmers and staff first while ensuring that our finances are well managed and that details are not forgotten. Will we be lost without her? Perhaps a little. But we wish her the best of luck as she looks forward to spending more time with her grandson, tending her garden, bicycling, kayaking, and enjoying time with her family and friends.
If you want to send Kirsten a love note, please email them to [email protected] or send them to our office (address below), and we will pass them along.
In honor of Kirsten’s 32 years of service to NOFA-VT, we have also established the Kirsten Bower Fund to support work that increases the effectiveness and sustainability of NOFA-VT. If you would like to make a gift in Kirsten’s honor, please visit nofavt.org/donate and choose ‘Kirsten Bower Fund’ from the drop-down campaign menu or mail a check to NOFA-VT with ‘Kirsten Bower Fund’ in the memo line.
To mail well wishes and/or donations, please send them to: NOFA-VT, PO Box 697, Richmond, VT 05477. Thank you!
Thank you, Kirsten, for all of the time and love you have given to NOFA-VT, our members, our farmers and processors, and our staff. You’ve made an immense contribution to the organic food and farming community and movement. We wish you all the best in your retirement.