Bolton, Vermont —Teams from all over Vermont are invited to come together from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, August 12th at the Maple Wind Farm in Bolton to compete in a wide range of events designed to challenge farmers’ field skills. More importantly, the first annual “Farmer Olympics”, hosted by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA Vermont), is a chance to take a mid-season break and enjoy some great food and refreshments along with some healthy competition.
“You work hard, now play hard!” said event organizer Mimi Arnstein, who is also a NOFA Vermont board member. “We invite all finely-trained farmers, as well as members of agricultural organizations, for a farm competition that will go down in the annals of history. Fast and furious, technical and serious, slow and silly…these events will make you laugh while testing your farm team’s skills and pride.”
Competitors will show off their finely-honed skills in contests ranging from physical to cerebral to plain ridiculous, competing in events like: “Chicken Tractor Pull,” “Rock Hump,” “Plumbing Puzzle,” “Chuckin' Eggs,” and the “Deer Fence Limbo.”
Farmer-Olympians will enjoy treats provided by Ben & Jerry's, and wood-fired, fresh pizza made in the NOFA Vermont mobile oven.
Teams are invited to register online at www.nofavt.org/ows. The registration rules dictate that teams must have a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 people to enter. Each team member must be a part of the farm crew or staff of an agricultural organization. Multiple farms may partner to create a joint team but they must identify something in common (e.g. Farmers Under 30; Left-handed Farmers). Teams should wear a team identifier such as a t-shirt, hat, or bandana.
The Farmer Olympics will take place at Maple Wind Farm, located at 1647 Duxbury Road in Bolton, Vermont on August 12th. Teams are asked to arrive at 4:00 pm to check in and warm up. The competition events are from 4:30 to 6:30 pm, followed by pizza, cider, and celebrations.