The National Organic Coalition urges everyone to submit a unique comment to express your strong support for the organic animal welfare regulations before the deadline on January 17, 2018.
The state’s dairy farmers, both organic and conventional are in the poorhouse. Vermont’s iconic dairy industry has been in an economic pinch for some time. The prices farmers are paid for the milk they produce are well below the costs of production. Until recently, organic dairy production has been an economic lifeline for many producers, but for the first time ever, organic prices have dropped as much as six dollars per hundredweight in the last few months. Quotas have been imposed on organic milk production further lessening farmers’ income potential. Stress levels on dairy farms continue to increase as farmers find they cannot pay their bills.
This year, for the annual celebration of Vermont's farming heritage, Agricultural Literacy Week, NOFA-VT presented a new short documentary. "Vermont Farm Kids," was produced by Community Mentor Maria Reade and filmed by James Chandler.
Last week, at their fall meeting in Jacksonville, Florida, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) voted to continue to allow hydroponic and aquaponic farming operations to bear the USDA organic label, against the wishes of many in the organic community. Read outgoing NOSB member Francis Thicke's poignant statements about the decision and what it could mean for the future of the organic movement.
The Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program provides business planning, technical assistance and succession planning to Vermont farms, food businesses, forest products businesses, and forestland owners
From the Northeast Organic Farming Association Interstate Committee on Domestic Fair Trade
The Intervale’s beautiful early-fall landscape stretched out before me as my car rumbled down the dirt road.
For this year’s Agricultural Literacy Week, NOFA-VT is proud to present a new film, “Vermont Farm Kids” produced by Maria Reade and filmed by James Chandler. This short documentary depicts the unique and poignant stories of farm kids (ages 10-28) from across the state of Vermont. The film expresses the importance of what it means to each child to grow up on their own farm, and how their experiences have shaped their lives. This project has been made possible by sponsors from Farm Credit East: the Johnson Family Foundation, and Forrest and Frances Lattner Foundation.
Now is a great time to be proactive and see if farms are a good fit for organic, as it can take up to three years to transition - they can begin the process now and be ready for when the market opens up. This proactive planning process should include planning to assure that the land base (pasture and other crops), infrastructure and management of the farm are suitable for organic certification. It should also include financial planning and communication with potential milk buyers.
Kelly King was an amazing woman. Before brain cancer took her life prematurely, she lived absolutely whole-heartedly...touching so many people with her generous spirit and gifts of knowledge and ideas. She was a strong advocate for a sustainable local food system, and at her funeral (on September 23rd, 2017 in Jericho, Vermont), her dear friend Chris Sims (who is a supporting member of NOFA Vermont) gave a poignant eulogy that touched on Kelly's loving spirt, and zeal for all things wild and edible. This is an excerpt from Chris's speech.
Five factsheets are now available that present cost of production data aggregated from participating farms; these provide metrics to guide farmers’ crop and production planning for winter squash, potatoes, onions, carrots, and head lettuce. Supplemental factsheets present tips for cost of production analysis, crop profitability comparisons, and whole farm financial metrics. Using this combination of tools, resources, and available technical assistance, farmers can strategically increase the profitability of their farm businesses.
Matrix Marketing Group is partnering with Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) to conduct a consumer behavior research project, focused on discovering the trends that influence when consumers purchase from Vermont's direct markets. These direct markets include farmers markets, farm stands, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
Farmer-musicians Bennett Konesni and Edith Gawler from Duckback Farm in Maine are coming to our neighborhood for a residency during the week of September 11-15, 2017. They will be leading work song workshops at farms and businesses in our area throughout the week, and you are invited!
More photos from the event on our Facebook page »
Are you the primary food shopper in your household? Yes? Keep reading.