Certified organic farmers and processors from across the state turned out for VOF's Annual Producer Meeting held in South Royalton on Friday, January 27th. Our goal was to get meaningful feedback from our producers on a variety of issues, including whether VOF should offer certification of alternative labels (such as grass fed, certified transitional, etc.). We also asked questions regarding current agricultural policy and new NOP regulations, particularly the recently published animal welfare rule.
NOFA Vermont is a dog-friendly office, with more than a few canine friends gracing the halls and offices (but not the kitchen, which is off limits to dogs...theoretically).
The board recommended making amendments to the by-laws to allow for 1. the option of a 3rd three-year term, and 2. option for on-line voting. Currently the only provision for voting is by paper ballot at an annual meeting of the members. Two amendments to the by-laws will be voted on by the members at the Winter Conference, February 18-19.
Applications for the 2017-18 Northeast Farm to School Institute are now being accepted! The Institute is a unique year-long professional learning opportunity for twelve school teams from New England and New York. The year-long Institute kicks off with a Summer Retreat held at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, VT from June 27-29, 2017.
NOFA Vermont is a dog-friendly office, with more than a few canine friends gracing the halls and offices (but not the kitchen, which is off limits to dogs...theoretically).
NOFA-VT has not typically looked so far beyond its borders for a relevant message. The winter conferences of years past have focused on themes such as local food and soil. But Executive Director Enid Wonnacott and board member Mimi Arnstein—who leads farmer-to farmer exchanges in Cuba and elsewhere —felt the time was ripe to break open the boundaries of how we think about the impact of our local food movement in Vermont.
Registration is now open for Jr Iron Chef VT, a culinary competition for Vermont middle and high school students. Those looking to demonstrate their adeptness in the kitchen—chopping, slicing, blanching, frying, plating, and other kitchen skills—are invited to cook in the statewide contest, to be held March 18th, 2017 at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction.
NOFA-VT has two open RFPs for projects in the coming year to support direct markets. These are exciting opportunities for marketing professionals in the food system world. Please take a look, and share them with someone you think might be a good fit.
Farmers and Agricultural Professionals are invited to a four-session series to build farmers’ skills in managing their labor force. This series will be offered in two locations: West Lebanon, NH and Portsmouth, NH.
Below are public comments made to the National Organic Standards Board on October 26, 2016 by Nicole Dehne, Certification Director of Vermont Organic Farmers LLC and Madison Monty, Policy Advisor, NOFA-VT.
UVM announces the launch of a new research project to assess the feasibility of using wool from Vermont sheep as an insulation material, and for other building and household products. The launch event was hosted by collaborator Open View Farm located in New Haven, Vermont and home to a flock of Tunis Dorset ewes. This exploration of a value-added product hopes to provide sheep farmers with new sources of revenue, and to add to the availability of environmentally friendly products for the building trade.
On Monday, December 12th, student chefs from NECI will visit four Addison County public school cafeterias to cook and taste-test new recipes with elementary school students to supplement the first-of-its-kind publication, New School Cuisine: Nutritious Seasonal Recipes for School Cooks by School Cooks.