Jack Lazor Memorial Soil Stewards

The content and learning opportunities offered by this program are largely created together by the participants in the cohorts. These cohort groups are intended to provide a space for farmers to learn from and with each other about the topic areas related to soil health that are most relevant to their farm businesses. Typically this consists of a combination of virtual workshops and discussions and in-person farm visits with consultants. There is a great deal of space made for participants to connect directly with each other and let the relevant learning emerge. Cohorts for vegetable producers are co-facilitated by Becky Maden, University of Vermont Vegetable Nutrient Management Specialist.

February 2025: Kickoff session to determine the group’s specific interests and needs

Late winter 2025: 1-2 sessions (virtual or in person) based on participant interests and requests

Spring-fall 2025: Monthly on-farm visits

Winter 2025-26: Capstone learning opportunity, co-created by participants

This program is free for participants, thanks to generous funding from the Northeast Agricultural Education Foundation, USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program, and the many donors who have contributed to our Jack Lazor Memorial Soil Fund.

Applications for the 2025 cohorts will close on January 14th, 2025. Participants will be notified by the end of January and cohort meetings will begin in February 2025.

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In December 2020, NOFA-VT was honored to receive a $5,000 donation from Stonyfield Organic in memory of Jack Lazor.  Sharing the intentions for this donation, the Stonyfield team wrote, "Healthy soil is the foundation of organic agriculture. We can think of no better way to honor Jack’s legacy than to support Vermont’s organic farmers in coming together to learn more about the best ways they can improve soil health, and share this knowledge with each other. This builds the viability of organic farms and advances the climate mitigation potential of organic farming.” 

When determining the best use of these funds, we reached out to Jack’s dear life and business partner, Anne Lazor. Excited about this memorial, Anne generously offered to match Stonyfield’s donation with excitement to support farmer education on soil health. Anne shared, “Jack would wish that you could make the main focus of this money to support education and technical support for the care of the 'life in the soil' and the 'soil carbon sponge', which he was so passionate about in his later years. This would include soil biology, plants and roots covering the earth, biodiversity in farming and gardening, and creating systems that draw carbon into the earth and mitigate climate change.”

The Jack Lazor Memorial Soil Stewards carry on Jack’s legacy and foster the skills and talents of Vermont’s emerging soil health stewards.