NOFA Vermont E-Newsletter • OCTOBER 2019
NOFA-VT IS GROWING!
NOFA-VT is hiring for a Farm to School Program Director, a Market Development Director, and a Farm Business Advisor. Join us!
Check out the full job descriptions »
FIND LOCAL, ORGANIC FOOD
Check out the 2019-202 Vermont Organic Farm & Food Guide. You can easily find organic producers in your county, discover what they offer, and see where you can purchase their vegetables, eggs, meat, flowers, and so much more.
Browse the VT Organic Farm & Food Guide »
9th ANNUAL AGRICULTURAL LITERACY WEEK
For this year’s Agricultural Literacy Week, NOFA-VT is proud to present: “What’s Cooking in Vermont Libraries”. This year’s theme focuses on culinary and agricultural connections, with events around the state at public libraries. We invite partners to present a culinary experience at their local library or community center. For assistance in planning or hosting an event, please contact Misse Axelrod,
SPONSORING, EXHIBITING, ADVERTISING
Businesses & organizations: the Winter Conference 2020 is a wonderful way to engage with a receptive group of people and support NOFA-VT! Join us in growing this vital movement for a sustainable food system!
BULK ORDER CLOSING
After more than 30 years of coordinating the NOFA-VT Bulk Order, we have decided to close the program. While the number of certified organic farmers and organic gardeners continues to grow, the number and value of orders has declined for the past 5 years as products are more readily available elsewhere. Read more »
VERMONT FAMILY FARMER OF THE MONTH AWARD
Each month, this new fund administered by NOFA-VT makes a financial award of $10-12k to a Vermont family farmer for a project that will improve the viability of the farm. Awards recognize farmers whose businesses are contributing to a resilient Vermont agricultural landscape and demonstrate environmental stewardship through sustainable practices.
Learn more and apply »
JOURNEY FARMERS
Applications for the 2020 Journey Farmer Program are being taken until Friday, November 15th. Be a part of a learning community of other beginning farmers and farmer mentors, and advance your farming skills.
CLIMATE RESILIENCE
NOFA-VT is excited to be serving on the Soil Conservation Practice and Payment for Ecosystem Services Working Group (PES Working Group) to help shape Vermont’s approach to incentivizing farming practices that promote soil health and climate resilience. The group will meet monthly until January, when a final report and recommendations will be submitted to the legislature. Meetings are open to the public, and meeting materials and future dates (once confirmed) can be found on the Agency of Agriculture’s website. Questions? Comments? Send us a message »
SHARING THE HARVEST
On October 3rd, 2019, restaurants, co-ops, and stores all across the state participated in Share the Harvest, pledging to donate a portion of sales to NOFA-VT’s Farm Share Program, which assists limited-income Vermonters in obtaining fresh, local food through subsidized CSA shares. Did you miss it, but still want to support this awesome program?
Please consider donating online »
OCTOBER IS FARM TO SCHOOL MONTH
Join us in St Albans on October 10 for a press conference and lunch with farmers and legislators to celebrate Farm to School Month. Featuring remarks from people integral to Vermont’s Farm to School Network, including U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, state officials, and local farmers.
OVEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The NOFA-VT mobile wood fired pizza oven is seeking volunteers for it’s final event of the season! Help our baker prep veggies, stretch doughs, top and serve delicious local pizzas to hungry attendees at the Cedar Circle Farm Pumpkin Festival, Sunday October 13th in E. Thetford, VT. Contact Livy to sign up for a shift (10 am-1 pm or 1-3:30 pm), livy@nofavt.org, (802) 434-4122 x21. (Note: City Market members may use this event for Worker Member hours.)
SCHOOL TO FARM PARTNERSHIPS
This second year of our ‘School to Farm’ project will help school communities to build stronger connections with their local farms through education, local purchasing, and community engagement. Four farms are paired with four schools for a variety of activities throughout the year.
Upcoming NOFA-VT Events
We will be hosting, tabling, or sponsoring in the following upcoming events. Please join us!
10/10 – FARM TO SCHOOL CELEBRATION WITH SEN. LEAHY | St. Albans
10/13 – 17TH ANNUAL PUMPKIN FESTIVAL | East Thetford
11/15 – JR IRON CHEF VT 2020: EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION | Statewide
11/19 – AGRICULTURAL LITERACY WEEK OPENING EVENT | Barre
2/15-2/17 – 38th ANNUAL NOFA-VT WINTER CONFERENCE | Burlington
3/14/20 – JR IRON CHEF VT 2020 | Essex Junction
Other Upcoming Events
Please visit our ONLINE EVENT CALENDAR for details on these and many other upcoming events. [Would you like to list your own event on the NOFA Calendar? BECOME A MEMBER to receive this benefit and many more!]
10/8 – TRACTOR OPERATIONS, SAFETY, & MAINTENANCE TRAINING | Troy, NH
10/15 – THE ART & SCIENCE OF HERBAL TEA | Shelburne
10/16 – 4TH ANNUAL PRODUCER & BUYER FORUM | Middlebury
10/17 – BEGINNING MILKWEED: CROPPING & CONSERVATION | Brownsville
10/20 – BUTTER, YOGURT & CHEESE MAKING | Randolph
10/29 – REGENERATIVE RETAIL: SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT | Norwich
11/2 – UVM EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER STATE CONFERENCE | Shelburne
11/2 – KRAUTFEST | Montpelier
11/7 – NORTHEAST SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE WORKING GROUP CONFERENCE | Jersey City, NJ