NOFA 50th Anniversary Videos
NOFA Interstate Council
Organic Roots – 50 Years of the Northeast Organic Farming Association
In June of 1971, farmers and homesteaders gathered on a Vermont hillside with one thing in common: the desire to grow food in a way that was healthy for themselves and for the earth. This is the story of the organization that was born that day – NOFA. See the faces and hear the voices of the people who have nurtured the NOFA community and the organic movement in this region for the last 50 years.
Thrilling Tales of Yesteryear
As Vietnam, Civil Rights, Nuclear Disarmament, etc. protests raged in the background, thanks to serendipitous gatherings of Back to the Land counter-culturists in the late 1960’s a group of embryonic organic farmers, gardeners, organizers and eaters ended up forming the “Natural Organic Farmers Association” in 1971 — later morphing into the Northeast Organic Farming Association as more state Chapters joined ranks with the NH and VT startups. As you might expect there were numerous motivations, experiences, trials and tribulations — and wild times! Join in a live and lively virtual exchange evoking the spirit of the time with some of the dynamic originators who laid the groundwork for NOFA’s 1st 50 years. Moderated by Steve Gilman, the panelists are Samuel Kaymen, Sara Norton, Jake Guest and Howie Prussack.
The Next 50 Years of NOFA
For farmers who joined the movement for a more sustainable agriculture over the past 50 years, connecting with NOFA was part of creating a way of life centered on food, good work and community. Three of the founding farmers – Kevin Engelbert (first certified organic dairy farm), Joey Klein (vegetable farmer for Deep Root Coop), Mike Merner (RI’s first organic composting business) – will share stories from their lives and work. And then interrogate younger members of the movement – what attracted them, what fuels their passions, and what do they hope lies ahead? Onika Abraham, director of the NY Farm School, Kevin’s dairy farmer son Joe Engelbert, Steve Munno, CSA farmer and president of CT NOFA’s board, and Iris Fen Gillingham, still in college, daughter of organic farmer-activists – will turn our gaze to envision the future they will shape.