Jack Lazor Memorial Soil Stewards

The content and learning opportunities offered by this program are largely created together by the participants. The cohort groups aim to provide a space for farmers to learn from and with each other about topic areas related to soil health that are most relevant to their farm businesses. Typically this consists of virtual workshops, 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 relevant learning emerge. Cohorts for vegetable producers are co-facilitated by Becky Maden, University of Vermont Vegetable Nutrient Management Specialist.

Early winter: Kickoff session to determine the group’s specific interests and needs

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

Spring-fall: Monthly on-farm visits

Winter: Capstone learning opportunity, co-created by participants

Occasionally a cohort group will continue for a second year with additional winter sessions and in-season on-farm visits.

This program is free for participants.

We currently are not accepting applications for future cohorts, but if you'd like to be alerted when applications open again, please complete our interest form.

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.