Farmer Olympics has become an annual tradition for NOFA-VT, and we’re excited to host our 10th year of the games at High Meadows Farm in the southeast part of the state. Farmers, start putting together a team today! 

This two-part series, designed specifically for aspiring and beginner farmers who are in the early stages of shaping their vision, will cover the basics and provide structured activities for you to develop your vision. Think of it as a friendly on-ramp to more in-depth support, like our year-long Farm Beginnings program. 

Do you have a dream of starting a farm? Join us this summer for Farm Dreams to explore your farm vision, connect with other aspiring farmers, learn about resources for beginning farmers in Vermont, and grow your understanding of farm business management and land access. 

Tour Cedar Mountain Farm, a micro-dairy and no-till market garden in Hartland, to explore how regenerative practices can build climate resilience. For over thirty years, Stephen Leslie and Kerry Gawalt have applied soil health principles to support biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of heat, drought, and heavy rainfall. Specific resilience-building efforts include developing silvopasture and alley cropping systems, installation of a gravity hillside pasture water pipeline project, and fostering native riparian pockets.

Join us for a hands-on workshop at Sterling College where we'll set up compact Johnson-Su bioreactors—perfect for small-scale farms or backyard gardens. Johnson-Su compost is a high-fungal, static vermicompost known for enhancing soil biology, improving soil health, and boosting crop productivity. Learn how to build and use these bioreactors, and dive into the science behind why this method works so well. Each participant will bring home materials to create their own small Johnson-Su bioreactor.

*This workshop is at full capacity and registration has closed.

*This workshop is at full capacity and registration has closed.

Adapting to climate change looks different on every farm. This field walk in the orchards at Scott Farm will explore the range of climate risks impacting orchards and diversified farms, from changing rainfall patterns to extreme temperature fluctuations. Scott Farm manager Simon Renault and orchardist Erin Robinson will share insights into the diverse strategies they're using to adapt to these challenges, with a focus on business planning and preventative management. ​