NOFA’s 50th Anniversary Documentary
April 11, 2022
NOFA’s First 50 Years and a Vision for the Future
In 1971, as Vietnam, Racial Discrimination and Nuclear protests raged, a group of Back to the Land counter-culturists gathered with a few ecological growers to form what is now called the Northeast Organic Farming Association – NOFA. Farmers, gardeners and conscious eaters from northeast states, discovered this growing movement. The founding NH and VT chapters were soon joined by chapters from five other northeast states, creating a community based on good clean food, good work and care for the earth. As you might expect, there were and still are trials, tribulations, varying motivations and memorable experiences.
NOFA’s growth from a small gathering on a Vermont hillside to an organization with over 5,000 members in seven state chapters, and two certification agencies, is now documented in the film “Organic Roots – 50 Years of the Northeast Organic Farming Association” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrqiRKdEpYA . In addition you can hear more ”Thrilling Tales of Yesteryear” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQGrEGP2lGY&t=246s in a lively panel discussion of dynamic early members who laid the groundwork for NOFA. Finally, in “The Next 50 Years of NOFA” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMYYl-DoJ7k&t=23s, three founding farmers and four younger organic activists turn their gaze to the future of our movement to create a way of life centered in just, equitable and diverse communities.
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