Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont’s Winter Conference

NOFA VT's winter conference is a celebration of people and real food. And what a celebration it was. This year’s lunch broke the Guinness record for largest potluck. Best of all the conference is a weekend to catch up with old friends—many of whom I see only once a year (a pattern I hope to change with Vermont Farm Tours). This year was no exception. How fun to learn that Mark and Kirsten Kimball at Essex Farm across the lake now have a sizeable staff and new baby. And two friends I knew as a kid from Farm and Wilderness summer camp are now farming in central and southern Vermont.

My father, Henry, also came up from Massachusetts to visit for the long weekend and attend the conference. Fun to introduce him to our strong (and growing) local foods movement. My dad and I started a small farm and vineyard at the family homestead in Sutton, NH back in 2005. He has since returned to Arlington, MA to work for Youth Build.

One of the more memorable workshops was a cheese tasting and tour of Neighborly Farms. Jeff Roberts, author of Atlas of American Cheese, led the tasting and tour with impressive depth. My dad was so delighted with Neighborly Farms, he bought a whole case of their cheeses! It really is good stuff, and all the tastier after meeting the cheesemaker and cows, and hearing their story.

I’ll have a supply of good cheese for a month at least…