NOFA-NH's 50th Anniversary
Celebrating Five Decades of Organic Farming, Gardening and Food

Our History

In 1971, the Northeast Organic Farming Association was started by Samuel Kaymen along with a group of young environmentalists, farmers, and concerned citizens. Since that time, the organization has grown branches in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. NOFA-NH is proud to be a founding chapter along with our neighbors at NOFA-VT. To commemorate our 50th anniversary, we developed a “Conversations with the Founders” video series featuring early board members, founders and volunteers, and are hosting two exciting events to honor this milestone in 2022. We hope you'll join us in August and October to celebrate 50 years of NOFA and watch the video series at the links below.

Page Menu

50th Anniversary Events

Colby Hill Inn Farm-to-Table Fundraising Dinner (August 27)

Brookford Farm Pizza Party, Exhibitor Fair & Farm Tour (OCtober 1)

Organic Roots: 50 Years of the Northeast Organic Farming Association Documentary Film

Conversations with the Founders Video Series

50th Anniversary Sponsors!

Save the Dates for Our 50th Anniversary Events!

We hope you will be able to join us in commemorating 50 years or organic farming, gardening, and food in the Granite State in August and October 2022! Registration coming soon.

Saturday, August 27, 2022

4 - 9:30 pm

Colby Hill Inn

Farm-to-Table Dinner & Fundraiser

33 The Oaks, Henniker, NH 03242

Celebrate NOFA-NH’s 50th birthday with a delicious, local and organic centered farm-to-table dinner. Mingle with old friends, meet new people, and share memories of NOFA through the years while enjoying a three-course meal on the beautiful grounds of Colby Hill Inn during the height of the fall harvest and foliage season. This fundraiser will help support NOFA-NH’s programming.

About Colby Hill Inn:

Colby Hill Inn is located on a historic 6 acre property in Henniker with a former dairy barn, now an event hall, dating back to the 1840s. With an emphasis on sustainability, Colby Hill Inn is committed to serving local organic foods, and boasts its own organic produce garden.

Saturday October 1, 2022

1 - 4 pm

Brookford Farm

Pizza Party, Fair & Farm Tour

250 W. Road, Canterbury, NH 03224

Spend a Sunday afternoon with NOFA-NH at an outdoor, family friendly pizza party, complete with live music, an exhibitor fair, children’s activities, and educational opportunities. Enjoy house made, brick oven pizzas and sides loaded with farm fresh, organic ingredients, and a walking farm tour at day’s end, including a peek into the dairy barn during milking.

About the Farm:

Brookford Farm is a diversified 600+ acre family run farm in Canterbury producing certified organic vegetables, grass fed dairy and beef, and seasonally pasture raised, non-GMO fed chickens, pigs, and eggs. The farm is also a member of the Agrarian Commons, an innovative land-holding model focused on preserving farm land for local communities and the next generation.

Our Commitment to Health & Safety

NOFA-NH is deeply committed to community health. All CDC guidelines and public health state mandates will be followed at both events. Any updates or changes to event details will be communicated via email, on our website, and through social media. Alternative plans have been developed for both celebrations.

Organic Roots

50 Years of the Northeast Organic Farming Association

Documentary Film

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. Full Documentary.

Conversations with the Founders Video Series

We were delighted to speak with a number of NOFA's founders, early volunteers, members and board members in honor of our 50th anniversary. Hear from those who seeded the movement about the most important things NOFA accomplished in its first 50 years, our most pressing tasks for the future, advice for beginning farmers, favorite memories, overcoming hardships, and so much more.

Featured Founders

Samuel Kaymen – Founder of NOFA and Founder of Stonyfield
Gary Hirshberg – Early NOFA volunteer; early partner, former CEO and Chair of Stonyfield
Paul Doscher – Early NOFA volunteer, board chair, and farmer at Windcrest Farm
Timothy Meeh & Jill McCullough – Early NOFA volunteers, board members and farmers at North Family Farm
Chuck Cox – Early NOFA board member and farmer at Tuckaway Farm
Mary (Shields) Kerwin – Early NOFA educator and farmer
Kirke Olson – Early NOFA board member, conference volunteer and homestead farmer
Rick Estes – Early NOFA board president and farmer