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

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 hosted two exciting events to honor this milestone in 2022. Thank you to all those who celebrated with us!

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Colby Hill Inn

Farm to Table Dinner and Fundraiser

NOFA-NH supporters, partners, staff, and board members (past and present) came together to enjoy a farm to table dinner at Colby Hill Inn in Henniker, NH. Over 100 people joined us to experience local food, tastings from local drink vendors, live music, and a program featuring leaders in our local food system. It was an evening of reminiscing, discussion, and looking ahead to the next 50 years.

Brookford Farm

Pizza Party, Live Music & Farm Tour

In a special joint event NOFA-NH celebrated 50 years and Brookford Farm celebrated 10 years at their Canterbury location. The afternoon was filled with a fun pizza party, live music, exhibitor fair, children’s activities, and educational opportunities with our local partners. Brookford Farm made pizza from scratch using ingredients straight from the farm. Over 150 people joined us for the day which was capped by a tour of the long standing NOFA-NH member farm.

Celebrating our History

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.

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