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Randolph, Vermont - February 15, 2009
About 13-hundred people turned out Sunday for the annual Northeast Organic Farming Association's annual meeting. Organizers said it was the biggest crowd in memory, and they believe the economy is the reason.
The crowd that packed the annual meeting of the Northeast Organic Farming Association was so big, organizers worried the potluck lunch would run out of food. "I think this is probably the largest one-day conference we've ever had, we've really had an enormous turnout here today," said Meg Klepack, a conference organizer.
This year's theme -- how farms can remain profitable in a tough economy. NOFA-Vermont said some farmers are facing economic challenges on both supply and demand. "Farmers are looking at increased input prices in the amount they pay for grain, so we have workshops about how they can grow some of their own grain on their own farms and how to meet more of their own needs so they don't have to pay those high prices for inputs," Klepack said. On the demand side, the impact is less predictable. One question -- whether budget-minded consumers will pay a premium price for organic goods. "We have a very strong demand for local foods in Vermont and we hope to see that continue, but obviously with the economic recession we're just not sure what's going to happen there."
"There are times it's going to be more expensive, but I think it's a better value as well," said Paul Horton, who runs Foggy Meadow Farm in Benson. He says demand was down a bit last fall, but has actually been strong since Christmas. "I think we're generally pretty competitive with store prices. We saw that especially last summer when the fuel prices were very high and prices in the stores came up rapidly. We were actually very competitive last summer with our prices."
Conference speakers talked about stretching the growing season through greenhouses and winter crops. And how networking could create new markets -- one farmer's waste can be another's raw material. Horton says he's using more automated technology to cut down on labor costs. And he hopes the economy may give him more purchasing power for some supplies. "We're certainly keeping an eye on it. I don't think we're going to be immune, but right now I'm not really concerned about it.
Kate Duffy - WCAX News
