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Organic agriculture is thriving in Vermont! The Organic Trade Association (OTA) was excited to be a sponsor and enthusiastic participant in one of New England’s favorite annual agricultural celebrations—Strolling of the Heifers (June 1-4, 2011) in the same great town as the OTA headquarters, Brattleboro, VT.
OTA staff was out in full force to participate in the Strolling events:
- Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director, was a plenary speaker at the Slow Living Summit.
- Christine also participated in the cow milking competition along with Senator Bernie Sanders.
- Laura Batcha, OTA’s Executive Vice President, was a judge on the Farm Food Business Plan review committee for the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation.
- OTA staff, family, and friends marched in the parade.
- OTA had a booth at Live Green Expo with lots of organic education and product sampling.
OTA has many members from across the region and the country who also participated in the Strolling events.
OTA member sponsors and supporters included New England Naturals, Dr. Hauschka Skincare, King Arthur Flour, Rudi’s Organic Bakery, Vermont Bread Co., Organic Valley, Stonyfield Farm, Clif Bar, UNFI, and New Chapter, Inc. OTA Members who spoke at the Slow Living Summit included Gary Hirshberg, CE-YO of Stonyfield Farm and Will Raap, Founder of Gardener's Supply.
Many OTA members who could not participate in person, sent product samples for OTA to share at our booth. We raffled off prizes, pasted temporary tattoos on kids of all ages, and gave out products samples all day long. Product donors included Annie’s, Cal-Organic, Earthbound Farm, Frontier Natural Products Cooperative, Horizon Organic, Organic Valley, Smucker Natural Foods, Stonyfield Farm, Tree of Life, UNFI, and Wholesome Sweeteners.
It was an udderly fun day and we look forward to participating again in 2012! |
