Norwich Farm Foundation has reached agreement to purchase farm from Vermont State Colleges

Sale Contingent on fundraising to support purchase (watch WCAX video)

Hello Norwich,

I am sharing with you a press release that I received from the Norwich farm Foundation.

I am also including the WCAX video/story link so that you can view that as well.

https://www.wcax.com/video/2021/12/20/deal-reached-buy-norwich-creamery-2/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kate Kahn December 20, 2021 Phone: 617.513.8849  Email: kahn@graymediagroup.com 

NORWICH FARM FOUNDATION REACHES AGREEMENT TO  PURCHASE FARM FROM VERMONT STATE COLLEGES 

SALE CONTINGENT ON FUNDRAISING TO SUPPORT PURCHASE 

Norwich VT---The not-for-profit Norwich Farm Foundation (NFF) today announced it has  reached an agreement with Vermont State Colleges to buy Norwich  Farm and preserve the property plus the creamery and farm store operated there by  Norwich Farm Creamery. 

The sale is contingent on raising enough money over the next four months to support  the sale and fund the Norwich Farm Foundation’s plan to invigorate the value-added  dairy at the location. 

"We are thrilled that we have an agreement to buy Norwich Farm, but there is still work  to do," said Kate Barlow, President of the Norwich Farm Foundation. "Preserving this  special resource is of utmost importance to our community and the wider Upper  Valley. We are asking supporters of local, sustainable agriculture  

to donate whatever they can to ensure the final purchase and protection of this dairy  farm that has been here for more than 200 years." 

The Norwich Farm Foundation has developed a long-range ten-year plan based around  the growth and success of Norwich Farm Creamery. In 2020, the creamery produced  150,000 pounds of nutritious grass-fed dairy products. The NFF plan calls for an  expansion of production to more than 350,000 pounds of local grass-fed dairy per year.  A herd of 25 milking cows will be re-established at the farm in order to supply milk to the 

creamery. The plan also includes educational programming to benefit Norwich and the  Upper Valley. 

"We love doing what we do and couldn't be happier that this plan is taking another step  towards fruition," said Chris Gray and Laura Brown, the owners of Norwich  Farm Creamery (NFC). "From day one, our goal was to be able to produce high quality  dairy products on a local level and to educate our community.” Currently, NFC  produces ricotta cheese, yogurt, milk, ice cream, and other products for sale at the farm  and in many retail locations and farmers markets. 

"This is a win for everyone," said Liz Gemignani, a NFF board member. "The  community will continue to have access to a top-notch dairy farm that produces  outstanding and nutritious products as well as having a direct understanding of where  their food comes from. Protecting our small farms that play an out-sized role in feeding  our communities is exactly in line with our mission." 

The goal of NFF is to keep the farm a working farm that will help feed the wider Upper  Valley communities. Its mission is to support local food security, affordable farmer  housing, working landscape, and regenerative agriculture. 

To donate, www.norwichfarmfoundation.org

To learn more about the Norwich Farm Foundation, www.norwichfarmfoundation.org