Forgotten Farms is a 2016 Documentary that explores the difficulties that face dairy farmers today, even as they remain the backbone of the region's agriculture, but fight for survival in an age of artisan cheese and kale.

Orleans Conservation District invites you to our FREE Community Film showing Thursday, March 30th from 4-6 pm at City Cinema in Newport, VT. It will be followed by a discussion panel with the filmmakers, Local Dairy Farmers and Vermont Housing and Conservation Board Agricultural Director, Nancy Everhart.

Orleans County NRCD will be hosting the film and will provide an avenue of discussion afterward. The Vermont Dairy Promotion council economic assessment lists Orleans County as having 15.3% of the state’s dairy farms with 131 dairy farms, 22 of which are Certified Organic, with a total of 21,081 cows. Dairy farmers are a significant foundational part of our local economy and cultural in Orleans County but often these farmers are overlooked. This event show-cases these farmers by highlighting the importance of the dairy industry which is very relevant to our Northeast Kingdom communities.

Only 100 years ago, New England produced most of its food on 16 million acres of farmland. And now, climate change demands that more of our food is grown closer to where we live. As we strive to revive local production, we have much to learn from dairy farmers who have been managing most of the farmland and sustaining the farm economy for generations. Through conversations with farmers and policy experts, the film reconsiders the role of the vital but forgotten farmers.

*Suggested donation of $5 at the door to support Orleans County NRCD

find more information at:
www.forgottenfarms.org
www.vacd.org/conservation-districts/orleans-county