Glover’s MKVT Farm Honored with 2024 ‘Fantastic Farmer’ Award for Sustainable Agriculture
The 2024 Vermont ‘Fantastic Farmer’ award has been granted to MKVT Farm in Glover, celebrating Mark and Karen Rodgers’ dedication to sustainable, farm-to-table practices.
Located in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, MKVT Farm received a $5,000 grant from the A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund, which supports Vermont’s agricultural heritage by promoting responsible land stewardship, resource management, and public education.
The Rodgers family focuses on pasture-raised sheep, pigs, chickens, and turkeys, embracing the principles of sustainability and transparency.
Recently, MKVT Farm gained national attention by introducing Dutch Spotted Sheep into the U.S., with the first lamb of this breed born from embryos imported from the UK.
“It is very fulfilling to be recognized as a Vermont ‘Fantastic Farmer’ for doing what comes naturally to me,” Mark Rodgers said.
“My job as a farmer is to convert photosynthesis into food for the population, to educate the public about the value of knowing their farmer and where their food and fiber comes from… Ultimately, my goal is to leave the world a better place.”
The ‘Fantastic Farmer’ award is one of three annual initiatives supported by the A. Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund. Alongside this recognition, the fund also sponsors the Vermont Barn Painting Project and the High-Quality Milk Awards.
The Vermont Barn Painting Project offers up to $8,000 micro-grants to barn owners to encourage the preservation of these classic Vermont structures, improving their visual and historical significance for both local communities and visitors.
The High-Quality Milk Awards, organized by the Vermont Dairy Industry Association (VDIA), honor the state’s dairy producers for outstanding milk quality, celebrating farms like Howmars Farm in Franklin, which received the top prize of $2,500.
Lisa Pizzagalli, representing the family fund, expressed gratitude to Vermont’s agricultural community, stating, “The goal…is to support and reward Vermont’s hard-working agricultural entrepreneurs, maintain the integrity of barns across the state, and preserve Vermont’s vistas.”
Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts echoed these sentiments, thanking farmers for their crucial contributions to the state’s economy, landscape, and culture.
Tebbetts emphasized the importance of ongoing support from organizations like the Pizzagalli Family Farm Fund in maintaining Vermont’s agricultural heritage and values.
Through their farm’s practices, Mark and Karen Rodgers embody the spirit of Vermont agriculture, prioritizing environmental respect, community education, and a commitment to leaving a lasting positive impact on the land.
This award not only honors their individual contributions but also highlights the broader role of Vermont’s farming community in sustaining a legacy of agricultural excellence and stewardship.
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