Organic Farmer to Pay it Forward in Exeter

In Feb. 2011, a barn on Pete Johnson's Vermont farm burned down.

That's when the community rallied behind him. He received thousands of dollars in donations to get his farm operation back up and running.

Now, he's paying it forward. Johnson, who runs Pete's Greens Farm in Craftsbury, Vt., started the non-profit Vermont Farm Fund to support other other farms going through tough times.

Johnson is coming to Exeter on March 19 to talk about the project. He will be the guest speaker at Exeter's Food and Health Forum at the restaurant.

The forum was started by Blue Moon owner Kathy Gallant and local nutrionist/health coach Tracey Miller. It's been wildly successful – the first two forums sold out. One Stonyfield Yogurt chief Gary Hirshberg; another Jim Gerritsen, a Maine farmer fighting the growth of genetically modified crops.

Several organizations like Seacoast Eat Local have teamed up to support the forum.

“We're thrilled that Pete Johnson is coming to share his story with us," said Sara Zoe Patterson, who heads up Seacoast Eat Local. "His work has had a profound and concrete inspirational effect in our region. Many of the farmers who grow greens in the winter have gained knowledge from his model.

"Pete also created a model for sharing the support they received and paying it forward to other farms. I'm eager to hear this most recent chapter in the amazing story of Pete Johnson."

A portion of the forum's proceeds will go to Seacoast Eat Local, a non-profit that organizes the in the Seacoast.

The cost for the forum is $70. It includes a three-course dinner from Blue Moon's , along with a glass of wine. There are special rates for farmers ($35) and non-profits ($55).

For more information, go to www.foodandhealthforum.com.