Enid Wonnacott, a leader of the organic farming movement in Vermont, has died. She was 57.
Wonnacott died on Saturday, according to the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT). Wonnacott led that organization for 30 years, and it grew significantly under her leadership.
Jack Lazor, owner of Butterworks Farm in Westfield, Vermont, knew Wonnacott for several decades. He said she brought organic farming to the fore in Vermont.
"She just was this incredibly forward-thinking, really positive, bright light that just helped legitimatize a different style of farming in a conventional world," Lazor said.
Wonnacott was also an important voice in the crafting of the federal National Organic Program. She was inducted into the Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2018.
"Her friendliness and her openness are probably her most memorable qualities," Lazor said. "And we will miss her so much."
VPR's Henry Epp spoke to Jack Lazor about the life and legacy of Enid Wonnacott. Listen to their conversation above.
Correction 1/22/2018 8:07 a.m. A previous version of this post incorrectly stated Wonnacott's age as 58. She was 57.
Disclosure: NOFA-VT is a VPR underwriter.
