Jack Lazor

Jack Lazor (died November 28, 2020) was a pioneering organic farmer. He was co-owner of Butterworks Farm in Westfield, Vermont since 1976. The farm is credited with being the first certified organic dairy farm in the United States.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Early life and education

Ledger grew up in Somers, Connecticut. His father was a polymer chemist at Monsanto. He first became interested in farming while working at Sturbridge Village during the summer in his college years.[2]

Lazor graduated from Tufts University with self-designed degree in the history of agriculture.[2]

Butterworks Farm

Lazor started Butterworks Farm in Westfield, Vermont with his wife Anne.

Initially, the farm sold raw milk products. Jack delivered them door to door. Their lack of license lead to inquires by regulators, but the state of Vermont helped get certification for them, with their milk handlers license given in 1984.[7]

When their products were first sold in retail stores in 1984, they were one of the few organic brands during the rise in yogurt consumption. They quickly established themselves as a respected brand and shipped to markets across the United States.[8]

The rise of large corporate organic brands has lead to a decline in the farm's profits.[9]

In 2016, the farm transitioned into a grain free, 100% grass fed operation.[10]

Northern Grain Growers Association

Lazor co-founded the Northern Grain Growers Association.[2]

He wrote the 2013 book, The Organic Grain Grower: Small-Scale, Holistic Grain Production for the Home and Market Producer.[11]

Personal life

With his wife Anne he had one daughter, Christine.[2]

References
  1. "Profile | Jack & Christine Lazor | Season 9 | Episode 919" – via www.pbs.org.
  2. Allen, Anne Wallace (2020-11-30). "Jack Lazor, organic dairy trailblazer, remembered as teacher, mentor". VTDigger. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  3. Hirsch, Corin (2013-07-02). "Jack Lazor of Butterworks Farm Writes a Book on 35 Years of Grain Growing". Seven Days VT. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  4. Pasanen, Melissa (2020-11-30). "Butterworks Farm Cofounder Jack Lazor Dies at 69". Seven Days VT. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  5. Egan, Hannah Palmer (2017-06-14). "At Butterworks Farm, a Family Faces Succession". Seven Days VT. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  6. Wertlieb, Mitch; Smith, Matthew F. (2020-11-30). "'One Of Those Souls Who Left A Legacy For All Of Us': Remembering Dairy, Grain Pioneer Jack Lazor". Vermont Public Radio. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  7. Schimoler, Lynn Ellen (2021-01-23). "Honoring Vt. dairy farmer Jack Lazor". Barre Montpelier Times Argus. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  8. "Honoring Vt. dairy farmer Jack Lazor". suncommunitynews.com.
  9. Burros, Marian (2008-02-20). "The Dairies Are Half-Pint, but the Flavor Isn't". The New York Times. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  10. "How We Transitioned to Be A Grain Free Dairy". On Pasture. October 18, 2016.
  11. "The Organic Grain Grower by Jack Lazor | Chelsea Green Publishing". www.chelseagreen.com.
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