Participants scramble during one of the events in last year’s Farmer Olympics. This year’s event is scheduled for Aug. 9 in Vershire.
Participants scramble during one of the events in last year’s Farmer Olympics. This year’s event is scheduled for Aug. 9 in Vershire. Credit: Courtesy of NOFA

Vershire — Farmers, farm service providers and spectators are invited to what organizers are billing as “a boisterous mid-season competition” next month at Broad Acres Farm, 537 Brown Road, in Vershire. The second annual Farmer Olympics, hosted by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, is set for Aug. 9, from 4-8 p.m.

The gathering is a chance to enjoy some healthy competition with fellow farmers, according to a news release from NOFA Vermont. Four- or five-member teams compete in events ranging from “physical to cerebral to plain ridiculous,” such as electric fence limbo, a hay bale toss and a shoveling relay.

Last year’s Farmer Olympics attracted nearly 100 farmers from 12 different farms, said organizer and NOFA Vermont board member Mimi Arnstein. “Everyone had a great time competing against one another, as well as laughing a lot.”

Teams should arrive at the farm at 4 p.m. to check in and warm up. The competition, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., will be followed by awards, celebrations and wood-fired pizza made in NOFA Vermont’s mobile oven. The event is free, but a donation is requested to cover the cost of pizza ingredients.

Team members must be a part of the farm crew or staff of an agricultural organization or business. Multiple farms may create a joint team.

To register, go to nofavt.org/events/farmer-olympics.