Westport, Ct. – One of the Westport Farmers’ Market’s very own, Patti Popp of Sport Hill Farm in Easton, Connecticut, has been named 2017 Farmer of the Year by the Farmers’ Almanac and the American Farm Bureau Federation. Each year the Farmers’ Almanac and Farm Bureau Federation honors only three outstanding farmers or ranchers throughout the country who:
- Support the Farming Tradition
- Show Innovation in Agriculture
- Display Community Involvement and
- Inspire Others as a Leader in Agriculture
This year the prestigious award went to Patti and two farmers from Washington and Arkansas. Patti was the only woman of the three winners.
“Last year, when we announced our Farmer of the Year contest, we didn’t realize how genuinely inspired we would be by the stories of people who not only dedicate their lives to an occupation that’s often overlooked and overworked, but who also have such passion for growing and taking care of the animals and the land that feeds the world,” said the contest organizers. ”We read about farmers who were still farming well into their 90s, as well as people who recently made farming a way of life.”
Patti is one of the latter. “I consider myself an accidental farmer,” said Patti. She did not grow up on a farm but instead, Patti chose farming as a second career. In 2000, she and her husband purchased a home with enough property to grow vegetables and raise chickens. They learned to farm mostly from trial and error. They read books and sought out advice from other farmers. And thus Sport Hill Farm was born.
Today, Sport Hill Farm boasts 40 acres on which Patti grows vegetables and fruits, while raising chickens for eggs and pigs for meat. She operates a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, as well as a retail store where she sells locally grown or crafted goods from neighboring businesses. In the summer, Sport Hill Farm sponsors a children’s camp, providing kids with the experience of planting, growing, and harvesting food. She hosts myriad other events at her farm throughout the year, including farm-to-table dinners and workshops.
“I'm truly humbled by this award,” said Patti, “given there are so many amazing farmers carrying out traditional farming values.”
On behalf of the Westport Farmers’ Market, Cochran-Dougall congratulates Patti Popp and Sport Hill Farm, and encourages everyone to visit the Westport Farmers’ Market every Thursday through November 9th from 10 to 2 to wish her the same.
For more information about the Farmers’ Almanac Farmer of the Year award and winners, visit The Farmers’ Almanac blog, and read all about Patti in the 2018 issue.
For more information about the Westport Farmers’ Market, visit www.westportfarmersmarket.com, email director@westportfarmersmarket.com, and/or follow the WFM on FB, Instagram, and Twitter, too!
The Westport Farmers Market is committed to providing fresh, local, healthy and seasonal food. We aspire to create a fun, safe and healthy community environment for education and socialization. Our mission is to increase awareness, knowledge and support for local producers focused on sustainable and healthy growing practices.
The summer market is held every Thursday from 10 to 2 through November 9, 2017 at 50 Imperial Avenue in Westport, and every Saturday beginning November 18, 2017 in the greenhouse at Gilbertie’s Herbs and Garden Center, 7 Sylvan Lane, Westport.