The Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame will induct five new members later this summer at the Champlain Valley Fair. Farmer Paul Doton, along with the late Albert Moraska and Russel Allen, will be honored for lifetime achievement; farmer Brian McGarry will be inducted as an emerging leader; and Ellen Kahler, executive director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, will be recognized for agricultural innovation.
Doton, who runs Doton Farm in Barnard along with his wife, Sherry, and their son, Bryan, is committed to sustainable farming practices, including redirecting milkhouse waste into multiple septic leach fields and using cover crops to reduce runoff and increase soil organic matter. He actively participates in agricultural leadership roles as a member of the Agri-Mark/Cabot Board of Directors and founding member of the Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance, and serves his community as town moderator for Barnard town meetings.
Moraska, who died in 2010, was a renowned veterinarian and volunteer in Vermont for four decades. He actively inspired the next generation of vets by allowing farm kids, university students and 4Hers to ride along with him on his rounds, gaining valuable field experience. He was a life member of the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association and served for 22 years on the Charlotte Planning Commission.
Allen, who died in 2022, was a true Vermonter and innovator within the orchard community. He and his brothers developed their own efficient pruning and grafting methods still used today. Passionate about sharing his knowledge, Allen generously helped orchardists of all sizes and levels improve their grafting skills. He was a dedicated member of the Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association for many years.
McGarry, who shares ownership of McGarry Dairy in Enosburg Falls with his parents, Ed and Diane, has been leading the way in exploring new technologies aimed at reducing the farm's environmental impact. In one notable example, he has volunteered to participate in product testing specifically geared toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions. McGarry is always eager to share his findings with others as an active member on the Agri-Mark/Cabot Creamery Sustainable Farms Committee.
Kahler has been a leading force in the farm-to-plate movement in Vermont for nearly 20 years. As executive director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, she significantly increased the state's local consumption of local food production, raising it from 5% to 16% — a remarkable achievement considering the state's short growing season and rural landscape. Kahler's work has not only transformed Vermont's food system but also laid the groundwork for similar initiatives across New England.