Joseph Frank Little, 80 of South Woodstock, Vermont passed away on January 12th at his home in South Woodstock. He was born in Franklin, NJ September 13, 1935, the son of Clarence Little and Mary Campbell Little. He spent the first 47 years of his life on the family farm in Vernon, NJ which dated back to 1830. It's here where he developed his love of the land and animals. He graduated from Sussex High School in 1954 and attended Texas A&M and Delaware Valley Agriculture College. Following his farming career Joseph started his own construction company to build custom homes in NJ. In addition to being a devoted husband, father and grandfather he served as NJ State President of the National Farmers Organization, a member of the Vernon Township School Board for 12 years and a member of the Board of Directors of the Members Advantage Community Credit Union in Vermont since 1997. Joe continued his love of nature in Vermont where he took immense pride in the family home, Windwood. Here he spent countless hours building his stone walls, feeding migrating ducks by the pond and driving his John Deere tending to his beloved lawns and gardens. Ruth and Joe also had a passion for travel, from their honeymoon in Peru, to winters in Mexico to many European destinations. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Ruth Mueller Little, his three children: Tara Little of London, U.K. and her partner Pawan Nandrajog, Samara (Missy) Little Steffy of Ocean Pines, MD and her husband Scott Steffy, and Brandon Little and his wife Heather Hibbert Little of Barnard, Vermont, and four grandchildren, Cole Little, Zella Little, Carter Steffy, and Spencer Steffy who brought tremendous joy to him. He is also survived by his sisters Mary Jane Little Mack of Glade Hill, VA and Jessica Appel of Tennessee and his brother in law, Edward Mueller of Newark, NJ. He was predeceased by his parents. Memorial Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, January 22nd at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Woodstock, Vermont. Arrangements are under the direction of Cabot Funeral home. Messages of condolence may be offered at cabotfh.com The family asks that in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The South Woodstock  Fire Protection Association or Lucy Mackenzie Human Society ( www.lucymac.org)