WORCESTER, Mass. — The Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter (NOFA/Mass) will hold its 30th annual Winter Conference on January 14, 2017 at Worcester State University. The conference features workshops, exhibits, as well as a keynote by Paul Kaiser from Singing Frogs Farm in Sonoma County, CA. Paul and his wife Elizabeth have been successfully demonstrating how to produce high volume, high quality vegetables in an inspiring no-till system since 2007.
What do we mean when we say, “no-till system”? A simple sketch of the Kaisers’ practices would include building pollinator habitat, using large amounts of local waste (municipal compost) and nearly continuous plant-cover to conserve water, maintain high levels of soil life, and produce a constant outflow of high-quality produce so that they can afford to attract and retain good employees.
A more detailed description of their methods would take at least a day to elaborate. Fortunately our community of growers here in the Northeast will have the opportunity this coming January, to hear from these innovative West-coast growers at the NOFA/Mass Winter Conference (January 14th). In addition to the keynote address, Paul and Elizabeth will be presenting a full day intensive detailing their methods for those wishing to concentrate on this topic.
The conference will be followed by an optional, relaxed and intimate post-event fundraising dinner with our special guests Paul & Elizabeth Kaiser. The dinner will provide an opportunity for our supporters, volunteers and staff to mingle, have fun and renew a commitment to the organic life.
Over 1,000 people from Massachusetts and neighboring states are anticipated to attend this gathering on organic farming, gardening, activism, health, beekeeping, animal care, soil building and more. Conference participants may choose from a variety of 70 workshops, led by local experts. Our program is designed for children, teens and adults, from experienced to beginning growers and large scale farmers and gardeners alike.
Participants can spend time with NUBIA, to learn about Growing Food & Community in Boston. Nubia is a small refugee-run non-profit in Roxbury, MA. They began growing food on a single community garden plot in ‘08, and has since grown to farming on nine sites in Boston. They will describe their journey, including acquiring and amending urban land, building organizational capacity, growing cultural crops, donating and selling produce, and expanding programs.
In addition, Keeping Happy Healthy Hogs, will provide an introduction to raising organic hogs efficiently and humanely. Learn your options for breeding, feeding, housing, and marketing pork that you and your customers can feel good about eating.
Alice Percy of Fedco Organic Growers Supply; former owner/operator of Treble Ridge Farm will be there to guide this you.
Celebrate women in farming, represented by Melissa Hoffer. She owns Red Goat Farm, a small farm where dairy goats, organic vegetables and fruits and bees are grown naturally. Goats Are A Girl’s (And the Soil’s) Best Friend is a don’t miss irregardless of your experience with animals is. Learn about natural goat care, running a home dairy, making delicious goat milk products, and building the health of your garden soil with goat manure. Melissa will cover basic goat health needs, natural herd management practices (including herbal remedies), low tech dairying, simple recipes, and composting.
NOFA/Mass’ 2017 Beginning Farming Mentors and mentees will also be in attendance at the Winter Conference an important gathering of beginning farmers who will be paired with experienced mentors. The program’s aim is to help fill the education gap between apprentice/farm worker and independent farmer through the setting of educational goals, farm visits, workshops and other support and we are still accepting applications.
We’re growing a new generation of farmers and nature enthusiasts. Parents are encouraged to bring their children for educational workshops for children 3-8, youth 9-12 and teens 13-17. This fully-supervised program will run during the keynote and workshops, from 9am to 12:15pm, then close for lunch. The program re-opens at 1:15 until 5:15pm. If weather permits, activities may be held outside, so please dress accordingly. Family discounts are available Dec. 16 thru Jan. 9. Four or more attendees, registering as one family, may deduct 15% from the registration price.
Discounted registration options are available for children, students, groups and NOFA members. Partial work-exchange and scholarships are also available. Worcester State University is handicapped accessible. Parking is available, and there is a carpool signup link on the conference registration page. Conference registration includes an all-organic, primarily locally sourced lunch. Meat, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes will be available, as will child friendly choices.
CAR POOL LINK – https://goo.gl/forms/BBYjkiK8LB86ewU02
FOR MORE INFORMATION on the NOFA/Mass Winter Conference visit www.nofamass.org/events/wc or contact NOFA/Mass Public Relations Coordinator, LaDawn Strickland at ladawn@nofamass.org or 617.548.4429.
About NOFA/Mass: Through education and advocacy NOFA/Mass promotes organic agriculture to expand the production and availability of nutritious food from living soil for the health of individuals, communities and the planet. To become a member, make a donation or sign up as a volunteer, please visit www.nofamass.org.
—NOFA/Mass
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