The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut (CT NOFA) is pleased to invite the public to its 34th Annual Winter Conference on March 12 and 13 at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) in Danbury.
Guests will enjoy a choice of more than 60 workshops taught by experts in organic gardening, land care, homesteading, farming, and do-it-yourself foods. Foodies can learn to wild ferment food and beverages, forage for mushrooms, sprout seeds, avoid food waste, and learn the art of dining in style during power outages. Homesteaders and gardeners will learn new skills, including how to graft fruit trees, grow roses organically, and cultivate mushrooms.
Lunch at the conference is a unique opportunity to sample the cuisine of fine restaurants and food establishments for just $15 per person. This year’s locally-sourced lunch is generously provided by Barcelona, The Whelk, Kawa Ni, Sugar & Olives, Mill Street Bar & Table, Wave Hill Breads, New Morning Market, Plan B and Sodexo. Organic teas served at lunch are sponsored by local tea producer Harney and Sons.
“We are very excited to present two days of outstanding programming for our diverse and growing membership and community of supporters” says CT NOFA Executive Director Jeff Cordulack. “Our organic mission has never been more relevant than it is today.”
Saturday admission includes access to workshops and more than 60 organic food and farm exhibitors plus a complimentary tasting of locally-roasted, organic coffee from Shearwater Coffee Roasters. Sunday features a choice of intensive workshops for farmers and serious backyard gardeners, including programs for beginning farmers who want to improve their crop planning and business skills.
Register HERE online before March 7th and save time (and money) at registration check in.
Foodie and Gardener/Homesteader Programming Highlights:
DIY Foods
- Vegetable Fermenting
- The Art of Wild Fermentation: Kombucha & Non-Alcoholic Ginger Beer
- Home Brewing Basics
Nutrition
- How to Be a Healthy Vegan
- Healing the Body Through Dietary Therapy
- Seeds of Nutrition - Health Sprouting
- Composting for Homesteaders and Small Farms
- Mushrooms - Foraging & How to Raise
- Raised Bed Vegetable Gardens
- Eco Beneficial Gardening 101
- Growing Saffron in Our Area
- Introduction to Medicinal Herbs
- Homesteading - Everything Old Is New
- The Wonders of Willow and Beyond- from basketry to biofuel
Food Education
- Connecticut's Shellfish Heritage
- I Value Food: Too Good To Waste
- Dining In the Dark: How To Ride-Out A Power Outage In Style
- From Farm to Market: How to Start a Food Business In Connecticut
The CT NOFA’s 34th Annual Winter Conference held on Saturday, March 12 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday, March 13 from 9:00-3:30 pm, at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury. Saturday admission is $60 for non-members and $50 for members; lunch tickets are $15 per person. Sunday admission is $50 for non-members and $35 for members; combined Saturday and Sunday admission is $110 for non-members and $85 for members.
https://ctnofa.wufoo.com/forms/2016-winter-conference-registration/
Thank you to our generous sponsors for their support.
About CT NOFA
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut, Inc. (CT NOFA) is the first and leading grassroots association advocating for organic food, farming, gardening and land care in Connecticut. We connect people in the local-sustainable food and land care movements with organic resources and cutting-edge educational opportunities. Our organization’s emphasis is on training organic farmers, gardeners and land care professionals on the latest sustainable practices; promoting organic products and practices to consumers; and bringing attention to critical state and federal policy issues affecting our international food system and global environment. CT NOFA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1982 and one of the seven State Chapters of the Northeast Organic Farming Association.