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Pre-register by January 6
New for 2012: ORGANIC RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM! Details on page 9
30th Annual Organic Farming and Gardening Conference Saratoga Hilton & City Center, Saratoga Springs, NY January 20–22
WELCOME
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NOFA-NY WINTER CONFERENCE
WHAT’S INSIDE Welcome 2–3 Keynote Speakers 4–5 Getting Involved 6 Special Events 7–8 Organic Research Symposium 9 Fundraiser Dinner 9 Schedule at a Glance 10–11 Friday Intensives 12–17 Workshop Tracks 18–35 Fun Things to Do 20 Scholarship Information 20 Pre-Registration Form 21–22 Children’s Conference & Childcare 36–37 How to Get There, Hotel & Ridesharing 38 Conference Sponsors 39 www.nofanyconference.org
Brochure Design: David Ford, Ford Artist MediaEye
NOFA-NY is an organization of organic farmers, gardeners, businesses, and consumers who are committed to creating a regional food system which is ecologically sound and economically viable. Through education and advocacy, we promote land stewardship, organic food production, and local marketing. NOFA-NY brings consumers and farmers closer together to make high quality food available to all people. To register for the 2012 NOFA-NY Winter Conference, please contact Katie Nagle- Caraluzzo, Membership and Registration Coordinator: (585) 271-1979, ext. 512 or: register@nofany.org For general questions about the Winter Conference, including sponsorship and tradeshow opportunities, please contact Matt Robinson, Education and Outreach Coordinator: (585) 271-1979, ext. 503 or matt@nofany.org.
WELCOME
THE COOPERATIVE ECONOMY The year 2012 will mark the 30th year of our annual Winter Conference. As a tribute to this year’s anniversary, we’re focusing on a value that is truly the backbone of our organization: cooperation. The Cooperative Economy offers us a chance to celebrate the sense of community upon which a more sustainable future may be built. A spirit of cooperation enables us to share our knowledge, to support one another, and to develop new solutions to agricultural and financial challenges. Our conference itself is an enormous exercise in cooperation; without the willingness of so many presenters to share their knowledge, such an event would be impossible. At the core of our mission lies the belief that the only way forward is in cooperation with one another: farmers, processors, gardeners, consumers, researchers, activists, and many others working together to forge a more sustainable agriculture and a more sustainable economy. This year, we are excited to add to our program a new opportunity for researchers, farmers, and others to connect with one another. The Organic Research Symposium (January 19–20) will showcase some of the leading organic research from around the country, highlighting the work of both scientists and farmer researchers. We hope that you will be able to join us for this special event and the rest of the weekend’s programming this year. We look forward to being with you in January!
Kate Mendenhall Executive Director
Matt Robinson Education and Outreach Coordinator
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Early Bird Discount
The success of our Winter Conference depends upon the generosity and hard work of many volunteers. By volunteering to help out at the Winter Conference, you can provide vital support for this amazing event and receive a registration rebate ($15 for each 2-hour time slot). To volunteer, please send an email to conference.volunteer@nofany.org or give our office a call: (585) 271-1979, ext. 512.
All you have to do to receive a $10 discount on your registration is register by Wednesday, December 7th. Yes—it’s that easy! You can register online at www.nofanyconference.org, call (585) 271-1979 ext. 512 to register over the phone, or postmark your completed registration form (on page 21) by December 7th.
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KEYNOTERS
JOHN IKERD
K E Y N OT E S P E A K E R S
John Ikerd is a Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at the University of Missouri and an outspoken champion of sustainable agriculture. John’s books (including Small Farms Are Real Farms, A Return to Common Sense, and Sustainable Capitalism) have inspired many within the organic movement. His latest title, A Revolution of the Middle, is available free online: http://sites.google.com/site/revolutionofthemiddle. John will join us on Friday evening at the conference to discuss the importance of shared social and environmental goals to the long-term sustainability of cooperative economic arrangements. Friday 8:00pm
KATHLYN TERRY Kathlyn Terry is the Executive Director at Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD), a nonprofit organization that supports the local, sustainable economies in southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee. She has over 20 years of experience in various leadership business roles in the for-profit sector, and now works to promote wholesale and direct market opportunities for farmers. Kathlyn will discuss the valuable role that nonprofits can play in jump starting a flagging/broken food system, taking a cooperative approach while still recognizing the very real market forces at work. She will present her regional experiences and the various impacts that the sustainable enterprise model can have on local food value chains. Saturday 9:30am 4
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KEYNOTERS
PAUL & MAUREEN KNAPP
K E Y N OT E S P E A K E R S
NOFA-NY Farmers of the Year
Paul and Maureen Knapp run Cobblestone Valley Farm, a highly diversified organic farm that includes dairy production, u-pick strawberries, pastured poultry, pork, and grass-fed beef. Paul and Maureen are members of Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative and have been outspoken champions of organic agriculture in New York State. Cobblestone Valley Farm is now in its fourth generation of production under the Knapp family. Sunday 11:00am
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W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G
Tradeshow & Advertising Opportunities
WAYS TO G E T I N VO LV E D
With a crowd of over 1,200 attendees expected this year, the NOFA-NY Tradeshow is a great opportunity to reach a targeted audience of potential customers. Advertising in our Conference Program is also a great way to highlight your products, services, or organization to a cutting-edge organic, health-conscious, and sustainably-minded audience. There are still spaces available, but they’re going fast! Contact Matt Robinson for more information: (585) 271-1979, ext. 503 or: conference@nofany.org
Silent Auction Bid on great stuff and support NOFA-NY’s programs. All proceeds raised support NOFA-NY’s annual work, including our Winter Conference, Organic Field Day Series, and Organic Policy work. The Silent Auction showcases our friends’ and members’ products, crafts, talents, and generosity. We are collecting a wide variety of donations, and we would love to include something of yours! If you are interested in contributing to the NOFA-NY Silent Auction, please contact our auction coordinator: conference.auction@ nofany.org. 6
FOOD DONATIONS One of the most memorable parts of our conference is the incredible meals. Almost all of the food is generously donated by our farmers, business members, and supporters, and each meal is a tribute to the diversity and bounty of New York State’s agriculture. Please consider donating food to the NOFA-NY Winter Conference to help make it a success! The wholesale value of your donation can be credited towards your conference registration, and any remaining value will be treated as a tax-deductible donation. Food donors are listed in the Conference Program and in the banquet hall. If you would like to contribute to the meal program, please contact Stephen Rees at conference. food@nofany.org or visit the website to download a food donation form: www.nofanyconference.org.
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W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G
Thursday Evening • Music, games, and delicious food at the Beginning Farmer Mixer (see page 19 for more details)
Friday Afternoon • Stop by the Tradeshow and check out a wide selection of tools, equipment, seeds, and services!
Friday Evening • Social Hour & Entertainment in the Tradeshow • Opening Ceremony & Keynote: John Ikerd • Silent Auction opens
Saturday Night Contra Dance with THE RUSSET TRIO and Caller FERN MARSHALL BRADLEY For those of you who attended last year’s contra dance, you’ll be happy to know that The Russet Trio (pictured below) and Fern Marshall Bradley will be joining us again for 2012! For those of you who didn’t make it to the dance, well, you’re in for a treat. The Russet Trio combines traditional Irish themes with a modern energy that’s sure to get your toes tappin’. And for those of you who are new to contra dancing, Fern Marshall Bradley is the perfect caller to help you get started. (When Fern isn’t calling for contra dances, she is editing NOFA-NY’s New York Organic News.)
SPECIAL E VE NTS
This is our 30th Winter Conference: let’s celebrate!
Saturday 8:15pm
Saturday Morning • NOFA-NY State of the Union & Keynote: Kathlyn Terry • Tradeshow opens
Saturday Afternoon • NOFA-NY Annual Meeting
Saturday Evening • Social Hour & Entertainment in the Tradeshow • Last chance to bid on Silent Auction items • Fundraiser Dinner • Contra Dance
Sunday Morning • Keynote: Paul and Maureen Knapp • Last Chance to visit the Tradeshow www.nofanyconference.org
Motivational Worksongs and a Sing-a-Long In this special session, we’ll explore how Sylvester Manor has begun using music in the fields, green houses, and at the farm stand to help us grow more food, have more fun, and make more money. Join Bennett Konesni and friends for a special evening workshop on the motivational power of music followed by a jam session. Don’t forget to bring your instruments! Friday 9:15pm 2012 • THE COOPERATIVE ECONOMY
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W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G
NOFA-NY Annual Meeting Members, this is your chance to make your voice heard within your organization! Decisions made during this meeting will affect the issues that we work on and the direction that NOFA-NY takes in the coming years. Your participation is important! We will elect new members to the Board of Directors, vote on Bylaws changes, and vote on this year’s policy resolutions. If you’re not a member already, join NOFA-NY today and make your voice heard.
SPECIAL M EETINGS
Saturday 12:15pm
NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC Open Annual Meeting Interested in learning more about NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC? Join us for an open meeting over breakfast. Bring your certification questions and concerns. This is a great opportunity to meet the NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC staff ! Management Committee members will also be available to answer questions throughout the conference at the NOFA-NY Certified Organic LLC table.
Annual Meeting of the NY Small Scale Food Processors Association NYSSFPA Members and others interested are invited to pick up breakfast and come to our large “NYSSFPA” table. Business will be minimal in order to hear advocacy concerns, ideas and suggestions for increasing profitability for processors and those wanting to add value to what they produce. www.nyssfpa.com. Saturday 7am
Saturday 7:15am
Lunchtime Networking Roundtable for Students & Teachers Young farmers, aspiring farmers, students and teachers—here is your opportunity to mix, mingle, and be inspired! Th is networking lunch will give you the opportunity share dreams and goals for your farm with exciting, inspiring farmers who are already on the path to success. Meet friends and mentors, talk about your experiences, and share your passion for farming. Lunch will include a young farmer panel, networking opportunities, and fun conversation. Saturday 11:45am 8
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W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G
Join us on January 19th and 20th for NOFA-NY’s inaugural Northeast Organic Research Symposium. Come learn about the latest organic agricultural research from leading academic researchers, farmer researchers, and graduate students. Participate in discussions with researchers and practitioners. This will also be a great opportunity to share your own experiments and best practices with others. This symposium will draw from a national pool of academics and practitioners to share relevant organic agricultural research with one another and with organic farmers from New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. The symposium aims to reach more than 200 organic farmers, 30 academic researchers, and over 10 student researchers from the Northeast and across the country. Themes to be covered in the form of presentations, discussions and poster sessions include: • Issues in Organic Vegetable Production • Issues in Organic Fruit Production • Issues in Organic Ruminant Livestock Systems • Issues in Organic Non-Ruminant Join us for the 1st Annual Livestock Systems Feast of Organic Farming • Issues in Organic Grain Systems on Saturday, January 21, • Soil Management in Organic Systems 6:15–8:30pm • Pest Management in Organic Systems 6:15pm – Sample NY state • Weed Management in Organic Systems artisanal cheeses and wines • Economics & Marketing of Organic 7:00pm – Visit specialty food Systems
FUNDRAISER DINNER
Organic farmers will be exposed to the most current organic agricultural research, potentially improving their on-farm techniques and their understanding of their farm’s agroecology. There will also be opportunities to share organic research needs with researchers. Register now to receive an early bird discount! Attend both the Symposium and the Winter Conference and receive an additional discount. For more information, email Jill Slater, symposium@ nofany.org. Made possible through generous support from OREI. www.nofanyconference.org
stations featuring entrées made from NOFA-NY growers and food processors. 7:45pm – A Special Program • Featuring honorees Just Food and Gardenshare • Honoring NOFA-NY’s Farmers of the Year, Paul and Maureen Knapp • Recognizing NOFA-NY’s 2012 Gold Carrot Awardees. Tickets are $60; proceeds benefit NOFA-NY programs and will help develop a NOFA-NY Farmer Emergency Fund. Your support helps grow organic farming!.
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SPECIAL E VE NTS
Organic Research Symposium
SCHEDULE
THURSDAY
SATURDAY
S C H E D U L E AT A G L A N C E
7:30am Symposium Registration opens 10am–8pm Organic Research Symposium 7–10pm Conference Registration open 7–11pm Beginning Farmer Mixer
6:30–7:15am Yoga 7am Breakfast, Registration opens 7:15am NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC Annual Meeting, NYSSFPA Annual Meeting 8–9:15am SATURDAY MORNING I • Growing & Harvesting f Healing Herbs • Advanced Integrated v Pest Management • High Quality Eggs from l Pastured Hens • Livestock Health dg Assessment 1: Dairy Calf • Small Scale Grain Cleaning, Storage, & gf Milling • Sheep for New Farmers bf • Building Community va Around Food • Management of g Contaminated Soils • Water Pump Mechanics h • Hydrofracking in NYS pp • Sustainable Energy for o the Farm
FRIDAY 7am Registration opens 7:30am Breakfast 9–12:30pm Organic Research Symposium 12:00pm Silent Auction Bidding opens 9am–5pm FULL DAY INTENSIVES • Biodynamics: Enhancing Nature’s Foundation • Season Extension: Tunnels of All Shapes & Sizes • The Full Skinny on Orchard Health • Get Your Boot in the Door: Starting Up • Scaling-up the Northeast Grains System 9am–12:30pm MORNING INTENSIVES • Certification Orientation • Pastured Poultry • Processing Rules & Regulations • Root Cellaring • Links & Chains • Advanced Grazing 12:30pm Lunch Tradeshow opens 1:30–5pm AFTERNOON INTENSIVES • Creating a Fair Food System • ABCs of Preserving 10
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Cost of Production Compost Unraveled Art of Host Farming Small Scale Meat Processing 5–6:15pm Social Hour & Entertainment in Tradeshow, Book Signing: Michael Phillips 6:15–7:45pm Dinner 7pm Registration closes 8–9:15pm Keynote: John Ikerd 9:15pm Motivational Worksongs, Movie: Queen of the Sun
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9:30–11:30am Keynote: Kathlyn Terry NOFA-NY Annual Report 11:45am–1pm Lunch 12:15–1:15pm NOFA-NY Annual Meeting 1–2:15pm SATURDAY AFTERNOON I • Lesser Known Fruits • Organic Garlic • Livestock Health Assessment: Small Ruminants • Livestock Health Assessment: Dairy Cows • Food Grade Grain Quality • The Farmer’s Calendar • Marketing to Restaurants • Earth Medicines for Plants • Baking with Local Grains • Domestic Fair Trade Pledge • Beekeeping Arrangements
f v l dg gf bf va g h pp o
Key to Workshop Tracks f: v: l: dg: gf: bf: va: g: h: pp: o:
fruits & herbs vegetables livestock dairy & grazing grains & field crops beginning farmer value-added, processing & marketing gardening & urban farming homesteading people & policy potpourri
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AT A G L A N C E
2:30–3:45pm SATURDAY AFTERNOON II • Grafting Techniques for Fruit Trees • Vegetable Variety Roundtable • Livestock Health Assessment 4: Poultry • Grazing Panel • Managing Weeds in Grains • Farm Planning & Recordkeeping • Food Safety for Direct Marketers • Currants & Comfrey • Energy & Urban Homestead • Sausages at Home • Raw Milk Permitting • Weatherproofing Our Farms 3:45–4:15pm Coffee & Snack break
f v l dg gf bf va g h h pp o
4:15–5:30pm SATURDAY AFTERNOON III • Wild Edibles f • No-Till Vegetables v • Organic Beef l • Dairy Cooperatives dg • Cooperative Grain gf Processing & Marketing • Starting Small, bf Growing Smart • Extreme Makeover: va Farmstands • Plant Propagation & g Mediums • Medicinal Fruits & h Fruiting Plants • Passing on the Farm pp • Hazards of Agricultural o Pesticides 5:30–6:45pm Social Hour & Entertainment in Tradeshow, Book Signings: Didi Emmons, Pat Foreman, Lee Reich 6:15pm Fundraiser Dinner 7pm Dinner, Registration closes, Silent Auction Bidding ends 8:15pm Contra Dance, Movie TBA
• Transitioning to Draft l Power • Small Scale Organic dg Dairy • Starting a Grain gf Business • Sustainable Soil bf Management • Cooperative Marketing va of Vegetables • Current Research in g Urban Agriculture • Hand Tools: Scythe h & Sickle • Small Farms Are Real pp Farms • Certification Issues o
9:30–10:45am SUNDAY MORNING II • Organic Hop Production f • Cover Cropping in v Vegetable Systems • Heritage Breeds for l Organic Farms • Grazing Pigs dg • Organic Feed Crops gf • Perennial Plants for bf Farms • Shared-Use Kitchens va • Seed Libraries & Saving g • Home-Scale Dairy h Processing • 2012 Farm Bill pp • Energized o OrganiCzation 11am–12:15pm Keynote: NOFA-NY Farmers of the Year Paul & Maureen Knapp 7am Breakfast, Reg12:30pm Lunch, istration opens, Silent Last chance to visit Auction item pickup Tradeshow 8–9:15am 1:30pm Tradeshow SUNDAY MORNING I closes, Silent Auction • Fun with Fungus f closes • Cucurbits v
SUNDAY
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S C H E D U L E AT A G L A N C E
SUNDAY
SATURDAY
F R I DAY • J A N U A RY 2 0
INTENSIVE SESSIONS: Full Day 9:00am–5:00pm
BIODYNAMICS: Enhancing Nature’s Foundation
F R I DAY I N T E N S I V E S
If you’ve been waiting for the chance to learn more about biodynamic agriculture, wait no longer. Join veteran biodynamic producers Jean-Paul Courtens, Roxbury Farm, Mac Mead, The Pfeiffer Center, and Rachel and Steffen Schneider, Hawthorne Valley, for a look at the foundations of biodynamics. We’ll cover the basic concept of the farm organism, how biodynamic agriculture differs from other agro-ecological methods, the role of livestock and livestock nutrition in biodynamics, and working with biodynamic preparations and rhythms. Participants will build their understanding of biodynamic agriculture through an ongoing dialogue throughout the day, so bring plenty of questions!
SEASON EXTENSION: Tunnels of All Shapes and Sizes Extending your season can be a great way to boost your sales, offer a longer-running share for your CSA members, and stretch production out in the spring, fall, and early winter. Anton Burkett, Early Morning Farm, will discuss the labor-saving high tunnel system that he uses to grow tomatoes and peppers. Adam Lemiuex, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, will discuss the use of several types of tunnel systems (including the increasingly popular caterpillar tunnels) and lead a hoop-bending demonstration. Niechelle Wade, Sunny Hill Farm, will discuss the NRCS grant program that helped her build her first high tunnel and how this has impacted her business.
THE FULL SKINNY ON ORCHARD HEALTH Fruit tree culture has been stuck in allopathic mode for far too long, solely seeking out short-term fungicides and antibiotics to destroy disease-causing organisms from without. We never understood that the tree’s own immune ability could be coupled with the stimulation of friendly microbes to defeat disease from within. Join Michael Phillips, author of The Apple Grower and his latest title The Holistic Orchard, for an in-depth look at tree immune systems, holistic alternatives to fungicides, bacterial infections, fungal duff management, soil fertility, and many other topics. If you’re ready to take your orchard to the next level, this is the workshop for you. 12
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F R I DAY • J A N U A RY 2 0
In this highly interactive workshop, we will walk through some of the most common questions asked by new farmers. Learn about the planning steps and first moves in starting to farm, about legal/regulatory requirements, finding land and funding, budgeting and business-plan writing, and where to go for more information on each topic. Our returning panelists, farmers Jamie Edelstein, Wyllie Fox Farm, Donn Hewes and Maryrose Livingston, Northland Sheep Dairy, and Melissa Madden and Garrett Miller, The Good Life Farm, are pleased to present this information and direct you to the proper resources so you can be on your way to starting or improving your new farm. These farmers’ experiences will frame small-group discussions and participatory activities to help you get off thinking about your future, new, or growing farm. Participants will be polled prior to the workshop to best tailor the presentations to the needs of the group. Come prepared to ask yourself and our panelists challenging questions about the why’s, how’s and when’s of starting your farm!
SCALING-UP THE NORTHEAST GRAINS SYSTEM: Linking Farmers, Millers and Bakers The session will travel the organic grains value chain covering key elements in the process from seed to end product (bread, pastry, pasta, beer, and spirits). We will discuss seed varietals, how to achieve the highest quality products, how to access new markets, and how to deliver grains and flours to those markets. A wide variety of grains including hard and soft wheat, emmer, spelt, and rye will be covered. Throughout the workshop we will be tasting breads, pastries and pastas made from local grains. The session will feature 20 expert farmers, researchers, millers, distributors and bakers from New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Ontario, Canada. The day will be facilitated by project team members, Glenda Neff, Farm to Bakery; Mark Sorrells, Cornell Small Grains Project, Elizabeth Dyck, OGRIN; June Russell, Greenmarket; and Thor Oechsner, Farmer Ground Flour. Farmers, millers, food processors, grain distributors, and others providing technical assistance and support along the local grains value chain will all find this workshop of interest. Supported by USDA FSMIP Farm to Bakery and USDA OREI Value-added Grains for Local and Regional Food Systems. www.nofanyconference.org
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F R I DAY I N T E N S I V E S
GET YOUR BOOT IN THE DOOR: Defining, Planning, and Starting Up Your Farm on the Path to Long-Term Success
F R I DAY • J A N U A RY 2 0
INTENSIVE SESSIONS: Half Day Morning • 9:00am–12:30pm
F R I DAY I N T E N S I V E S
PASTURED POULTRY: Affordable Ways to Get Started
ROOT CELLARS: Cool Storage for Your Farm, Homestead, or House
Well, folks, you asked for it, and here it is: an intensive session on pastured poultry. Jill and Ken Gies, Neppa Hatchery, will take you through raising pastured poultry. From construction of a low-cost brooder to feed rations to simple processing equipment, this workshop will cover it all. Participants will get a first-hand look at some affordable equipment, enjoy a brooder-building demonstration, and participate in a round-table discussion of what works well for them.
Outgrowing your fridge? Well then it’s time to upgrade. Bill MacKentley, St. Lawrence Nurseries, and Jim Juczak will discuss several versatile and affordable options for storing your produce and plants in root cellars. With a little knowledge of the basic principles of heat exchange and displacement, you’ll be well-prepared to return home and build one yourself!
PROCESSING RULES & REGULATIONS: One-Stop Shopping With minimal start-up money, one can turn his or her kitchen into a lucrative business. Th is workshop is an overview of the necessary steps to becoming a legal home-based food processor covering: regulations, product development, pricing, labeling, finding customers, marketing, and bookkeeping. Anyone interested in starting their own home-based processing venture should plan on joining Mimi Shotland Fix, Baking Fix, for this session.
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LINKS AND CHAINS: Strengthening Urban-Rural Linkages to Improve Food Access This workshop will explore new ways of connecting low-income/food desert communities with rural farmers. Dennis Derryck and Sabrina Wilensky, Corbin Hill Road Farm (CHRF), will use CHRF’s Farm Share program as a model to discuss redefining the nature of the problems presented by food deserts, examining the assumptions that underlie current approaches to serving low income communities, organizing communities and building partnerships, building infrastructure, and lessons that Corbin Hill Road Farm has learned in its first two seasons of operation.
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F R I DAY • J A N U A RY 2 0
CERTIFICATION In this session, experienced pro- ORIENTATION
ducers will have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field and other producers. While the session will be open and useful to all, topics covered will be most useful to experienced producers. Further details will be available shortly on our website; we’ll let you know as soon as we have this session nailed down!
Join several staff members from NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC for an introduction to the certification standards and process. If you are thinking of certifying your farm or business, this free workshop is for you. Certification procedures and paperwork will be reviewed, and participants will have plenty of chances to ask questions specific to their farms or businesses.
INTENSIVE SESSIONS: Half Day Afternoon • 1:30–5:00pm
CREATING A FAIR FOOD SYSTEM: Solidarity Between Farmers and Farmworkers Farmers in NYS are heavily reliant on migrant workers, both documented and undocumented. This workshop will focus on labor on farms in New York State and efforts to create better conditions for farmers and workers through domestic fair trade, new opportunities for recent immigrants, and immigration policy reform. Abby Youngblood, Just Food, Michelle Hughes, New Farmer Development Project, and Elizabeth www.nofanyconference.org
Henderson will explore who these workers are, where they come from, and the challenges faced by both farmers and workers. Panelists will describe the New Farmer Development Project which supports immigrants in establishing their own farm businesses and the work of the Agricultural Justice Project (AJP) to create a new label, Food Justice Certified, with the goal of changing relationships in the food system. 2012 • THE COOPERATIVE ECONOMY
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F R I DAY I N T E N S I V E S
ADVANCED GRAZING
F R I DAY • J A N U A RY 2 0
COST OF PRODUCTION: Answering Farming’s Tough Questions
F R I DAY I N T E N S I V E S
If having your wisdom teeth pulled cost of your production. Class size is seems less painful than crunching limited. You will need the following numbers, then this workshop is for for this workshop: you. Knowing your cost of produc- 1. Richard Wiswall’s The Organic tion can help you determine what Farmer’s Business Handbook. to charge for your products, which Available in the NOFA-NY store. products are actually profitable, and 2. A laptop with Microsoft Excel whether or not you can afford addi(1997–2003 version or later). tional investments. Robert Hadad, To borrow a laptop, email Cornell Vegetable Team, will help rgh26@cornell.edu. you develop crop budgets, identify 3. As many records of the costs for what aspects of your farm business your operation as you can find. are efficient, and discover the true
ABCs OF PRESERVING AT HOME: A Hands-On Look at Freezing, Drying, Canning, and Fermentation Get ready for some hands-on experience surrounded by the knowledge and camaraderie of veteran preservers, peppered with Powerpoint and hand-outs. John Caraluzzo, Sharon Nagle and Petra PageMann, Firefly Farm, will lead an informative, fun and inspiring workshop on various methods of preservation. Freezing, drying, canning and fermentation will be extensively discussed, from nutrient and energy efficiency to tools and techniques. Don’t miss this delicious (and nutritious) hands-on training!
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COMPOST UNRAVELED: Tips for Producing and Using Quality Compost Whether you are new to composting on your farm or have years of experience, Jean Bonhotal, Cornell Waste Management Institute, Maureen Knapp, Cobblestone Valley Farm, and Melissa Young, Environmental Finance Center, will help you hone your farm composting skills. Just because it is dark doesn’t mean it’s high quality. Feedstock, process, management, and storage all affect compost quality. We will explore everything you need to know to make your own quality product.
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THE ART OF HOST FARMING: Offering a Quality and Educational Farm Apprenticeship Passing along your farming skills to inquisitive aspiring and new farm workers is an age-old tradition for growing the next generation of farmers. Learn about ways to find, contract, compensate and above all teach apprentices on your farm. Join Dulli Tengeler and Adam Prizio, Birdsfoot Farm, to learn about the laws surrounding this practice in the modern era, engage in activities to understand effective teaching, share experiences and improve your skills as a teacher and mentor.
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SMALL SCALE MEAT PROCESSING AND MARKETING When it comes to organic livestock production, processing is often cited as the bottleneck that prevents producers from entering the market. What options are out there for smaller-scale farmers? Adele and Jim Hayes, Sap Bush Hollow Farm, have run a diversified operation since 1979 that includes intensive rotational grazing of 70 ewes, 180 pasture dropped lamb, 15 feeder steers, 20–25 hogs, 50 layers, an order-based pastured poultry operation, and 85 turkeys. Adele and Jim will discuss some of the steps that they have taken to help them address the processing bottleneck, including building a 20-C processing facility and later incorporating a 5-A poultry processing facility. 2012 • THE COOPERATIVE ECONOMY
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F R I DAY I N T E N S I V E S
F R I DAY • J A N U A RY 2 0
WORKSHOP TR ACKS
Workshops continue on page 23
SHEEP FOR NEW FARMERS
STARTING SMALL AND Th is workshop will provide an over- GROWING SMART
view of what you need to know to get started in sheep farming. Fiona Harrar, Meadowood Farms, will provide information on how to choose the right breed, infrastructure such as barns and fencing, feeding and health care, and basic marketing of products. Saturday 8:00am
B E G I N N I N G FA R M E R
Led by beginning farmers Jeff and Adina Bialas, J&A Farm, and Lisa MacDougal, Mighty Food Farm, this session will be an open discussion of how to start your small farm and get by while growing your infrastructure and markets. Bring your best questions to pose to your peers about the important issues surrounding staying true to your farming values as you start the farm and THE FARMER’S CALENDAR scale it up. Do you know what to expect for your Saturday 4:15pm first full year of running a farm business? How do you avoid the common burnouts and breakdowns? In this work- SUSTAINABLE SOIL shop, Mark and Kristin Kimball, Es- MANAGEMENT sex Farm, will help you learn how to plan Sustainable soil management involves your monthly and seasonal activities to maintaining good biological, physical, avoid the often-unexpected fluctuations and chemical soil health. Bianca and and surprises surrounding the financial, Daniel Moebius-Clune, Cornell Unilabor, and agricultural demands of farm- versity, will cover basic principles including on your own. ing soil type and quality, what soils need Saturday 1:00pm to do for your crops, how constraints impact your crops, and interpreting soil tests. We will consider sustainable manHOW TO GET THE agement strategies and provide resourcVEGETABLES YOU WANT es for learning more about management WHEN YOU WANT THEM options. Sunday 8:00am Bringing vegetables to your markets when they are needed starts with good planning and improves with effective PERENNIAL PLANTS, NOW record keeping. Maryellen Sheehan, AND LATER Hilltop Hanover Farm, will focus on the Being a Beginning Farmer is no reabasics of using spreadsheets to approach crop planning in a workable manner. son to neglect the world of perennial Topics will include how to set up year- plants as profitable and valuable parts ly production/labor plans for CSAs and of your farm! Join Abby Goldfarb to markets and how to time crops and suc- learn about the options available to you so that you can stack your yields and cession plantings. profits with perennial cropping systems. Saturday 2:30pm Regardless of your land security agreement, there is a way to enjoy the benefits of this diverse world of plants in the short-term, while being a steward of the landscape for the future. Sunday 9:30am 18
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Fun Things to Do in Saratoga Springs
To find fun activities in the Saratoga region, visit www.discoversaratoga.org. Here are a few highlights:
Saratoga Winter Market The Saratoga Winter Farmers Market is open Saturday from 9am to 1pm. It is located at the Division Street Elementary School, 220 Division Street. Mineral Baths – Roosevelt Baths and Spa Soak in natural mineral baths daily from 9 am to 7 pm. Reservations recommended: (800) 452-7275, ext.4. The Crystal Spa Mineral baths and other spa treatments. Reservations recommended: (518) 584-2556. Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing Saratoga Spa State Park has a network of winter trails for walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing (map is available). The state park offers snowshoe rentals. Bring your own skis—they do not rent cross-country skis. For more info, call (518) 584-2535.
Scholarships Available We are pleased to announce that we will again be able to offer a number of scholarships to this year’s Winter Conference, thanks to generous support from our members, USDA-NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program (Grants #2009-49400-05878, #201149400-30510), and USDA Risk Management Agency. To learn more about receiving a scholarship or to fi ll out an application, please visit the scholarship website: www.nofany.org/scholarships2012, or give our office a call at (585) 271-1979, ext. 511. Hardcopy scholarship applications are available upon request. All applications must be received by December 1st , and all applicants will be notified of their application status 20
NOFA-NY WINTER CONFERENCE
by December 7th. Applicants who do not receive scholarships will still be eligible for the Early Bird Discount. Last year, the organic farming community suffered a great loss when Josh Levine passed. The Josh Levine Memorial Scholarship Fund has been created by NOFA-NY to honor his memory and support beginning farmers of promise who wish to attend the NOFA-NY Winter Conference. Scholarship winners will be selected from the overall pool of scholarship applicants. To contribute to this or the Farmer Education Fund, please see the registration form on page 21 of this brochure or call our office: (585) 2711979, ext. 512.
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2012 WINTER CONFERENCE: The Cooperative Economy Pre-Registration Form: Postmark by January 6th! Visit www.nofanyconference.org to register online. Attendees Adult Name (1) ____________________________________________________________ Adult Name (2) ____________________________________________________________ Child Name (1) _________________________________________________ ( _______ ) age Child Name (2) _________________________________________________ ( _______ ) age ) Child Name (3) _________________________________________________ ( _______ age Farm/Company ____________________________________________________________ Type of Farm: Vegetable Dairy Livestock Fruit Other Billing Address ____________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip _____________________________________________________________ County ________________________ Phone _____________________________________ Email ____________________________________________________________________ Conference & Research Symposium Registration • Pre-Registration Deadline: January 6, 2012 The cost of registration includes breakfasts and lunches. Research Symposium registration includes Thursday dinner. Friday and Saturday dinners are available for $16 each. Adult #1 Non-member Member Full Conference & Organic Research Symposium $400 $300 Organic Research Symposium (Thursday–Friday) $200 $150 Full Conference (Friday–Sunday) $300 $225 Friday: Full Day $140 $105 Friday: Morning $ 85 $ 65 Friday: Afternoon $ 75 $ 55 Saturday: Full Day $115 $ 85 Sunday: Full Day $ 85 $ 65 Saturday Fundraiser Dinner $ 60 $ 60 Friday Workshop Title: am pm Yes – I would like to attend the free Intro to Certification workshop. I need a copy of the Certification Packet: $32.40. Adult #2 Full Conference & Organic Research Symposium Organic Research Symposium (Thursday–Friday) Full Conference (Friday–Sunday) Friday: Full Day Friday: Morning Friday: Afternoon Saturday: Full Day Sunday: Full Day Saturday Fundraiser Dinner
Non-member $400 $200 $300 $140 $ 85 $ 75 $115 $ 85 $ 60
Member $300 $150 $225 $105 $ 65 $ 55 $ 85 $ 65 $ 60
Friday Workshop Title: am pm Yes – I would like to attend the free Intro to Certification workshop. I need a copy of the Certification Packet: $32.40. Students receive a 20% discount: please call our office or visit the website for student registration.
Children’s Conference or Childcare Conference (ages 6–13) Fri Sat Sun Fri–Sun $40 $40 $40 $100 Child 1 Child 2 Child 3
or
Fri $40
Childcare (ages 3–5) Sat Sun Fri–Sun $40 $30 $100
or or or
Breakfasts and lunches are included in the cost of registration. Children ages 5 and under eat free! Membership Gardener Consumer Green Individual
Farm Nonprofit Business
@ $40 @ $40 @ $20
(does not include print publications)
Family
@ $60
@ $60 @ $75 @ $125
Membership Subtotal:
$ ________
Totals SUBTOTAL of All Sections Above
$
DONATION to the Farmer Education Fund
$
DONATION to the Josh Levine Memorial Scholarship Fund th
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT (−$10 per Adult: Dec. 7 Deadline)
$ $(–)
TOTAL ENCLOSED
$____________________________________ Must be postmarked by January 6th. Visit www.nofanyconference.org or call our office for late registration.
Please make checks payable to NOFA-NY. Submit form and payment to: NOFA-NY Attn: Conference Registration 249 Highland Avenue Rochester, NY 14620 For questions, please call (585) 271-1979, ext. 512.
Credit Card Information Card # Expiration Date: _____ / _______
CCID# _______
Signature Date
Volunteer Opportunities Yes! I would like to volunteer at the 2012 NOFA-NY Winter Conference. Please contact me about volunteer opportunities. Cancellation and Refund Policy Refunds requested prior to January 1st will be charged a $25 processing fee. No refunds will be given after January 1st. No exceptions.
Workshops continued from page 18
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POMONA’S SECRETS: Lesser-Known, Cold-Hardy, Herbs suitable to small farms are a vi- Delectable, Pest-Free Fruits
tal part of community medicine. Healing herbs need to be dried in such a way to preserve medicinal integrity and the spirit of the plant. Michael Phillips, author and orchardist, will share soilbuilding, plant, wildcrafting, drying, and marketing tips for herb farming. Saturday 8:00am
Let Lee Reich, author of Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden, introduce you to pawpaw, medlar, Nanking cherry, persimmon, and other fruits that are not well-known but have delectable fl avors and are easy to grow. These “secret” fruits of Pomona (Roman Goddess of Fruits) are cold-hardy, laugh off pests, and require little-to-no pruning. And if that’s not enough, some of these fruits are borne on ornamental plants, perfect for “luscious landscaping” and ripe for organic commercial production. Saturday 1:00pm
PRUNING AND GRAFTING TECHNIQUES FOR FRUIT TREES Pruning and grafting of fruit tree stock doesn’t have to be mysterious. Lee Reich, author of The Pruning Book and Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden, will walk through proper pruning techniques for several tree fruits, and discuss the use of grafting to create a diverse array of healthy and hardy fruits in your orchard or your back yard. Saturday 2:30pm
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F RU I T S & H E R B S
GROWING AND HARVESTING HEALING HERBS
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WILD EDIBLES: The Splendor of FUN WITH FUNGUS: Little Known Herbs, Weeds, and Log Cultivation of Shiitake Foraged Foods Mushrooms
F RU I T S & H E R B S
Chef and cookbook author Didi Emmons and herb farmer Eva Sommaripa will discuss twelve extraordinary winter herbs, weeds, and foraged foods that can not only brighten but transform one’s daily food experience while boosting one’s health and the planet’s. Drawing on extensive experience, Didi and Eva will expound on the many uses for these delicacies. Samples and recipes will be provided! Saturday 4:15pm
Organic mushrooms are a great highvalue crop. Steve and Julie Rockcastle, Green Heron Growers, will address the specifics of laying yard site selection, spawn and log choices, and their harvesting and marketing experiences, as well as share their enterprise’s viability report for 4 years of shiitake production. Sunday 8:00am
ORGANIC HOP PRODUCTION Once booming in the Northeast, hop production slowed to a crawl in the last century as a result of disease and pest pressure. New disease resistant varieties and pest management techniques are helping the industry make a comeback. Steve Miller, Northeast Hop Alliance, and producers will discuss tapping into the rapidly expanding market for hops. Sunday 9:30am
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ADVANCED INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
NO-TILL VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
OK—you’re mildly familiar with trap crops, predatory wasps, and using ladybugs for aphid control. Th is session will help you take your IPM knowledge to the next level. Jud Reid, Robert Hadad, and Abby Seaman, Cornell Vegetable Program, will provide advanced tips and techniques. Saturday 8:00am
Jay Armour, Four Winds Farm, will give an overview of the organic no-till vegetable production system that he has used for 15 years. Lee Reich, popular author and fruit and vegetable grower, will join Jay in discussing this system. Erin Enouen and Sam Zurofsky, Second Wind CSA (and former Four Winds interns), will discuss no-till vegetable production from the perspective of new farmers. Saturday 4:15pm
ORGANIC GARLIC From soil preparation to selling the final product, join Jill and Ken Gies, Neppa Hatchery, for a discussion of all things garlic! Accompanied by beautiful photos and helpful handouts, Jill and Ken will cover bed preparation, planting, mulching, weeding, fertilizing, scape removal, water requirements, harvest, and curing. Saturday 1:00pm
SPORE EXCLUSION: A New Approach to Downy Mildew Prevention in Cucurbits
Downy mildew has become a serious disease problem for many certified organic farms and can devastate cucumbers, melons, and winter squash plants in a matter of days. Lou Lego, Elderberry Pond, has developed an innovative way to completely protect the plants VEGETABLE VARIETY from this disease, and will present his ROUNDTABLE spore exclusion approach and suggest Out of all the tomatoes you grow, practical extensions of the technique. which one is your favorite? Is there a va- Meg McGrath, Cornell Cooperative Exriety of lettuce that you’ve tried every tension, will discuss other growing tips year and never had luck with? We’ll di- to help you keep your cucurbits healthy vide into a few groups and discuss our and productive. Sunday 8:00am favorite varieties, the banes of our existence, and everything in between. Jud Reid and Robert Hadad, Cornell Veg- COVER CROPPING MIXES etable Program, will facilitate two con- AND TECHNIQUES: current discussions based on grower’s A Grower Discussion interests. Cover cropping is a valuable, but Saturday 2:30pm under used tool for organic producers. How do you choose the right variety or mix for a particular rotation? Join veteran farmers Jean-Paul Courtens and Jody Bolluyt, Roxbury Farm, for a discussion of cover cropping mixes and techniques. Sunday 9:30am www.nofanyconference.org
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V E G E TA B L E S
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HIGH QUALITY EGGS FROM PASTURED LAYING HENS
GROWING YOUR ORGANIC BEEF HERD
If you’re interested in expanding your egg production or incorporating layers into your operation, this is the workshop for you. Craig Haney, Stone Barns Center, will discuss nutrition, pasture requirements, equipment, and pricing for high quality eggs. Saturday 8:00am
Join Erich McEnroe, McEnroe Organic Farm, for a session on raising an organic beef herd. Over the last 15 years, the McEnroe herd has expanded from 17 to 150; Erich will cover fencing, a complex pasture-crop rotation, how the beef herd fits into a highly diversified farm, and how their operation has changed as it has expanded. Saturday 4:15pm
LIVESTOCK HEALTH ASSESSMENT 3: Small Ruminants
L I V E S TO C K
TRANSITIONING THE BIGGEST AND BEST ORGANIC Knowing your animals is the key to keeping them healthy and happy. Join FARMS TO HORSE POWER Craig Haney, Stone Barns Center, for a guide to assessing the health of your sheep and goats. Preventative care will be stressed, along with a guide to diagnosing common ailments and treating them organically. Saturday 1:00pm
LIVESTOCK HEALTH ASSESSMENT 4: The Poultry Flock
What does it take to introduce draft horses into an operation that currently uses tractors? Th is discussion, led by Donn Hewes, Northland Sheep Dairy, and Paul Martin and Evangeline Sarat, Sweet Land Farm, will focus on considerations for farmers looking to make the switch. Sunday 8:00am
HERITAGE BREEDS AND ORGANIC FARMS: A Perfect Chickens can be useful on farms and in gardens for compost creation. Chick- Partnership! ens can serve as clucking civic workers to help communities achieve zero waste and save local taxpayer dollars. In this workshop Pat Foreman, author and chicken enthusiast, will focus on health concerns for your flock. Saturday 2:30pm
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Heritage breeds are beautiful, intelligent, hardy, and multi-purpose. Laura and Benjamin Hobbs, Heritage Pastures, will talk about why and how they raise heritage breeds of poultry, pigs and cows. Th is workshop will include an introduction to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, information on heritage poultry, and tips on how to choose breeds that will work for your farm. Sunday 9:30am
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SUPPORTING ORGANIC PRODUCERS: Two Dairy Prevention is the best medicine! In Cooperative Models
the first of this two-part series, Dr. Guy Jodarski, Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, will discuss how to keep your dairy calves healthy and strong. Dr. Guy will focus primarily on preventative measures that you can use to avoid having your calves develop health issues that require treatment. Saturday 8:00am
Organic dairy cooperatives offer producers the chance to access larger retail markets by ensuring a reliable supply, but they can offer support in many other ways as well. Join Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, and Bill Eldrige, MOOMilk, will discuss the dairy cooperative from two very different scales. Saturday 4:15pm
LIVESTOCK HEALTH ASSESSMENT 2: The Dairy Cow
MAKING IT WORK ON A SMALL SCALE: Transitioning In the second of this two-part se- Your Dairy to Organic
ries, Dr. Guy Jodarski, Organic Valley/ CROPP Cooperative, will turn his focus to the mature dairy heifer. His focus again will be on preventative care that could save you and your animals a lot of stress in the long run. Saturday 1:00pm
GRAZING PANEL With the variety of grazing systems out there these days, what will work best for your farm? Will you feed 100% grass, or should you supplement with grain? What should your rotation schedule be? Hear from some of New York State’s finest farmers, including Maryrose Livingston, Northland Sheep Dairy, and Will Berkemeier, Willoakery Farm, and others. Saturday 2:30pm
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Ten years ago, Will Berkemeier, Wiloakery Farm, was milking 140 cows and losing money hand over fist. Today, after making the transition to organic, he and his brother milk 38, and they would never go back. Join Will for a discussion of how to make it through the three-year transition period. Resources for producers considering the transition will be provided. Sunday 8:00am
MOB STOCKING PIGS? Yes! Brad Marshall and Casey Oxley, The Piggery, have seen some very positive results since switching to a mob grazing system. Come and hear about how they have adapted a system commonly used for cattle to hogs and various other experiments that they’ve conducted at their farm. Bring your questions and your passion for pigs; you’ll be among friends! Sunday 9:30am
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DA I RY & G R A Z I N G
LIVESTOCK HEALTH ASSESSMENT 1: The Dairy Calf
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CREATIVE RELATIONSHIPS: A Cooperative Approach to Grain Processing and Marketing
G R A I N S & F I E L D C RO P S
Join Thor Oechsner, Oechsner Farms, Erick Smith, Cayuga Pure Organics, and Greg Mol, Farmer Ground Flour, for a discussion of a unique and cooperative approach to producing flours with NYS-grown grains. Farmer Ground Flour is co-owned by Greg, SMALL SCALE GRAIN Erick, and Thor, all of whom have worked CLEANING, STORAGE, AND closely with bakers and pasta makers to make a high quality product that meets MILLING Hear from R.G. Bell, Bell Farms, their needs. Saturday 4:15pm and Tim Baty, Baty Farm, and Robert Perry, NOFA-NY, about innovative and affordable solutions for small scale grain NITTY GRITTY OF STARTING cleaning, storage, and milling. R.G. and A GRAIN BUSINESS FROM Tim will have equipment available for SCRATCH you to look at, and this workshop will What does it take to run a grain operinclude a demonstration of a farm-scale ation from start to fi nish? Tom Kenyon, seed cleaner. Nitty Gritty Grain Company and Aurora Saturday 8:00am Farm, will discuss producing both foodand feed-quality grains for the organGRAIN QUALITY FOR FOODic market. Topics will include the scale GRADE MARKET required to sustain a business like this, What level of quality is expected when the equipment that is needed, partneryou bring your organic grain to the mill? ing with a miller, and marketing of your How are you going to ensure that a sim- products. Sunday 8:00am ple mistake doesn’t cost you big money? Th is workshop will focus on the quality issues that millers pay attention to, and ORGANIC CORN AND SOY the steps that you can take to ensure FOR FEED that you get top dollar for your product. Join Erich McEnroe, McEnroe OrganSaturday 1:00pm ic Farm, for a discussion of organic feed production. Discussion topics will inMANAGING WEEDS IN YOUR clude fertility issues and how feed proGRAINS: Farmer Roundtable duction can be worked into a rotation Join R.G. Bell, Bell Farms, and Thor with pasture and other crops. Sunday 9:30am Oechsner, Oechsner Farms, for a discussion of weed control techniques in diverse grain systems. Equipment and methods for a variety of scales will be discussed. Saturday 2:30pm 28
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Melissa Danielle, Honeybee Holistic, and Nicole Taylor work to connect Farmers to Eaters and create opportunities for Eaters to engage in food beyond mere consumption. In this session, they will explore community building concepts and events such as GRUB parties, food crawls, cook-offs, and Farmer’s Balls that connect participants to local food, taking them on and off the field. Saturday 8:00am
MARKETING TO RESTAURANTS
EXTREME MAKEOVER: Farmstand Edition Are you ever a little embarrassed when you go to set up your display at market? Are you sure that you could improve your sales if you spruced up your display? Well then, this is the workshop for you. Join Mark and Kristin Kimball, Essex Farm, and a few willing guinea pigs for a discussion of farmstand design in a game show atmosphere. Saturday 4:15pm
COOPERATIVE MARKETING OF VEGETABLES
Cooperative marketing of product can offer smaller producers a way into large When it comes to marketing to res- and wholesale markets. Kathlyn Terry, taurants, personal relationships are ev- Appalachian Sustainable Development, erything. Sharon Nagle, Firefly Farm, will discuss the strategies that her orgaand Jeff Christiana, New York Wine nization uses to help start and maintain and Culinary Center, will discuss these relationships between small producers relationships from both sides of the and large retailers. Sunday 8:00am equation, offering tips for producers interested in selling to restaurants or improving their relationships with the INCUBATORS AND SHAREDchefs who purchase their produce. USE KITCHENS FOR START-UP Saturday 1:00pm
FOOD PROCESSORS
Katherine Gregory, Mi Kitchen es su Kitchen®, and Beth Linskey, Beth’s Farm Kitchen, will share their experiThere’s been a good deal of discussion ences and give tips on starting a comabout food safety when it comes to the munity shared-use facility or taking a wholesale market, but much less guid- new product to a co-packer. They will be ance for direct marketers. Join Diane joined by Bob Bleistein, Classic CoverEggert, Farmers Market Federation, age, who will discuss liability insurance and Amanda Rae Root, Jefferson Coun- based on his background in both food ty CCE, for a discussion of food safety businesses and the insurance industry. best practices for farmers markets and Sunday 9:30am CSA distributions. Some simple steps can make a big difference! Saturday 2:30pm
FOOD SAFETY: Best Practices for Farmers Markets and CSA
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VA LU E -A D D E D & P RO C E S S I N G
BUILDING COMMUNITY AROUND FOOD: Turning Eaters Into Advocates
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LOW COST MANAGEMENT OF EARTH MEDICINES FOR CONTAMINATED SOILS PLANTS
G A R D E N I N G & U R BA N FA R M I N G
Join Bonnie Churner, Elizabeth Goodwin, and Emma Landau, Dilmun Hill Student Farm, for a session about farming on compromised sites. We will empower gardeners and farmers to assess their soils for contaminants and to explore best management options for soils that have contamination issues. Topics will include raised beds, mulching, basic soil sampling, and assessing soil health characteristics. We will also practice analyzing soil test results. Saturday 8:00am
Healing herbs have much to offer the gardener. Going beyond using this spray for that bug means we will be leaving the learned principles of toxicology behind. Herbal remedies go hand in hand with fungal alliances to make for healthy fruit trees, herbs, flowering plants, and vegetables alike. Join Michael Phillips, Lost Nation Orchard, to learn about stimulating plant immune systems to resist disease, repellent plants, higher medicinal content in the foods we eat, and things like calendula salve for tree canker. Sounds like a much different discussion already, eh? Saturday 1:00pm
CURRANTS AND COMFREY: Consciously Creating and Cultivating a Cooperative Economy in Your Garden Explore the interactions of Nature’s Cooperative Economy and how to maximize these exchanges in your garden. Patty Love, Barefoot Permaculture, will discuss how to choose plants that function as a cooperative community to build soil structure, increase soil fertility, maintain moisture, and increase yields, while decreasing your workload. You’ll be introduced to the principles of permaculture and the practices of edible forest gardening while you learn how to create and foster cooperation among the plants and animals of your edible landscape whether you have a small or large yard. Saturday 2:30pm
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PLANT PROPAGATION AND PLANTING MEDIUMS
CURRENT RESEARCH IN URBAN AGRICULTURE
In this workshop Todd Lighthouse, Lighthouse Gardens, will discuss various plant propagation methods for annuals, perennials, herbs, and vegetables. Both seed and vegetative propagation techniques will be described as well as greenhouse technology options from inexpensive to state of the art propagation systems. Todd will also share his experience growing in both sterile planting mediums and compost based potting soils. Saturday 4:15pm
Urban environments come with their own set of challenges when it comes to producing food. Deborah Greig, East New York Farms, and Megan Gregory, Cornell University, have been conducting variety trials this past year for production suitability in an urban area. Hear about some of their results and tips for growing produce on an urban farm. Sunday 8:00am
SEED LIBRARIES: A Cooperative Effort to Preserve Regionally Adapted Varieties Seed libraries represent the collective efforts of many farmers and gardeners working together to preserve biodiversity. Join Ken Greene, Hudson Valley Seed Library, for a discussion of the history and politics of seed saving. Seed saving tips will be discussed through an interactive hands-on activity. Sunday 9:30am
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G A R D E N I N G & U R BA N FA R M I N G
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WATER PUMP MECHANICS
HOM ESTE ADING
ingredients, a little elbow grease, and Having a reliable supply of water and some simple equipment. Brad Marshall a way to get it to where you need it is and Casey Oxley, The Piggery, will show of utmost importance to homestead- you how to get great results at home in ers. Jim Juczak, veteran homesteader, your kitchen. Saturday 2:30pm will discuss some of the simple technologies available to homesteaders, including hand pumps and ram pumps, that MEDICINAL USES OF FRUITS are low-cost, don’t require electricity, AND FRUITING PLANTS and are relatively simple once you underModern research reveals just why an stand some basics. organic apple a day holds so much healSaturday 8:00am ing potential. Michael Phillips, Lost Nation Orchard, will discuss the antioxBAKING WITH LOCAL GRAINS idant qualities of many tree fruits and Whether you’re growing wheat and berries, the making and uses of real cider milling it yourself or buying locally pro- vinegar, the tonifying powers of hawduced flour, you’ve probably got a prod- thorn, and the healing enchantment of uct that will behave a little differently elder. Growing tips for fruiting plants than what you normally get in the store. will fit in along the way. Saturday 4:15pm Join Elizabeth Smith, Caretaker Farm, for a delicious demonstration of baking with fresh grains. HAND TOOL FOCUS: Saturday 1:00pm
ENERGY AND THE URBAN HOMESTEAD
Using and Caring for Your Scythe or Sickle
Using a scythe or sickle doesn’t have to be difficult, and some simple trainIn 2008, Laurie Freeman and Jim ing can save you unnecessary aches and Strickland purchased an 1885 Victo- pains. Elizabeth Benjamin, Scythe rian house with the aim of developing Supply, will demonstrate proper usage innovative techniques to bring older and sizing for scythes and sickles and structures into the 21st Century. Jim and discuss proper sharpening and oiling Laurie will provide a wealth of detail on techniques for your hand tools. Sunday 8:00am tightening up the shell, retrofitting insulation, adding energy-efficient appliances, adding solar electric and hot water, THE FAMILY COW: How to and edible landscaping, all while preMake the Most of Your Milk serving the home’s charm: a true urban Fresh milk is basically unbeatable, but homestead. what about taking it to the next level? Saturday 2:30pm Bali MacKentley, St. Lawrence Nurseries, will discuss the basics of making SAUSAGES AT HOME butter, cheeses, and other cultured milk Th is may surprise you, but it doesn’t products right in your own kitchen. take a lot of fancy equipment to make deSunday 9:30am licious sausage; all you need are the right 32
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MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD: How We Still Can Stop Hydrofracking in NY
Board of Directors, and participating farmers will describe domestic fair trade standards and evaluate the program’s affect on the bottom line when direct-marJoin us for an update on the current keting produces as “fair trade pledge” to state of gas drilling and a moderated dis- consumers. cussion by Wes Gillingham, Catskill Saturday 1:00pm Mountain Keeper. We can still stop hydrofracking in New York State! RAW MILK: Saturday 8:00am
Why and how would I go about getting permitted to sell raw milk in New York State? Jeremy Sherman, Jerry Fair Trade has gained in popularity Dell Farm, and Laura Villanti, Weston over the past decade and many consum- A. Price Foundation, will discuss the in’s ers are willing to pay more for prod- and out’s of getting permitted, the regucts that benefit low income farmers. ulations surrounding raw milk in NYS, NOFA-NY is piloting a fair trade pledge and some of the benefits of a diet that inlabel that follows the fair trade stan- cludes raw milk. dards developed by the Agricultural JusSaturday 2:30pm tice Project. Kristina Keefe-Perry, NOFA-NY, Liz Henderson, NOFA-NY
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PEOPLE & POLICY
CREATING A LOCAL DOMESTIC FAIR TRADE PLEDGE
The Permit, the Benefits, and Everything In-Between
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PEOPLE & POLICY
PASSING ON THE FARM: Succession Planning and Retirement
SMALL FARMS ARE REAL FARMS: Economic Impacts of Small Producers
After 36 years of farming, the time had come to pass on Caretaker Farm to new farmers who would preserve its rich ecological diversity and continue to provide fresh food for the community. Elizabeth and Sam Smith, Caretaker Farm, will discuss how they managed to make the farm affordable for young farmers, provide sufficient retirement income for themselves, and ensure the long-term productivity of that land. Laura Ten Eyck, American Farmland Trust, will discuss resources for retiring farmers and some of the legal structures that make situations like this possible. Saturday 4:15pm
Small in acres doesn’t mean small in impact. Small farms have big meaning for the communities of which they are a part, as well as the economy as a whole. Join John Ikerd, University of Missouri, for a discussion of the key roles that small operations play in our country. Sunday 8:00am
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A LOOK AT THE 2012 FARM BILL Each and every farm bill has its unique challenges, and this farm bill has been no exception. Join Liana Hoodes, National Organic Coalition, and Patty Lovera, Food and Water Watch for an up-to-date look at the 2012 Farm Bill, and learn what is at stake for organic farmers in New York State. Sunday 9:30am www.nofanyconference.org
WORKSHOP TR ACKS
With confusing acronyms (PV, KWH) and big price tags, wind and solar systems can be more daunting than pasturing pigs or growing cucumbers. Join Violet Stone, Cornell Small Farms Program, Dani Baker and David Belding, Cross Island Farms, and Jay and Polly Armour, Four Winds Farm, for a discussion of simple low-cost energy saving techniques, considerations for wind and solar projects, and fi nancial incentives available in NYS. Saturday 8:00am
THE HAZARDS OF AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES You won’t find a lot of people at the NOFA-NY Winter Conference who condone the use of chemical pesticides, but how much do most of us actually know about their particular risks? Join Audrey Thier for a discussion of some common agricultural insecticides, fungicides and herbicides and what science and experience tell us about their possible health effects and unintended consequences on the web of life. Saturday 4:15pm
CERTIFICATION ISSUES: What to Do If…
BEEKEEPING ARRANGEMENTS: What should you do if you suspect Cooperating with Landowners that a prohibited substance has driftBees play an important role in our farms and gardens, but not everyone has an interest in keeping a hive themselves. Niechelle Wade and Joel Babcock, Sunny Hill Farm, will discuss the marketing of honey and beeswax products, as well as how they cooperate with many landowners in keeping 100 hives that offer benefits to everyone involved. Saturday 1:00pm
WEATHERPROOFING OUR FARMS Although it is impossible to completely insulate ourselves against extreme weather and difficult conditions, there are key strategies we can adopt that protect our farms and decrease our risk when unexpected weather conditions occur. Mary-Howell and Klaas Martens of Lakeview Organic Grain, LLC will discuss ways to diversify cropping plans and markets to mitigate damage and hopefully reduce loss. Saturday 2:30pm
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ed from a neighbor’s field onto yours? Can floods affect your certification status? When should you worry and when should you relax? Bring your questions and concerns with you to a discussion with Jillian Zeigler and Heather Orr, NOFA-NY Certified Organic LLC. Sunday 8:00am
CREATING AND LEADING AN ENERGIZED ORGANICZATION Are you a farm manager, team leader, or head of an organization who needs to create an environment where employees willingly give discretionary effort, resulting in a positively charged, committed group of people? Similar to energized soil, totally energized people can produce a wonderful harvest of results! Jack Mastrianni, NOFA Interstate Council, will discuss how to make this dream a reality. Sunday 9:30am
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P OT P O U R R I
DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PLAN FOR YOUR FARM
JUST FOR CHILDREN
This year, we are pleased to announce that Frost Valley YMCA will provide programming for our younger attendees and childcare for those ages 3–5. Snacks will be provided during the morning and afternoon sessions.
FRIDAY
Available for ages 6–13
CHILDREN ’S CON FERENCE
INTRO GAMES Come get to know the gang! Ice breakers and name games will include Beat the Clock Charades, People to People, Captains Calling, and others. By the end of these activities, you’ll know everyone in the room. 8:45–10:30am Lunch Parents will need to pick up their children promptly at 12:30pm; no children’s programming or childcare will be offered During this session, the children will during lunch. learn about the impact of food produc12:30–1:30pm tion on people, the planet, and our individual lives. Why do our parents choose to farm organically? How can we make FIELD TRIP TO THE sure that everyone gets to eat the kind of SARATOGA CHILDREN’S great food that we have access to? We’ll MUSEUM tackle these questions and more in some We’re heading back to the Saratoga fun activities. Children’s Museum for our annual visit! 10:45am–12:30pm We will walk to the museum, so parents please make sure that your children have warm clothes and boots. 1:30–5:00pm
WHY AND HOW WE GROW WHAT WE GROW
CHILDCARE Childcare will be provided this year by Frost Valley YMCA’s group of professional caregivers. A description of programming and activities for children will be provided to parents prior to the conference. Childcare is available for children ages 3–5. Pre-registration is required, and no childcare services will be offered during lunch. Parents should plan on picking up their children promptly after the morning session ends, and then again directly following the afternoon’s last workshop. Friday: 8:45am–12:30pm, and 1:30–5:00pm Saturday: 7:45–11:45am, and 1:00–5:30pm Sunday: 7:45am–12:30pm 36
NOFA-NY WINTER CONFERENCE
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JUST FOR CHILDREN
SATURDAY From sheep to alpaca, wool is the basis for some great crafts. We’ll learn about the animals that provide us with this soft and fuzzy stuff and then learn to make felted crafts. The morning’s programming will also include another round of name games and introductions. 7:45–11:45am Lunch Parents will need to pick up their children promptly at 11:45am; no children’s programming or childcare will be offered during lunch. 11:45am–1:00pm
GAMES & CRAFT ROTATIONS After lunch, we’ll get started on a variety of farm crafts and games. Children will break up into small groups and rotate between stations throughout the afternoon and have some great creations to show their parents later on! The afternoon’s activities will include a talent show. 1:00–3:30pm
SUNDAY SALUTE THE SUN! Feeling a little stiff ? We’ll start the morning off right with some yoga to work out the kinks. Children will be led through yoga exercises tailored for their age group. 7:45–9:00am
HONOR YOUR POLLINATORS During this session, children will learn about the important role that pollinators play in our farms and gardens. Activities will include games, a story, and crafts themed around the subject. 9:00am–12:30pm
THE LITTLE FARM SHOW Where does your food come from? NACL Theater explores this question with an all-ages (adults, you are not only welcome, but ENCOURAGED to come!) musical extravaganza about farming, food, and the environment. From the inception of the solar system, to sunset on Millicent’s farm, the Magnificent MacDonald Twins will give folks a whirlwind tour of “The Greatest Show on Dirt!” 4:00–5:30pm
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CHILDREN ’S CON FERENCE
FUN WITH WOOL
HOW TO GET THERE The Saratoga Hilton 534 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 • 888-866-3591 • www.thesaratogahotel.com
DRIVING From the North: Take Adirondack Northway (I-87 South) to Exit 15. Turn right at exit. At the 4th traffic light, turn left onto Rock St. At stop sign, turn right onto Maple Ave. The Saratoga Hilton parking lot is on your right. From the South: Take NYS Thruway (I-87 North) to Exit 24. Follow Step 2. From the East: Take Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90 West) to NYS Thruway. Take Exit B-1 onto “I-90 Bypass.” Cross Hudson River and immediately exit onto I-787 North. Exit onto Rt. 7 West, follow to Adirondack Northway (I-87). Follow Step 2. From the West: Take NYS Thruway (I-90 East) to Exit 24. Follow Step 2. Step 2 – Take Adirondack Northway (I-87 North) to Exit 15. Turn left at exit. At the 5th traffic light, turn left onto Rock St. At stop sign, turn right onto Maple Ave. The Saratoga Hilton parking lot is on your right.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Air: Albany International Airport (ALB) (www.albanyairport.com). Train: Amtrak offers direct service to Saratoga Springs (www.amtrak.com). Bus: Greyhound, Adirondack Trailways and Pine Hill Trailways service Saratoga Springs. Taxi: Saratoga Central Dispatch – 518-584-2700.
Hotel Accommodations Hotel rooms are available at a rate of $95/night, based on double occupancy. In order to receive this discounted rate, you must identify yourself as a NOFA-NY Conference Attendee. To make a reservation, please visit the Winter Conference Hotel Reservation website at www.nofany.org/hotel and use the
Promotional Code AICH. To reserve a room over the phone, please call the Hilton Reservations Department at (888) 866-3596. Interested in sharing the cost of a room with a roommate? If you would like to be paired with another attendee who is looking for a roommate, please contact us at: roommate@nofany.org.
SAVE GAS & MONEY Share a Ride!
Are you concerned about carbon emissions and/or interested in saving a few bucks? Well, sharing a ride to the conference is a great way to tackle both issues at once. Visit the NOFA-NY Rideshare Page to either offer or request a ride from anywhere in the region: www.nofany.org/bfam/bulletin-board. 38
NOFA-NY WINTER CONFERENCE
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THANKS TO OUR 2012 WINTER CONFERENCE SPONSORS PATRON OF ORGANICS Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
roots & fruits www.nofanyconference.org
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Get a $10 discount if you register by December 7th! Visit www.nofanyconference.org to register online.
Pre-register by January 6!
PERMIT NO. 1396 Rochester, NY
PAID
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE