Welcome to NOFA-NY’s 23rd Annual Conference & Annual Meeting
Organic Community DIVERSITY FROM SOIL TO PLATE
PROGRAM January 28-30, 2005 Holiday Inn Syracuse/Liverpool
We dedicate this conference to Steve Porter —farmer, generous member of our community, beloved father, son and brother. Though we devote our lives to seeking alternatives to the dominant paradigm in agriculture, we are not immune to its pervasive poisons. In recent years, NOFA-NY has lost other precious friends — Charlie Joseph, Doug Kraai, Lisa Ostfeld, Beth Rose and Carol Stull. We share the sorrow of these losses, but also the great good fortune of having been touched by their bright spirits. Let us take this occasion to commemorate their lives and pledge to honor their memories by continuing their work on behalf of our beleaguered planet.
Special Thanks to Our Gold Level Sponsors
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NORTHEAST ORGANIC FARMING ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK
Organic Community
HP Hood Horizon Dairy Lakeview Organic Grains New York Certified Organic Tierra Farms Turtle Tree Seeds
NOFA-NY 23rd Annual Conference
Welcome! Thanks for coming to our 23rd annual conference. The conference is an opportunity to learn, relax, catch up with acquaintances from across the state and make important connections for the year to come. NOFANY is built on volunteer energy and the incredible knowledge base of our many members and friends. Thank you for being part of a group of people who are changing the way people think about food and agriculture. Please let us know how we can improve the Conference by telling us what you think! Please fill out the Evaluation Form and drop it off at the Registration Desk. And ask your children what they liked or didn’t like about this year’s new Kids and Youth Programs. What would you like to see at the 2006 Conference?
Scholarship Sponsors Organic Valley/CROPP Horizon Dairy Hood Dairy The Watershed Agricultural Council
Location, location, location... All meals are in Convention Center Rooms C and D. All keynotes are in the Ballroom area. The Youth Conference is on the first floor in the boardroom area (take elevators in lobby one level up). Program on page 9. Child Care is on the first floor in the boardroom area. SEE FLOOR PLAN ON BACK COVER
Thank You to our Conference Supporters We greatly appreciate the support we have received from all our Sponsors, Trade Show exhibitors, and Program advertisers. Make sure to visit all the Trade Show booths and let them know you are glad to see them here! Keep your program for all Sponsor, Trade Show and Program advertisers, as well as the contact information for conference presenters.
Gold Level Sponsors CADE – the Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship Horizon Organic Valley/CROPP Stonyfield Farm
Sponsors Ag Consulting Services Birds Eye Foods Crystal Creek Dairy Marketing Services FEDCO Seed Fertrell Company Harris Seeds
Friday, January 28, 8 p.m. [Ballroom Area]
Seed Saving: Growing Our Agricultural Heritage Diane Whealy: Seed Savers Exchange Diane Whealy is the co-founder and associate director of the Seed Savers Exchange, a grassroots network of 8,000 gardeners, orchardists, chefs and plant collectors who maintain and distribute heirloom varieties of vegetables, fruits, grains, flowers and herbs. Diane’s slides will show the beauty and genetic diversity found in thousands of heirloom varieties at Heritage Farm, as she relates how we all have an important role to play in preserving seeds.
Saturday, January 29, 11:30 a.m. [Ballroom Area]
Presentation in memory of Steve Porter What It Takes To Build A Good Farm & A Satisfying Life Tom Frantzen: Practical Farmers of Iowa
Our presenters Our heartfelt thanks go to our many presenters, who have taken time out of their busy lives to prepare and present workshops of interest to others.
Keynote Speakers
Executive Director: Sarah Johnston 591 Lansing Rd., Fultonville, NY 12072 518-922-7937 • Fax 518-922-7646 sarahjohnston@nofany.org Farm Education Coordinator: Brian Caldwell Hemlock Grove Farm 180 Walding Lane, Spencer, NY 14883 (607) 564-1060 education@nofany.org Public Seed Initiative Michael Glos, Project Coordinator, Kingbird Farm 9398 West Creek Rd, Berkshire, NY 13736 (607) 657-2860 michaelglos@nofany.org Membership Office: Mayra Richter, Office Manager P.O. Box 880, Cobleskill, NY 12043 607-652-NOFA • Fax 607-652-2290 office@nofany.org Newsletter: Organic Farms, Folks & Foods Stu McCarty, P. O. Box 70, Tunnel, NY 13848. 607-693-1572. FAX 607-693-4415. newsletter@nofany.org NOFA-NY Certified Organic LLC 840 Upper Front St., Binghamton NY 13905 607-724-9851 • Fax 607-724-9853 certifiedorganic@nofany.org The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, Inc. is a nonprofit educational organization supported by membership dues and contributions. NOFANY is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Charitable contributions are welcome and tax deductible.
Design/Production: Grower’s Discount Labels Conference logo by Heather McCarty/Design 800-693-1572
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How many of us feel that our lives are pushed and pulled with day-to-day activities – that we just keep hoping to catch up and someday have the life we really want? Tom Frantzen and his family have created a meaningful way of life that puts their values and goals in charge on their 345-acre Iowa farm. Their diversified farm of pastured hogs, beef, and grains is a model of their philosophy. Tom’s stories and slides of the Frantzen Family Farm will show how examined values, planning, and evaluation have given his family a deeply-satisfying life and a successful farm operation.
Sunday, January 30, 11:30 a.m. [Ballroom Area]
Making Organic More Sustainable Recent Research & Implications for More Sustainable Organic Farms Dr. E. Ann Clark E. Ann Clark is a professor at the University of Guelph, Ontario, teaching and conducting research on pasture and grazing management, and organic farming. Her research and interests stretch from the science of grassland ecology to the sustainability of GMOs in agriculture and even the sustainability of “organic.” While ag schools and the business world promote specialization, Ann asks “is enterprise diversity an essential component of organic agriculture? Is livestock essential to sustainability, and in what ways?” She will share her findings from a recent survey of Canadian organic farms.
Friday, January 28 Pre-conference Full Day Workshops
Public Seed Initiative Growers’ School [East Ballroom]
Seed Saving Preserving Heritage Varieties for the Future of Agriculture Have you ever wanted to save seed but didn’t know where to start, or are you an experienced seed saver that is curious about how you can improve your own varieties through seed saving? Are you interested in how backyard gardeners become experts and grow for seed companies or link up farmers with rediscovered heirloom varieties? This all-day session is dedicated to seed saving for all farmers and gardeners. Come prepared to learn how you can take advantage of the opportunities from saving and using your own seed. • Beginning and advanced how-to’s of seed saving • Integrating seed saving into your garden or market farm • Gaining competitive advantage through seed selection to improve your crops • How you can help conserve diversity and save money at the same time • Farm and garden-scale seed cleaning and storage techniques • SEED SWAP Everyone is invited to bring their saved seed to swap at the end of the last workshop. Diane Whealy, co-founder of Seed Savers Exchange, will share her depth of knowledge and experience about how growers can maintain varietal diversity through seed saving and use of heirloom varieties. Tom Stearns is the founder and owner of High Mowing Seeds, a seed company providing exclusively certified organic seeds. Learn from Tom about seed saving and seed cleaning techniques appropriate to market farmers and gardeners alike. Trina Pilonero, Silver Heights Farm, has used seed saving to expand and improve her certified organic greenhouse business. Trina’s farm in Jeffersonville, NY is dedicated to an extensive diversity of tomato, pepper, herb and other vegetable and flowers from her certified organic greenhouses. John Gorzynski, Gorzynski’s Ornery Farm will relate how his seed saving has become integral to his very diverse farm, reducing seed costs as well as making him a better farmer. John’s diverse “ornery” farm in the Catskills serves local markets including the Greenmarket of New York City. Michael Glos, NOFA-NY Staff, Coordinator for the Public Seed Initiative, will teach the fundamentals one must understand in seed saving.
Workshop schedule is subject to change.
Growing A Sustainable Business Agriventure Program from CADE, the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Lunch Included [Convention A] The Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE), based in Oneonta, NY, is an agricultural development organization serving farmers and agricultural businesses since 1991. CADE’s goal is to build a local food system where agricultural products are grown and processed in central New York and consumers can access an array of farm fresh, healthy foods. The guiding principle of CADE’s Agriventure program is that successful farm enterprises require sound planning, strategic market development and promotion, and excellent customer service. These four sessions get down to the nitty gritty of any successful small business – a base of knowledge and skill-building for an efficient business system, quality production, and effective marketing. • Market research: How to select a product that sells, identify markets and estimate demand. Successful marketing and promotion depends on having knowledge about your current and potential customers and markets. • Business planning: Learn the basic elements of business planning, an essential process for any new venture! • Sales and service: Building sales and maintaining customer relations is vital for a successful business. Learn how to develop an effective sales strategy and cultivate a loyal customer base. • Distribution: the pros and cons of a variety of distribution methods and operating models
Organic Certification Workshops: Crop/Livestock and Dairy Transition (Lunch not included) Crop and Livestock 1-4 pm [Cotillion North] OR Transitioning to Organic Dairy Production 1-3 pm [Cotillion South] Good record keeping is an asset in any business. Efficient recordkeeping for third party verification of farming practices can and is being done by hundreds of NYS farmers and thousands more across the country. Two separate workshops on Crop/Livestock and Transitioning to Organic Dairy Production will help you understand the benefits and process of organic certification, and the valuable technical assistance that NOFA NY Certified Organic, LLC offers to farmers interested in certifying their farms as organic. Join NOFA NY Certified Organic, LLC staff, Carol King and Amie Cristo for the Crop/ Livestock workshop and Lisa Engelbert for the Dairy Transition workshop. Certification staff has worked with vegetable farms, field crop farms, dairy farms, livestock farms, large and small scale processors, and seed processors to get these operations certified. 2005 Applications and Guidelines will be for sale at the annual conference. Staff will be available throughout the weekend for individual questions, as well. This is an excellent opportunity to meet certification staff and learn the different processes involved in becoming certified organic. We look forward to seeing you there.
Friday Evening (continued on page 4)
Agriventure Presenters Wayne Mellor has 20 years of experience in business development, marketing, sales management and sales service. Steve Holzbaur has worked on all aspects of operations and sales with trucking businesses, including his own transportation companies, and has provided assistance to many agricultural distribution projects in New York State.
Breaks for the Friday Sessions are in the Convention Center Foyer
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Friday (continued)
Saturday, January 29th 7:30 – 8:15 a.m. Breakfast
6:30 p.m. Dinner [Convention C & D]
8:30 – 9:45 a.m.
8:00 p.m.
Changing Organic Grain Markets
Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving
[South Cotillion] You’ve grown a beautiful field of organic wheat - now, what are your choices for selling it? The panel will discuss new and growing opportunities opening up for New York-grown organic grains for feed, food and seed. Klaas & Mary-Howell Martens, Lakeview Organic Grain, Penn Yan, NY; Alton Earnhart Lightening Tree Farm, Millbrook, NY
In Central New York, we are among the Haudenosaunee (People of the Long House). Representatives of the Onondaga Nation have been invited to participate in the opening of our Annual Conference.
Potatoes: Varieties Roundtable
Three Consecutive Workshops on Alternative Animal Healthcare with Dr. Paul Dettloff DVM, Organic Valley
8:00 p.m.
Keynote: Diane Whealy Seed Savers Exchange Seed Saving: Growing Our Agricultural Heritage [Ballroom Area] A slide show of the genetic diversity found in the heirloom fruits, flowers and vegetables at Heritage Farm will delight the eyes, while Diane relates how we all have an important role to play in preserving our rich seed heritage.
We are pleased to have Dr. Paul Dettloff, DVM, one of the nation’s foremost veterinarians, give three different workshops on herd health and alternative treatments. Dr. Paul is the Veterinarian for Organic Valley, assisting the cooperative’s 625 organic farmers with the full range of animal health issues. He also provides special guidance to new organic farmers as they adopt new herd health practices. These three workshops will start with the basics and go into depth on alternative veterinary medicine, focusing on healthcare for ruminants. Dr. Paul will discuss the core of preventative medicine, which includes soil, crop and animal management, and diet, and he will arm attendees with specific tools and techniques to try on their own farm. He will explain why true sustainable treatment involves more than simply chasing and treating symptoms. Indeed, effective treatment should enhance and support animal health, not simply treat animal sickness. “Bring all your vet questions,” says Dr. Paul. Come learn from this engaging and extremely knowledgeable man. You will find all three sessions very worthwhile whether you are transitioning, certified, or just want to deepen your understanding of herd healthcare.
Thank you to Organic Valley for sponsoring Dr. Paul Dettloff’s visit to NOFA-NY.
Workshop schedule is subject to change.
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[Convention A] A brief exploration of this stalwart tuber’s cultural history and a discussion of its growing techniques will be followed by an open forum to share everyone’s favorite and least favorite varieties. Scott Chaskey, Quail Hill Farm, Amagansett, NY; Greg Swartz, Gorzynski Farm, Cochecton Center, NY
Understanding Diseases of Vegetable Crops and Their Management [North Cotillion] Rob Wick teaches Diagnostic Plant Pathology, Biological Control, and Nematology courses, and provides diagnostic services for the greenhouse and vegetable industry. He will review the nature and biology of infectious diseases of vegetable crops caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes, and the best organic practices for disease management. Rob Wick, Dept. of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
School Gardens [East Ballroom] What does it take to have a successful school garden project that has the support and involvement of students, teachers, principals and the community? Politics of Food has established a school-community garden model at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School #9 in Rochester, NY that integrates urban gardening with cultural history, environmental awareness, nutrition, food safety, culinary arts, and entrepreneurial development. The garden becomes the means by which students can marry experiential learning with curricula. Jan McDonald, Program Director, Politics of Food; Paula Vargas, Montessori School Directress; Warren Dodson, student
A National Organic Action Plan [Boardroom #4] Tired of reacting to the latest maneuvers of the USDA National Organic Program? This is a chance to participate in creating a National Organic Action Plan together with organic farmers, gardeners, and citizens all over the country. Bring your ideas and suggestions for shaping the future of organic agriculture. Elizabeth Henderson, Peacework Organic Farm, Newark, NY; Liana Hoodes, National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture
Pastured Hog Basics
Starting A Farm & Food Business
[West Ballroom] We have been raising organic pork on pasture and indoors on our farm for six years. We recently began keeping sows in order to produce piglets for ourselves and other growers. In this workshop we will cover hog keeping basics including: purchasing piglets, feeds and feeding, equipment for feeding and watering, fencing and housing, healthcare, loading and trailering, and finally processing. Karma & Michael Glos, Kingbird Farm, Berkshire, NY
[Boardroom #4] Are you in your first years of farming, and trying to figure out the legal and financial details? We will lay out how an aspiring farmer or entrepreneur can find the technical and legal information they need - insurance, tax filings and tax breaks, licenses, permits, forms of incorporation. This session can only begin to cover the basics. A comprehensive checklist and where to find more information will be provided. Steve Richards, NY FarmLink The pre-conference Agriventure Program is also recommended for starting or expanding enterprises.
Native Plants in the Landscape [Center Ballroom] Mona Rynearson is a teacher, naturalist, garden and landscape consultant who knows her native plants in upstate New York. She will present three main facets of gardening with native species: woodland spring ephemerals, wetland plantings, and meadow gardening. Mona’s slides will help you with wild plant identification and propagation suggestions. Mona Rynearson, Newark, NY
10:00 – 11:15 a.m. Animal Healthcare Session #1 with Dr. Paul Dettloff, DVM [Convention A] (see description in box on this page)
Poultry PLUS – The 5 Ps for a Successful Family Farm [East Ballroom] Pasture Pride is the business name for McDonald’s Family Farm meat products. Peter McDonald will describe what is required for a superior quality of life for all the family and the animals. Their model is built on careful planning of 5 Principles – the backbone standards of ecology, ethics, and science – for Production, Processing, Packaging, Promotion and Profits. Peter McDonald, McDonald’s Family Farm, Romulus, NY
Oh, Those Persistent Weeds!
11:30 a.m.
[North Cotillion] This workshop will focus on the ecology of some of the worst agricultural weeds in New York State, and will use their ecological behavior as a key to developing organic management strategies. Workshop participants will receive draft copies of a “A Growers’ Manual of Weed Ecology and Ecological Weed Management” and will be asked to provide feedback on it. Chuck Mohler, Cornell University, Dept. of Crop & Soil Sciences
Presentation in memory of Steve Porter
The True Costs of Agriculture [South Cotillion] David Pimental delivers a provocative analysis of the costs of agriculture to bio-diversity and the social and economic consequences of modern agriculture. His research helps document the lack of effectiveness and yield loss of conventional pesticide use for comparison with organic production methods. His work is often cited by others who are exploring the relationship between technological development, population, natural resources and environmental sustainability for development. David Pimental, Dept. of Entomology and Section of Ecology and Systematics, Cornell University
Photo Essay in Memory of Steve Porter. Introduction by Elizabeth Henderson. Though we devote our lives to seeking alternatives to the dominant paradigm in agriculture, we are not immune to its pervasive poisons. In recent years, NOFA-NY has lost other precious friends—Charlie Joseph, Doug Kraai, Lisa Ostfeld, Beth Rose and Carol Stull. We share the sorrow of these losses, but also the great good fortune of having been touched by their bright spirits. Let us take this occasion to commemorate their lives and pledge to honor their memories by continuing their work on behalf of our beleaguered planet.
Seed Saving in the Garden [Center Ballroom] When people grow and save seeds, they join an ancient tradition as stewards, nurturing our diverse, fragile, genetic and cultural heritage. Diane Whealy will give a basic overview of what Seed Saving entails, and how you can join the network of people committed to collecting, conserving and sharing heirloom seeds and plants. Diane Whealy, Seed Savers Exchange
Management Practices for Organically Grown Strawberries [West Ballroom] Paul and Maureen Knapp transitioned Cobblestone Valley Farm to organic management in 2000. They have been pleasantly surprised by the demand for their 5-10 acres of Pick-Your-Own organic strawberries. Learn how a few changes in approaches and management practices have brought them success growing bountiful, greattasting berries. Paul and Maureen Knapp, Cobblestone Valley Farm, Preble, NY
11:40
Keynote Tom Frantzen Practical Farmers of Iowa What It Takes To Build A Good Farm & A Satisfying Life [Center Ballroom]
12:30 – 1:45 p.m. Lunch 2:00 – 3:15 p.m. Animal Healthcare Session #2 with Dr. Paul Dettloff, DVM [Convention A] (see description on page 4)
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Controlling Disease & Insects – Technology & Common Sense
Herbs: The Rising Stars in Sustainable Gardening
[East Ballroom] When is it appropriate to use sprayers, what kinds and how to use them effectively and safely? We will have a very hands-on session of when and how to use spray equipment, for all scale of applications from the expanding garden to commercial farm. Andrew Landers, Cornell University, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station; Brian Caldwell, NOFA-NY Education Coordinator
[Boardroom #4] Most people think of herbs in their everyday appearance at dinnertime. But they are much, much more than that. Plants that are herbs are the main players in Biodynamic gardening, landscape remediation, sustainable gardening, and ornamental landscaping. Learn how to design with herbs to establish vital plant communities that will benefit vegetable gardens, landscaped environments, and restoration projects. Cynthia Reed, horticulturist, herbalist, educator at Queens, New York and Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, NYC
Whole Farm Planning [Center Ballroom] Do you have trouble making decisions about your farm? Have you made decisions that seemed exciting at first but later turned out to be mistakes? Do you want the many pieces of farming and your life to fit together in harmony? Whole farm planning may help. This workshop will introduce holistic decision making and guide you through the first steps towards creating a set of goals to help integrate personal values, environmental visions and economic necessities. (Elizabeth and Karl authored a NOFA manual WholeFarm Planning: Ecological Imperatives, Personal Values and Economics in 2004, which will be available for purchase.) Elizabeth Henderson, Peacework Organic Farm, Newark, NY; Karl North, Northland Sheep Dairy, Marathon, NY
Scaling Up Production and Supplying Wholesale Market Channels [North Cotillion] As the demand for organic products grows, organic farmers in New York State see what appear to be expanding markets. What will it take for New York’s organic farms to supply wholesale markets and sell what they grow at viable prices? The presenters include growers and distributors who will describe how, mile-by-mile, they get food from small farms to the customer. Martin Stosiek, Markristo Farm, Hillsdale, NY; Joe Angello, Angello Distributing, Inc; Janet Cawley, Manager, Finger Lakes Organic Growers Cooperative; David Stern, Rose Valley Organic Farm, Rose, NY
Thinking Upstream – Getting Ahead of Today’s Problem on the Farm [South Cotillion] As farmers, we often feel like we’re reacting to the “problem of the day”, as weeds, insects, diseases, crop, and machinery woes hit us. We are trying to develop a different strategy of identifying the complex causes behind various farm challenges, so we can address the causes before problems develop. At least, it’s worth a try! Klaas and Mary-Howell Martens, Penn Yan, NY
Tasty & Nutritious – Big Changes in NY City Schools [West Ballroom] The SchoolFood Plus Initiative aims to improve the eating habits, and health and academic performance of youth within the reach of the NY City school meals program. Increasing the amount of locally grown foods is one of the primary objectives of this coalition-based effort that will engage the multiple communities invested in the future of our school children. Toni Liquori, Community Food Resource Center, New York City
3:30 – 4:45 p.m. Animal Healthcare Session #3 with Dr. Paul Dettloff, DVM [Convention A] (see description on page 4)
7 Years of Experience in Alternative Meat Marketing [East Ballroom] Our keynote speaker will share the lessons he’s learned from seven years of marketing meat “with a farmer’s face” – direct marketing, small co-op, national brands. Tom currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Organic Meat Company, a subsidiary of Organic Valley which markets premium organic beef, pork, turkey and chicken. Tom Frantzen, Frantzen Family Farm, New Hampton, Iowa
Restorative Agriculture – Beyond Organic & Sustainable [West Ballroom] Peter McDonald will describe how we can produce Clean Food and a “Slow Agriculture” movement that will be there for our children’s children. McDonald Family Farm is figuring out what that agriculture looks like: multi-generational, restorative practices, grass-based. Come to this session prepared to be challenged, stimulated and inspired to try new approaches for your 2005 growing season. Peter McDonald, McDonald’s Family Farm, Romulus, NY
Workshop schedule is subject to change.
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How to Make Best Use of Your Steel [South Cotillion] It’s always fun to have new toys, but often the best solution to a problem in the field is a mix of ingenuity and tweaking the old equipment. Peter Martens will join his Dad, Klaas, and Brett Kreher, to describe what tools they have devised for field work. Klaas & Peter Martens, Penn Yan, NY, Brett Kreher, Kreher’s Poultry Farms, Clarence, NY
Refreshing New and Medicinal Fruits, Edible Medicinal Herbs and Organic Biomedicinal Fishes from the Great Amazon River [Center Ballroom] Dr. Eloy Rodriguez, a Cornell University organic natural products chemist and biologist and an international explorer of new tropically-derived drugs, medicines, vegan herbs and refreshing medicinal fruit juices and organic salts from palms, will present his recent unpublished discoveries. In collaboration with Peruvian indigenous tribes, Peruvian pharmacognosists and tropical fruit growers, Dr. Rodriguez is exploring new avenues of agricultural and biomedicinal products for NY greenhouses and humid, hot summer months. Organic foods and biomedicines will continue to lead the way for better foods, excellent nutrition and more important, for generating income for poverty-stricken people of jungles rich with soil, plant diversity, nutrients, water, optimum growing conditions and plenty of sun. Nurturing Nature means “We don’t need no stinkin’ GMOs!” Dr Eloy Rodriguez, James A, Perkins Professor of Environmental Biology & Director of Biodiversity Laboratories in the Amazon and Caribbean, Cornell University
Peppers & Eggplant: Varieties Roundtable [Boardroom #4] White eggplants? Lavender peppers? Is it just about colors or are there differences in taste and disease tolerance? Come share your favorites with Rivka Davis who grows over 30 varieties and says color sells, but taste has got to be there! Share your experiences with what bore fruit in 2004, the 4th rainiest summer in New York State’s weather records! Rivka Davis, Road’s End Farm, Dundee, NY
Monitoring Farms For Progress Toward Sustainability [North Cotillion] Web graphs are a monitoring tool to track progress toward sustainability of a whole, not just its pieces. The web graph does this by revealing rough trends and relationships, forcing management issues out into the open. Karl and Donn will show how this tool can bring together the various indicators of sustainability in a single picture that shows at a glance how and where progress is being made on your farm. Karl North & Donn Hewes, Northland Sheep Dairy, Marathon, NY
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Trade Show & NYS Wine Cash Reception
Sunday, January 30
5:00 p.m.
7:30 a.m.
NOFA-NY Annual Meeting: Part 1 Roundtable Discussion: The Principles of Organic Agriculture [East Ballroom]
Come participate in a broad discussion of the principles which will guide NOFA-NY and the NOFA Interstate Council in creating policy statements and activities on the regional, state, and national levels. You can read a draft copy of these principles on page 18 of this program. Elizabeth Henderson, NOFA-NY Governing Council and NOFA Interstate Council and Greg Swartz, NOFA-NY Governing Council, will facilitate the discussion.
8:30 p.m. Saturday Night at the Movies “The Future of Food” [Conference Room A]
The Future of Food produced by the Organic Consumers Association, provides an indepth investigation and critique of genetically engineered foods and crops, including interviews with farmer activists such as Percy Schmeiser
Saturday Night Dance Party [Cotillion Room]
with “Harvey Nusbaum and his Contra Musicians”
7:30 – 8:15 a.m. Breakfast [Convention C]
Annual Meeting: Part 2 [Convention D]
Please join the NOFA-NY Governing Council for our Annual Membership Meeting where we will present reports from the Council on our financial position as well aspast and future activities while you eat breakfast. The Executive Director will report to you about this past year’s work. We will present awards to several stellar NOFA supporters and we will hold elections for the Governing Council.
8:30 – 9:45 a.m. Grains: Varieties Round Table [Convention A] Learn and share all about grain varieties new and old that are most suitable for organic production. Klaas Martens will describe compost management practices on his farm that have resulted in increased yields. Alan Westra offers his expertise on NY State seed regulations and patent laws that affect the organic seed supply. As organic seed manager at Lakeview Organic Grain, Chuck hears on a daily basis from farmers about the relative merits, availability and planting needs of different small grain, soybean and corn varieties. Klaas Martens and Chuck Richtmyer, Lakeview Organic Grain, Penn Yan, NY; Alan Westra, New York Seed Improvement Project; Jack Kenney, AgriCulver Seeds
Raising Your Own Meats: The Homestead Hog & More [East Ballroom] Many people are growing their plant foods, but are not so happy about their options for purchasing meat. Ever think of raising your own? Mary Jo and Mike will share what planning and preparation is needed before raising animals for your own consumption, and that includes slaughtering and processing if you decide to it yourself. Mary Jo Long & Mike Bernhard, Afton, NY
Design Your Farm for Better Pest Management [South Cotillion] This workshop will help vegetable growers manage their pests through crop rotation, field layout, intercropping, and cultural practices. It is primarily directed toward the commercial producer. There will be time for group discussion. (Brian authored the NOFA handbook Vegetable Crop Health: Helping Nature Control Diseases & Pests Organically, in 2004, which will be available for purchase.) Brian Caldwell, NOFA-NY Education Coordinator
Gaining Access to Markets In New York City: Recruitment Session for Just Food CSAs and City Farms [Boardroom #4] Farmers have found a stable and profitable market for their produce, eggs, meats, honey, and flowers in New York City. The CSAs sponsored by Just Food purchased over $600,000 of farm products from 16 farmers in 2004, and more CSA sites want to start up for the 2005 season. Growers can also sell to other outlets such as urban farmstands and institutional sales through City Farms. Come learn how you can apply and be a part of Just Food’s programs. Kristy Apostolides, Just Food, NY City; Jody Bolluyt, Roxbury Farm, Kinderhook, NY
Participatory Certification Alternatives for Direct Market Farms [West Ballroom] Farmers who sell their product directly to individuals and even stores or restaurants do not need the elaborate procedures and high costs of official organic certification. Ron Khosla and Elizabeth Henderson will share what they learned about what farmers are doing in Brazil, New Zealand, rural India and Thailand (and here in the US!) and lead a discussion on creating credible participatory alternatives to the USDA-National Organic Program. (See NOFA-NY Farmer’s Pledge page 17) Elizabeth Henderson, Peacework Organic Farm, Newark, NY, NOFA-NY’s Farmer’s Pledge; Ron Khosla, Certified Naturally Grown; Mark Dunau, Mountain Dell Farm, Hancock, NY, NOFA-NY’s Farmer’s Pledge
Access to Farm Land without Winning the Lottery [North Cotillion] The consumer demand for locally-grown food continues to grow and Farmers’ Markets are begging for more vendors precisely in metropolitan areas where land is most expensive. Hear about working models of land purchasing and ownership that can help new farmers settle near markets, or help transition farm land to new owners. Ellie Kastanopolous, Equity Trust, Inc.; Scott Chaskey, Quail Hill Farm, Peconic Land Trust
Youth Leadership through Urban Agriculture & Entrepreneurship [Center Ballroom] We need to purposefully nurture a new generation of young leaders. Hear how Value Added is creating opportunities for the youth of South Brooklyn to expand their knowledge base, develop new skills and positively engage with their community through the operation of an urban farming enterprise. Using organic methods, they grow more than 40 different varieties of produce, harvesting more than 200 pounds of food for sale at the Red Hook Farmers Market, for donation to local food pantries and soup kitchens and for distribution to local restaurants. Ian Marvy and youth from Added Value, Brooklyn, NY
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10:00 – 11:15 a.m. NOFA-NY Certified Organic LLC Certification Program: How are we doing? [Boardroom #4] In 2004, NOFA NY Certified Organic,LLC certified over 335 farms and processors. They also assisted twelve dairy farms in transitioning their land and herds to organic production. Come discuss how we can improve our services and other aspects of certification.
Ethnic Vegetables: Varieties Round Table [Convention A] What varieties of specialty vegetables have been most successful for you in the fields and at the markets? What are the best ways to present different varieties at the market, in the CSA box, or on the retail shelf? Anu Rangarajan will start off this round table with highlights from her research and work with growers. Anu Rangarajan, Dept. of Horticulture & Director, Cornell University Small Farms Program
Organic Field Corn [North Cotillion] The presenters will cover the bases of growing organic field corn – good rotations, seeding rates, varieties for grain and silage, starter fertilizer, cultivation techniques, differences in handling a harvest of organic field corn. Les Miller, Miller Brothers Farm, Richfield Springs, NY; Alton Earnhart Lightening Tree Farm, Millbrook, NY; Kevin Engelbert, Engelbert Farms, Nichols, NY; Moderator: Brian Caldwell, NOFA-NY Education Coordinator
Looking at the Whole System on Vegetable Farms [West Ballroom] Organic farmers report reduced pest pressure with increasing numbers of seasons under organic practices. We were interested in what factors might be responsible for this reduced pest pressure, and conducted a three year study of potato and winter squash production on four organic and four conventional mixed vegetable farms. We measured pest and beneficial levels, soil quality factors, and farm ecosystem factors and looked for relationships between the different factors. I’ll talk about what we learned during this study. Abby Seaman, Cornell Cooperative Extension Western NYVegetable IPM Program
Nutrient Additives and Human Pathogens In Aerated Compost Tea [Center Ballroom] The USDA-National Organic Program (NOP) and the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Compost Tea Task Force are struggling to create reasonable, but safe regulations to limit the food safety risk of compost tea applications. The problem is, there just isn’t much information or research in this area. Come hear about the most recent publications and brand new research results from a study funded by the Organic Farming Research Foundation. Topics covered will be the link between nutrient additives and E. coli growth in compost teas, and the regulatory implications of these findings. Allison Hornor, Cornell University Dept. of Crop & Soil Science; Matthew Ryan, Research Technician, The Rodale Institute
Writing Winning Grant Proposals [East Ballroom] There are increasing grant opportunities in New York State for farmers, food business ventures and on-farm research. Learn what it takes to write a successful grant application from the perspective of the reviewer. Info on grant programs in USDA, New York State Department of Ag & Markets, and Cornell University will be handed out. David Smith, NY Farm Viability Institute; Monika Roth, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Incorporating Animals into Vegetable & Fruit Production…and Vice Versa [South Cotillion] Why did we do it? What are we learning? What benefits are we realizing? Four Winds Farm is the first example, a relatively small farm but with a great diversity: pastured chicken, turkey, lamb and hogs on a vegetable and fruit farm. Cobblestone Valley Enterprises LLC is a dairy farm with pastured poultry and hogs alongside a fairly large strawberry operation. Polly & Jay Armour, Four Winds Farm, Gardiner, NY; Maureen & Paul Knapp, Cobblestone Valley, Preble, NY
11:30 a.m.
Keynote Dr. E. Ann Clark University of Guelph, Ontario Making Organic More Sustainable [West & Center Ballroom]
12:30 – 1:45 p.m. Lunch Before you head for home, please fill out the Evaluation Form and drop it off at the Registration Desk. Thank you!
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Special thanks to our many Farmers & Food Purveyors for generously donating the food for this conference. v Please see page 11 for a list of farms and purveyors who have provided fare for the event.
Youth Conference
Sunday, January 30
Mary Boite, Youth Conference Coordinator
8:30 – 10:00
Program for Children
Up-A-Tree Puppetry —with Tom Stock – Combined with Teens. Tom performs with puppets, then allows young people to use some of his extensive collection to put together and perform their own show. Tom farms Synapse in the Core’s Sow Love – Reap Joy farm in Suffolk County.
6 to 12 years of age [Boardroom #3]
Saturday, January 29 8:30 – 10:00 Who Made My Lunch? – storytelling, games and crafts highlight this program on food chains and webs, and local sustainable food systems with Mary Gleason and Annie O’Reilly of Amazing Planet. Mary and Annie have designed programs for all ages and have worked in schools and other venues, sharing their expertise as naturalists and educators and their love of young people.
10:30 – 12:15 Up-A-Tree Puppetry —with Tom Stock, of Sow Love Reap Joy Farm at Synapse in the Core. “Let’s Learn About Puppetry” will feature some of his more than 50 puppets, in a combined performance and hands-on learning. Tom not only uses his puppets to entertain, but to teach the art.
10:30 – 12:15 Tea Party and Dream Pillow Making Come sip some herbal tea while you stuff and sew a fragrant dream pillow. Previous sewing experience not necessary. Lots of help for the youngest ones! With herb expert Katie Lavin, now a junior partner at Peacework Organic farm in Newark.
Program for Teens [Boardroom #3]
Saturday, January 29 8:30 – 9:45
Lunch with your family in the Conference Center
School Gardens —with Jan McDonald, Paula Vargas, Warren Dodson (student) and Kathi O’Leary (teacher), all of the Rochester Roots SchoolCommunity Gardens program of Politics of Food, on starting and maintaining a successful school garden (adult workshop also suitable for teens)
2:00 – 3:30
10:00 – 11:00
Creativity Comes in Many Forms —workshop with Gardener & Artist Karen Kearney of Syracuse Cultural Workers. Karen loves the beauty of the land and the beauty of justice and shows it in her art. The youth will learn there are many forms of art: a mural? Fabric art? The possibilities are endless.
Wild Flowers and Other Native Plants: A Walk with a Naturalist —slide show and talk with Mona Rynearson, naturalist and educator. Mona has led nature walks at Peacework Organic Farm and her slides will help youth identify native plants in their natural areas.
12:30
3:45 – 4:45 Singing the Songs of the Land —with Lauren Shookhoff. Lauren is graduating from the University of Rochester in Music & Religion, and has an understanding of the food system gained from her own interests and from working on organic farms. She is currently an intern with the Politics of Food Program in Rochester. Lauren will teach participants songs (and perhaps art to accompany them) with agricultural & environmental themes.
11:00 – 12:15 Your Daily Herbs This hands-on workshop will highlight several herbs and make three different products from them: a powder, a salve and a tea blend. We will briefly cover ways to use herbs, focusing on specific herbs that teens will find useful. With Katie Lavin, farmer with Peacework Organic Farm in Newark.
12: 30 Lunch with your family in the Conference Center
2:00 – 3:15 Meeting Your Animal Totem Learn how wild animals speak to us, and how Native Americans viewed the animal world. In a powerful exercise, teens will meet their animal guide, and discover what it has to teach them. An Amazing Planet workshop with Mary Gleason and Annie O’Reilly who have many years of working with children and adults as educators and naturalists.
3:30 – 5:00 The Life of Migrant Worker Children with Librada Paz, former farmworker who works with Rural & Migrant Ministry, and three farmworker youth from Brockport. The presenters hope that structured discussion will result in a better understanding of the realities of farm work for youth, as they learn from and with each other. Librada has been leading discussions in schools and is active in supporting the need for better education about food issues among youth and adults.
Sunday, January 30 8:30 – 10:00 Up-A-Tree Puppetry – hands-on fun and learning with Tom Stock. For youth of all ages.
10:30 – 12:15 Nurturing the Next Generation of Leaders will feature Ian Marvy and youth from Added Value and Herban Solutions, Inc., a youth development program that provides young adults with social and economic entrepreneurship training as a tool to promote sustainable community development in Brooklyn NY. agriculture. Young people operate a socially responsible market farming micro-enterprise, learning the business as farmers, business plan developers, date management specialists, and as sales persons. They bring enthusiasm and knowledge to this workshop.
Visit all the Trade Show Exhibits and Support Our Advertisers! • 9
Food Donations Guy Jones, Bloominghill Farm Box 20, Toute 208 Blooming Grove, NY 10914 845-782-7130 bloominghillorganicfarm.com Maureen & Paul Knapp Cobblestone Valley Enterprises, LLC Box 121, 2023 Preble Rd Preble, NY 13141 607-749-4032 cvfarm@twcny.rr.com Dean’s Beans 50 Moore Avenue Orange, MA 10364 800-325-3008 www.deansbeans.com Lisa & Kevin Engelbert, Engelbert Farm 182 Sunnyside Rd Nichols, NY 13812 607-699-3775 kengelbert@stny.rr.com Martin Ventre, Enrico’s Ventre Packing Company, Inc 6050 Court Street Rd Syracuse, NY 13206-1711 315-463-5897 mventre@ventre.com Brian Seidenfrau, Four Seasons 183 Madison Avenue Suite #602 New York, NY 10016 212-252-7430 brains@fsproduce.com Bob Eberly, Eberly Poultry Farms 1095 Mount Airy Rd Stevens, PA 17578 717-336-6440 www.eberlypoultry.com Joseph Ottati, Glendale Farm 4590 Rte 414 Burdett, NY 14818 607-546-8479 joe@carsophagus Aaron Locker & Suzanne Slomin Green Rabbit Farm, LLC 3424 Lake Moraine Rd Madison, NY 13402 315-893-7647 rabbit7@dreamscape.com
Dick DeGraff, Grindstone Farm 780 County Route 28 Pulaski, NY 13142 315-298-4139 gsrorganic@aol.com Amy Hepworth & Gerry Burke Amy and Gerry’s Hepworth Farms 506 South Rd Milton, NY 12547 845-795-2007 Honest Weight Food Coop 484 Central Ave Albany, NY 12206 518-482-2667 Horizon Organic PO Box 190 Chelsea, VT 05038 888-648-8377 www.horizonorganic.com Ithaca Bakery/Collegetown Bagels 400 N. Meadow St. Ithaca, NY 14850 607-273-7110 Brett Kreher, Kreher’s Poultry Farms PO Box 410 Clarence, NY 14031-0410 716-759-6802 brett@krehereggs.com Alton Earnhart, Lightening Tree Farm 132 Andrew Haight Rd Millbrook, NY 12545-5141 845-677-9507 altone@attglobal.net Mary Racinowski, Lori’s Natural Foods 900 Jefferson Road Rochester, NY 14623 tsam@bluefrog.net Ray McEnroe McEnroe Organic Farm Associates, LLC 194 Coleman Station Rd Millerton, NY12564 518-798-3252 moohill@aol.com Organic Valley/CROPP Coop One Organic Way LaFarge, W! 54639 608-625-2602 www.organicvalley.com Pasta’s Daily Bread 308 So Franklin St Syracuse, NY 13202 315-701-0224
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Jack & Michael Porter Porter Farms PO Box 416 Elba, NY 14058-0416 585-757-6823 sjporter@eznet.net Regional Access 125 Cayuga Street Trumansburg, NY 14886 607-387-6959 Chuck & Mary Blood Rocky Top Acres 1659 Quaker Hill Rd Hubbardsville, NY 13355 rockytopacres@frontiernet.net Dave Stern Rose Valley Farm PO Box 149 Rose, NY 14542-0149 315-587-9787 Bill & Diana McKently St Lawrence Nurseries 325 State Hwy 345 Potsdam, NY 13676 315-265-6739 www.sin.potsdam.ny.us Jim Bittner Singer Farm, LLC 6730 East Lake Rd Appleton, NY 14008-9673 716-778-7330 bittner58@aol.com Stonyfield Yogurt 10 Burton Dr Londonberry, NH 03053 603-437-4040 www.stonyfield.com Syracuse Real Food Coop 618 Kensngton Rd Syracuse, NY 13210 315-472-1385 www.SyracuseFoodCoop.com Gunther Fishgold Tierra Farm PO Box 657 Skaneateles, NY 13152-0657 315-496-3287 gfishgold@yahoo.com Mark Harvey Zephyr Farm PO Box 38 Gilbersville, NY 13776 607-859-2227 mharv@ascent.net
Gold Sponsors
Sponsors
CADE, Inc. Kevin Hodne 250 Main St, Ste 218 Oneonta, NY 13820 607-431-6034 Fax: 607-431-4028 khodne@cadefarms.org www.cadefarms.org
Agricultural Consulting Services, Inc. Richard Wildman 1634 Monroe Ave Rochester, NY 14618 877-310-1100 Fax: 877-315-2200 rwildman@acsoffice.com www.acsoffice.com
Horizon Organic Cynthia Masterman PO Box 190 Chelsea, VT 05038-0190 888-648-8377 Fax: 866-742-8618 cindym@horizonorganic.com www.horizonorganic.com
AgraQuest, Inc. Chris Coombs 1530 Drew Ave Davis, CA 95616 530-750-0150 Fax: 530-750-0153 info@agraquest.com www.agraquest.com Birds Eye Foods Michael Gardinier 90 Linden Oaks Rochester, NY 14625 585-264-3124 mgardinier@birdseyefoods.com www.birdseyefoods.com
Organic Valley Joe Pedretti One Organic Way LaFarge, WI 54639 608-625-2602 Fax: 608-625-2300 joe.pedretti@organicvalley.coop www.organicvalley.coop Organic Valley / CROPP Cooperative Peter Miller East Region Pool Coordinator 612-801-3506 (cell), 888-444-6455 extn. 407 608-625-3051 peter.miller@organicvalley.coop www.organicvalley.coop
Crystal Creek, Inc. Daniel Leiterman N9466 Lakeside Rd Trego, WI 54888 715-466-5043 Fax: 715-466-5042 jan@crystalcreeknatural.com www.crystalcreeknatural.coom
Stonyfield Farm Mary Townsend 10 Burton Dr Londonberry, NH 03053 603-437-4040 Fax: 603-437-7594 mtownsend@stonyfield.com www.stonyfield.com
Dairy Marketing Services Tracy Trudell 5001 Brittonfield Pkwy, PO Bx 4844 Syracuse, NY 13221-4844 888-589-6455 Fax: 315-433-2345 tracy.trudell@dairymarketingservices.com www.dairymarketingservices.com FEDCO Seeds Gene Frey PO Box 520 Waterville, ME 04903-0520 207-873-7333 Fax: 207-872-8317 www.fedcoseeds.com The Fertrell Co. Jeff Mattocks PO Box 265 Bainbridge, PA 17502-0265 717-367-1566 Fax: 717-367-9319 www.fertrell.com
Harris Seeds Mark Greene PO Bx 24966 Rochester, NY 14624-4966 800-544-7938 Fax: 877-892-9197 growers@harrisseeds.com www.harrisseeds.com HP Hood Lynne Bohan 90 Everett Ave, Ste 300 Chelsea, MA 02150 617-887-8321 Fax: 617-887-8417 l_bohan@hphood.com www.hphood.coom Lakeview Organic Grain Klaas & Mary-Howell Martens PO Box 361 Penn Yan, NY 14527-0361 315-531-1038 Fax: 315-531-1038 kandmhfarm@sprintmail.com W.H. Milikowski, Inc. Michael Mortas 6604 Joy Rd Syracuse, NY 13057 315-432-5546 / 877-473-3609 Fax:315-432-5548 > mmortas@whmilikowski.com www.whmilikowski.com
New York Certified Organic, Inc. Klaas & Mary-Howell Martens 1443 Ridge Rd Penn Yan, NY 14527 315-536-9879 Fax: 315-536-9879 kandmhfarm@sprintmail.com Tierra Farms, Inc. Gunther Fishgold Mike Schwabe 71 Oliver St Cohoes, NY 12047 518-237-4688 Fax: 518-237-4671 tierrafarm@aol.com Turtle Tree Seed Nathan & Beth Corymb Camphill Village Copake, NY 12516 518-329-3038 Fax: 518-329-7955 turtle@taconic.net
Visit all the Trade Show Exhibits and Support Our Advertisers! • 11
Scholarship Sponsors Four of our sponsors are offering registration scholarships to farmers they work with to attend the conference. Our scholarship sponsors include the three major organic milk companies shipping milk in New York State and the Watershed Agricultural Council, working in the New York City reservoir watershed area. Thank you. HP Hood 90 Everett Ave, Ste 300 Chelsea, MA 02150 617-887-8321 Fax: 617-887-8417 l_bohan@hphood.com www.hphood.coom Horizon Organic PO Box 190 Chelsea, VT 05038-0190 888-648-8377 Fax: 866-742-8618 cindym@horizonorganic.com www.horizonorganic.com Organic Valley One Organic Way LaFarge, WI 54639 608-625-2602 Fax: 608-625-2300 joe.pedretti@organicvalley.coop www.organicvalley.coop Watershed Agricultural Council 33195 State Hwy 10 Walton, NY 13856 607-865-7790 amyhawk@nycwatershed.org www.nycwatershed.org
Presenters Kristy Apostolides Just Food 307 7th Ave Suite 1201 New York, NY 10001 212-645-9880 Fax: 212-645-9881 kristy@justfood.org www.justfood.org Polly & Jay Armour Four Winds Farm 158 Marabec Rd Gardiner, NY 12525-5614 845-255-3088 parmour255@aol.com www.bestweb.net/~fourwind/ Mary Jo Long & Michael Bernhard 534 Chase Rd Afton, NY 13730 607-967-8274 Fax: 607-639-2768 mjlong@clarityconnect.com
Jody Bolluyt Roxbury Farm 2501 Rte 9M Kinderhook, NY 12106 518-758-8558 info@roxburyfarm.com www.roxburyfarm.com Brian Caldwell NOFA-NY, Inc. 180 Walding Ln Spencer, NY 14883-9609 607-564-1060 education@nofany.org www.nofany.org Janet Cawley Finger Lakes Organic Growers Cooperative PO Box 170 Rose, NY 14542-0170 315-587-4597 jcawley@fingerlakesorganic.com www.fingerlakesorganic.com Scott Chaskey Peconic Land Trust/Quail Hill Farm PO Box 1268 Amagansett, NY 11930-1268 631-267-8492 Fax: same - call first schaskey@peconiclandtrust.org www.peconiclandtrust.org E. Ann Clark University of Gueph, Ontario Department of Plant Agriculture Guelph, Ontario Canada N1G 2W1 519-824-4120 x 52508 eaclark@uoguelph.ca Rivka Davis Road’s End Farm 362 Smith Rd Dundee, NY 14837-9131 607-243-5234 organic101@linkny.com Paul Dettloff Organic Valley W20876 State Rd 95 Arcadia, WI 54612 608-323-3047 jmdettloff@hotmail.com Warren Dodson Politics of Food 121 N Fitzhugh St Rochester, NY 14614 585-232-1463 Fax: 585-232-1479 pof@frontiernet.net www.politicsoffood.org
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Mark Dunau Mountain Dell Farm 2386 Roods Creek Rd Hancock, NY 13783-9506 607-467-4034 mldunau@ny.tds.net Alton Earnhart 1408 Clove Valley Rd Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 845-724-4592 altone@attglobal.net Lisa Engelbert NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC. 840 Upper Front St Binghamton, NY 13905 607-724-9851 Fax: 607-724-9853 certifiedorganic@nofany.org www.nofany.org Tom Frantzen Frantzen Farm 1155 Jasper Ave New Hampton, IA 50659 641-364-6426 tfrantzen@iowatelecom.net Mary Gleason Amazing Planet Children’s Programs 291 Parkview Dr Rochester, NY 14625 585-482-0763 Michael & Karma Glos Kingbird Farm 9398 W Creek Rd Berkshire, NY 13736 607-657-2860 karma@kingbirdfarm.com www.kingbirdfarm.com Michael Glos NOFA-NY, PSI Project Coordinator 9398 W Creek Rd Berkshire, NY 13736 607-657-2860 michaelglos@nofany.org www.nofany,org John Gorzynski Gorzynski’s Ornery Farm PO Box 113 Cochecton Center, NY 12727-0113 845-252-7570 gorzynski@citlink.net Elizabeth Henderson Peacework Organic Farm 2218 Welcher Rd Newark, NY 14513 315-331-9029 Fax: 315-331-6873 ehendrsn@redsuspenders.com www.gvocsa.org
Don Hewes Northland Sheep Dairy 35-1 Hoxie Gorge Rd Marathon, NY 13803 607-227-3951 tripletree@flare.net Steven Holzbaur 2247 Mecklenburg Rd Ithaca, NY 14850 607-256-3022 Liana Hoodes National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture 3540 Rt 52 Pine Bush, NY 12566 845-744-2304 liana@sustainableagriculture.net Allison Hornor Cornell University Dept of Crop & Soil Sciences 706 Bradfield Hall Ithaca, NY 14853 607-255-3226 alh54@cornell.edu Ellie Kastanopolous Equity Trust Inc PO Box 746 Turners Falls, MA 01376 413-863-9038 Fax: 413-863-9082 elliek@equitytrust.org www.equitytrust.org Jack Kenney AgriCulver Seeds 2059 SR 96 Trumansburg, NY 14886 607-387-6453 Fax: 607-387-3581 www.agriculverseeds.com Karen Kerney 3684 Ransom Rd Jamesville, NY 13078-9688 315-474-1132 ext 101 karenk@syrculturalworkers.org Ron Khosla Certified Naturally Grown 205 Huguenot St New Paltz, NY 12561 845-256-0686 ron@flyingbeet.com www.naturallygrown.org
Carol King NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC. 840 Upper Front St Binghamton, NY 13905 607-724-9851 Fax: 607-724-9853 certifiedorganic@nofany.org www.nofany.org
Ian Marvy Added Value 305 Van Brunt Street Brooklyn, NY 11231 718-855-5531 Fax: 718-855-5497 imarvy@added-value.org www.added-value.org
Paul & Maureen Knapp Cobblestone Valley Farm Box 121 2023 Preble Rd Preble, NY 13141 607-749-4032 cvfarm@twcny.rr.com
Peter McDonald McDonald Family Farm 5374 Route 414 Romulus, NY 14541 607-869-9928 peter@pasturepride.com www.pasturepride.com
Brett Kreher Kreher’s Poultry Farms 5411 Davison Road PO Box 410 Clarence, NY 14031-0410 716-759-6802 Fax: 716-759-8687 Brett@krehereggs.com www.krehereggs.com
Jan McDonald Politics of Food 121 N Fitzhugh St Rochester, NY 14614 585-232-1463 Fax: 585-232-1479 pof@frontiernet.net www.politicsoffood.org
Andrew Landers Cornell University - Dept of Entomology Barton Lab, NYSAES 630 W North St Geneva, NY 14456 315-787-2429 ajl31@cornell.edu
Wayne Mellor CADE PO Box 221 Fly Creek, NY 13337-0221 607-547-1103 wmellor@stny.rr.com
Katie Lavin Peacework Organic Farm 2218 Welcher Rd Newark, NY 14513 585-704-4508
Les Miller Miller Brothers Farm 554 Hoke Rd Richfield Springs, NY 13439-3008 315-858-2728
Toni Liquori Community Food Resource Center 39 Broadway, 10th Floor New York, NY 10006 212-894-8078 tliquori@cfrcnyc.org www.cfrcnyc.org
Chuck Mohler Cornell University Dept of Crop & Soil Sciences 907 Bradfield Hall Ithaca, NY 14853 607-255-0199 clm11@cornell.edu www.css.cornell.edu/weedeco
Klaas & Mary-Howell Martens 1443 Ridge Rd Penn Yan, NY 14527-1118 315-536-9879 Fax: same - call first kandmhfarm@sprintmail.com Peter Martens 1443 Ridge Rd Penn Yan, NY 14527-1118 315-536-9879
Karl North Northland Sheep Dairy 3501 Hoxie Gorge Rd Marathon, NY 13803-2404 607-849-3328 northsheep@juno.com www.geocities.com/northsheep
Visit all the Trade Show Exhibits and Support Our Advertisers! • 13
Presenters Kathi O’Leary Politics of Food 121 N Fitzhugh St Rochester, NY 14614 585-232-1463 Fax: 585-232-1479 pof@frontiernet.net www.politicsoffood.org Annie O’Reilly 109 Ridgedale Circle Rochester, NY 14616 Librada Paz 8301 Ridge Rd W, #4 Brockport, NY 14420 freepaz@aol.com Trina Pilonero Silver Heights Farm 216 Eggler Rd Jeffersonville, NY 12748 845-482-3608 slvrhghts@catskill.net David Pimental Cornell University - Dept of Entomology 5126 Comstock Hall Ithaca, NY 14853 607-255-2212 Fax: 607-255-0939 dp18@cornell.edu Anusuya Rangarajan Cornell University - Dept of Horticulture 121 Plant Science Ithaca, NY 14853-4203 607-255-1780 Fax: 607-255-0599 ar47@cornell.edu Cynthia Reed EcoGardens 21-55 45th St Astoria, NY 11105 718-267-9063 kellreed@earthlink.net Steve Richards NY FarmLink 415 Warren Hall Ithaca, NY 14853 607-255-9854 str4@cornell.edu www.nyfarmlink.org
Chuck Richtmyer Lakeview Organic Grain 119 Hamilton Place Penn Yan, NY 14527 315-531-1038 crichtmyer@aol.com Eloy Rodriguez Cornell University - Dept of Plant Biology 259 Biotech Bldg Ithaca, NY 14853 607-254-2956 Fax: 607-254-2952 er30@cornell.edu Monika Roth Cornell Cooperative Extension 615 Willow Ave Ithaca, NY 14850 607-272-2292 Fax: 607-272-7088 mr55@cornell.edu Matthew Ryan The Rodale Institute 611 Siegfriedale Rd Kutztown, PA 19530-9320 610-683-1405 Fax: 610-683-8548 matthew.ryan@rodaleinst.org www.rodaleinstitute.org Mona Rynearson 1746 Welcher Rd Newark, NY 14513 315-331-0656 Abby Seaman CCE Western NY Vegetable IPM Program NYS Ag Experiment Station Geneva, NY 14456-0462 315-787-2422 Fax: 315-787-2360 ajs32@cornell.edu www.nysipm.cornell.edu Lauren Shookhoff 29 Gold St Rochester, NY 14620 585-242-9177 ls007@@mail.rochester.edu Tom Stearns High Mowing Seeds 813 Brook Rd Wolcott, VT 05680 802-888-1800
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David Stern Rose Valley Farm PO Box 149 Rose, NY 14542-0149 315-587-9787 Tom Stock Synapse in the Core’s Sow Love - Reap Joy Farm 376 Mill Rd Manorville, NY 11949-1806 631-727-5250 synptoms@aol.com Martin Stosiek Markristo Farm 2891 Rte 23 Hillsdale, NY 12529-5819 518-325-4261 Fax: 518-325-1680 markristo@taconic.net Greg Swartz Gorzynski Farm PO Box 33 Cochecton Center, NY 12727-0033 845-252-6516 mizuna@excite.com Paula Vargas Politics of Food 121 N Fitzhugh St Rochester, NY 14614 585-232-1463 Fax: 585-232-1479 pof@frontiernet.net www.politicsoffood.org Alan Westra NY Seed Improvement Project 103C Leland Field Hs Ithaca, NY 14853 607-255-9869 Fax: 607-255-9048 aaw4@cornell.edu Diane Whealy Seed Savers Exchange 3076 North Winn Rd Decorah, IA 52101 563-382-5990 diane@seedsavers.org www.seedsavers.org Rob Wick Dept of Plant, Soil & Insect Sciences University of Massachusetts 203 Morrill Science Center North Amherst, MA 01003 413-545-1045 Fax: 413-545-2532 rwick@pltpath.umass.edu
Trade Show Exhibitors Agricultural Mineral Prospectors, Inc. John Slack PO Box 866 Erin, ONT NOB 1TO 519-833-9827 Fax: 519-833-7515 jslack@sentex.ca Agriculver Seeds Rod Porter 2059 Rte 96 Trumansburg, NY 14886 607-387-5788 Fax: 607-387-5789 rodp@agriculverseeds.com www.agriculverseeds.com BCS America, LLC. Larry Seymour RR2, Bx 2357 Factoryville, NY 18419 570-222-2276 lseymour@bcs-america.com www.bcsamerica.com Belle Terre Irrigation Mike Madison 8142 Champlin Rd Sodus, NY 14551 315-483-6155 Fax: 315-483-4064 www.dripsupply.com Community Markets Miriam Haas 17 Westview Ave Ossining, NY 10562 914-923-4837 Fax: 914-923-4912 mhaas@communitymarkets.biz www.communitymarkets.biz Cornell University Dept of Plant Horticulture Jeromy Biazzo 110 Plant Science Bldg Ithaca, NY 14853 607-255-2041 Fax: 607-255-0599 jb262@cornell.edu www.hort.cornell.edu/organicfarm Crystal Creek, Inc. Daniel Leiterman N9466 Lakeside Rd Trego, WI 54888 715-466-5043 Fax: 715-466-5042 jan@crystalcreeknatural.com www.crystalcreeknatural.com
Dairy Marketing Services Tracy Trudell 5001 Brittonfield Pkwy, PO Bx 4844 Syracuse, NY 13221-4844 888-589-6455 Fax: 315-433-2345 tracy.trudell@dairymarketingservices.com www.dairymarketingservices.com
Greenmarket Council on the Environment, Inc. Bernadette Martin, Kelly Williams 51 Chambers St, Ste 1231 New York, NY 10007 212-341-2320 bmartin@greenmarket.cc www.greenmarket.cc
Eaton Commercial Supply Dick Konefke PO Box 60, 3530 Lakeview Rd Hamburg, NY 14075 716-649-8250 Fax: 716-649-9466 dick@eatonbrothers.com www.eatonbrothers.com
Grindstone Farm Dick de Graff 780 County Rte 28 Pulaski, NY 13142 315-298-4139 Fax: 315-298-2119 gsforganic@aol.com www.grindstonefarm.com
Eco Books Rachel Treichler 7988 Van Amburg Rd Hammondsport, NY 14840 607-569-2114 rachel@ecobooks.com www.ecobooks.com
Grower’s Discount Labels Stu McCarty PO Box 70 Tunnel, NY 13848-0070 800-693-1572 Fax: 607-693-4415 growersdiscountlabels@tds.net
EcoQuest International Lynn Klein, Elaine Sweet 2552 East Rd Boonville, NY 13309 315-771-7688 lynnk@usadatanet.net www.ecoquestintl.com/starrk
Harris Seeds Mark Greene PO Bx 24966 Rochester, NY 14624-4966 800-544-7938 Fax: 877-892-9197 growers@harrisseeds.com www.harrisseeds.com
The Farm School Jennifer Core 488 Moore Hill Rd Athol, MA 01331 978-249-2656 Fax: 978-249-2656 jennifer@farmschool.org www.farmschool.org Farmers Market Nutrition Program CCE Greene Cty Marilyn Wyman 906 Mountain Ave Cairo, NY 12413 518-622-9820 Fax: 518-622-0115 mfw10@cornell.edu The Fertrell Co. Jeff Matocks PO Box 265 Bainbridge, PA 17502-0265 717-367-1566 www.fertrell.com
High Mowing Seeds Tom Stearns 813 Brook Rd Wolcott, NY 05680 802-888-1800 www.highmowingseeds.com HP Hood Lynne Bohan 90 Everett Ave, Ste 300 Chelsea, MA 02150 617-887-8321 Fax: 617-887-8417 l_bohan@hphood.com www.hphood.com HWE Agricultural Technology, Ltd. Heinz Evermann B.P. 1515 CDN-Embrun, ON KOA 1WO 613-443-3386 Fax: 613-443-1389 www.einboeck.at
Visit all the Trade Show Exhibits and Support Our Advertisers! • 15
Trade Show Exhibitors Kreher’s Poultry Farms Brett Kreher PO Box 410 Clarence, NY 14031-0410 716-759-6802 Fax: 716-759-8687 brett@krehereggs.com Lakeview Organic Grain Klaas & Mary Howell Martens Chuck Richtmyer PO Box 361 Penn Yan, NY 14527-0361 315-531-1038 kandmhfarm@sprintmail.com LEAD New York Larry Van De Valk 424 Kennedy Hall Ithaca, NY 14853 607-255-7907 Fax: 607-255-7905 ljv4@cornell.edu www.leadny.org NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC. Carol King, Lisa Engelbert 840 Upper Front St Binghamton, NY 13901 607-724-9851 Fax: 607-724-9853 certifiedorganic@nofany.org www.nofany.org NOFA-NY, PSI Project Coordinator Michael Glos 9398 W Creek Rd Berkshire, NY 13736 607-657-2860 michaelglos@nofany.org www.nofany,org
Organic Valley Joe Pedretti One Organic Way LaFarge, WI 54639 608-625-2602 Fax: 608-625-2300 joe.pedretti@organicvalley.coop www.organicvalley.coop Park Slope Food Coop c/o Louise Maher-Johnson 184 Bush St Cobleskill, NY 12043 518-234-1942 maherjohnson@earthlink.net www.foodcoop.com
Restora-Life Minerals, LLC. James Landis, Larry Strite 838 Ono Rd Jonestown, PA 17038 717-926-4829 Fax: 717-865-3324 landisdalefarm@juno.com SeaAgri David Yarrow Turtle Island Sanctuary 44 Gilligan Rd East Greenbush, NY 12061 518-477-6100 Fax: same - call first championtrees@msn.com www.seaagri.com
Peace Corps Ben Doyle 201 Varick St, Ste 1025 New York, NY 10014 212-352-5440 Fax: 212/352-5441 bdoyle@peacecorps.gov www.peacecorps.com
Seasoned Booksellers Sandy Lincoln 335 Grove St Brandon, VT 05733 802-247-4700 slincoln@seasonedbooks.com www.seasonedbooks.com
Plant Defense Boosters, Inc. Richard Kampas 235 Harrison St, Ste 311, PO Box 6826 Syracuse, NY 13217-6826 315-472-1601 Fax: 315-471-1332 rkampas@pdbmail.com www.plantdefenseboosters.com
The Farm School Jennifer Core 488 Moore Hill Rd Athol, MA 01331 978-249-2656 Fax: 978-249-2656 jennifer@farmschool.org www.farmschool.org
Politics of Food Jan McDonald, Mary Boite 121 N Fitzhugh St Rochester, NY 14614 585-232-1463 Fax: 585-232-1479 pof@frontiernet.net www.politicsoffood.org
Tierra Farms, Inc. Gunther Fishgold, Mike Schwabe 71 Oliver St Cohoes, NY 12047 518-237-4688 Fax: 518-237-4671 tierrafarm@aol.com
NY Farms! Martha Goodsell 125 Williams Rd Candor, NY 13743 607-659-3710 Fax: 607-659-3710 nyfarms@baldcom.net www.nyfarms.org NYSAWG Kate Mendenhall 11 N Goodman St, Ste 33 Rochester, NY 14607 585-271-0490 kate@nysawg.org www.nysawg.org
16 • Visit all the Trade Show Exhibits and Support Our Advertisers!
Weston A. Price Foundation Central NY Chapter Betsy Velonis 1252 North Rd Tully, NY 3159 315-696-8043 velonis@juno.com www.weston.a.price.org
The Principles of Organic The Principles of Organic Agriculture
Agriculture
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By Elizabeth Henderson Like brothers and sisters around a dinner table, organic farmers and gardeners can argue endlessly over whether it is appropriate to use sodium nitrate as fertilizer or ultra-pasteurization to extend the shelf life of milk. We disagree vehemently, passionately. But underlying these disputes, there is a very deep agreement on basic principles, which unite people in organic agriculture all around the globe. From time to time, we need to reexamine the way we express these principles. Are we still happy with how we have put our values into words? Do changing events or new discoveries inspire us to modify our old beliefs? Are there new concepts we want to add? The NOFA Interstate Council Policy Committee, which I chair together with Camilla Roberts of NOFA-Vermont, would like the NOFA chapters to have a more democratic and participatory way to take positions on policy. NOFA is highly respected in the organic world and we have many opportunities to express our views. Since we do not have a quick way to poll all the members every time an issue comes to our attention, the Policy Committee suggested to the Interstate Council that all 7 chapters agree upon a set of principles that can serve as a filter for policy work. We took the Principles of Organic Agriculture from the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) Basic Standards (2002) as a working document and made some revisions. In 2004, the Interstate Council adopted these principles provisionally. How will this work? If pressing events or Action Alerts from other organizations ask us to take a position that falls within these principles, we can do it quickly without approval by the Council. We can issue a public statement or sign onto a petition in NOFA’s name. If the issue does not fit our filter, we will go through a process that involves the Council and the state chapters. Our goal is not to develop a party line that covers everything under the sun. Rather, we can agree to agree on a limited set of the issues that are central to organic agriculture, such as biodiversity, soil health, and fair treatment of farmers and farm workers.
We will not take positions on gun control or abortion, or endorse political candidates. After we started this process within NOFA, we learned that IFOAM is revising its version of the Principles of Organic Agriculture. Louise Luttikholt, IFOAM’s policy director, asked me to participate in an international task force on the Principles. We have had two rounds of discussion of revised drafts from a smaller committee which met in Bonn in November 2004. By mid-January, 2005, there will be another draft. After one more round of discussion, the World Assembly will consider a final version in Adelaide, Australia in September. You can read the drafts and comments on the IFOAM website: www.ifoam.org.
Come participate in a broad discussion of the principles which will guide NOFA-NY and the NOFA Interstate Council in creating policy statements and activities on the regional, state, and national levels at the Annual Meeting, Part 1, at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.
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DRAFT Principles to guide the Policy Committee of NOFA-Interstate Council 1. To produce food, fiber and care for land with methods that are compatible with natural cycles and living systems of the soil, plants, and animals in the entire production system. 2. To maintain long term fertility and biological activity of soils using locally adapted cultural, biological, and mechanical methods, as opposed to reliance on chemical inputs. 3. To promote the responsible use and conservation of water and all life therein. 4. To encourage agricultural diversity on actively managed land, and to maintain and encourage biodiversity and wildlife habitats in the surrounding ecosystem through the use of sustainable production methods. 5. To use, as far as possible, renewable resources in production and processing, avoiding pollution and excessive waste. 6. To create a harmonious balance between animal and crop production. 7. To provide humane living conditions that allow animals to express their basic innate behavior. 8. To foster local and regional production and distribution so that communities, regions and nations can achieve food security and food sovereignty. 9. To recognize the social impact of production practices and to honor those that are humane, economically just and environmentally sensitive. 10. To provide everyone, women and men, involved in the food production, processing, and distribution system the means for a basically safe, secure, and healthy working environment and satisfying quality of life. This requires prices for farm products that cover the cost of production; fair, negotiated, long-term contracts throughout the food supply chain; and dignified work with living wages for all food system workers. 11. To honor and protect indigenous knowledge.
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NOFA-NY FARMER’S PLEDGE Knowing your farmer is the best assurance that the food you buy is responsibly grown; grown with methods that recognize the inherent implications of the web of life in all our individual actions. Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) believes that farmers should work in harmony with natural forces and leave the little piece of the world over which they have stewardship, in better condition than when they found it. To further enable consumers to identify the farms they want to support with their food dollars, NOFA-NY has established a Farmer’s Pledge, separate and distinct from USDA Certified Organic. Farmers and market gardeners who adhere to the fol-
lowing pledge have signed an affidavit which they display for customers and neighbors to view. This pledge is based on the integrity of the farmer/gardener. Those who sign this pledge agree that consumers may inspect, by appointment, their farm/garden to judge the truthfulness of this statement. NOFA-NY does not investigate or make any guarantee that the individual farmer is complying with the Farmer’s Pledge. This pledge arises from the expressed need of growers who have a fundamental disagreement with the usurpation and control of the word “organic” by the USDA, and those certified farmers who want to pledge to an additional philosophical statement about their growing practices.
WE PLEDGE THAT IN OUR FARMING, PROCESSING, AND MARKETING WE WILL: • • • • • • • •
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reject the use of synthetic insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers; reject the use of GMOs, chemically treated seeds, synthetic toxic materials, irradiation, and sewage sludge; treat livestock humanely by providing pasture for ruminants, access to outdoors and fresh air for all livestock, banning cruel alterations, and using no hormones or antibiotics in feed; support agricultural markets and infrastructures that enable small farms to thrive; maintain and build healthy soils by farming practices that include rotating crops annually, using compost, cover crops, green manures, and reducing tillage; conserve natural resources by reducing erosion and pollution of air, soil and water through responsible farming practices; maximize the nutritional value of food and feed by practicing careful post harvest handling; practice minimal processing for all food products to preserve the natural nutritional value of food: NO use of irradiation, ultra-pasteurization, excessive heat, synthetic preservatives, or GMO pro cessing agents or additives; reduce the ecological footprint of farms and homes by limiting energy use and converting to renewable sources of energy; reduce food miles by selling produce locally and regionally; create beneficial habitat for wildlife and encourage biodiversity; help preserve farmland and farming know-how; ensure food safety by using potable water for washing crops; handle raw manure and soil amendments with care; use ethical business practices; pay a living wage to all farm workers and acknowledge their freedom of association and their right to collective bargaining; treat family members and farm workers with respect, and ensure their safety on the farm; work in cooperation with other farmers and with the neighboring community to create a more sustainable way of life; sustain the land in healthy condition for future generations.
Location, location, location... All meals are in Convention Center Rooms C and D. All keynotes are in the Ballroom area. The Youth Conference is on the first floor in boardrooms 2 & 3 one level above lobby. Child Care is on the first floor in boardroom #1. Trade Show is in the Foyers and Convention Center B. The Boardroom Area can be reached by taking lobby elevators up one level to 1st floor.
Program Contents
Organic Community NOFA-NY 23rd Annual Conference
January 28-30, 2005 Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York P. O. Box 880 • Cobleskill, NY 12043-0880 607-652-NOFA • FAX 607-652-2290 office@nofany.org • www.nofany.org
Conference Overview and Keynote Bios…2 Public Seed Initiative Grower’s School…3 Growing a Sustainable Business…3 Organic Certification Workshops…3 Saturday Workshops…4-7 Sunday Workshops…7-8 Youth Conference…9 Food Donations…10 Sponsors…11 Scholarship Sponsors…12 Presenters…12-14 Trade Show Exhibitors…15-16 Principles of Organic Agriculture…17 NOFA-NY Farmer’s Pledge…18 Advertisements…19-31