NOFA/RI Winter Conference will focus on Healthy Soils, Healthy Plants and Healthy Ecosystems

RHODE ISLAND – The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island (NOFA/RI) is pleased to announce the NOFA/RI Winter Conference: Healthy Soils, Healthy Plants and Healthy Ecosystems on Sunday, March 29. The conference will be hosted by Hope & Main at 691 Main Street, Warren, RI.  Find full conference details atnofari.org.

This Winter Conference will feature a full day of workshops with nationally recognized speakers in organic and sustainable agriculture as well as influential speakers from across Rhode Island and southeast New England. With workshops on soil health, GMO Labeling, Pollinators, Forest & Woodlot Management and the Food Justice Project, this Winter Conference has something for everyone, be they a gardener, farmer or fan of organic foods.

This conference is funded in part by our generous sponsors: Farm Credit East (farmcrediteast.com), the Agricultural Justice Project (agriculturaljusticeproject.org) and the Clif Bar Family Foundation (clifbarfamilyfoundation.org).

This Winter Conference is NOFA/RI’s largest educational and fundraising event. Proceeds will support educational programs for farmers, landscapers, designers and gardeners all year long. These constituents will be joined by agricultural professionals, university educators and extension spets for a full day of workshops, networking sessions, our annual meeting and a delicious potluck meal.

Hope & Main is a value-added, commercial kitchen incubator with a large meeting space for 150 attendees and smaller rooms for concurrent sessions. Learn more about Hope & Main here.

Vendors and related organizations will offer their products and mission in a generous lobby. Morning and mid-day coffee and tea will be provided. Conference participants are invited to bring a food or beverage item to share for our potluck lunch.

Speakers and workshop topics will include:

• Jeff Lowenfels, noted author, lecturer and founder of “Plant a Row for the Hungry.” Jeff will offer two morning workshops: “Teaming With Microbes: The Soil Food Web” and “Teaming With Nutrients, Horton Heard a Who and You Should Too”
• Elizabeth Henderson, experienced organic farmer and advocate of Peacework Farm and the Agricultural Justice Project will lead a 2-part afternoon workshop on “5 Steps to a Food Justice Farm”
• Ray Covino, District Conservationist with USDA’s NRCS, CT office will discuss “Farming with Nature: Improving Soil Health on Vegetable Farms”
• Eric Boettger, Resource Conservationist with USDA’s, NRCS, RI office will cover “Managing for Soil Health begins with a Soil Health Assessment”
• Gary Casabona, Biologist with USDA’s NRCS, RI office will explain “Welcoming Pollinators to your Farm and Garden”
• Chris Modisette with USDA’s NRCS, RI office will describe “Woodlot and Forest Management Opportunities”
• Martin Dagoberto of Massachusetts Right to Know GMOs and Citizens for GMO Labeling (a national non-profit) with Michael Liberatore and Liz Guardia, leaders of the grassroots movement Rhode Island for GMO Labeling will describe “GMO Labeling Legislation Efforts in RI and MA”
• A panel of Rhode Island farmers will describe “How I Got Started in Organic Farming.” Hear from a beginning farmer, experienced farmer and a second generation farmer.

Learn more and register at nofari.orgevents/winter-conference.

These great speakers are brought to you in part by our generous sponsors: Farm Credit East (farmcrediteast.com), the Agricultural Justice Project (agriculturaljusticeproject.org) and the Clif Bar Family Foundation (clifbarfamilyfoundation.org).

Continuing Education Credits are available for NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals.

NOFA/RI will hold its Annual Meeting after a potluck lunch. Attendees are invited to bring a food or beverage to share.

Beginning Farmer Scholarships are available for reduced admission as Workshare Volunteers. Beginning Farmers and Workshare Volunteers seeking reduced admission must be current NOFA/RI members.

Volunteers are needed for set-up, registration, conference logistics and clean-up. To apply for a Beginning Farmer Scholarship or to volunteer, email Bleu Grijalva at newurbanfarmer@gmail.com or call (401) 338-8163.

A limited number of Exhibitor spaces are still available for garden and farm-focused businesses and organizations. Learn more about exhibiting at nofari.org/events/winter-conference.

Sponsorships are still available for the Winter Conference. Would you like your business associated with organic growing? Learn more about sponsorship and marketing opportunities at nofari.org/events/winter-conference. For questions, contact Sanne Kure-Jensen atnofari@live.com or call (401) 369-3303.

Organization
Formed in 1990, NOFA/RI is an organization of farmers, consumers, gardeners and environmentalists working to promote organic farming and organic land care practices. NOFA/RI fosters a healthy relationship to the natural world through educational workshops, advocacy and participation in local and regional events. NOFA/RI works to increase the acreage of land sustainably and organically managed and to provide access to local organic food for all Rhode Islanders. Learn more about NOFA/RI at nofari.org or email nofari@live.com.

NOFA/RI is affiliated with six other NOFA chapters through the NOFA Interstate Council. This growing regional association of seven state chapters representing over 5,800 farmers, farm workers, apprentices, gardeners, chefs and consumer members. Learn more about the NOFA Interstate Council at nofa.org.

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