Upcoming Farm and Food Events

Upcoming Farm and Food Events

New Mexico Organic Farming Conference –
The Southwest’s Premier Conference for Organic Agriculture
February 18-19, 2011
Marriott Albuquerque Pyramid North, Albuquerque, NM
http://www.farmtotablenm.org/fts/248/

The 2011 NM Organic Farming Conference includes: a welcome by Dr. John Boren, Director of New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service; keynote by Jane Sooby, Director of the Organic Farming Research Foundation; delicious organic meal and snacks with a focus on locally produced items; and over 30 sessions on crops, livestock, weed and pest management, market gardening, and farm support. Sessions are taught by experienced organic producers and experts in the field.

Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association: 32nd Annual Conference –
Inspiring Farms, Sustaining Communities
February 19-20, 2011
Granville School, Granville, OH
http://www.oeffa.org/conference2011.php

Inspiring Farms, Sustaining Communities is OEFFA’s 32nd conference! After all this time, the conference is stronger than ever because of the educational, inspirational, and networking opportunities it offers. There will be over 75 workshop to choose from, a raffle, book signings by keynote speaker Joan Dye Gussow and Gene Logsdon. Speakers include Klaas and Mary-Howell Martens with their keynote, Living Upstream: Decision-Making on an Organic Farm, and Dr. Joan Dye Gussow with her keynote, Where have we been? Where are we going?

Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service: 22nd Annual Organic Farming Conference
Booth # 106

February 24-26, 2011
La Crosse Center, La Crosse, WI
http://www.mosesorganic.org/conference.html

High Mowing Organic Seeds' founder and President, Tom Steans, will be giving the keynote speech at this conference. The MOSES Organic Farming Conference is the largest organic farming conference in the U.S. Organized by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), and held annually in La Crosse, WI, the OFC is an extraordinary, farmer-centered event. With over 70 informative workshops, 150+ exhibitors, locally-sourced organic food, live entertainment and inspirational keynote speakers, the OFC is celebrated as the foremost educational and networking event in the organic farming community. From its humble beginning with 90 attendees twenty years ago, our most recent conference in February attracted over 2,700 farmers, advocates, educators, students, and more!

Harvest New England: Ag Marketing Conference & Trade Show –
The Expanding New England Farm Enterprise: Reaping More from What We Sow
March 1-3, 2011
Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, MA
https://regonline.activeglobal.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=890416

This unique marketing conference targets New England growers interested in learning new marketing ideas or fine-tuning strategies for business success. This is a detail-oriented conference featuring keynote speaker John Stanley: Merchandizing Your Way to Success, and a general session with Farmer and Author Ben Hewitt: Revitalizing the Local Economy Through Local Farms and Foods. Break-out session tracks focus on: Growing Your Business, Funding Your Business, Selling Your Product, Marketing Your Product, and Adding Value to Your Product.

Connecticut NOFA: 29th Annual Winter Conference
March 5, 2011
Manchester Community College, Manchester, CT
http://www.ctnofa.org/events/CAOC/2011/2011%20winter%20conference.html

Join us in celebration of local organic farming, gardening, landscaping and sustainable lifestyles. This event will feature 30 plus workshops, a vendor and exhibit area, keynote speech, delicious potluck lunch, children’s program, and a series of hands-on cooking demonstrations.

Organic Growers’ School: 18th Annual Spring Conference
March 5-6, 2011
University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC
http://www.organicgrowersschool.org/content/1505

The Organic Growers School Spring Conference is a one-of-a-kind event that brings people of all walks of life together for a weekend of learning and networking near Asheville, North Carolina. Since 1993, the OGS Spring Conference has been the best way to kick-off the season, with over 70 classes and hands on workshops on a variety of topics, from starting your first vegetable garden, baking bread, and saving on home energy costs, to raising your own goat herd. The mission of OGS is to provide down-to-earth, practical advice on growing and sustainable living, while remaining affordable and accessible to anyone wanting to participate. New Tracks for 2011 include: Fruit Production, Urban Farming, Primitive Skills, and All About Poultry.

California Small Farm Conference –
Small Farms, Bright Futures
March 6-8, 2011
Doubletree Hotel, San Jose, CA
http://www.californiafarmconference.com/

Attracting approximately 500 participants yearly, The California Small Farm Conference is the state’s premier gathering of small farmers, farmers' market managers, university researchers, federal and state agriculture agencies, agriculture students, food policy advocates, consumers and others. With 25 workshops and five workshop tracks, there is something for everyone. Keynote speaker is Craig McNamara, president and owner of Sierra Orchards, a diversified farming operation that includes field, processing, and marketing operations, producing primarily organic walnuts. He also serves as the founder and president of the Center for Land-Based Learning. The goal of this innovative program is to assist high school students in becoming lifelong learners, overcoming barriers to change, and building greater social and human capital in their communities.

Georgia Organics -
14th Annual Conference & Expo: Go Grow!
March 11-12, 2011
http://www.georgiaorganics.org/conference.aspx

10 In-Depth Workshops focusing on farmer education, 9 Educational Session tracks, 12 Food and Farm Tours; keynote speaker Vandana Shiva. This year Georgia Organics will take you to the very beginnings of agriculture in the state, and to the roots of organic farming in Georgia, not to mention trips to some of the state's best organic farms, sustainable livestock producers, coastal habitats, and expeditions into the heart of Savannah's rich culinary heritage.

NOFA New Hampshire Winter Conference –
Localizing Food: Organic Matters
March 19th, 2011
Exeter High School, Exeter, NH
http://www.nofanh.org/winterConference

The Winter Conference is the premiere gathering of New Hampshire’s organic food and agriculture community: farmers, gardeners, localvores, educators, and consumers joining together. This year our keynote speakers are Ben Hewitt, author of “The Town that Food Saved”, the story of the economic resurgence of Hardwick, VT, and Jack Lazor of Butterworks Farm, Westfield, VT.

Please join us for over 40 workshops, including some led by teens and programs for Youth and Children. This year herbalists from the NH Herbal Network will be leading several of the sessions. Plan on strolling through the popular Green Market Fair where vendors and a farmers’ market offer all things green and organic.