NOFA-NY Winter Conference- January 21-23

Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York Announces 2011 Winter Conference: Diggin’ Diversity

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) announces their 29th annual winter conference, “Diggin’ Diversity”. The conference attracts more than 1,000 people each year and will take place from January 21- 23, 2011 at the Saratoga Hilton and City Center. Over the course of this 3-day event, attendees can choose between more than 80 workshops which explore all types of organic farming, gardening, livestock, fruits and herbs, and policy issues. Friday intensives will cover topics such as food safety, marketing for farmers, holistic planned grazing, diversifying energy, and a brambles intensive. The conference will begin on Thursday evening with a Beginning Farmer mixer to meet new friends and catch up with old ones. As always, a variety of entertainment is planned for the weekend. Friday and Saturday evenings will feature film screenings of “Dirt! The Movie”, an evening of live music and jam sessions led by The Landlines, and contra dance with The Russet Trio & caller Fern Marshall Bradley! And of course, the conference would not be complete without the delicious organic meals, most of which are provided by our very own NOFA-NY members, and our large trade show featuring over 70 vendors.

There is also an exciting line- up of keynote speakers to highlight this year’s conference. Miguel Altieri is a professor of agroecology at the University of California-Berkley. His teaching and research focuses on the role of biodiversity in pest management. Malik Yakini is the Chairperson of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network. He is a longtime Detroit activist who has played a critical role in raising awareness about environmental and food justice issues. Kevin Englebert owns a 120-cow dairy farm in Nichols, NY and has diversified into grain and small-scale vegetable production over the last few years. He has also been a member of the National Organic Standards Board advising the USDA National Organic Program.

For more information or to register online, visit www.nofanyconference.org. Contact Matt Robinson,

Education and Outreach Coordinator, for general questions about the winter conference at (585) 271-1979 x503 or email him at conference@nofany.org. For all questions regarding registration, contact

Lynn Barrett, Membership and Registration Coordinator, at (585) 271-1979 x509 or via email at register@nofany.org .