"Our Soil, Our Health"
The 34th Annual Winter Conference was held February 13-15 at the University of Vermont in Burlington, and brought together more than 1,000 farmers, gardeners, homesteaders, consumers, and exhibitors, coming from over 20 U.S. states and Canandian provinces, to celebrate and learn more about sustainable and healthy agriculture. We hope you enjoy these photos from the conference, graciously submitted by Alexandra Zipparo.
This quilt was created at the 2015 NOFA-VT Winter Conference with love and guidance by community artist Bonnie Acker. (Photo by Ali Zipparo)
Sharing a hug and a smile near the community-made quilt from last year's conference is Erin Buckwalter, NOFA-VT's market development director, and artist Bonnie Acker. (Photo by Ali Zipparo)
Ross Conrad, a workshop presenter and beekeeper, talks with David Zuckerman of Full Moon Farm. (Photo by Ali Zipparo)
Cheryl Herrick of the UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture shows off her display in the Exhibitor's Fair. (Photo by Ali Zipparo)
Charles & Leigh Merinoff, of Meadows Bee Farm (conference sponsors), peruse the program and get ready for the keynote remarks. (Photo by Ali Zipparo)
L to R: Rep. Peter Welch, NOFA-VT's executive director Enid Wonnacott, and Sen. Patrick Leahy. (Photo by Ali Zipparo)
The 2016 NOFA Vermont Winter Conference welcomed many students and young farmers for 3 days of learning and connecting. (Photo by Ali Zipparo)
A friend grabbbed the camera and turned it on Ali Zipparo, NOFA Vermont's conference photographer. (Photo by a friend of Ali Zipparo)
A soil workshop at the NOFA-VT Children's Conference, which had more than 50 participants over 2 days. (Photo by Ali Zipparo)
Dave Miskell and Dave Chapman hang out in the "social action zone" of NOFA Vermont's 2016 Winter Conference, promoting their campaign to "Keep the Soil in Organic". (Photo by Ali Zipparo)
Herbalist Guido Masé gave Sunday's keynote address about the connection between soil health and human health. (Photo by Ali Zipparo)
A Vermont Community Garden Network member, dressed as a pea, shows off some the 2016 artwork created by conference participants and artist Bonnie Acker. (Photo by Ali Zipparo)