Winter Conference

Celebrating the Heart of Organic, 28th Annual Winter Conference

The University of Vermont, Burlington - New Location! (Why are we moving to Burlington!?)

please Note: registration is on walk-in basis as of February 8.  Walk in registrations are welcome.  join us by coming to the Billings Center by Ira Allen Chapel from 7am on. 

Click here to download the winter conference brochure.

Click here to download the winter conference registration form.

FEBRUARY 13-15, 2010

Celebrating the Heart of Organic, will explore how local and organic agriculture provide a response to the national “Agenda for Change;” how climate challenges, inequities in food access, and increased demand for food grown closer to home are being addressed by innovative farmers, gardeners, and communities throughout Vermont.

The Winter Conference is the pre-eminent gathering of Vermont's local food community: the farmers, homesteaders, gardeners, localvores, educators, and citizens that are re-localizing Vermont's food system and leading the nation. Please join us for over 75 workshops, a Children's Conference, two great keynote speakers, a farmers' market, and much, much more. Brochures are posted to this webpage. 

United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is joining the conference as a special guest on Saturday. This is a great opportunity this is for Vermonters to show Secretary Vilsack Vermont's agricultural leadership in innovations, food security, grassroots organizing, and healthy food independence! 

LaDonna Redmond joins us as our keynote speaker on Saturday!

Legendary Vermont dairy farmer, Jack Lazor, is our Sunday keynote speaker!

For the 3rd year in a row, technical tracks for commercial farmers will be offered at the Winter Conference.  On Saturday, February 13th the technical track will feature workshops for vegetable and fruit growers. To view the agenda for the vegetable and fruit growers, click here. On Sunday February 14th the technical track will be for dairy and livestock producers. To view the agenda for the dairy and livestock producers, click here.  Workshops in these technical tracks will focus on production, marketing and the business of farming. These technical tracks offer a unique opportunity for farmers to exchange information and learn new skills.

Monday features an intensive grower workshop with farmer Richard Wiswall, author of The Organic Farmer's Business Handbook 

78 Workshops    |    Children's Conference    |    Farmers' Market 
2 Keynote Speakers   |   A Bold Agenda for Food Systems Change

 

Photos by Geoff Hansen, www.geoffhansen.com 

Thanks to our Sponsors!

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Learn how to sponsor the conference and thank you for your support!

Benefactors

Ben and Jerry's Foundation 

 

Risk Management Agency

Sustainers

Chittenden Bank: A Division of United People's Bank

City Market

Edible Green Mountains

Hunger Mountain Coop

Strafford Organic Creamery

 

Stonyfield Farm 

Tierra Farm

 

Sugar Snap

Vermont Agency of Agriculture

VHCB Vermont Farm Viability Enhancement Program

Vermont Sheep and Goat Association

Contributors

Agri-Dynamics, Inc.

Agri-Mark Inc

Brattleboro Food Coop

Chelsea Green Publishing

Clean Yield Asset Management

Efficiency Vermont

Elizabeth Ferry, Freelance Photographer & Journalist

Gardener's Supply

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters

High Mowing Seeds

Intervale Compost Products

Lintilhac Foundation

Northeast Farm Credit AgEnhancement

Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative

Sterling College

UVM for Sustainable Agriculture

Vermont Compost Company

Supporters

Arcana Gardens & Greenhouses

Cabot Creamery Cooperative

Cedar Circle Farm

Center for Whole Communities

Champlain Valley Compost

Concept2  Inc.

Creative Labels of Vermont

Deep Root Organic Cooperative

DripWorks

FEDCO

Grower's Discount Labels

Harris Seeds

McEnroe Organic Farm

North Country Organics

Putney Food Coop

Upper Valley Food Coop

Vermont Bread Company

Yankee Farm Credit

Friends

Evolution Physical Therapy Yoga

Home Ecology

Giroux's Poultry

Intervale Center

Jamieson Insurance Agency Inc

Johnny's Selected Seeds

NCAT/ATTRA Northeast

Northshire Bookstore

Red Wagon Plants

Rural Vermont

Shelburne Farms

St Albans Cooperative Creamery, Inc.

Sweet Clover Market

Vermont Community Foundation

Vermont Community Loan Fund

Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund

Vermont's Local Banquet

Children's Conference

Vermont Institute of Natural Science 

Healthy Living Market

Johnson Family Foundation

King Arthur Flour

Vendor Information

**As of December 31, 2009, the Farmers' Market/exhibitor's tables are full.  Please contact the NOFA-VT office if you would like to be placed on a waiting list.

2010 Exhibitor Application - deadline is January 8, 2010. 

The Farmers' Market has been a strong tradition at our winter conference and this year's new venue will make it even more memorable for customers and vendors alike. The location for our exhibitors is in the historic (and beautiful) Billings Hall on the UVM campus. Located in the same building as our registration, music, silent auction, and refreshments, it should receive ample foot traffic by attendees - and the curious public!

Please reserve the minimum table space required to allow the market to accommodate as many vendors as possible. 

Silent Auction

The Silent Auction raises money to support the Children's Conference, held alongside the NOFA Vermont Winter Conference.

2010 Donations Form - Thank You for your support!

Thanks to our donors!

Sponsorship

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the 2010 conference.

Learn how to sponsor the conference and thank you for your support!

Rideshare & Accomodations

Find Housing or a Carpool: Have a house in Burlington where you could host conference participants? Looking for a place to stay? Looking for a carpool? Connect using our Wordpress blog 

Room Blocks: We currently have rooms blocked at the newly renovated Best Western Hotel in Burlington, for the rate of $82.50/night (includes tax). The rate is available until January 31st. Contact the Best Western at: 1076 Williston Road, South Burlington, VT, 05403; 800/371-1125; www.bestwesternvermont.com