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