Winter Conference

Celebrating the Heart of Organic, 28th Annual Winter Conference

The 28th Annual Winter Conference was a huge success, with about 2,000 attendees, 168 volunteers, 95 workshops, two great keynote speakers, and a visit from the US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Vermont's entire US Congressional delegation! 

See below for press related to the conference, and check back for videos of LaDonna Redmond's keynote address and Vilsack's visit. We regret that we were unable to film Jack Lazor's keynote address on Sunday; please see the Lancaster Farming article below for a great account of Jack and his address.

• Jack Lazor Recalls 35 Years of Organic Farming - Lancaster Farming
• Ag. Secretary Vilsack visits Vermont - WCAX
• Food Movement Goes from Hippie to Hip-Hop - Burlington Free Press
• Ag Chief's Visit to Vermont Spans Farm Divide - Times Argus

More Information about Vilsack's Visit

Many people had questions and feedback about Secretary Vilsack's presence at the conference. For more information about the thought process behind his visit, you can download a reflection from Enid Wonnacott, NOFA Vermont's executive director, below. Dave Rogers, our policy advisor, also wrote a follow-up statement addressing the issue of GE alfalfa. 

Winter Conference Reflections, by Enid Wonnacott

Are You Still Listening, Secretary Vilsack? by Dave Rogers

Following are the questions that were developed by the NOFA-VT board and staff for Secretary Vilsack, based on feedback we solicited from our members. Since we did not get to ask all of our questions at the conference, we have submitted them to the Secretary for a written response; we will post the responses when they are received.

Please feel free to contact us directly with any other questions or concerns you may have.

Questions for Secretary Vilsack

1. Recent surveys tell us that 75% of Americans now buy organic foods, and that most of them have continued purchasing organic products during this deep recession.

   Why do you think more and more people are buying organic food? What will the USDA be doing to in the next few years to foster the continued growth of organic farming? 

2. Mr. Secretary, as you well know the issue of genetic contamination of organic and conventional crops by genetically-engineered varieties is of great concern to organic farmers and consumers. Contamination of corn, soybeans and canola is now widespread, and if genetically-engineered alfalfa is approved in the near future, this important crop will also be at risk of contamination.

   Do you think this contamination is a serious issue? What is the USDA doing to prevent it? And, who do you think should bear primary responsibility for insuring that this contamination does not happen?

3. Vermont’s small livestock, fruit and vegetable farmers provide thousands of Vermonters with fresh, nutritious and safe food.  And they are increasingly concerned that “one size fits all” food safety regulations and standards developed in Washington will significantly increase their costs and hurt their businesses – as well as our local food economy.

   What will the USDA do to insure that food safety regulations take into account the needs of small farms and local food processors? 

   (Follow-up) Would the USDA be willing to reconsider regulations that restrict on-farm slaughter of animals so that more Vermonters can legally buy their meat directly from their neighbors?

4. America's agriculture and food system are increasingly industrial in scale and corporate in structure - with ever-larger and fewer farms, feedlots, slaughterhouses, seed companies, food manufacturers and retailers. The result has been significant degradation and pollution of our nation's soils, water supplies and air. Our agriculture is the nation's biggest single user of energy and contributor to global climate change. Our rural economies and communities are struggling, and Americans suffer from an epidemic of childhood obesity and diet-related illnesses.

   What are the three most critical changes in American agriculture and agricultural policy that are needed NOW to help turn this food system around? What is the USDA doing to bring these changes about?

5. If you polled the people in this room and asked them what their three biggest concerns are about the future of American agriculture, what do you think they would tell you?
6. What do you think are the biggest barriers and challenges facing farmers who are trying to develop local markets for their products and make a good living?  What more can the USDA do to help them? 
7. The latest figures show that less than 1% of US farmland is organic, and many organic product manufacturers rely on imported raw ingredients. To what do you attribute the slow rate of growth in organic production compared to demand for organic products?  What policies are needed to encourage more farmers to convert to organic production?
8. America's agriculture and food system are increasingly industrial in scale and corporate in structure - with ever-larger and fewer farms, feedlots, slaughterhouses, seed companies, food manufacturers and retailers. Do you regard this as a healthy dynamic?  If not, what needs to change?  What is the USDA doing? 

We would like to extend a special thanks to our Winter Conference sponsors - we couldn't have done it without you!