Richmond, VT - The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA Vermont) is accepting workshop proposals for its 34th Annual Winter Conference. Proposals will be accepted until September 18th, 2015. The event is Vermont’s largest agricultural conference, bringing together more than 1,500 farmers, gardeners, homesteaders, educators, policy makers and consumers for three days of workshops, networking sessions, meals and celebration.
The goal of the conference is to facilitate learning and sharing of information on all aspects of local, organic farming and gardening. Organizers of the conference aim to create a gathering space that fosters collaboration between diverse groups of people, while also meeting the specific needs of these varied groups. The suggested topics below apply in the broadest sense. Additional topics will be considered.
Workshop topics:
- Technical commercial organic vegetable, fruit, herb, flower, dairy & livestock production (beginner – advanced)
- Direct marketing strategies and best practices: CSA, farmstands, farmers’ market vending, etc.
- Procurement and infrastructure: distribution, processing, storage, food safety and cooperative models
- Education: farm-based education, experiential education, school gardens
- Agri-business marketing, technology, and business planning
- Food security and access
- Homesteading and gardening (beginner - advanced)
- Health, wellness and nutrition
- Alternative energy, climate change and resiliency
- Policy, activism, and community engagement