February 23, 2019 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Housatonic Community College Bridgeport, Connecticut - CT NOFA's Winter Conference
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Saturday
February 23, 2019
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Housatonic Community College
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Welcome On behalf of the Staff and the Board of Directors of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut, welcome to the 37th Annual CT NOFA Winter Conference. Since 1982, we work to ensure the growth and viability of organic agriculture, organic food, and organic land care in Connecticut. Today, we gather to learn from each other and re-commit ourselves to the opportunities available to us as organic growers and advocates, but we also take time to celebrate each other. We honor the contributions of our founder, Bill Duesing, our visionary leader from 1982-2018. The first Bill Duesing Or- ganic Living on the Earth award will be awarded this year during our Annual Meeting. Bill embodied the best of what CT NOFA can be – and we strive to live by the truths to which he committed his life. Connecticut NOFA is embracing a revival of our commitment to working land through a conference focusing on regenerative agriculture principles of soil health and seed sovereignty. CR Lawn, founder of FedCo Seeds, will be our keynote speaker: “Restoring our Seed Commons.” His essays have influenced us all, from seed catalog’s vegetable variety descriptions to essays on food issues and economic policy, weather and climate, and changes in the seed trade. Bryan O’Hara will give an afternoon intensive course on no-till vegetable growing. Presenters focusing on climate change and public policy speak to our initiatives across Connecticut and across the globe. We wish to thank our sponsors, exhibitors, and volunteers: their contribu- tions make this conference possible and keep our advocacy strong through- out the year. In particular, we are proud of NOFA’s partnerships with UConn Cooperative Extension, FarmAid, USDA, and NRCS. These relationships cultivate common mission with agriculture, food policy, environmental, and public health initiatives. We look forward to their continued presence on our farms and supporting our workshops throughout the year. Enjoy your day! We wish you all the best of success for the growing season ahead. Let us stay connected in 2019. We at CT NOFA are thrilled to pioneer advancements in organic living and advocate for ecologically, socially, and economically just principles in our land stewardship throughout Connecticut. Steve Munno President, CT NOFA
Table of Contents
Schedule 1
Board and Staff 2
Keynote 4
Bill Duesing Awards 5-8
Lunch 9
Workshop Session I 12-15
Workshop Session II 16-18
Workshop Session III 21-24
Workshop Session IV 24-27
Vendors & Exhibitors 30-33
Sponsors Back Cover
Schedule
Table of Contents
8:00-9:00 Registation
9:00-10:00 Workshop Session I
10:15-12:oo Annual Meeting
Keynote, CR Lawn
The Bill Duesing Organic
Living on the Earth Award
12:00-1:30 Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 Workshop Session II
2:45 - 3:45 Workshop Session III
4:00 - 5:00 Workshop Session IV
Job Fair
1
CT NOFA Staff and Board
STAFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Interim Director
Dina Brewster Farah Masani
Operations and Organic Land Matt Oricchio
Care Director, Jeremy Pelletier
Winter Conference Coordinator Shannon Raider-Ginsburg
Ashley Kenney
John Carlson
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Diane Litwin
President, Steve Munno
Rachel Gilroy
Co Vice President, John Pittari, Jr.
Domingo Medina
Co Vice President, Patrick Horan
Isabellle Menozzi
Treasurer, Howard Schafer
Secretary, Dana Jackson Yasemin Ugurlu
2
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3
Keynote Speaker
CR Lawn
In 1978 CR Lawn founded Fedco
Seeds. He served on its manage-
ment teams for forty years until his
retirement June 2018. In his plots,
CR looked at thousands of varieties
for possible inclusion in the Fedco
catalog. He wrote most of the seed
catalog’s vegetable variety descrip-
tions and its essays on food issues
and economic policy, weather and
climate, and changes in the seed
trade.
He and his wife Eli Rogosa co-ordinated the NESARE-funded
Restoring our Seed Project that pioneered in presenting the seed
arts to growers in the Northeast prior to the advent of the Organic
Seed Alliance conferences. He sat on the Board of the Maine Or-
ganic Farmers and Gardeners Assn. (MOFGA) from 1993 to 2009
serving several terms as Treasurer and Secretary, and is currently
on the Board of the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI). He is a
graduate of Oberlin College and has a JD from Yale Law School.
4
The Bill Duesing Organic
Living on the Earth Award
In Honor of His Life and Work
CT NOFA’s 1st Annual “Bill Duesing Organic Living on the Earth Awards”
are being presented today at CT NOFA’s 37th Winter Conference.
The recipients of the awards are Wayne Hansen of Wayne’s Organic Garden, Oneco, CT in the Farmer/
Farm category; Nancy DuBrule-Clemente of Natureworks, Northford, CT in the Organic Land Care
Professional category; and Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center for the Giving Garden at Coogan Farm
and Farm Manager Craig Floyd, Mystic, CT in the Organization category.
The award is to honor the memory and mission of Bill Duesing by recognizing individuals and organi-
zations contributing to the advancement of organic living in Connecticut in a demonstrable way. Bill
was the founder and first Executive Director of CT NOFA, an organic farmer and advocate, environ-
mental educator, writer, artist and lecturer. Upon his graduation from Yale, he began a lifetime devoted
to sustaining the earth he loved and educating others long before organic living was a vital movement.
The award in Bill’s name is especially
unique in that it was proposed to Bill in
the last months of his life after he said,
“My sole real regret is that I leave this
Earth having only partially completed the
transition to a solar powered society
grounded in organic agriculture. I trust my
colleagues and soulmates in this mission
will continue their efforts to realize a
sustainable and joyful future for all.” Prior
to his death Bill was gratified to know his
many friends had joined with CT NOFA to
carry on his legacy through the creation
of "The Bill Duesing Organic Living on the
Earth Award," as well as the “The Friends of Bill Duesing Fund.”
His friends at CT NOFA and throughout Connecticut are proud to answer his call at today’s conference
and long into the future. The three recipients of this unique award, being given for the first time, are
wonderful examples of people and organizations that will carry on Bill’s life work.
Bill’s many accomplishments include his passionate advocacy in Hartford; working with Once Upon
a Farm in Bethany, where his name graces the Learning and Education Center; receiving a Lifetime
Achievement Award from People’s Action for Clean Energy; chairing Community Farm of Simsbury;
being a founding board member and president of Connecticut Farmland Trust; serving on the steering
committee of Working Lands Alliance; being founding chair of the New Haven Ecology project and its
Common Ground High School; and founding CT NOFA.The “Friends of Bill Duesing Fund” will sup-
port CT NOFA as we continue Bill’s organic legacy.
Please consider a gift in Bill’s honor by donating to CT NOFA. Details at ctnofa.org
5
The Bill Duesing Organic
Living on the Earth Award
Wayne Hansen, Wayne's Organic Garden | Farmer/Farm Category
Wayne Hansen is a legend in the organic movement in Connecticut. In
1989, Wayne's Organic Garden became the first certified organic farm in eastern
Connecticut and the second in the entire state. He’s been supplying highly varied,
nutritious, and delicious organic produce to his customers for more than 30 years.
Wayne was a pioneer in year round production for winter farmers mar-
kets by growing under row cover, in hoop houses and in greenhouses. Wayne is
a wonderful, giving man who continually serves as a mentor and inspiration to
other farmers and to his customers. Wayne has shared his knowledge and skills at
countless on-farm workshops, CT NOFA events, at farmers markets, and more.
Wayne doesn't regard other organic growers as competitors, but rather as col-
laborators, and in the case of new farmers, as mentees. He goes out of his way to
help all, in ways large and small. Thanks to his example, Wayne has also inspired
conventional growers to adopt more sustainable practices. Wayne is retiring this
year from Wayne’s Organic Garden after many decades of service to the cause
of organic agriculture in Connecticut, but others still rely on him for his expert
knowledge and inspiration which he so generously shares. Wayne’s gifts to the
organic movement that he helped pioneer will continue.
To quote Wayne himself, “Organic...we’re in it for life”. Wayne Hansen
is a most deserving recipient of the 1st Annual CT NOFA "Bill Duesing Organic
Living On The Earth Award" in the Farmer/Farm category.
6 Photo by Maggie McDonough
The Bill Duesing Organic
Living on the Earth Award
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center's Giving Garden at Coogan Farm
and Farm Manager Craig Floyd | Organization Category
The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, founded in 1946, is a 300-acre
nature sanctuary in Mystic, CT. It is dedicated to educating children – young and
old – about the ways of Nature. The 45-acre Coogan Farm, also in Mystic, was
added to the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center in 2013. Maggie Jones, Denison
Pequotsepos Nature Center's keeper for 25 years, had a vision of creating a gre-
enway to connect the nature center and the farm. She saw the farm as an intact
historic landscape worth saving and knew that protecting the farm from develop-
ment would safeguard the surrounding environment and keep the 370-year old
culturally significant farm intact.
Craig Floyd is the Farm Manager for the Denison Pequotsepos Nature
Center’s Giving Garden at Coogan Farm, located in Mystic, CT, and a 10th gener-
ation farmer from Stonington, CT, where his family has been farming since 1712.
He is renowned for his bottomless knowledge of how plants grow and an uncanny
ability to genuinely connect with anyone that has contact with him. Craig over-
sees the Giving Garden at Coogan Farm – a no-till, no-spray farm. He manages
hundreds of volunteers, all pitching in to grow highly nutritious food, under his
tutelage. In keeping with the name, Giving Garden, all produce grown is donated.
As of 2014, it has donated over 43,000 pounds of bio-nutrient rich produce, which
translates to 93,172 meals through the Gemma E. Moran Food Bank. In 2018
alone, 10,000 pounds fed 23,000 food insecure people in southeastern CT!
It is a great honor to present the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center’s
Giving Garden at Coogan Farm and Craig Floyd with the 1st Annual "Bill Duesing
Living on the Earth Award" in the Organization Category.
Photo by Winter Caplansom, Connecticut Food and Farm
7
The Bill Duesing Organic
Living on the Earth Award
Nancy DuBrule-Clemente, Natureworks | Land Care Professional Category
Nancy DuBrule-Clemente is a veritable force of nature. She is the
founder of Natureworks Horticultural Services, an organic garden center, land-
scape design consultation, installation and maintenance service in Northford.
Nancy has set the standard for organic land care and horticultural practice for
more than 30 years, not only in Connecticut, but in the entire Northeast. The
Naturework’s crews and retail store have used organic fertilizers and pest
control products since its inception in 1983.
Education has been Nancy’s primary focus throughout the years. With
newsletters, handouts, emails, website offerings, social media posts and web vid-
eos, articles for local newspapers and magazines, lectures and radio interviews,
Nancy has passionately and tirelessly spread the word about organic land care
and sustainable practices and changed innumerable landscapes which reflect her
principles.
She has authored two published books and is a past president of CT
NOFA. Her vast knowledge of plants is unparalleled. Her favorites are the na-
tives and those that attract beneficial insects and butterflies, especially the Mon-
archs. Nancy’s demonstration gardens at Natureworks and her home gardens are
breathtaking. She is clearly the perfect recipient of the 1st Annual "Bill Duesing
Organic Living on the Earth Award" in the Organic Land Care Professional cat-
egory.
8LUNCH
12:00 - 1:30 PM
Lunch will be held in the courtyard outside of Beacon Hall between 12:00
pm and 1:30 pm. The Tasty Yolk will also be available for breakfast starting
at 9 am. Vegan and Vegitarian options are available!
Food Trucks
Thank you to our lunch sponsors
9Partnering Organizations
USDA | Farm Aid | UCONN | NRCS
CT NOFA is grateful to be working in partnership with state, federal
and private support to bring this year’s Winter Conference learning
opportunities to you. Our initiatives around soil health, no-till farm-
ing practices, and policy intersect with the broad reaching work of
the following organizations:
Special thanks goes to UConn Extension
support for today’s technical expertise in
the following workshops:
Plant Disease Prevention in Organic Garden and Landscape | Yonghao Li
Nuts and Bolts of Farmscaping For Beneficial Insects | Ana Legrand
Vegetable Pest Management for Small Scale Production | Shuresh Ghimire and Matt DeBacco
Cover Crop Mixtures to Grow Our Own Nitrogen | Shuresh Ghimire and Matt DeBacco
Soil Health and Nutrient Management Planning | Kip Kolesinskas & Katherine VanDerWoude
Funding has been provided by the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program of the
Agricultural Marketing Service, US Department of Agriculture, awarded and ad-
ministered by the CT Dept. of Agriculture.
Healthy Soil, Healthy Food | Monique Bosch
The following workshops receive support from
the Natural Resources Conservation Service
Conservation Innovation Grant and FarmAid
No-Till Intesnsive Pt. 1 and 2 | Bryan O'Hara
State Policy Advocacy Training | Chelsea Gazillo and David Howard
Farming for Maximum Photosynthesis | Julie Rawson
Carbon Farming: Science, Policy, and Systems for Carbon
Drawdown on Connecticut Farmland | Connor Stedman
10THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE NON - PROFIT 501 (C) (3)
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11Session I Workshops
9:00-10:00 AM
Farming/Gardening programs for youth: Q&A with
The Growing Entrepreneurs | Esther Rose-Wilen
High-school-aged participants in the Growing Entrepreneurs Pro-
gram at the New Haven Land Trust will talk about their experience
in the program and answer questions from the audience about how
to design a successful program for youth at a farm or garden.
ROOM 131
Specialty Mushrooms for food, medicine, and the backyard farm
Willie Crosby
This workshop will cover 4 common specialty mushrooms, their
potential health benefits, nutritional benefits and ways to incorpo-
rate them into every day life. We will also cover how to cultivate
some of these mushrooms in a homesteading or small production
scale.
ROOM 133
The Farm 2 School Test: Growing Demand Means
Growing Opportunity | Shannon Raider-Ginsburg
Schools are ready to procure local and direct! New rules and regu-
lations make purchasing agreements simple and effective. Learn
up to date information to demystify the myths, misconceptions
while understanding opportunities about farm to school. As CSA
subscriptions and market sales flagging get your share of the F2S
market.
ROOM 134
Healthy Soil - Healthy Food | Monique Bosch
Learn about the role healthy soil plays in growing nutritious food.
We'll take a close up look at life in the soil and delve into ways to
bring your soil back to life. Lessons in microscopy, worm compost-
ing and regenerative agriculture practices will be explored.
ROOM 135
12Holistic Pet Care | Dr. Stephen Tobin
This talk will cover proper feeding and nutrition of dogs and cats,
along with disease prevention, vaccinations, and proper health care.
ROOM 136
Investing in Your Property And a Positive Future
Victor Ziminsky
- Lessons from studying finance, going all in on organic farming
and permaculture, and starting a "food forest"
- What is of value?
- How to start a food forest - tips and tricks effective edible
plantings
- Investing in your environment
ROOM 143
We've Got the Whole Seed in Our Hands: Embracing the Seed
Arts To Move beyond being only a Consumer of Seed | CR Lawn
-Why do on-farm seed work?
-Integrating seeds into whole farm systems
-Assessing your seed needs as a gardener or farmer
-Shopping mindfully for varieties to grow and observe
-Establishing Observation plots
-Evaluating Cultivars
-Saving Seeds:
-Observing, recording data, selecting
-Breeding: considerations in amateur plant breeding
ROOM 214 B/C
Regenerating Our Future: Fostering Resilient Production Sys-
tems Within a Rapidly Changing Climate | Adam Squire
This talk will examine how soil/plant health centric production
models that minimize tillage and abstain from chemical interven-
tions can buffer producers and local foodsheds from the increasing
liability of climate volatility. We will examine the biological dynam-
ics that make regenerative stewardship models resilient.
ROOM 232
13Integrated Organic Gardening | Park City Harvest
This workshop is designed to walk gardeners and farmers through
the process of gardening in an organic manner from beginning
to end. It will cover setting up and testing soil quality and how to
amend it, also ways to perform organic IPM measures to ensure a
good healthy crop.
ROOM 236
Plant Disease Prevention in Organic Garden and Landscape
Dr. Yonghao Li
Plant diseases that can reduce the yield of vegetable crops and
disfigure ornamental plants. Prevention is the is a easy and effec-
tive way to control plant diseases. This talk will discuss quarantine,
sanitation, protection, and disease-resistant varieties that are used
in the prevention of plant diseases.
ROOM 269
Fairfield's Tips for Going Green | Scott Thompson
The Town of Fairfield published its first-ever Sustainability Plan in
2018. The Sustainable Fairfield Task Force performs outreach and
communication to the Fairfield community. The presentation will
describe actions that individuals can take to live more sustainable
and have a positive community impact.
ROOM 271
Nuts and Bolts of Farmscaping For Beneficial Insects
Ana Legrand
This workshop will cover the basic principles behind creating farm
habitat for insect natural enemies and pollinators. Topics covered
include: practices and resources that help create a diverse farms-
cape for beneficial insects, assessment of farm features and farm
practices that have an impact on beneficial insects.
ROOM 273
14Gardening with Children | Michaela Wales
‘Kindergarten’ – Gardening with Children. How to create a child-
friendly garden at your home or school. Terms and lessons to help
teach children to garden. Different kinds of planting methods that
work for different ages. How to create safe spaces where children
can enjoy the plants and play among them.
ROOM 131
Maximizing Food Waste for Economic Development
Michelle McCabe
FEED Center launched a product line and catering business that
utilizes produce that would otherwise have been thrown away. Join
us to learn about how we are leveraging food waste to bring eco-
nomic opportunity to Bridgeport area food entrepreneurs.
ROOM 133
Raising Livestock Basics | Matt Oricchio
Matt comes with much experience in raising chickens, ducks, rab-
bits, geese, turkeys, gamebirds, pigs, and sheep. This workshop will
focus on ducks and rabbits for meat production.
ROOM 134
The Basics of Finding Land to Farm | Kip Kolesinskas
Beginning farmers find securing land is their greatest challenge.
This session will explore topics important for success: evaluat-
ing your readiness, lease vs own, and how to assess the property.
Participants will start developing a plan to find land, including tools
such as Farmlink. Programs that offer funding/assistance will be
discussed.
ROOM 135
15Session ll Workshops
1:30-2:30 PM
Building Bridges Food Entrepreneurship Platform Raquel
Rivera-Pablo
Various resources are coming together to provide new food en-
trepreneurs and farmers an opportunity to showcase their talents,
earn income and support local small business. Students from my
culinary training program have been paired with local farms and
gardeners (i.e. Reservoir Community Farm) and farmers markets.
ROOM 288
The Business of Farming | SCORE Panel
How to get free business mentoring and access to valuable resourc-
es. Start-up Guidance; Business Planning;Marketing and Social
Media; finding and Retaining Employees; Funding, Taxes and Cash
Flow; Buying or Selling a Business; Farm Business Themed Work-
shops and Webinars. Join us for a discussion of attendees’ business
needs.
ROOM 136
Landscaping with Native Plants | Roberta DiBisceglie
This talk will cover how to design and manage your home garden
encouraging pollinators to help our planet as they are a crucial part
of our ecosystem. Loss of habitat threatens them and choosing na-
tive plants is proven to support many life cycles of insects we care
about. We will discuss site prep, design, plant selection, planting
and after care.
ROOM 143
Vegetable Pest Management for Small Scale Production
Shuresh Ghimire and Matt DeBacco
Participants can learn (i) weed management in vegetable crops
focusing on mulching and stale seedbed technique; (ii) suitability
of biodegradable mulches in organic and sustainable crop produc-
tion; and (iii) organic and non-organic management of vegetable
16diseases and insects focusing on tomatoes and squash.
ROOM 214 B
Wisdom of the Ages Panel | Moderated by Richard Hill, Panelists
include Annie Farrell & Guy Beardsley, Sal Gilbertie, Wayne Han-
sen, and Mike Nadeau
These are the greats of CT NOFA. We "stand on the shoulders of
giants" as we hear the stories, challenges and victories of these pan-
elists over extensive careers. The wisdom of our panelists will lend
fortitude and perspective to your work in the upcoming season.
ROOM 214 C
Building a Farm Website | Allyson Angellini
In this workshop we will discuss the importance of having a farm
website, the components to an effective website, and how you can
build your own farm website to improve your customer outreach
and find the right people to support your farm business.
ROOM 232
Hügelkulturs: Incorporating the Hugel into Your Landscape
Ian Appleby & Jessica Kurose
Hugel garden beds are self-fertilizing, self-watering, no-till, plant-
growing power houses! From the simple task of burying wood and
yard waste under your garden bed, comes a powerful horticultural
technique. Come learn how we turned our monoculture lawn into
biodiverse food and native plant gardens and how you can, too!
ROOM 236
The Farmer Is In: Diagnosing and Solving Problems
on Your Farm | Tomasz Falkowski and Jody Bolluyt
We collaborated with innovative farmers to learn how they inte-
grate problem solving and experimentation into their normal farm-
ing operations. In this workshop, you will learn about these farmer-
developed research methods including how to identify research
questions, test alternatives, and collect and interpret results.
ROOM 269
17The Hows and Whys of Fungal Friendly Farming | Jack Kittredge
This workshop will explore the fungal kingdom and explain why
fungi are so important to farming success and viability. After
reviewing basic facts about fungi, we will discuss how farmers can
manage their operations in ways that encourage fungi and benefit
from their symbiotic relationship with plants.
ROOM 271
Climate Reality Project Presentation - Sign Up for Local Projects
& Initiatives | Daphne Dixon
‘The Climate Reality Project” presentation that was created by No-
bel Laureate and former Vice President, Al Gore will show that by
taking urgent, necessary and local action across every level of so-
ciety, we will catalyze a global solution to the environmental crisis,
Sign up for local projects after presentation.
ROOM 273
Carbon Farming: Science, Policy, and Systems for Carbon
Drawdown on Connecticut Farmland | Connor Stedman
Farms have a large role to play in the global and regional solu-
tions to climate change. This workshop will provide an up-to-date
overview of the science, policy landscape, and regional design of
carbon-negative agriculture, focusing on systems and practices with
the greatest production and business viability in Connecticut.
ROOM 288
18Committed to Organic
Growers Since 1973
Organic seed, rigorously trialed in the Northeast.
Quality vegetables and flowers start with the seed.
Increase your success by choosing Johnny's!
Contact Julie Fine, your
Connecticut Sales Representative
jfine@johnnyseeds.com
207-660-4309
100% Non-GMO 100%
Employee Owned Safe Seed Pledge Satisfaction Guarantee
Johnnyseeds.com • 1-877-564-6697
19Eclectic Naturopathic Medical Center,
LLC
Kathleen Riley, ND
Wilberto Lugo, ND
At Eclectic Naturopathic Medical Center, we specialize in providing
gentle, effective treatments for acute and chronic illnesses for infants
through geriatrics. We offer nutritional and lifestyle counseling,
botanical medicine, Bowenwork and FSM treatments. For more
information call or check out our website.
40 Christian Lane
Newington, CT 06111
860-665-1254
www.kathleenrileynd.com
20Session llI Workshops
2:45-3:45 PM
Establishing a Regenerative Giving Garden Program
for a Non Profit | Craig Floyd and Emma Sutphen
Learn how a non-profit built a highly successful Giving Garden
that donates 100% of what is grown to help feed the food insecure.
Learn about our volunteer operations, minerializing techniques,
and sustainable initiatives. How to add microbiology , reduce weed
pressure, improve nutritional quality. We are a no till no spray re-
generative garden.
ROOM 131
Flower farming: The Case for Organics and Tips for 5 Annuals
Kristyna Hulland
This workshop advocates for organically grown flowers to comple-
ment an organic farm or garden. The benefits of organics to pol-
linators, the land, and health in the household will be discussed
along with growing and post-harvest tips for five annual cut flowers
to add seasonal color to your market operation.
ROOM 133
Thrive This Growing Season: Wellness Tips From a
Professional Horticulturist | Mira Peck
Do you feel like in Spring you are literally running on light, but by
fall you are heading for burnout? Learn practical tools and mindset
tweaks that will give you vibrant energy to thrive all season! Allevi-
ate stress and embrace the beauty of the garden and nurture your
own well-being.
ROOM 134
21Soil Health and Nutrient Management Planning
Kip Kolesinskas & Katherine VanDerWoude
Soils are the basis for any farm's success.. Participants will learn
basic soil science principles important to maintaining healthy soils.
They will develop knowledge about soil health and the common
conservation practices used to manage them. Guidance on soil test-
ing, reading soil tests, and conservation plans will be discussed.
ROOM 135
All About Pawpaws: History, Propagation and Cultivation
Daniel Furman
Pawpaws (A. triloba) are the largest North American fruit, and
though not native to Connecticut, have been proven to grow well
here. This talk will cover the basics of cultivation of this worthy
native fruit. Pawpaws have a place on every homestead, market
garden and CSA in the state.
ROOM 136
The Organic Ethic and the Living Landscape | Mike Nadeau
To create a truly ecological and organic landscape we must learn
to “see” what the land can show us, “listen” to what the land can
tell us, and “feel” what the land wants to grow and how it wishes to
benefit from our actions and inactions. Come share and learn.
ROOM 143
Urban Ag Panel | Moderator, Joey Listro
Panelists include Ellie Angerame, Farron Harvey, Raven Blake, and
Jacqueline Maisonpierre
ROOM 214 B
No-Till Intesnsive Pt. I | Bryan O’Hara
ROOM 214 C
Cover Crop Mixtures to Grow Our Own Nitrogen | Julie Fine
ROOM 232
22Monetizing Your Assets By Offering On Farm Vacation Rentals
Robert (Bob) Maddox
I will discuss how our Airbnb, a Geodesic Dome, on the farm helps
diversify our income as well as build support for organic farming. I
will share the opportunities and challenges of starting and operat-
ing an Airbnb on our farm.
ROOM 236
Organic Certification: How To Get Certified and Get Your
Questions Answered | Lauren Sandstrom and Rachel Murray
This presentation will inform participants on the basics of the stan-
dards for organic certification. This includes the associated costs,
the process, the types of operations that can be certified, and the re-
gion Baystate serves for organic certification. Ample time is allowed
to answer questions from participants.
ROOM 269
Farming for Maximum Photosynthesis | Julie Rawson
When we super charge our farming system focusing on promoting
maximum photosynthesis, all else falls into place. We are utilizing
no till methods, mulch, intersown cover crops, targeted mineral
amendments, biostimulants, microbial inoculants, and prioritizing
healthy mycorrhizal fungi, MHOF is highly diversified with ani-
mals, vegetables, and fruit. $100,000 annual budget.
ROOM
271
State Policy Advocacy Training
Chelsea Gazillo and David Howard
Working Lands Alliance - A project of American Farmland Trust
- and the National Young Farmers Coalition will outline how to
successfully advance farmland access policies in CT. This workshop
will demystify the public policy process and provide ways to be-
come involved in advocating for food system policies in CT..
ROOM 273
23Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Connecticut Farms
Connor Stedman
By regenerating ecosystem patterns and processes, farms can
be designed for resilience in the face of climate disruption. This
workshop will explore ecological design principles and solutions for
climate adaptation on Connecticut farms, including water man-
agement, crop and landscape biodiversity, productive buffers and
corridors, and potential new regional crops.
ROOM 288
Session lV Workshops & Discussion Groups
4:00-5:00 PM
What's in your toolbox? Resources for Ag Educators
Cynthia Espinosa
Agricultural Education is essential if we are to deliver fair and af-
fordable food, housing, and health for all. Participants attending
this workshop will be participating in three hands-on activities
to experience, reflect and decide how to use them in their work.
Handouts and resources will be distributed.
ROOM 131
Student Farmers on Climate Change Mitigation Through Soil
Spring Valley Farm
Student farmers share techniques and growing practices that nur-
ture soil health and mitigate climate change. Learn how you can
bolster soil health in your back-yard garden and through careful
consumption. Join us for this interactive discussion on climate
change in our lives and in our gardens!
ROOM 134
24Arethusa Gardens, Litchfield
Averill Farm, Washington Depot
Back 40 Farm, Washington
Buck Mountain Herbs, Cornwall
Cricket Hill Garden, Thomaston
Earth’s Palate, Warren
Evergreen Berry Farm, Watertown
Fort Hill Farm, New Milford
Gilbertie’s Herb Gardens, Easton
High Hill Orchard, Meriden
March Farms, Bethlehem
Ridgeway Farm, Cornwall
Riverbank Farm, Roxbury
Sun One Farm, Bethlehem
Sunrise Sunset Farm, Bethlehem
newmorn.com | 203-263-4868 | 129 Main St. North, Woodbury, CT | Open Daily 8-8
25Hunger Relief Panel: Hunger Relief in our Backyard: Meet the
Organizations Feeding Connecticut
A panel led by Michelle McCabe of FEED Bridgeport. Panelists
include Laurie Jones of Food Rescue US, Rick Nixon of Person-to-
Person, and Lisa Hutchings of the CT Foodbank. This workshop
is hoping to contextualize our panel in light of the recent ALICE
report that 40% of CT residents do not earn enough to meet their
basic needs and to consider the role that food plays in terms of
survival, health, and financial stability.
ROOM 214 B
No-Till Intensive Pt. II | Bryan O’Hara
ROOM 214 C
Demystifying Aquaponics | Kieran Foran
This workshop will detail the basics of aquaponic growing tech-
niques and clarify the distinction between hydro and aquaponic
growing. It will describe the complicated relationship to things like
the organic label and organic land care rules, but dig into how it
also ensures food and job security for future generations.
ROOM 232
Urban Homesteading | Sven Pihl
This presentation will be a walkthrough of speakers 5 years experi-
ence Urban Homesteading in New Britain and includes educational
path, Permaculture and several projects designed and built after-
ward.
ROOM 236
26Growing Medicinal herbs and Medicine Making to Support the
Immune System | Melody Wright
This workshop will cover growing and processing of some favor-
ite medicinal herbs to support the immune system, focusing on
home remedies e.g.: fire cider, elderberry syrup, tinctures and teas.
We’ll cover seed starting, harvesting and processing of herbs such
as: Holy Basil, Thyme, Spilanthes, Echinacea, Hyssop officinalis,
Astragalus and more!
ROOM 269
Pollinator Habitats: What Does Science Tell Us? | Kim Stoner
Bees are the most important pollinators of crop plants. I will talk
about bee diversity in Connecticut, which bees species are crop
pollinators, factors affecting bees, and the results of research about
how to create bee habitat.
ROOM 271
Seed & Grow NOFA’s Social Justice Work, Help Create NOFA’s
Future | Louis Battalen, James J. Amenta, Anna Gilbert-Muhammad,
and Steve Munno
Bring your vital voice as we design & build the formation of a food
justice presence, aligning our social justice values with our passions
for organic & the land, expanding our agro-ecology principles to
all state chapters & into our respective communities. Discuss your
needs and vision for NOFA’s future with NOFA staff and board
members from multiple NOFA chapters.
ROOM 273
Whole Lamb Breakdown and Butchering Demonstration
Tim Frosina
Breakdown of a whole lamb. Topics will include: butchery, cooking,
animal husbandry, environmental impact, consumer choices etc.
ROOM 288
27Farm and Food Job Fair
4:00-5:00 PM | Cafeteria, 1st floor of Beacon Hall
The goal of OrganiConn's newest addition, the Farm and Food Job Fair,
is to connect capable talent with agricultural and lanscaping-related busi-
nesses around Connecticut that are looking to hire for the season.
The annual Winter Conference always draws people from around the
state. It is proven that face to face interaction and networking always help
when you are out job hunting. The Farm and Food Job Fair will take place
from 4-5p in the Cafeteria located on the 1st floor of Beacon Hall. It is
free to visit for all OrganiConn attendees and we hope you find satisfying,
meaningful employment.
2829
Vendors & Exhibitors
A Pinch of Salt Chaga Cola Company
Raquel Rivera-Pablo Charlie Hibben
468 Brewster Street 20 Parsons Walk
Bridgeport, CT 06605 3477467258 Darien, CT 06820
Raquel@apinchofsalt.com 2035243715
http://www.apinchofsalt.com chagacolacompany@gmail.com
Hot sauce sourced locally, banana bread, http://www.chagasoda.com
pastillitos/turnovers Charlie's Chaga, Soda of the Woods in
cold in coolers!
Baystate Organic Certifiers
Rachel Murray Connecticut Department
1220 Cedarwood Circle of Agriculture
North Dighton, MA 02764 Rebecca Eddy
2035099099 450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 703
rmurray@baystateorganic.org Hartford, CT 06103
http://baystateorganic.org/ 8607132503
We are an organic certifier and plan to rebecca.eddy@ct.gov
have information available for those in- http://www.CTGrown.gov
terested. We will be available to answer Promote programs and services available
questions. to producers through the Connecticut
Department of Agriculture.
Beautycounter
Molly Healey Connecticut Farmland Trust
111 Arcadia Avenue Lily Orr
Bridgeport, CT 06604 77 Buckingham St
9178850799 Hartford, CT 06106
mollyhealey.beautycounter@gmail.com 8602470202
http://Beautycounter.com/mollyhealey lorr@ctfarmland.org
We are direct to consumer consultants Connecticut Farmland Trust is the only
and we sell safer beauty products. We statewide, private conservation organiza-
ban the use of over 1,400 harmful chemi- tion in Connecticut dedicated solely to
cals and ingredients that are found in the protection of agricultural land. Our
everyday personal care products that are goal is to keep working lands available
toxic, hormone disrupting and carcino- to Connecticut farmers for the indefinite
genic. future. The Connecticut FarmLink web-
site is a project to help connect farmland
Before and After Farms seekers with farmland owners.
Oui Charcuterie
Matthew Browning
124 Seymour Rd
Woodbridge, CT 06525
2039013099
Farmer@beforeandafterfarms.com
http://www.OuiCharcuterie.com
USDA Dry cured, nitrate free salami,
frozen pork and pork products, branded
t-shirts
30Connecticut Food System Alliance EHSTO!
Meg Hourigan Robin Van Riper
190 Wethersfield Ave PO Box 1108
Hartford, CT 06114 Bethel, CT 06801
8602969325 2035362270
meg@hartfordfood.org goehsto@gmail.com
http://ctfoodsystemalliance.com http://www.goehsto.com
Introduction to systems-based thinking Gluten and grain free savory and sweet
and overview of the work and approach baked goods, vegan cheeses, and vegan
of the Connecticut Food System Alli- soups, spreads and dips.
ance.
Fairfield County SCORE
Connecticut Home Solutions Ruth Kelley
Mia Alvarez 111 East Ave
101 N Plains Industrial Rd, Building 1A Norwalk, CT 06851
Wallingford, CT 06492 2039661200
2038364781 rakelley13@aol.com
mia@cthomesolutions.net http://FairfieldCounty.SCORE.org
Community/educational table for the Opportunity to work with free business
state's Energize Connecticut programs mentors from SCORE and U S Depart-
and services ment of Agriculture. Facility for reg-
istration for a SCORE mentor in each
CT Edible Ecosystems, LLC geographical area of attendees.
Sven Pihl
327 Litchfield Turnpike Fungi Ally
Bethany, CT 06524-3505 Willie Crosby
2034332702 311 river Dr.
ctedibleecosystems@gmail.com Hadley, MA 01035
http://www.ctedibleecosystems.com 9788441811
Farm/Homestead Planning & Design willie@fungially.com
http://fungially.com
CT Greenhouse Co. Information on mushrooms. Dried
Toby Fischer mushrooms. Mushroom grow kits.
85 School St.
Middlefield, CT 06455 Green Century Capital
2036541595 Management
toby@gentlegiantfarm.com Jared Fernandez
We are a greenhouse and high tunnel 114 State Street
design, manufacture, maintenance and Boston, MA 02109
build company. With over 15 years of 6174820800
combined growing and building experi- jfernandez@greencentury.com
ence we supply turnkey solutions for http://www.greencentury.com
growers of all sizes. Green Century offers three fossil fuel
free, environmentally responsible
Drew's Honeybees mutual funds that help everyday people
Drew Burnett invest with their values to create a more
22 Huntington Ln. sustainable future. We are the only
Norwich, CT 06360 mutual fund company in America wholly
8603832764 owned by environmental non-profits.
drew@drewshoneybees.com
http://www.drewshoneybees.com
Honeybee centric natural, organic skin-
care line, including lip and body balms.
31Green Village Initiative New Connecticut Farmer Alliance
Ellie Angerame (NCTFA)
325 Lafayette Street,Unit 9101 Sydney Clements
Bridgeport, CT 06604 PO 911
2036121407 Willimantic, CT 06226
eleanor@gogvi.org 8603367558
http://www.gogvi.org newctfarmers@gmail.com
We plan to have posters, community NCTFA information and hats
garden plot sign ups, and handouts
for our urban ag programming here in New England Compost, LLC
Bridgeport! Jeff Demers
57 Great Plain Rd
Guy's Eco-Garden Danbury, CT 06810
Guy Beardsley 2037486516
276 Leavenworth Road jeff.demers@NEcompostCT.com
Shelton, CT 06484 http://NEcompostCT.com
2039293080 Compost and Compost based soils
ewittkofs@aol.com
http://guysecogarden.com New Morning Market
Black garlic, raw garlic, scones, biscotti, Charlotte Chapman
muffins, breads, cookies, coffee, tea 129 Main Street North
Woodbury, CT 06798
Ivy's Gourmet Granola 2032630673
Sarah Tamm morganl@newmorn.com
PO Box 232 Hudson Valley Seeds, Provender Goods
Greens Farms, CT 06838
2032930336 Regenerate North East
sarah@ivysgourmet.com Adam Sacks
http://www.ivysgourmet.com 6771 S Silver Hill Dr.
A variety of unique flavors of artisanal Finland, MN 55603-4050
granola 2182264164
adam.sacks@bio4climate.org
Meadow Site Services brochures, stickers, pamphlets, leaflets
Peter Gaboriault
105 Seeley Road Renewal by Andersen
Wilton, CT 06897 Richard Piscottano
2039436240 800 Corporate Row
peter@bpaw.com Cromwell, CT 06416
http://meadowsiteservices.com 8609697095
We provide no-till meadow seeding RPiscottano@renewalsne.com
services using a Truax seed drill. We Marketing replacement windows and
also provide mechanical invasive spe- doors!
cies removal, field mowing, grading,
Sierra Club Connecticut
stump grinding, hydro seeding and other
Samantha Dynowski
services.
P.O. Box 270595
Natural Awakenings Magazine West Hartford, CT 06127
Nicole Miale 8609163639
137 Danbury Road, Suite 323 samantha.dynowski@sierraclub.org
New Milford, CT 06776 http://connecticut.sierraclub.org
2038854674 Materials about Sierra Club Connecti-
nicolem@NaturalAwakeningsmag.com cut, Climate Change, Fossil Fuels, Clean
Natural Awakenings magazines Energy, Land & Water Preservation
32Sleepy Pig Farm UCONN Extension
Tiffany Paltauf Shannon Raider-Ginsburg
10 Cross Highway 24 Hyde Ave.
Redding, CT 06896 Vernon, CT 06066
2039474959 8603186813
sleepypigfarm@gmail.com sales.putlocalonyourtay@gmail.com
https://sleepypigfarm.wordpress.com/ https://sustainablefood.uconn.edu/
We plan to educate and propose to Put Local on Your Tray farm to school
people our business to spread awareness program, UCONN Extension resources
about us and our farm.
University of Connecticut
Sustainable Fairfield Task Force Ana Legrand
Mary Hogue 1376 Storrs Road
725 Old Post Road Storrs, CT 06269
Fairfield, CT 06824 8604860869
2032569802 ana.legrand@uconn.edu
maryhogue350@gmail.com Exhibit information on biological con-
http://www.fairfieldct.org/sftf trol, insect conservation, and live/pre-
Information about Sustainability initia- served insect specimens.
tives in Fairfield, CT.
VisionWorks Books
The SNO Company, LLC Dick McLeester
Jennie Perry 14 Chapman Street
12 Botsford Lane Greenfield, MA 01301
Newtown, CT 06470 4137726569
2034265802 magichat6@gmail.com
thesnoco@gmail.com http://www.changingworld.com
http://thesnocompany.com Book, Stickers, Calendars. Best books on
SNO Brand cleaning products is 100% the topic, as in past years.
plant based, food grade, kosher certified
natural ingredients. SNO Safe Natural Yellow King Brews LLC
Organics Brand cleaning products are Rob Vitale
100% Eco-Healthy™ Formulations de- 71 Princeton street
signed to be the most effective products Bridgeport, CT 06605
you have ever used. Together we are one 2036713382
step closer in reducing carbon footprint rob@yellowkingbrews.com
for a better environment. http://www.yellowkingbrews.com
Fresh brewed coffee, packaged coffee
Two Coyotes Wilderness School beans and ground coffee.
Stephanie Niles
PO Box 711
Monroe, CT 06468
2038109797
programs@twocoyotes.org
http://www.twocoyotes.org
Coyotes classes
33Use the website address below to
find a SCORE mentor in your area.
Get free business mentoring and
access to valuable resources
Start-Up Guidance
Business Planning
Marketing, Social Media
Finding and Retaining Employees
Funding, Taxes and Cash Flow
Buying or Selling a Business
Farm Business-Themed Workshops
and Webinars
SCORE is a non profit division of the Small Business Administration
34Raffle Tickets
$1 per ticket
or
$10 – 15 Tickets
$20 – 30 Tickets
Social Media
Connect with us @CTNOFA
#ctnofa
#organiconn
35Welcome!
37th Annual Winter Conference
Many thanks to our sponsors
Golden Carrot
Silver Bronze
Lunch Sponsors Patrons
Patrons
Barcelona Wine Bar
Gilberties
Chabaso Bakery
Grandy Oats
White Pine Community Farm
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