Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York has been serving farmers across our state since 1983.  Every year in the heart of winter, when farmers generally have more free time, NOFA-NY holds a weekend conference to bring them together.  This year, the conference was held January 25-27 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.  The gathering offered numerous exhibition tables, workshops and speakers both at the conference site and nearby barns.  It was also a time for exchanging ideas and reporting on events and trends that are not covered in the media.  Many came for inspiration, direction and specific advice from other farmers who have developed their own methods of production.

All ages and genders were well represented at the conference, as well as all manner of dress (although blue jeans and gray beards were in relative abundance).  Many of those attending seemed to be old friends.  Young adults sought out older people, and vice versa to exchange information and conversation around the tables.  Strangers introduced themselves mostly by affiliation with farms and agricultural products.  I also met an acupuncturist, a backyard gardener and many folks transitioning into farming from other occupations.

On Friday, full-day sessions were offered on farming with animal power, medicinal herbs and week management.  Half-day workshops covered CSAs, organic dairy farming, organic certification procedures, permaculture principles, and legumes in farming.

An even wider range of topics were offered on Saturday.  Organic grain production in our region was a hot topic, as well as organic pest management for plants and animals.  Also available were Tai Chi for farmers and gardeners, plus workshops on Fair Trade, lacto-fermentation, root cellars, organic lawn care, farmer innovations and inventions, culinary mushroom production, youth organic gardening and food issues, fibers, biodiesel and electric tractors, carbon sequestration…and that’s not all!

Sunday’s choices included raw milk, production, organic no-till, mobile markets and New York City’s urban gardens, to mention only a few.

Honest Weight staff and members had a strong present act the conference.  The Nutrition committee’s Louise Frasier and Louise Maher-Johnson managed the Co-op’s information booth on Saturday.

Frasier spoke to me of the importance of trying to provide seasonal organic food for the urban poor in our country.  Of particular interest was the talk by Saturday’s keynoter, Brahm Ahmadi.  He is executive director of People’s Grocery in West Oakland (Calif.), a community-based organization working to transform the inner city food environment.  People’s Grocery runs programs for youth and adults such as urban gardens, food justice and nutrition education, and is famous for its biodiesel mobile market.

Other keynote speakers were Terry Wollen of Heifer International and Community Food Systems, and Barbara and Dan Perkins of Vermont Valley Community Farm.

Honest Weight’s meat manager, Chris Kemnmah, attended the daylong workshop on farming with animals, as well as Jack Lazor’s discussion about growing grain.  (Lazor owns Butterworks Farm, which sells its fabulous yogurt and cream at the Co-op.)  Christ plans to begin farming with horses in the near future.  He hopes to address the shortage of local organic grain in our region, and to do it without depending on petroleum-based farming methods.

The Co-ops grocery manager, Nancy Reich, attended a lecture by Dr. Ann Wells, of Springpond Holistic Animal Health in Prairie Grove (Ark.), on integrated parasite management for organic livestock.  Nancy recently acquired a few sheep, and wanted to learn how to manage their needs organically.

I felt honored to be one of Honest Weight’s representatives at the conference.  It was a “mountain-top” experience to be surrounded by so many knowledgeable people who share a passion for our connection with the earth.  As our world changes, conferences like NOFA-NY’s may well become an indispensable resource of foresight, innovation, encouragement and inspiration that reaches far beyond our region to influence others-and to help our planet continue to sustain us.

NOFA-NY is one of seven state organizations in the Northeast that are working to create a sustainable regional food system that is ecologically sound and economically viable.  By promoting land stewardship, organic food production and local marketing, NOA-NY brings consumers, growers and farmers closer together.  The organization also certifies organic crop and dairy farms in New York State.  To find out about next year’s winter conference, check their website:  www.nofany.org.