NOFA-NY’s 38th Annual Winter Conference is an unparalleled opportunity to connect with sustainability-minded farmers, gardeners, and consumers. The conference is one of the largest in the region with more than 1,100 attendees annually, plus more than 100 educational workshops and an approximate 80 trade show vendors. This year, we are combining our two flagship events - the Winter Conference and the 9th Annual Organic Dairy and Field Crop Conference into one weekend - bringing you the highest level of programming possible. We hope to see you there!
In January 2020, NOFA-NY will hold our 38th Annual Organic Farming and Gardening Conference! For many years, we have held the Winter Conference in Saratoga Springs, but I am excited to bring the conference to Syracuse this year. I hope we can reconnect with all of you who haven’t been able to make it to eastern New York.
This year’s theme is Extending the Table. At NOFA-NY we are looking to be a more open, inclusive, and welcoming organization, and I believe that theme reflects this intent. In 2018, NOFA-NY moved our office to Syracuse, a multi-cultural city with people from all corners of the world. Syracuse is on the land of the Haudenosaunee, or the Onondaga Nation. I give thanks to the original peoples whose land we now occupy.
NOFA-NY is honored to have artist and author Peter Jemison as our keynote speaker. Peter is the site manager of Ganondagan State Historic Site which houses the Iroquois White Corn Project that currently yields an average of 5,000 pounds of corn per year. He is a Heron Clan member of the Seneca Nation of Indians.
Each year at the Winter Conference, NOFA-NY presents the Farmer of the Year award to someone who has gone above and beyond to advance organic agriculture in New York State. We are pleased to announce our 2020 Farmers of the Year: Lou and Merby Lego of Elderberry Pond Farm.
Registration is open! Whether you are a farmer, gardener, homesteader or eater, I welcome you to join us as we extend the table!