Organic farming conference slated

By: centraljersey.com
Food for thought and thoughts on food will be offered at an expanded 21st annual Winter Conference of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey on Jan. 29 and 30 at Princeton University.
The NOFA-NJ Winter Conference is the premier gathering for organic and sustainable food, farming and gardening community in the state. This year’s conference, a two-day event titled "Sowing New Seeds," offers over 40 workshops on a wide range of food, gardening and farming-related subjects.
The event will feature a keynote address by Michael W. Hamm, professor of sustainable agriculture at Michigan State University. There will be workshops for livestock producers, vegetable growers, homesteaders, consumers and, new this year, beginning farmers.
Topics include Addressing Food Issues, Natural Beekeeping, Western vs. Traditional Diets, Composting at Home, Alpacas 101, Conserving Farmland, Backyard Chickens, Running a Successful CSA, and Lawn Alternatives.
This year also launches the first NOFA-NJ Kid’s Conference presented in collaboration with the New Jersey Farm to School Network. Topics for children include Homemade Scents, Worm Composting, Taste Testing, Vertical Gardens, and Supermarket Spy Kids.
In addition to the two days of conference workshops, conference registration includes a discount to a pre-conference compost marketing workshop with Northeast Recycling Council Inc. This full-day course on Friday, Jan. 28, at Duke Farms in Hillsborough will provide insights and sales techniques including technical information on compost application and benefits, feeds tocks, quality standards and marketing.
Discounts on registration are available for NOFA-NJ members. New and beginning farmers can apply for a full scholarship to this conference. If you have been farming for 10 years or less, apply at http://nofanj.org/wc_scholarship.htm
The conference promises to offer an educational and community-based experience with organic, local and sustainable food production and delivery issues at its heart and will be the event to attend for anyone interested in becoming more involved with these topics. More than 500 people are expected to attend.
For more information, visit: www.nofanj.org/winterconference.htm or call the NOFA-NJ office at 908-371-1111, ext. 5.