CENTRAL JERSEY: Organic farming conference Jan. 29-30 at Princeton University

    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, taking place Jan. 29 and 30 at Princeton University.
    NOFA-NJ’s winter conference, is the premier gathering for organic and sustainable food, farming and gardening community in the state. This year’s conference, “Sowing New Seeds,” will offer more than 40 workshops on a wide range of food, gardening, and farming subjects. To feature an informative and exciting keynote address by Dr. Michael W. Hamm, professor of Sustainable Agriculture at Michigan State University, the conference promises to offer insights into rethinking how we grow, transport, and eat our food.
    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. Some of the topics for children include Homemade Scents, Worm Composting, and 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. 28m at Duke Farms in Hillsborough will provide insights and sales techniques including technical information on compost application and benefits, feeds stocks, 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.
    Major conference support is being provided by Princeton University and Princeton Environmental Foundation. Harvesting Conference Sponsors are Cherry Grove Farm, Northeast- SARE, North Slope Farm, Stonyfield Farm,& Whole Earth Center.