Press Release via NOFA
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"Concord, NH, February 27, 2023: Over 200 community members from New England and various states across the country came together for The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire’s (NOFA-NH) 21st Annual Winter Conference. “The Art of Food and Farming: Skill Sharing for a Brighter Future,” was held in-person at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH, and live streamed online on Saturday, February 11, 2023. This was NOFA-NH's first in-person conference in three years and attendees expressed joy at the opportunity to gather as a community. “It was really wonderful to be in a room full of farmers, after the long loneliness of Covid,” said keynote speaker Kristin Kimball.
Attendees began their day engaging in a panel titled Adapting New England Farms to Climate Change with moderator Erin Lane of the Northeast Climate Hub. Farmers Bruce Wooster of Picadilly Farm and Marty Castriotta of Village Roots Permaculture discussed the effect climate has had on their farms and how they have begun to adapt to it. Benee Hershon of the Cheshire County Conservation District followed up with the development and details of their climate resiliency grant program. The audience was highly engaged in the panel and carried that enthusiasm throughout the day and into three workshop sessions with topics such as Making No-Till Work in Organic Systems, Getting Involved in NH Politics, Timber Framing, Making Masa and Building a Local Grainshed, and Farming with Permaculture Ethics and Ecological Patterns.
In addition to the formal learning sessions attendees enjoyed other activities throughout the day. Local Farmers including Bruce Wooster of Picadilly Farm and Sarah Hansen and Sam Bower of Kearsarge Gore Farm provided drop in consultations to help discuss and answer both beginning and experienced growers' questions. The Green Market Fair, which included over 20 exhibitors and vendors such as Johnny’s Seeds, MOFGA Organic Certification, and Farm Service Agency, connected farmers, home growers, food system professionals, and educators with valuable resources for their work and hobbies. Ink and Light Creative provided a community building collaborative art project making beautiful block prints and taking no-cost professional portraits for attendees.
At the midpoint of the day, during the annual meeting, the community celebrated and recognized individuals making a difference in agriculture, sustainability, and the broader community. Stacey Purslow of NH Farm to School was presented the Community Partner of the Year Award for her efforts with the Farm to School Network and continued partnership with NOFA-NH. Abby Clarke and Jonathan Hayden of Winter Street Farm were presented the Organic Growers of the Year Award for their efforts building a welcoming, community valued CSA and continued support of the NOFA-NH's Farm Share Program. Dave Trumble of Good Earth Farm was presented the Mentor of the Year Award for his years of guidance to young and beginning farmers in New Hampshire. Molly Alfonso of Vegetable Ranch was presented with the Beginning Farmer of the Year Award for her outstanding work cultivating community both on and off farm at Vegetable Ranch. Allan Reetz of Hanover Co-op Food Stores was presented the Policy & Advocacy Leader of the Year Award for his tireless support of food system organizations and his efforts to create positive change. Grace Dunklee Cohen of Anthorne Photography was presented the Volunteer of the Year Award for her many years of contributing to NOFA-NH by capturing images of key moments in the organization's history. Mary Tebo Davis of UNH Extensions was presented the Educator of the Year Award for her leadership in educating 400 Natural Resources Stewards and the public on permaculture and sustainable land care.
To conclude the day Mark and Kristin Kimball of Essex Farm, NY, delivered a Keynote Address exploring the community focused practices that helped them grow over the last 20 years. Kristin Kimball is the author of the highly regarded books The Dirty Life and Good Husbandry. The crowd listened as Mark read excerpts from Kristin’s book to bring them into the experience of Essex Farm. From there it was a journey of understanding ways we can foster success for new farmers, gain community support for local food, and develop the sustainable food systems we all strive for. Despite these efforts, the Kimballs expressed that farming is not simple and no one has all the answers. Kristin Kimball concluded, however, that “sometimes what you need to hear is what you do is important, it matters, and I think everyone that’s farming is doing so much more than feeding people.”
This event was possible due to the valuable support of NOFA-NH’s sponsors: Stonyfield Organic, NH Herbal Network, MainStreet BookEnds, Vermont Compost, Rimol Greenhouse Systems, Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs, Kearsarge Food Hub, NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food, Fedco Seeds, Neighboring Food Co-ops, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Concord Food Co-op, Farm Credit East, NH Food Alliance, Witching Hour Provisions, Branch Hill Farm, MOFGA Certification Services, The Maine Potato Lady, Wellscroft Fence Systems, Legal Food Hub, National Center for Appropriate Technology, The Works Café, American National Insurance, Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, Badger, and the Little Food Co-op.
[The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH) actively promotes organic, regenerative, ecologically sound farming, gardening, eating, and land care practices for healthy communities. We help people build local, just, and sustainable food systems]."
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