NODPA Events Calendar

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August 2010

August 8, 2010
Biochar Grower Gathering with David Yarrow
Eagle’s Flight Farm, Orwell, VT

Biochar is the key to a new carbon-negative strategy to sequester carbon, create sustainable soil fertility, grow nutrient-dense crops, produce renewable biofuels, and reverse global climate change.This gathering will teach growers simple methods to acquire biochar and incorporate it in soil. Contact Ron Slabaugh, 802-948-2840.

August 12-13, 2010
Midsummer Veterinary Conference on Sustainable Agriculture
Champaign, Illinois

This conference will provide valuable, science-based information to veterinarians serving clients that produce and market natural and organic food animals. The conference is open to any veterinarian, veterinary student, or veterinary graduate student looking for an open exchange of information regarding sustainable, organic agricultural principles. Contact: infocenter@mvc-sa.com or visit the following website: www.mvc-sa.com.

August 13-15, 2010
NOFA Mass Summer Conference
Email: info@nofasummerconference.org
Phone: (978) 355-2853
Contact_Name: Julie Rawson
Web_Address: www.nofasummerconference.org
Location: UMass Amherst

Description: Over 200 workshops on organic farming, gardening, land care, sustainability and homesteading.  Teen and children’s program, dozens of outdoor exhibits and vendors. Keynote speakers: Sally Fallon Morrell, founder of Weston A. Price Foundation and author of bestselling book Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats.  Second keynote speaker is Dr. Fernando Funes, of the Cuban Association of Agronomists and Foresters. Dr. Funes will speak on the Cuban transition to a sustainable farming system during the Peak Oil crisis and Soviet withdrawal in the late 1980. Entertainment including dancing, country fair, live auction, dorm room housing, camping and wholesome organic meals. For more information contact the NOFA Summer Conference office at (978) 355-2853 or nofa@nofamass.org.

August 17–19, 2010
Dairy Policy Reform: Finding the Right Path for New England Dairy Farmers
with Chandler Goule, VP of Government Relations for the National Farmers Union

AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS & TIMES:

• Tuesday, August 17, 2:00–4:00 pm, Portland, Maine, Holiday Inn by the Bay, Lincoln Room
  www.innbythebay.com
• Tuesday, August 17, 7:00–9:00 pm, Concord, NH, Concord Cooperative Market, www.concordfoodcoop.coop
• Wednesday, August 18, 9:00–11:00 am, Hanover, NH, Hanover Food Co-op, www.coopfoodstore.com
• Wednesday, August 18, 1:00–3:00 pm, Littleton, NH, Littleton Community Center, Hosted by Littleton Food Co-op, www.littletoncoop.org
• Wednesday, August 18, 7:00–9:00 pm, Montpelier, VT, Pavilion Auditorium, www.tinyurl.com/nefuevent, Hosted by Cabot Creamery Co-op, www.cabotcheese.coop, and Hunger Mountain Food Co-op, www.hungermountain.com
• Thursday, August 19, 8:30–10:30 am, St. Albans, VT, St. Albans Dairy Co-op, www.stalbanscooperative.com
• Thursday, August 19, 2:30–5:00 pm, Brattleboro, VT, The River Garden, www.brattleborovt.org/RiverGarden.html, Hosted by Brattleboro Food Co-op, www.brattleborofoodcoop.com

Several plans are floating around Washington to reform federal policy. Which ones are gaining momentum, and what options look positive for New England farmers, consumers and the environment? New England Farmers Union and the Neighboring Food Co-op Association are sponsoring these events with partners who care about the health of this important industry.

Our guest will be Chandler Goule, Vice President for Government Relations for the National Farmers Union (NFU). Before joining NFU, Chandler was the Staff Director of the US House of Representative’s Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry. Goule has spent over 11 years working on Capitol Hill in agriculture/dairy policy. He represents NFU at all dairy related policy discussions in Washington, and has testified before the Dairy Industry Advisory Committee,
and developed testimony for NFU delivered before the Senate and House Agriculture Committees.

He will bring first-hand information about dairy policy reform options, and will gather information from you about what will work in New England.

CONTACT INFO: New England Farmers Union, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370 | 413.625.3051 or 413.522.5020 | Fax: 413.625.3061 | www.NewEnglandFarmersUnion.org

August 24, 2010
Solar Energy Field Day
Twin Oaks Organic Dairy, 3185 NYS Rt. 13. Truxton, NY 13158

10 am - Noon. Bob, Rick and Kathie Arnold worked wth Triangle Electrical Systems of Plattsburgh, NY to install their 27.6-kilowatt PV (solar electric) system. The system was sized to produce 107% of the annual electrical energy needs at Twin Oaks’ main farmstead. Assistance from The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the USDA helped to reduce the cost of the four large arrays that are on two axis trackers. Co-sponsored by the Cornell Small Farms Energy Work Team and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York. Free. Refreshments will be provided. To register, contact Violet Stone at 607-255-9227 or vws7@cornell.edu.

August 28, 2010:
Transition to Organic Field Crops: Corn, Beans & Small Grains,
Sutherland, IA

1:00-4:00 pm. Transitioning to organic row crop and small grain production will be discussed on Paul Mugge’s organic farm. Paul has been monitoring his various production practices for many years and will discuss the use of underseeded clovers in small grains, growing of canola, and disease resistant soybean varieties. Paul has also planted Prairie Buffer Strips and will discuss this beneficial insect habitat and how it provides some control of soybean aphids. We will also discuss the requirements for transitioning to organic. Contact PFI at info@practicalfarmers.org. Hosted in joint partnership, by MOSES and Practical Farmers of Iowa.