NODPA Events Calendar

January | February | March | April | May | June | July

August | September | October | November | December

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 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.