NODPA Events Calendar

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December 2008

December 2-3, 2008
Keynotes of Animal Health – A Whole Farm Approach
Hyatt Regency Union Station, St Louis, Missouri

This is a pre-conference workshop at the Acres U.S.A. conference, featuring Jerry Brunetti. For more information, go to www.acresusa.com or call 800-355-5313

December 4, 2008
Pennsylvania Certified Organic Annuall Meeting
State College, PA
Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) is a USDA-accredited organic certifying agency that educates and certifies growers, processors and handlers of organic crops, wild crops, livestock and livestock products in Pennsylvania and adjoining states. For more info, see: http://www.paorganic.org/event.htm

December 4-6, 2008
Acres U.S.A. Conference and Trade Show
Hyatt Regency Union Station, St. Louis, Missouri
At the annual Acres U.S.A. conference you can find farmers and consultants from every side of eco-farming who come together to share their experience and expertise. Learn the latest in cutting-edge technology and methods, and return home ready to make your farming operation the best it can be. For more information, go to www.acresusa.com or call 800-355-5313

December 4-5, 2008
The Young Farmers Conference: Reviving the Culture
Pocantico Hills, New York
The Young Farmers Conference will be a space to network with peers and learn from leaders in the field, helping to ensure that the next generation of farmers is equipped for the work ahead. Workshops during the conference will cover topics on four tracks: Getting Started; General Skills; Policy, the Farm Bill, and Global Agricultural Issues; The Farmer-Chef Relationship. Keynote speakers and other activities are also scheduled. contact Nena Johnson by phone, 914.366.6200 ext112, or by email, nenaj@stonebarnscenter.org. 

December 5-6, 2008
On Farm Pig Slaughter and Whole Animal Butchering
Brown Boar Farm, Wells, Vermont
Join us for a two-day workshop at Brown Boar Farm. Roger Shaddock will lead the Friday slaughter workshop reviewing procedure, technique, and infrastructure along with tool and meat safety. Saturday morning the group will go through the breakdown of the whole carcass. For more information call NOFA-VT, Phone: 802-434-4122, email: info@nofavt.org, or website:
www.nofavt.org

December 5, 2008
Pasture Talk - Economic Benefits of Rotational Grazing, Insights from World Food Conference and Impressions of European Farm Tour
1:00 to 3:00 pm, Halcott Center Grange Hall, County Route 3, Halcott Center (Greene County, NY)
A pot luck lunch will precede the talk and attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to pass - free and open to the public. Marianne Kiraly, Farm Business Management Educator in Delaware County, will share the economic benefits of rotational grazing. Challey Comer, Farm to Market Manager for the Watershed Agricultural Council, will discuss her recent trip to the world farmers' conference, Terra Madre Conference, held in Turin, Italy, last month. Also, Paul and Gwen Deysenroth of ByeBrook Farm in Bloomville will share photos and impressions from their recent trip to Europe. Round-trip van transportation will be provided from the WAC offices, 44 West Street, Walton; the van leaves at noon. To pre-register by December 1, call Leslie Deysenroth at (607) 865-7017 or email ldeysenroth@nycwatershed.org. Indicate what you will be bringing for the potluck lunch and whether you will reserve a seat through the group's free van transportation. Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension in Delaware County and the Watershed Agricultural Council.

December 13, 2008
Landings: A Workshop to Encourage Collaboration Between Non-Farming Landowners and Farmers Searching for Land
8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Hawthorne Valley Farm, Harlemville (Columbia County, NY)
The workshop is an exciting step to help educate and bring together non-farming agricultural landowners and farmers looking for land to increase the amount of productive agricultural land in the Hudson Valley. The workshop will feature experts in farmland tenure, veteran farmers, ecologists, and the voices of experienced farmers and landowners that have developed long-term, successful relationships. Sponsored by Glynwood Center, Hawthorne Valley, Columbia County Land Conservancy, and Land For Good. Seating is limited and early registration encouraged - limited to farmers and landowners. For more information and to register, visit http://hawthornevalleyfarm.org/publications/farmerworkshop.htm or contact Rachel at rachel@hawthornevalleyfarm.org or 518-672-7500 ext. 105

Proposed Pasture Rule Workshops, December 15 & 16:
Come and Learn About the New NOP Proposed Pasture Rule
& How This Affects Your Farm!
Co-sponsored by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of VT (NOFA-VT) & Horizon Organics
NOFA-VT and Horizon Organics would like to invite all organic livestock producers to 4 workshops across the state to discuss the new proposed pasture regulation. It is critical that farmers attend, & give in-put to help close the loophole for "organic" confinement operations and to ensure that the final rule is practical and achievable for Vermont producers. Pre-registration not required. For more information please contact the VOF Office at 434-3821.

December 15, 2008
Location: The Abbey Restaurant in Sheldon, VT
Time: 10am -12pm
Directions: From 1-89 N, take exit 19 toward State Hwy 36/US-7/State Hwy 104/St Albans, merge onto St Albans South State Hwy, turn right at Fairfax Rd/VT 104, take slight right at Sheldon Rd/VT 105, the Abbey is located at 6212 VT Route 105

December 16, 2008
Location: The Eastside Restaurant, Newport, VT
Time: 10am -12pm
Directions: From 191 N take exit 27 for State Hwy 191 toward Newport, Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Newport and merge onto Schuler Rd, continue on VT 191, turn right at Causeway St/US-5/VT-105, turn left at Lake St, turn left at Landing St, Restaurant is located at 47 Landing St.