NOFA-NY Events Listings

Small Farm Equipment (Part 1): Seeders and Seeding ~ This hands-on workshop will focus on seeding equipment selected for small farming operations. From hand seeders to tractor mounted units, you will get a better feel for equipment and learn directly from experienced farmers. There will be examples and demonstrations of several tractor-powered cultivation tools. This workshop is co-sponsored by Cornell Vegetable Program's "Getting More Out of Growing Organic Vegetables" and NOFA-NY. For further information, contact Robert Hadad (585-739-4065). $5 NOFA members, $10 non-members. 4-7pm, Peacework Organic Farm, 2218 Welcher Rd, Newark, NY (Wayne Co.) ~ Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Small Farm Equipment (Part 2): Gathering Small Equipment on a Low Budget ~ Gayle and Mike Thorpe have been farming their land organically for over eight years. With their six children they run a vegetable CSA, grow field crops, and raise livestock. Join them to learn about basic equipment for small farming that they obtained on the cheap! You will see various transplanting equipment, a potato hiller, and simple cultivation tools. You will see how to setup different cultivation equipment and a demonstration of how it works in the field. This workshop is co-sponsored by Cornell Vegetable Program's "Getting More Out of Growing Organic Vegetables" and NOFA-NY. For further information, contact Robert Hadad (585-739-4065). $5 NOFA members, $10 non-members. 1-4pm, Thorpe's Organic Family Farm, 12866 Route 78, East Aurora, NY (Erie Co.) ~ Monday, June 9, 2008

Picnic on the Farm! ~ Bring the whole family and learn about a diversified organic dairy first-hand. Tour the barn and learn about cows and the importance of pasture. Spend some time with chickens and pigs and visit the petting zoo. Watch the composting demonstration to see how compost is made and learn how it improves soil health - the foundation of an organic farm. Farm walks will run at 11am, 12noon, and 1pm. There will be special activities for kids! The farm's U-Pick organic strawberry fields will be open for business too! Bring your own picnic lunch, blanket, walking shoes, and a craving for delicious strawberries! (www.CobblestoneValley.com) $5/family NOFA members, $10/family non-members. 11am-2pm, Cobblestone Valley Farm, 2023 Preble Rd, Preble, NY (Cortland, Co.) ~ Saturday, June 21, 2008

Outwit Weeds! (Veg Crop Edition) ~ Sharpen your weed management skills through hands-on exercises, demos, and discussions based on the Organic Cropping Systems Project's long-term veg crop experiment. Identify weeds seedlings and get a free 21-page color ID guide. Estimate weed density and its impact on crop performance. Evaluate the effectiveness of cover crops and short-term fallows in suppressing weeds. See ridge-tillage and cultivation equipment demonstrated. Discuss best management practices for cover crops and compost use. For more information, contact Elizabeth Dyck (607-895-6913). FREE. 4-7 pm, Cornell's Freeville Farm, 133 Fall Creek Rd, Freeville, NY (Tompkins Co.) ~ Monday, June 23, 2008

NY Nut Growers Assoc Meeting ~ The summer meeting will take place at the Nut Tree Farm of Malcolm and Henrietta Olson in Findley Lake, NY. The Olsons have won awards for their research on nut trees and forest management. Heartnuts, hazelnuts, Persian walnuts, shagbark and shellbark hickories, hicans, and northern pecans are among their plantings. They work extensively with Grinnel Nurseries of Perry, Michigan, and Tom Molnar of Rutgers University in New Jersey in developing new varieties of cold hardy and disease resistant nut trees. Malcolm will demonstrate and explain air pruning of tree roots to maximize growth. We will tour the nut tree orchards to learn about the problems and progress with various nut tree cultivars. After lunch, we will walk through the farm's other orchards and wooded areas, where Malcolm will discuss how to grow a successful timber stand. For more information and to register, see our website at www.nynga.org, or contact Jerry Henkin, (914) 423 - 7458, sproutnut@aol.com ~ Saturday, July 12, 2008

Outwit Weeds! (Grain Crop Edition) ~ Sharpen your weed management skills through hands-on exercises, demos, and discussions based on the Organic Cropping Systems Project's long-term grain crop experiment. Learn to identify weeds at the seedling stage, to time cultivations and adjust cultivation equipment to maximize weed control, and to estimate weed density and its impact on crop performance. See ridge-tillage and cultivation equipment demonstrated. Best practices for integrated weed management will also be discussed. For further information, contact Elizabeth Dyck (607-895-6913) FREE. 4-7 pm, Cornell's Musgrave Farm, 1256 Poplar Ridge Rd, Aurora, NY (Cayuga Co.) ~ Monday, July 14, 2008

Organic Berry Growing & Farm Tour ~ Makinajian Farm is a diverse, 4 acre certified organic farm, one of the last working farms in Huntington. Two generations of the Makinajian family work together growing organic blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, cut flowers, and a wide range of vegetables and herbs, as well as laying hens and meat birds for their retail store located on the farm. Join the NOFA Long Island Chapter afterwards as we enjoy Makinajian Farm's own rotisserie chickens and elect Chapter officers for 2008-2009. Please bring a potluck dish to share. $5 NOFA members, $15 non-members. 5-7pm, followed by NOFA Long Island Chapter Annual Mtg. and Chicken BBQ Potluck, Makinajian Farm, 276 Cuba Hill Rd, Huntington, NY (Suffolk Co.) ~ Monday, July 21, 2008

Diverse Organic Livestock Production ~ Kingbird Farm is a small, horse-powered farm where Karma, Michael and Rosemary Glos raise a diverse array of certified organic, pasture-raised livestock including pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and eggs. They also raise grassfed Highland/Angus cattle. Their farming methods are based on a belief in diversified, small family farms with a respect for the land and the animals they raise on it. They manage their land organically; increasing fertility with compost, controlled grazing, and natural minerals. Join the Glos family at their farm to learn how they manage their diverse organic livestock system. $5 NOFA members, $10 non-members. 4-7pm, Kingbird Farm, 9398 W Creek Rd, Berkshire, NY (Tioga Co.) ~ Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Growing Bread Locally ~ Get an in-depth look at an innovative enterprise we hope will soon become common: a working partnership between an organic grain farm and a baker producing artisan breads for local markets. At Lightning Tree Farm, tour the fields to see modern and heirloom wheats that produce high-quality bread flour including Red Fife, a classic hard red bread wheat developed by a Canadian farmer over 150 years ago. Follow the bread-making process through harvesting and milling and taste loaves baked in a traveling wood-fired hearth oven. Farmers Alton Earnhart and Jeanine Connolly and baker Don Lewis of Wild Hive Farm will be on hand to discuss the ingredients and know-how needed to make this type of enterprise a success. This workshop is made possible through the NE SARE funded Northeast Organic Wheat project. For more information, contact Elizabeth Dyck (607-895-6913). FREE. 1-4 pm, Lightning Tree Farm, 132 Andrew Haight Rd, Millbrook, NY (Dutchess Co.) ~ Saturday, July 26, 2008

Organic Crops and Dairy Field Day ~ Mark your calendar for this North Country field day about small grain production for an organic dairy farm. Brian and Elizabeth Bawden will share their experiences from years of grain production in challenging conditions. They will discuss combinations of grains and planting dates. They grow and process oats, peas, beans, spring wheat, Japanese millet, triticale and more for on-farm grain supply. Bring the family and enjoy the St. Lawrence River area after the field day! This workshop is co-sponsored by the NY Organic Dairy Initiative and NOFA-NY. $5 NOFA members, $10 non-members. 10am-1pm, Bawden Family Farm, 119 Factory Rd, Hammond, NY (St. Lawrence Co.) ~ Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Bee Fabulous Organic Beekeeping Workshop & Mead Festival ~ The Hamlet Organic Garden (HOG) is a 230 member CSA farm in Brookhaven Hamlet. In addition to fruits and vegetables, members receive HOG honey through a collaboration with bee keepers Desmond Lowe and Judy Calloway of Calloway and Lowe Apiary. You'll learn about bees and their place on an organic farm and sample some HOG wildflower honey. Then with Matt Bollerman and Matt Bobiak (official HOG homebrewers) you'll learn about the history of mead, sample some local, Long Island brews, and sample our own HOG meads from last year's Mead Day. We will start a must, rack a mead to secondary, add herbs, spices, fruits, and bottle a mead from secondary, showing the entire mead-building process. $5 NOFA members, $15 non-members. 11am-2pm, Hamlet Organic Garden, 321 Beaver Dam Rd, Brookhaven, NY (Suffolk Co.) ~ Saturday, August 2, 2008

NOFA 34th Annual Summer Conference ~ Over 150 workshops on organic farming, gardening and land care, homesteading, sustainability, nutrition, spirituality, food politics, activism, and more. Keynote Speaker Mark McAfee, founder of Organic Pastures Dairy Company. Special workshops specifically for children and teens. Family contra-dance, zydeco, drumming, Old-fashioned Country Fair, live music, farmer's market, games and fun. Modest registration, inexpensive dorm rooms, and camping and wholesome organic meals. An enlightening weekend-long event, this year's conference will be held at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. For more information, visit www.nofa.org/conference/index.php ~ Friday - Sunday, August 8-10, 2008

4TH ANNUAL NOFA ORGANIC LAWN AND TURF COURSE ~ This one-day, intensive course will provide state-of-the-art information for managing lawns and turf organically and is geared toward land care professionals, groundskeepers and municipalities who are responsible for the establishment and care of grass, as well as anyone interested in learning organic methods. Course Fee $150 for first person from firm or town and $125 for each additional person. Includes coffee/tea, lunch and the NOFA Organic Lawn and Turf Handbook. For more information or to register, visit www.organiclandcare.net. Or, contact NOFA/Mass OLC Program Coordinator Kathy Litchfield at (413) 773-3830 or kathylitch29@yahoo.com. Hosted at UMass Dartmouth, Bartmouth Mass. ~ Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Permaculture Design Course The Finger Lakes ~ Permaculture Institute (FLPCI) in Ithaca, NY invites you to join its 2008 Summer Permaculture Design Course. This is our sixth internationally recognized certification course training people of all backgrounds to mimic natural patterns and principles in their yards, on their land, and in their homes and businesses. This affordable course highlights hands-on learning at CNC's 130 acres of fields and forest overlooking beautiful Cayuga Lake. The class equips students with the knowledge of whole systems and the principles, techniques, and challenges of permaculture as a system of sustainable design. We explore topics such as soil regeneration, water conservation, building ponds and swales, managing woodlots, building natural and efficient homes, utilizing renewable energy, and designing gardens. We teach these topics though presentations, case studies, and student design projects and exercises. Our student design practicum will inform the design of the local demonstration site we are developing at CNC. Instruction is augmented by presentations from local experts, field trips, and games. Completion of the course earns participants an internationally recognized design certificate endorsed by the Permaculture Institute of Australia. Ithaca, NY ~ August 8-24, 2008

Wholesale Vegetable Production and Marketing ~ Richard and Holley Giles have been farming 44 acres at Lucky Dog Farm since 2000. They grow a broad range of organic vegetables for their CSA, 3 farmer’s markets in central NY, and for local and NYC wholesale markets. About 50% of their farm business is based on their wholesale markets and they have mastered production systems and marketing strategies that make it a success for their farm. A close relationship with Angello's Distributing, an organic distributor located in the Hudson Valley, has been important for the wholesale portion of the business. You will meet the experienced farm crew and see some of the things that Lucky Dog has done to expand production and increase efficiency in both wholesale and retail portions of the business. $5 NOFA members, $10 non-members. 4-7pm, Lucky Dog Farm, 35796 State Hwy 10, Hamden, NY (Delaware Co.) ~ Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Organic Cooking Workshop! ~ This will be a great workshop! We will meet at Firefly Farm (5910 Smith Rd, Canandaigua) where farmer Sharon Nagle grows countless varieties of vegetables on just one acre of farmland. You will learn how she packs in such a high diversity of vegetables into such a small space while sustaining good soil health. Then you will help harvest the ingredients you will use to cook up a delicious organic meal back at the NY Wine & Culinary Center (800 S. Main St., Canandaigua)! With Chef Jeff Christiano in the state of the art Hands-on Kitchen, you will learn how to take fresh, local, seasonal produce and turn it into something scrumptious! Class limited to 24 participants. Pre-registration required with the NY Wine & Culinary Center (585-394-7070 or www.nywcc.com), $45 per person. 1-5pm, Firefly Farm and the NY Wine & Culinary Center, Canandaigua, NY (Ontario Co.) ~ Sunday, August 17, 2008

Veg Varieties for Organic Systems ~ A new flush of organically grown varieties, both OP and hybrid, has cropped up in seed catalogs. Come learn how they actually perform in comparison to old standbys. Sandra Menasha, CCE Vegetable/Potato Specialist, will host a tour of the research center's fields and projects, highlighting results of varietal trials of broccoli, cauliflower, colored peppers and sweet corn grown under organic conditions. Grower cooperators with the Organic Seed Partnership will discuss their variety trialing results and list their "top ten" favorite varieties. For further information, contact Sandra (631-727-7850). FREE. 5-7 pm, Long Island Horticultural Research Ctr, 3059 Sound Avenue, Riverhead, NY (Suffolk Co.) ~ Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Organic Crops and Dairy Field Day ~ Join us as pioneer organic farmers Hank and John Stoker share their farm and crop experiences with very special guest, Jerry Brunetti. The Stokers produce grain crops for their dairy, while developing a whole farm system incorporating composting, alternative fuel, and intensive grazing. This rare opportunity to learn from Jerry Brunetti will be a highlight of the summer and not to be missed! This workshop is co-sponsored by the NY Organic Dairy Initiative and NOFA-NY. $5 NOFA members, $10 non-members. 10am-1pm, Sto-Ridge Farm, 4955 Nelson Rd, Cazenovia, NY (Madison Co.) ~ Thursday, August 21, 2008

Organic Dairy Field Day ~ Both transitional and certified organic dairies are welcome to this field day with Jerry Brunetti and other guest speakers. In the morning Jerry will discuss soil health and quality forages. In the afternoon you will explore topics such as pasture management, herd health, soil, and quality milk in small groups for in-depth discussions. This workshop is co-sponsored by Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, the NY Organic Dairy Initiative, and NOFA-NY. FREE. 9am-3pm (lunch provided), Swendsen Family Farm, 721 Akron Rd, Akron, NY (Genesee Co.) ~ Friday, August 22, 2008

Northeast Buckwheat Field Day ~ The Northeast Buckwheat Growers are holding their fourteenth annual field day on a certified organic farm. Farmer Pete Gianforte will highlight his swather and pickup head, equipment that helps to improve harvest efficiency, keep grain quality high, and minimize weed interference, useful not only for buckwheat but also for small grains. Cornell's buckwheat expert Thomas Björkman will lead a discussion on best management practices for buckwheat, including seed bed preparation and planting date. How does organic buckwheat differ from conventional?-NOFA-NY will be on hand to explain. As usual, there will be plenty of time for buckwheat growers to exchange experiences and newcomers to the crop to gain useful tips. Buckwheat treats will be served. For further information, contact Thomas Björkman (tnb1@cornell.edu, 315 787-2218.) Free. 1-3:30, Gianforte Farm, 5886 E Lake Rd, Cazenovia, NY (Madison Co.) ~ Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Organic Dairy and Field Corn Trial ~ Together, Rick and Kathie Arnold and Bob Arnold run Twin Oaks Dairy, LLC and have been certified organic since 1998. Their high level of management allows them to achieve an average of 20,000 lbs of milk/yr with 130 cows. They grow 100% of their forage and about 50% of their grain needs on their combination of river bottom and side hill land. You will learn about their successful organic system as well as a SARE research project the Arnolds are working on with CCE to reduce the cultivation needs of organic field corn by using narrow rows and planting cover crops between the rows. This workshop is co-sponsored by the NY Organic Dairy Initiative and NOFA-NY. $5 NOFA members, $10 non-members. 11am-3pm, Twin Oaks Dairy, LLC, 3175 State Rte 13, Truxton,NY (Cortland Co.) ~ Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Farmscape Ecology Workshop ~ Join Claudia Knab-Vispo and Conrad Vispo of Hawthorne Valley Farm's Farmscape Ecology Program for a hands-on exploration of on-farm natural history. The Farmscape Ecology Program explores the interaction of agriculture with native plant and animal species. The Program has been exploring on-farm diversity around Columbia County, doing whole-farm ecological mapping and more focused studies of ponds and floodplains. During this field day, you will learn how you might explore your own farm and will discuss how some of the resulting information might be incorporated into land-use decisions. $5 NOFA members, $10 non-members. 3-6pm, Hawthorne Valley Farm, 327 County Rte 21C, Ghent, NY (Columbia Co.) ~ Sunday, September 7, 2008

Organic Dairy Field Day ~ Looking for answers about your pasture and forage-based dairy production challenges? Join Chuck Deichmann at his organic dairy farm to discuss high quality forage production, forage testing, determining rations, and pasture on a progressive grasslands farm. An additional treat will be a discussion of the robotic milking system used on Chuck's rotational grazing dairy and how it has eased farm time and labor resources. This workshop is co-sponsored by the NY Organic Dairy Initiative and NOFA-NY. $5 NOFA members, $10 non-members. 10am-1pm, Willow Creek Farm, 3161 State Rte 244, Belmont, NY (Allegany Co.) ~ Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Urban Agriculture = Added Value ~ An organic farm grows in Brooklyn? You betcha! Join the non-profit organization Added Value at their 2.75 acre farm to learn about their urban agriculture project. Added Value has transformed a once dilapidated playground into a vibrant community farm where youth interns and adult volunteers grow together. The farm provides sustenance to residents, creates meaningful work for neighborhood teens, generates economic activity, and improves the health and well-being of the Red Hook community. The teens sell food grown on the farm at local farmers' markets, through CSA partnerships, to local restaurants, and donate it to those in need. Profits from the sale of produce are cycled back into the program to support stipends for the youth participants. $5 NOFA members, $10 non-members. 1-3pm, Red Hook Community Farm, Columbia St & Beard St, Brooklyn, NY (Kings Co.) ~ Saturday, September 13, 2008

No-Grain Organic Dairy ~ At Moore Farms, Rob and Pam Moore seasonally milk 60 organic dairy cows on 240 acres of managed pastures without supplemental grain. Over the past 12 years the Moores have improved this system, finding a healthier balance of high quality forage, cattle genetics, and management for their no-grain feeding program. They are first to admit that it's not as easy as it sounds! Come learn about their intensive grazing system, pasture management, strategies for raising calves, milking, and maintaining good herd health on a grass-only diet. $5 NOFA members, $10 non-members. 10am-1pm, Moore Farms, 2083 Moore Hill Rd, Nichols, NY (Tioga Co.) ~ Monday, September 15, 2008

Beer, Brewing & Sustainability Fermenting Revolution ~ During the past three decades, beer drinkers and homebrewers have quietly conducted a transformation within the beer industry, reclaiming traditions as old as human society itself by taking beer and brewing back from corporations and putting them where they rightly belong—in the kitchen and the local brewpub. Led by beer activist Chris O’Brien, we gain hands-on basic knowledge of brewing, including how to select equipment and ingredients, prepare the yeast, boil the brew, and add the hops. We brew our own beer while learning the global cultural history of beer and brewing, including the central roles women, spirituality, and health and medicine have played. We also explore how the modern microbrewing movement has transformed brewing from industrial and exploitative to community centered and sustainable. $25 materials fee; include when you register. You must be at least 21 years old to attend. Tuition: $290 (does not include accommodations or commuter fee) Member Tuition: $265 Course: SM08-4702-973, Limited enrollment, register early 800.944.1001. Omega Rhinebeck Campus, Rhinebeck, NY (US) ~ September 19, 2008 - September 21, 2008

2nd Annual Northeast Animal Power Field Days ~ The Northeast Animal Power Field Days is a celebration of sustainable farming and renewable resources promoting conservation, stewardship, small farms, healthy forests, and the roles that they play in vital communities. This 3-day conference will feature working animal and equipment demonstrations in field and forest settings, workshops, exhibits, networking sessions, and an auction and swap meet on Sunday. Workshop topics will include grazing management, working with draft animals, livestock health, getting started with animal power and more. Volunteering, Sponsoring, Exhibiting, and Advertising in our Program Catalog are all valuable ways to contribute to this Northeast event. For more information, visit: www.animalpowerfielddays.org. Hosted at the Tunbridge Fair Grounds, Tunbridge, VT ~ September 26 – 28, 2008