The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) announces Circles of Caring, their 28th Annual Organic Farming and Gardening Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY. The conference, which attracts more than 1,000 people each year, will take place from January 22- 24, 2010 at the Saratoga Hilton. Over the three day event, attendees can choose between more than 80 workshops which explore all types of organic farming, gardening, value-added processing, cooking and policy issues. Workshops are of interest to farmers, gardeners, educators, environmentalists, foodies, and more. A special focus this year is on Beginning Farmers. Starting with a reception for young farmers on Thursday Jan 21st, there is programming throughout the conference to help people who are just starting out in farming or are considering becoming a farmer. New this year, NOFA-NY will offer 75 scholarships to beginning farmers.
Three dynamic keynote speakers will inspire attendees. Ecologist and
author Dr. Sandra Steingraber will talk about the public health
connections between systems of agriculture and pediatric health.
Farmer and author Shannon Hayes of Sap Bush Hollow Farm (Scoharie
County, NY) will examine the nature of life, death and stewardship in
family farming and sustainable living, and how the fundamental lessons
of caring, compassion and abundance will transform our national
culture. Elizabeth Henderson is a farmer, author, and organizer from
Peacework Organic Farm (Wayne County, NY) and she will explore the
question of whether human beings will continue on our current path
towards global climate change with its hideous consequences, or will we
rebuild our societies using all that we have learned in organic and
sustainable agriculture, and cooperative economies?
The conference is rounded out with delicious meals prepared from local
organic ingredients donated by NOFA-NY supporters, a large trade show,
entertainment, and children’s workshops. Information about
registration, conference schedule, and trade show is available online:
www.nofany.org. Questions? Contact Greg Swartz (570) 224-8515
conference@nofany.org