Organic Connection

A Few Spaces Remaining for Holistic Orchard Workshop  HolisticOrchardWksp
NOFA-NH and  Canterbury Shaker Village are delighted to have Michael Phillips, widely acclaimed author of  "The Apple Grower" and  "The Holistic Orchard," conduct a workshop on holistic orchard health on
Saturday, May 21, from 10am to 5pm at Canturbury Shaker Village.
 
This hands-on, day-long workshop will introduce participants to the concept of holistic orchard care by examining the subtleties of the biodiverse ecosystem that makes organic fruit-growing possible.  Enrollment for this workshop will be limited to keep it interactive and engaging--reserve your space today!   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holistic-orchard-workshop-tickets-23054850679

Michael Phillips of Lost Nation Orchard
Michael Phillips of Lost Nation Orchard









Cultivating the Organic Grassroots Movement  at 2016 NOFA Summer Conference in Amherst, MA
Join people from across the Northeast and beyond for a three-day celebration of the grassroots organic movement. At NOFA's Summer Conference  learning is a community action--with amazing farmers, presenters, seminars, workshops, food and fun. Immerse yourself with like-minded practitioners and curious learners eager to share their inspiration and ideas for organic food, farming, health, activism, and beyond.

Registration is now live at www.nofasummerconference.org.
For more information, follow on Facebook 
NOFA-NH Seeks Farms to Host Farm Tour Fundraisers
This year, NOFA-NH kicks off a new initiative: farm tours. We envision the NOFA-NH farm tours to involve actual touring of farms, and a sit down three-course meal. An admission fee will be charged. A share of the proceeds will be paid to the host farm. Produce and other farm products may also be purchased to serve at/with the meal. 

Eligible farms will be able to accommodate and seat a crowd of 50 to 100 attendees, lead a tour of their farm, and be permitted under local laws to host such an event. NOFA-NH members preferred. 

If you are interested in hosting a farm tour, please contact the NOFA-NH office. We will be collecting names in April and May; interested farms can expect to hear back no later than June.
Plan to be Part of NOFA-NH's 2017 Winter Conference
Farmer and nationally renowned author  Joel Salatin of  Polyface Farms will join us as keynote speaker for our 2017 Winter Conference on Saturday, January 28, 2017!

Joel is a full-time farmer in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. His speaking and writing reflect dirt-under-the-fingernails experience punctuated with mischievous humor. He passionately defends small farms, local food systems, and the right to opt out of the conventional food paradigm. Four generations of his family currently live and work on the farm.

Watch this TED Talk to learn how Joel, "The Lunatic Farmer," inspired 11-year-old Birke Baehr to want to become an organic farmer instead of a pro football player. Plan to be inspired yourself when you hear Joel's keynote address at our Winter Conference!

If you're interested in being a presenter, volunteer, vendor, or sponsor, please email our conference coordinator:   winterconference@nofanh.org
NH Organization Gleans Almost 110,000 Pounds of Produce
Piccadilly Farm donated 1,400 lbs of sweet potatoes that were distributed to several food pantries through the Community Kitchen in Keene.
NH Gleans, an initiative of NH Farm to School, had a fantastic year last season, gleaning almost 110,000 lbs of produce collectively from 89 farms, which was distributed to 59 recipient organizations around the state (read their annual report).

NOFA-NH is one of seven partner organizations involved with the program which is entering it's fourth year.  To discuss a gleaning opportunity or to volunteer in the seacoast region, email Shelly Smith (NOFA-NH's gleaning coordinator) at shelly@seacoasteatlocal.org .

For more information about any of the gleaning programs, contact NOFA-NH Board Member Stacey Purslow: Stacey.Purslow@unh.edu
Register for Free Listing in Capital Area Local Food Guide
Merrimack County Conservation District is bringing back the Capital Area Local Food Guide and free listings are available for farms, farmers' markets and CSA's within Merrimack County. Free listings are also available for restaurants, grocery stores, catering services, or specialty food businesses which regularly utilize or sell farm products from within Merrimack County. 

Why Organic? Focus on Strawberries
Excerpted from the Environmental Working Group's blog "Pesticides+Poison Gases=Cheap, Year-Round Strawberries" 
Earthjustice_s Growing Change
Earthjustice's Growing Change
Americans eat nearly eight pounds of fresh strawberries a year--and with them, dozens ofpesticides, including chemicals that have been linked to cancer and reproductive damage or are banned in Europe.  Strawberries tested by scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2009 and 2014 bore an average of 5.75 different pesticides per sample, compared to 1.74 pesticides per sample for all other produce, according to a new EWG analysis.  Read more . . .

For more factoids about organics, check out Choosing Organic and Organic vs GMO boards on NOFA-NH's Pinterest page.
Report Released about Science Supporting Organic Food & Farming
The Organic Center just released a  summary of 2015/2016 science supporting organic food and farming . This resource provides brief descriptions of the most groundbreaking organic studies that have come out in the past year, and also includes descriptions of key Organic Center research projects. Read more . . .
New Resources for On-Farm Biodiesel Production Regulations
Excerpted from VT Law Schhol's "Environmental Law Bulletin"
A new report, "On-Farm Biodiesel Production in Vermont: Legal and Regulatory Overview," conducted by the Institute for Energy and the Environment (IEE) reviews all Vermont state and federal regulations related to on-farm biodiesel production. Commissioned by the Vermont Bioenergy Initiative at the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, the report aims to inform farmers about the potential laws and regulations surrounding on-farm biodiesel production. Read more . . .
Professional Development training on Ag Laws in NH
UNH Cooperative Extension is inviting people who work with farmers to attend a professional development training on Agricultural laws, sponsored through the Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) program.  T he initial training is planned for Tuesday, May 10, at the Nature Conservancy in Concord. Read more . . .

For more info, email Seth Wilner at  Seth.Wilner@unh.edu  or call Olivia Saunders at  ( 603) 447-3834.
A Four Season Harvest
Wednesday, April 27, 7-9pm
Massabesic Audubon Center, Auburn
Yes! You can harvest fresh veggies all year long, even in New Hampshire! Instructor Ron Christie, of UNH Cooperative Extension and Living Earth Farm [also NOFA-NH board member] will teach you the strategies and techniques for year-round vegetabe production. He will even show you how to build an inexpensive greenhouse. Check out the full list of spring gardening workshops at:   http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource005822_Rep8164.pdf

Integrated Pest Management in the Garden
Monday, May 2, 6:30-8pm
Boscawen Municipal Complex, Boscawen
As the weather warms up and the plants begin to grow, it's time to watch for insects, weeds, and plant diseases that may cause trouble in your vegetable garden. UNH Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Ann Lacroix will talk about common pests to watch for and will discuss the steps you can take to prevent problems or minimize damage using chemical-free methods. See flyer for more details about this free workshop:   http://extension.unh.edu/events/files/25D3F49B-5056-A432-4FF2E8601CBB93CC.pdf

Growing Your Favorite Veggies
Wednesday, May 4, 7-9pm
Massabesic Audubon Center, Auburn
Beans, the magical fruit . . . Carrots and onions, cucumber and squash, lettuce, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes; they are all magical! Instructor Ron Christie, of UNH Cooperative Extension and Living Earth Farm [also NOFA-NH board member] will show you some nifty tricks for greater success and improved yields. Check out the full list of spring gardening workshops at:   http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource005822_Rep8164.pdf

Tri-State Farm to Child Nutrition Programs Conference
Thursday, May 5, 7:30am-3:45pm
Church Landing at Mill Falls, Meredith 
This year's conference will focus on Farm to School and Farm to Pre-School. Keynote speakers Steve Marinelli and Betsy Rosenbluth will discuss their inspiring Farm to School efforts in Vermont schools. Following their presentation, you can choose from a wide variety of workshops. This conference is intended for school food service directors and staff, school administrators, school nurses, child care directors and staff, adult day care facility directors and staff, teachers, school wellness team members, farm to school coordinators and advocates and or any other interested professionals and attendees have the opportunity to take the School Nutrition Association School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Credentialing Examination. For more information, visit:  https://creator.zoho.com/cheryl_4.3.68/2016-tri-state-child-nutrition-conference/#Form:Welcome

Backyard Chicken Basics
Thursday, May 5 6:30-8pm
Plaistow Public Library, Plaistow
Facts and practical tips about raising egg-laying chickens and broilers. This workshop is appropriate for those interested in obtaining chickens, or those who already own backyard chickens and want to learn more about their proper care. Youth are welcome! See flyer for more information:  http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource005804_Rep8204.pdf

Farm Visit: Living Earth Farm
Saturday, May 7, 10am-12pm
Living Earth Farm, Brookline
Tour Living Earth Farm, a certified organic micro-farm in Brookline , to see how they put principles into practice. For more information, visit:

A Year in the Life of a Sheep/NH Sheep & Wool Festival
Sunday, May 15, 11am-12pm
Deerfield Fair Grounds, Deerfield
Dot Perkins, UNH Cooperative Extension Livestock Field Specialist, will be giving a talk on A Year in the Life of a Sheep at the 40th Annual NH Sheep and Wool Festival. She will be talking about the nutritional needs of an ewe and a ram throughout the year, as well as housing and management.  The NH Sheep and Wool Festival is held on Saturday and Sunday, May 14 & 15.  The festival offers educational programs, special workshops, demonstrations, handmade with fiber shows, a hand-spun skein contest, a fleece show and sale, breed display, youth show, sheep quiz bowl, stock dog trials, vendors and vendor raffles, crafts for kids, and a delicious food fair.

Holistic Orchard Workshop with Michael Phillips
Saturday, May 21, from 10am-5pm
Canterbury Shaker Village, Canterbury 
See article above. Discount available for NOFA-NH members. Enrollment is limited, register today!   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holistic-orchard-workshop-tickets-23054850679


What's happening in neighboring states?
NOFA-NH
NOFA-NH's Mission
 We actively promote regenerative, ecologically sound gardening, farming, 
and land care practices f or healthy communities. 
We help people build local, sustainable, healthy food systems.


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NOFA-NH
OfficeInfo
Office Hours
Monday/Wednesday/Friday 
9am to 2pm

Contact Info
84 Silk Farm Road 
(inside Audubon Center)
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 224-5022
info@nofanh.org

Board of Directors
Amy Manzelli, president
Reagan Bissonnette, vice presidnet
Larry Brigden, treasurer
John Martin, secretary
Ron Christie
Joan O'Connor
Stacey Purslow

Staff
Renee Ciulla,
SCBG/enterprise analysis grant coordinator

Mo nica Rico, winter conference coordinator

Eve Scarcello, office administrator

Cheryl Walenty, finance coordinator

Seeking Board Members
Do you know what the number one factor is that limits NOFA-NH growth potential right now? It's the number of people we have on the board. Many hands make light work. So, please consider joining us. 
We need you! 

The Board of Directors meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 6 to 8pm at NH Audubon's McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road in Concord). Sometimes the schedule varies, so please check with our Board President Amy Manzelli before attending. 

During our board meetings, you can meet the board members, learn what we are up to, and most importantly, learn how you could help. 

You don't need to have any board experience, or be an organic farmer or gardener. Prerequisites are that you are an eater and care about the food system, and that you have time and energy to offer NOFA-NH. 

If interested, please contact Amy Manzelli, NOFA-NH president, at
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Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire
84 Silk Farm Road,  Concord, NH 03301