OUR WINTER CONFERENCE SPONSORS
2026 Conference
About the Conference
CT NOFA is proud to present our 44th Winter Conference, featuring a series of virtual workshops on March 3-5 in the lead up to our full day, in-person gathering and celebration on March 7, 2026 at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.
We'll be offering a variety of workshops, covering topics such as farming, organic land care, government policy, homesteading and gardening, food equity and justice, and more, including a soon-to-be-announced keynote speaker. Our in-person celebration will also feature the presentation of the Bill Duesing Organic Living on the Earth award and our members' annual meeting.
Why attend the CT NOFA Winter Conference? Let our attendees tell you, in their own words.
how to attend
Conference registration includes your ticket to our in-person event, lunch at the conference, access to all virtual and in-person sessions, and exclusive access to all recordings for 3 months after the event.
Tickets are available in several formats:
- $70 - CT NOFA Members
- $70 - Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals
- $90 - General Admission
- $100 - Bronze Supporter Ticket (this ticket helps to defray the cost of lunch for scholarship attendees)
- $120 - Silver Supporter Ticket (this ticket helps cover the conference and lunch cost for scholarship attendees)
- $140 - Gold Supporter Ticket (this ticket fully funds an additional scholarship ticket for someone who would otherwise be unable to attend)
We're deeply appreciative of those who are able to 'pay it forward' by choosing one of the Supporter tier tickets. By doing so, we are able to make scholarship tickets available to those who might not otherwise be able to attend.
We look forward to seeing you all in March!
Cost-free scholarship tickets to this year's conference are available to those who would like to attend but are unable to due to financial or other hardships. Funding is generously provided through grants, donations, and sponsorships. Scholarship tickets are offered on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. There are no requirements to apply for and receive a fee waiver, as CT NOFA is striving to provide educational access to as broad an audience as possible, particularly in underserved communities. Please click here to request a registration waiver.
workshop schedule
The heart of the CT NOFA Winter Conference is our slate of workshops. Run over the course of 3 days of virtual sessions (March 3-5) and throughout our in-person conference (March 7), this year's workshops will cover:
- Beginning farmer topics
- Transitioning to organic farming
- Organic land care
- Policy and advocacy
- Gardening and homesteading
- Livestock management
- And more!
BECOME A SPONSOR
The CT NOFA Winter Conference is made possible thanks to the financial support of businesses, organizations, and individuals like you. Those who would like to help support our 44th annual Winter Conference can choose from several sponsorship tiers, each with different supporter benefits.
CALL FOR EXHIBITORS
Join us at CT NOFA’s 44th annual Winter Conference on March 7, 2026 at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT to connect with 300+ farmers, home gardeners, and organic advocates from across the region.
Local food producers, craftspeople, or other vendors who are interested in having a table at the conference should visit our exhibitor page for more information and to sign up. The cost is $90 for CT NOFA member businesses and $150 for non-members.
Exhibitors will be supplied with a 5′ table and chair for their booth space. The exhibitor fee includes one conference registration. One additional table staffer may register for the conference at a discounted rate of $35.
Each year, our winter conference features local food producers, craftspeople, agricultural contractors and service providers, and more throughout the day of the conference at our vendor fair. Attendees are invited to visit them between workshop sessions, during lunch, and before and after the conference to explore what our state's businesses and organizations have to offer.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
For more than 40 years, Jim Riddle has been a leader in the organic community, as a farmer, inspector, educator, activist, and policy specialist. During our keynote, Jim will discuss the deep roots of the organic movement – what inspired it, how it has evolved, and where it is today – and share scenes from organic farms around the world. Be prepared for an entertaining, enlightening, and thoughtful time, as Jim takes us on a journey through the organic world, near and far.
Jim Riddle grew up with organic values on a small farm in Iowa. He and his wife grew perennial fruits at Blue Fruit Farm in Minnesota and started their local farmers market in the 1980s, before “local food” gained prominence. Jim worked as an organic inspector for 20 years and was founding president of the International Organic Inspectors Association. He has trained organic inspectors and spoken at organic conferences throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Japan, Australia, Russia, Iran, Europe, Jamaica, and more. Jim served as chair of the National Organic Standards Board and originated the organic certification cost share program. Jim and his wife, Joyce Ford, are retired and now live in New Hampshire, where they serve as mentors in the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).
events, clinics, and gatherings
soil health table
seed swap table
how it works
If you have extra seeds, label them clearly with the variety, year harvested, and any growing notes. Organic, untreated, and non-GMO seeds are encouraged.
If you’re contributing seeds, make sure they are labeled. Blank packets are available if needed. Place your seeds on the table for others to find.
Look through the available seeds and take what interests you. Use the provided empty packets and measuring spoons to portion seeds responsibly — leave enough for others!
Not sure what to take? Ask a fellow attendee! This is a great place to learn about new varieties and growing techniques.
Take your seeds home and plant them! If you have extra seeds left at the end, consider leaving them to share with others beyond the conference.
cabbage moth story hour / after hours gathering
Hosted by the New Connecticut Farmer Alliance
Join us after the conference for food, drink, and the New Connecticut Farmers Alliance famous Cabbage Moth Story Hour! Farmers are invited to take the stage and share a farm-related story: the time you had to chase your chickens across town, your craziest farm injury, your moment of agricultural inspiration, etc. Time limit is 8 minutes.
Location and details forthcoming.
THE BILL DUESING ORGANIC LIVING ON THE EARTH AWARD
This award is for a recipient who has demonstrated the advancement of organic living on the earth with a project, innovation, action, or lifestyle that supports the continuation of the life work of CT NOFA's founder, Bill Duesing – for all to live on this earth in a society in harmony with nature. The accomplishment must contribute to the advancement of organic living in Connecticut in a demonstrable way and be a current or recent accomplishment that reflects Bill’s devotion to organic living and his wish that this critically important work be continued by his friends and colleagues. Award recipients, who will be announced and honored at the Winter Conference, can be one of the following:
- Organic farmer/farm (examples: new, young, and/or seasoned farmers added new revenue sources to secure the farm’s future; expanded availability of organic food in the community; added carbon sequestration measures on the farm, e.g. cover-crops, no-till)
- Organic land care professional / business (examples: new, young, and/or seasoned land care professionals transitioned from conventional to organic land care; added carbon sequestration measures, e.g. replacing lawn with meadow, etc.)
- Organic advocate (example: spearheaded a change in their local school system, worked to promote organic legislation, or supported healthy soil legislation)
- Organization (example: farmers market became 100% organic; the advancement of farmworkers’ rights; created organic-based social media group)
- Educator (example: developed new ways to add organic food and agriculture to school curriculum)
- Mentor (example: developed process for passing along organic knowledge and skills to new farmers or land care professionals)
- Media specialist (examples: used digital media including blogs or social media, or traditional media such as radio or print, to spread the word about organic living in Connecticut; the life work of Bill Duesing and his enduring influence; current organic initiatives, etc.)
Conference News & announcements
Jim Riddle to Present ‘Organic Roots and Branches’ at CT NOFA 2026 Winter Conference as Keynote Speaker
CT NOFA is proud to announce that Jim Riddle will be our 2026 Winter Conference Keynote Speaker. For more than 40 years, Jim Riddle has been a leader in the organic community, as a farmer, inspector, educator, activist, and policy specialist. During our keynote, Jim will discuss the deep roots of the organic movement – what inspired it, how it has evolved, and where it is today – and share scenes from organic farms around the world. Be prepared for an entertaining, enlightening, and thoughtful time, as Jim takes us on a journey through the organic world, near and far.
Nominations for the 2026 Bill Duesing ‘Organic Living on the Earth’ Award Now Open
Each year, at our winter conference, CT NOFA confers the Bill Duesing Organic Living on the Earth award to a notable individual who or group which exemplifies the life mission of our founder, Bill Duesing, to improve and enrich our world through organic advocacy and practices.
Nominees for this award are suggested by our community – that’s you!
Request for Workshop Proposals for CT NOFA’s 2026 Winter Conference
The CT NOFA Winter Conference educational slate of workshops is made possible thanks to the interest and enthusiasm of our knowledgeable community members. Are you an expert on a topic that would be of interest to conference attendees? We’d love to hear from you.
Call for Exhibitors at CT NOFA’s 2026 Winter Conference
Does your business or organization offer products or services that would be of interest to our conference attendees? Then join us at CT NOFA’s 44th annual Winter Conference on March 7, 2026 to connect with 300+ farmers, home gardeners, and organic advocates from across the region.
Support the Organic Agriculture Movement – Become a Winter Conference Sponsor!
The organic agriculture movement may not be a new phenomena, but it is a vital one. Help support that movement by becoming a sponsor of our 2026 Winter Conference. In addition to helping us continue the fight for organic agriculture, you’ll enjoy numerous benefits leading up to and at the conference.
2026 CT NOFA Winter Conference Slated for March 7
We’re excited to announce that our 44th annual winter conference will be taking place March 7, 2026, at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. It will be proceeded by 3 days of virtual workshops, March 3-5. Tickets are available now!
A More Organic Future for Connecticut Starts with You
Earlier this year, CT NOFA faced a critical funding crossroads. Well into our budgeted programming for the year, we faced sudden and substantial cuts to federally funded programming that constituted the majority of our work for 2025. But then, something moving happened.
Bill Duesing Award Committee Seeks New Members
The Bill Duesing Award Committee seeks new members to continue the tradition of selecting our annual Bill Duesing Award winner. Committee members are expected to be actively involved with and knowledgeable about the sustainable and organic agriculture community in Connecticut. Members are required to meet three times a year in advance of the CT NOFA Winter Conference (typically in December, January, and February) to conduct the work of identifying candidates for the award and ultimately selecting that year’s awardee.