Winter Conference 2026

CT NOFA was excited to be joined at our 2026 Winter Conference by John Voket, producer and host of For The People. Join John as he speaks with CT NOFA Executive Director, Jeremy Pelletier, as well as conference exhibitors and attendees about this year's winter conference.

CT NOFA is proud to announce Steve Munno as the 2026 Bill Duesing Organic Living on the Earth awardee. Steve is the Executive Director and Farm Director of the Massaro Community Farm in Woodbridge, Connecticut, and a CT NOFA board member. Steve and Bill developed a close relationship when Steve was new at Massaro Farm in 2009, with Bill becoming a great mentor to him. In addition to his leadership at Massaro Farm, Steve has been a driving force within the Woodbridge community, serving as a member of the Woodbridge Agricultural Commission. His knowledge and expertise in farming and agriculture have been invaluable in shaping the direction of local agricultural policies and practices and have helped ensure that Woodbridge remains a place where agriculture thrives and is sustainable.

The Seed Swap Table is where conference attendees can exchange seeds and diversify their gardens and farms with unique and regionally adapted varieties. The swap is open to all conference participants, from home gardeners to experienced growers. Participants are invited to bring labeled seeds to share and take home new seeds to try. The swap operates on a trust-based, give-and-take system — bring what you can and take what sparks your interest.

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.

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!

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.