Nominations for the 2026 Bill Duesing ‘Organic Living on the Earth’ Award Now Open

December 19, 2025
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. Click here to learn more about Bill and his award, and see previous years’ award winners.
Nominees for this award are suggested by our community – that’s you! We’re currently looking for nominees for the 2026 award that fall into any of the following categories:
- 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.)
If you know an outstanding individual who or group that has made achievements in any of these categories, nominate them for the 2026 award! You may make a nomination in your name or anonymously. Nominations must be submitted by February 1, 2026. Winner to be announced and celebrated at our winter conference on March 7 at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.
Click here to make a Nomination
Recent Posts
2026 Seed Swap at CT NOFA Winter Conference
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.
Read MoreNational Leader of the Movement for Green Amendments Speaking at Public Town Halls Across Connecticut on the CT Environmental Rights Amendment
Maya van Rossum, founder and leader of the national movement for Green Amendments to state constitutions across the United States and Delaware Riverkeeper, will be speaking in a series of public town hall events across Connecticut. All of these events are free and open to the public. Light food and refreshments will be provided. Photo identification will be required to enter the Stamford Government Center. Key legislators from each part of the state are invited.
Read More

