Winter Conference
About the Conference
Each March, CT NOFA holds our signature event, the Winter Conference, featuring the Bill Duesing Organic Living on the Earth Award, our annual meeting, and a keynote address. Also included are a variety of workshops on farming, agricultural policy, organic land care, community food security, social justice issues, and more. The conference also includes dedicated lunch meetup times for farmers and other groups with shared interests or from similar backgrounds.
Winter Conference Archives
Why attend the CT NOFA Winter Conference? Let our attendees tell you, in their own words.
Conference News & announcements
2026 Winter Conference Recap by For The People
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.
2026 Bill Duesing Award Winner – Steve Munno
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.
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.
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.