2025 Conference
About the Conference
CT NOFA is proud to present our 43rd Winter Conference, featuring a series of virtual workshops on February 25-27 in the lead up to our full day, in-person gathering and celebration on March 1, 2025 at Eastern Connecticut State University, in partnership with their Institute of Sustainability.
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 keynote panel discussion focused on food access and equity that will feature Reggy St Fortcolin, Jennifer Rothman, and Phoebe Godfrey. 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.
This year, we will continue to implement a sliding scale pricing model, allowing us to practice economic solidarity while providing mutual support for the cost of our programs. In this way, we make our education more accessible and help cover costs of operation. Choose the pricing tier that fits with your income and access to wealth, and help us create a more just, inclusive, and equitable conference. Scholarships for those in financial need are available thanks to our generous donors and sponsors, including both a registration fee waiver and a travel stipend request.
Join us in March as we learn, grow, innovate, and think critically about what we want our food system to look like in the future.
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 (February 25-27) and throughout our in-person conference (March 1), this year's 30 workshops will cover the following topical tracks:
- Beginning Farmer
- Transition to Organic Farming
- Organic Land Care
- Policy and Advocacy
- Food Justice
- Homesteader/Gardener
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 43rd annual Winter Conference can choose from several sponsorship tiers, each with different supporter benefits.
VENDOR FAIR
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 PANEL
CT NOFA is excited to present a keynote panel of experts and advocates for the 2025 winter conference, featuring:
- Reggy St Fortcolin, Founder of Fridgeport
- Jennifer Rothman, Executive Director of the Yellow Farmhouse Education Center
- Phoebe Godfrey, Co-Founder of CLiCK Willimantic
This keynote conversation, moderated by Eastern Connecticut State University's Institute of Sustainability Executive Director, Patty Szczys, will explore Connecticut’s food systems through a solutions-oriented lens, highlighting the importance of relationships with our environment, our food, and each other. Grounded in grassroots organizing and forward-thinking innovation, this session will offer steps toward the transformations required to build a thriving, equitable, and sustainable food system in Connecticut.
events, clinics, and gatherings
soil health table
Throughout the conference, we will have our soil health table set up. We hope you’ll stop by to learn more about what healthy, living soil looks like. Bring a soil or compost sample! We’ll put it under the microscope, identify the microbial life within, and explain what it all means. We will also have information about upcoming microscopy courses and trainings, so you can learn to analyze, amend, and improve your own soil and compost, on your own time. Come talk with us about this exciting new program, which includes a microscope and all the materials you need to see the life in your own soil and compost.
THE BILL DUESING ORGANIC LIVING ON THE EARTH AWARD
This award is for a recipient who has demonstrated the advancement of organic living on our 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 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
CT NOFA on the Organic Farm Stand Podcast
CT NOFA’s Executive Director, Jeremy Pelletier, and Director of Advocacy, Dr. Kim Stoner, were recently featured on the Organic Farm Stand podcast to discuss both CT NOFA’s upcoming winter conference…
Keynote Panel for 2025 Winter Conference
CT NOFA is excited to present a keynote panel of experts and advocates for the 2025 winter conference. This keynote conversation will explore Connecticut’s food systems through a solutions-oriented lens,…
Nominations Now Open for 2025 Bill Duesing “Organic Living on the Earth” Award
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…
Call for Vendors at the CT NOFA 2025 Winter Conference
Call for vendors! Join us at CT NOFA’s 43rd annual Winter Conference on March 1, 2025 at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT to connect with 450+ farmers, home…
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, helping us preserve and regenerate healthy, living soil to grow our food in, and…
Request for Workshop Proposals for CT NOFA’s 2025 Winter Conference
Our workshop roster for the 2025 Winter Conference is full. However, if you would like to submit a proposal to be added to our waiting list (in the event a…
CT NOFA 2025 Winter Conference Advance Tickets Available at 20% Discount
CT NOFA is proud to announce our 43rd Winter Conference will be taking place on March 1, 2025, at Eastern Connecticut State University. It will be preceded by three days…
SAVE THE DATE – CT NOFA’s 43rd Winter Conference on March 1, 2025
CT NOFA is happy to announce a continuation of our partnership with Eastern Connecticut State University. After a successful conference, earlier this year, we’re excited to return to Eastern on…