OUR WINTER CONFERENCE SPONSORS
Plan Your Day
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.
Plan your trip to the conference to make sure you don't miss out on the many workshops, clinics, and events happening over the course of the day.
THE 2025 CONFERENCE IS SOLD OUT
Registered attendees will receive via email a digital program booklet with links to the virtual workshops prior to the beginning of the conference. When the virtual conference starts on February 25th, you can simply click on the Zoom link attached to each workshop and enter the meeting room at the scheduled workshop time. Each workshop will be recorded and added to the digital program booklet the following day.
We will also send you an email each morning reiterating those day’s workshops and Zoom links.
The live portion of the conference is Saturday, March 1st at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Connecticut.
Check-in begins at 9:00am and the first session of in-person workshops begin at 9:45am. View the full day's schedule, below. For details about the different workshop sessions, visit our workshops page.
Parking is available in two lots located across from the Student Center, the Shakespeare Parking Garage and the Cervantes Parking Garage. Click below for Google Maps links to either, then choose "Directions" for driving navigation instructions.
All winter conference activities will take place in two adjacent buildings at Eastern Connecticut State University: the Student Center and the Communications Building.
Check-in is from 9:00am-9:45 am at the Student Center at Charter Oak Rd, Willimantic, CT 06226.
Click here for a Google Maps link to the Student Center. Once you are parked, you can click "Directions" for walking instructions from your parking spot to the Student Center.
Alternatively, click here to view a campus map. (33) is the Student Center; (36) is the Shakespeare Parking Garage; (42) is the Cervantes Parking Garage.
The first workshops will begin at 9:45 am in classrooms throughout two buildings: Student Center and Communications Building. Please click here to view the list of workshop sessions to plan your day.
Topical tracks are included on that page in order to aid those who wish to follow a specific subject track's workshops over the course of the day.
Attendees will also receive a digital conference program book (via email) prior to the beginning of the conference with the full day's schedule and workshops listings. Printed programs will also be available at conference check-in, for those who prefer to navigate the event with one in-hand.
Exhibitor Fair
Over 25 vendors will be selling and providing information about their products and services during the day at tables throughout the Main Floor of the Student Center. Please be sure to visit them during registration and lunch. Click here to view the full list of vendors at this year's conference.
Seed Swap Table
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. 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. The swap operates on a trust-based, give-and-take system — bring what you can and take what sparks your interest.
Soil Health Table
Bring your soil sample to the soil health table to put it under the microscope, identify the microbial life within, while we explain what it all means. No sample? Stop by anyway and learn from our soil health experts what you can do to analyze, amend, and improve your own soil and compost, on your own time.
A hot lunch will be served, buffet style, from 12:00pm to 2:00pm on the Main Floor of the Student Center. This year's lunch will be provided by Eastern Connecticut State University Dining Services.
Lunch is included with your ticket and there will be vegan and gluten free items available. Coffee, tea, and other snacks are available for purchase at the on-site cafe throughout the day as well.
The Keynote session will begin promptly at 2:30pm in the Student Center, Betty Tipton Room, and will feature CT NOFA’s Annual Meeting, the Bill Duesing Organic Living on the Earth Award presentation, and our Keynote panelists, Jennifer Rothman, Dr. Phoebe Godfrey, and Reginald St. Fortcolin.
Join us after the conference (starting at 6:00pm) for a networking and storytelling event at the Windham Textile and History Museum, 411 Main St, Willimantic, CT 06226.
This event is open to all attendees and will include food, alcoholic beverages, and the New Connecticut Farmers Alliance's famous “Cabbage Moth Story Hour.” Eat, drink, meet new friends, listen to stories from farmers and gardeners throughout Connecticut, and even grab the stage to tell your own!
Click here for a Google Maps link to the Windham Textile and History Museum, then click "Directions" for driving navigation instructions. The museum is a roughly 5-10 minute drive from Eastern Connecticut State University.
We look forward to an exciting and engaging conference! If you have additional questions or concerns that have not been addressed on this page, please reach out to us.
Volunteers and CT NOFA board and staff members will be in attendance at the conference to answer any questions that may arise during the event.