Plan Your Day
We'll be offering a variety of workshops, covering topics such as farming, organic land care, government policy, homesteading and gardening, and more, including a keynote address by renowned organic advocate, Jim Riddle. 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. Find the full day's schedule, below, as well as more detailed information available in the drop-down menus beneath the schedule.
Schedule for March 7 at Wesleyan University
Conference Information and Details
Ticket sales are now closed.
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 March 3rd, 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, March 3rd, 4th, and 5th, reiterating those day’s workshops and Zoom links. Please be sure to add ctnofa@ctnofa.org to your contact list so that these critical emails from us are not registered as spam!
The live portion of the conference is Saturday, March 7th at Wesleyan University in Middletown, 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 of Wesleyan University's lots: Lot E and Lot V.
Lot E is directly across the street from Usdan University Center - the location of this year's conference - and we ask that able-bodied attendees prefer Lot V instead so that attendees with mobility limitations will have parking available to them in the closer Lot E.
If you have mobility issues, please email us and we will make arrangements to accommodate your needs.
Click below for Google Maps links to either parking lot, then choose "Directions" for driving navigation instructions. If you have parked in Lot V and are unfamiliar with Wesleyan's campus, you may click the link for the Usdan Center, below, to access Google Map's walking directions for a short walk through campus to the conference.
Check-in is from 9:00am-9:45am at Usdan University Center at 45 Wyllys Ave., Middletown, CT 06459.
Due to lunch constraints, we will not be able to accommodate in-person ticket sales, so please only join us as the conference if you already have purchased a ticket.
WiFi is available in the student center. Please choose the network wes-guest. You will be directed to register your name and phone number to gain access to the WiFi network. (If you aren't prompted to register once you've connected to wes-guest, open a browser on your device to do so.)
The first workshop session will begin at 9:45am in classrooms throughout three buildings: Usdan University Center, Boger Hall, and Fayerweather-Beckham Hall. 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 exhibitors will be providing information about their products and services during the day at tables throughout the first floor of the Usdan University Center. Please be sure to visit them during registration and lunch. Click here to view the full list of exhibitors 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 12:30pm to 2:30pm on the second floor of the Usdan University Center. This year's lunch will be provided by Bon Appétit, Wesleyan's food service provider since 2007.
Bon Appétit is known for its culinary expertise, commitment to socially responsible food sourcing and business practices, and strong partnerships with respected conservation organizations, making them an ideal food provider for CT NOFA.
Lunch is included with your ticket and there will be vegan items available.
Additionally, coffee and pastries will be available for purchase throughout the day as part of the exhibitor fair.
The Keynote session will begin promptly at 2:30pm in Fayerweather-Beckham Hall, and will feature CT NOFA’s Annual Meeting, the Bill Duesing Organic Living on the Earth Award presentation, and our keynote speaker, organic advocate Jim Riddle.
Join us after the conference (starting at 6:00pm) for a networking and storytelling event in Fayerweather-Beckham Hall on the Wesleyan University campus.
This event is open to all attendees and will include food, beverages, and the New Connecticut Farmer 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!
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.
CT NOFA board and staff members will be in attendance at the conference to answer any questions that may arise during the event.