Workshops
The 2026 workshop roster is now full. To submit a workshop for our waiting list, please click below.
Workshop details
march 3 (online)
Organic Approaches to Plant Disease Control
9:00 AM
Dr. Yonghao Li | Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Tracks: Gardening and Homesteading | Organic Land Care
More and more growers and gardeners are interested in growing plants organically because it is beneficial for every level of life: soil, plants, animals, environments, and human health. A big challenge for growers and homeowners is to manage diseases without using pesticides in organic gardens. This presentation will discuss eco-friendly approaches to disease management by understanding pathogen features, disease cycles, host resistance, environmental factors, and biological control agents.
Attendees should expect to learn about common plant diseases in gardens and landscapes, factors that affect their development, and strategies for managing them.
Soil Health 3-Ways: Physical
12:00 PM
Monique Bosch | CT NOFA
Tracks: Soil Health
This workshop will look at the physical properties of soil. You will learn to interpret what type of soil and conditions you are working with, using simple tools and methods. We will explore management practices for best structure, texture, and tilth.
Understanding the physical properties of soil will help with many aspects of soil health that are often ignored. Rather than relying just on a chemical soil test, physical testing will give us a better understanding of the actual make-up of our soils. You will learn what texture and structure you are working with, how water moves through soil, as well as how our soils change within different horizon layers. This course will give you the ability to use simple tools to perform physical tests on soil to determine compaction, soil texture, structure and permeability.
This workshop is part of a 4-course series that will run as virtual workshops on March 3, 4, and 5, as well as a final, interactive workshop on March 7, in-person.
An Overview of Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Services and Programs
3:00 PM
AliRose Grabarz | Connecticut Department of Agriculture
Tracks: Beginning Farmer
This workshop will cover the services available through CT DoAg’s three bureaus (Ag Development, Regulatory Services, and Aquaculture). These services include grant programs, licensing, and more. It will also cover technical assistance available for farmers (business planning and soil testing) and sub-grant programs available from partner organizations around the state. The goal of this workshop is to familiarize farmers with CT DoAg programs, services, and partners.
Attendees will gain knowledge on: CT DoAg grants and opportunities for business development; CT DoAg bureaus and services available; technical assistance for business planning; sub-grantee programs available from partner organizations; and other resources from partner organizations.
march 4 (online)
Food Systems Policy: How Local Food Can Help Solve Food Insecurity in Connecticut
9:00 AM
Christian Duborg | Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity
Tracks: Policy & Advocacy
Connecticut has two major problems related to food: less than 3% of all food spending is on local items, and hundreds of thousands of residents are food insecure
While local food is often associated with affluent customers at farmers markets, that does not need to be the case. Many of the foods that are currently most affordable and accessible are ultraprocessed and detrimental to public health. By promoting access to local food, not only can a sufficient quantity of food be guaranteed, but quality as well.
The food insecurity crisis in Connecticut necessitates a policy intervention. Ensuring those policies support the provision of local food to food insecure residents has the potential to address food insecurity in the short term and through increased food supply and economic development help address the underlying causes of food insecurity in the long-term.
Participants will learn about and discuss opportunities for policy to create such links between local food and food security. This workshop will also cover current policy initiative possibilities in Connecticut regarding food insecurity, opportunities to bolster the local food system through short-term food insecurity solutions, and how bolstering the local food system has the potential to address the underlying causes of food insecurity in the long-term.
Soil Health 3-Ways: Chemical
12:00 PM
Monique Bosch | CT NOFA
Tracks: Soil Health
We will learn how to interpret a chemical soil test, analyzing macro and micro-nutrients, pH, Cation Exchange Capacity and Organic Matter content, and how these values affect our soil’s ability to grow healthy plants and nutritious food. Using regenerative farming methods, we will address issues of nutrient deficiency, chemical imbalance, and excesses.
This workshop is part of a 4-course series that will run as virtual workshops on March 3, 4, and 5, as well as a final, interactive workshop on March 7, in-person.
Creating a Community Farm
3:00 PM
Eric Fuchs-Stengel | National Center for Appropriate Technology
Tracks: TBD
Community farms are cornerstones of human energy and food production which cultivate healthy relationships, food, and a sense of purpose. They have been growing in popularity due to their ability to strengthen connections between neighborhoods, the environment, and local food systems. In this session we will explore effective strategies, available resources, and practical tools that you can use to create a community farm tailored to the unique needs and dynamics of your local area. Through a case study of a successful community farm, we will dive into real-world examples, discussing how to overcome common challenges and navigate the often-complex process of starting a community farm. Emphasis will be placed on how to establish and sustain your farm with minimal initial resources, ensuring long-term growth and success. Whether you’re curious, just starting, or looking to expand, this session will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to make a community farm a thriving hub of local collaboration and sustainability.
Attendees will learn how to cultivate support, gather resources, identify programming, and develop a collaborative high impact community farm system; how to design, build, manage, and evolve a community farm to introduce people to food production, cultivate experiential learning, and address local community needs; how to successfully grow vegetables utilizing a LEAN farm model while engaging hundreds of inexperienced volunteers in complex farm work; and how to build relationships & vibes on a farm to inspire happiness, togetherness, and an atmosphere that invites people to return and to become a part of the farm.
march 5 (online)
Navigating CT FarmLink for Land Access & Farm Growth
9:00 AM
Cyrena Thibodeau, Kip Kolesinskas, Freedom Gerardo, and Robert Chang
Tracks: Beginning Farmer
Land access remains one of the most persistent barriers for farmers in Connecticut — whether you’re just starting out, looking to expand, or planning a succession on your existing farm. The CT FarmLink Program connects farmland seekers with landowners seeking to lease or sell agricultural land and provides tailored resources to support successful matches.
In this hands-on session, producers will learn how to strategically use CT FarmLink as a tool for finding land, building viable tenure arrangements, and strengthening farm business resilience. Participants will walk away with concrete steps for creating an effective FarmLink profile, evaluating land options, understanding lease and sale pathways, and leveraging supplemental technical resources available through FarmLink and its partners.
This workshop is designed for both new and experienced producers who are seeking practical insights and tools to overcome land access challenges and grow their farming operations in Connecticut.
Soil Health 3-Ways: Biological
12:00 PM
Monique Bosch | CT NOFA
Tracks: Soil Health
We will study the ‘Soil Food Web,’ learning about the living organisms in our soil, from the visible to the microscopic. Using a microscope, we will zoom in to study the microbial communities that live in our soils and compost. With an understanding of the complex trophic structure of life in our soils, we can determine aggregate structure, fungal/bacterial ratios, as well as nutrient cycling, all influenced by our soil management practices, as well as the chemical and physical make-up of our soils.
This workshop is part of a 4-course series that will run as virtual workshops on March 3, 4, and 5, as well as a final, interactive workshop on March 7, in-person.
Compost and the Unseen World
3:00 PM
Jayne Merner | Earth Care Farm
Tracks: Soil Health | Gardening and Homesteading
Dive into the hidden universe beneath our feet. This engaging presentation with live microscope action unearths the critical role compost plays in nurturing soil health and sustaining ecosystems. From microscopic microbes to networks of fungi, we’ll explore how compost awakens and feeds a vibrant, living community essential to plant growth and climate resilience. Learn how compost can power a transformation, revealing the profound connections between organics, biodiversity, and the health of our planet. Whether you’re a gardener, educator, or simply compost-curious, this journey into the soil’s invisible life will change the way you see soil—forever. In addition to inspiring wonder and excitement for soil life, this workshop will offer practical tips for boosting garden and farm productivity through compost.
March 7 (in-person at wesleyan University)
events, clinics, & gatherings
BIPOC Farmer Circle
LUNCH
Led by Azeem Blessings Kareem | Samad Garden Initative
Tracks: N/A
Like-minded individuals from across our region rarely have the time to come together during the growing season. The CT NOFA Winter Conference offers them the chance to connect for both social and professional reasons. The following groups have rooms set aside during the conference lunch period to gather, connect and reconnect, and break bread.
Join fellow Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) farmers for a supportive and empowering space to share experiences, resources, and strategies for success. This circle is a place to build community, discuss challenges, and celebrate the resilience and knowledge that BIPOC farmers bring to the land and the local food system. Led by Azeem Blessings Kareem from Samad Gardens Initiative.
Seed Swap Table
ALL-DAY
Participant Led
Tracks: N/A
This year’s Winter Conference will feature a Seed Swap! 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.
HOW IT WORKS
Bring Seeds to Share (If You Can)
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.
Browse & Take Seeds
Look through the available seeds and take what interests you. Use the provided empty packets and measuring spoons to portion seeds responsibly — leave enough for others!
Label & Leave Seeds for Others
If you’re contributing seeds, make sure they are labeled. Blank packets are available if needed. Place your seeds on the table for others to find.
Ask Questions & Share Knowledge
Not sure what to take? Ask a fellow attendee! This is a great place to learn about new varieties and growing techniques.
Enjoy & Grow Something New!
Take your seeds home and plant them! If you have extra seeds left at the end, consider leaving them to share with others beyond the conference.
Soil Health Table
ALL-DAY
CT NOFA Staff
Tracks: N/A
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. Our staff will have sample footage on hand to explore the variety of microscopic life that affects and defines that soil’s properties. Bring your own soil or compost sample! We’ll put it under the microscope, identify the microbial life within, and explain what it all means, including the soil structure, organic matter, and nutrient-holding capacity.
Cabbage Moth Story Hour and After-Hours Gathering
POST-CONFERENCE
New Connecticut Farmers Alliance
Tracks: N/A
Join us after the conference for food, drink, and the New Connecticut Farmers Alliance’s famous Cabbage Moth Story Hour! Farmers are invited to take the stage and share a farm-related story: the time you had to chase your chickens across town, your craziest farm injury, your moment of agricultural inspiration, etc. Time limit is 8 minutes.
This gathering will take place in Beckham Hall at Wesleyan University shortly after the conclusion of the final workshop sessions.
session 1 (9:45am-11:00am)
So You’re Organic — Leveraging Your Certification in Marketing
9:45 AM
Dave Tschiegg
Tracks: Beginning Farmer | Transition to Organic
You’ve earned your USDA Organic certification—now what? Certification is more than a seal on your label; it’s a powerful marketing asset that builds trust, supports price premiums, and opens new market channels. This workshop will help certified and transitioning organic farmers strategically leverage their certification to strengthen their brand, clarify messaging, and grow sales. Participants will learn organic marketing best practices and gain access to new, free marketing tools developed specifically for Connecticut organic farmers. This workshop is designed for anyone interested in learning marketing techniques, though the models presented will be through the lens of a Certified Organic farm. Key insights will include:
- How to make the most of the USDA Organic seal and approved organic language in your marketing
- Learn simple, proven marketing practices to help you stand out and justify your organic price
- Turn your organic farming practices into clear, relatable stories for customers—online and in person
- Access new free marketing resources created for Connecticut organic farmers
Beekeeping Basics and Beeyond
9:45 AM
Eric Fuchs-Stengel | National Center for Appropriate Technology
Tracks: Beginning Farmer | Gardening and Homesteading
Honeybees can be a great addition to your farm and life but are challenging to raise successfully. These special insects can increase annual crop yield, inspire your farm team, and provide you with energizing honey. In this session we will cover the fundamentals of beekeeping including hive placement, varroa and pest management, as well as honey production and winter survival. We will learn about the best management practices and common mistakes to avoid for new beekeepers. We will discuss bee biology, swarming, reading the honeycomb, apiary design & workflow, and mindfulness approaches to managing bees. This presentation is ideal for a beginner getting ready to kick off their first year in beekeeping. It is also very helpful for a beekeeper of 2–7 years who has been having mixed results with their hives honey production and winter survival.
Rooted in Resilience: Will Your Pastured Poultry Plan Hold Up in the Real Market or Get Put Out to Pasture?
9:45 AM
Aaron and Jared McCool | Steadfast Farms
Tracks: Livestock
This interactive session invites growers at every stage to examine their pastured poultry plans through practical discussion, shared problem-solving, and real examples from the field. Participants will bring their own assumptions, challenges, and questions, and together we will test them against the realities of raising, processing, and selling poultry in the Northeast. The workshop draws from Steadfast Farms’ experience as a pastured poultry producer, Connecticut’s only USDA-inspected, Certified Humane for Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, and USDA Organic poultry slaughter and processing facility, along with our transition toward raising our own certified organic flock in 2026.
Rather than presenting a single production model, the session guides attendees through the factors that shape different flock plans: breed choices, land and equipment constraints, labor expectations, organic compliance, processing access, scheduling, and market fit. Through group prompts and scenario-based exercises, we will compare what farmers expect to happen with what typically occurs in real operations. Participants will explore cost drivers, opportunities for value-added products, and common pitfalls that cause promising ventures to stall.
The emphasis is on developing resilient, adaptable systems that can withstand market conditions, seasonal challenges, and organic standards. By the end, growers will leave with clearer decision pathways, more realistic expectations, and a stronger framework for designing flocks that align with their values, capacity, and long-term goals.
Everything You Need to Know to Run an On-Farm Airbnb
9:45 AM
Robert Maddox | Sun One Organic Farm
Tracks: Beginning Farmer
Building upon my 15 years of experience, I will discuss everything you need to know to set up and successfully operate an on-farm Airbnb. I will also touch upon converting the farm to an event space, as well. Our farm Airbnb was featured in the Fall 2025 issue of the NOFA publication, The Natural Farmer. Our Airbnb’s are unique and consist of a silo, loft, dome, and tiny house. They are solar powered and have several green building features. The old equipment barn has been transformed into a 2,600 square foot event space.
Attendees will learn whether an Airbnb is right for their farm, what’s required and how to get started, important mistakes to avoid, and how to deliver an incredible agriculture-based experience to their guests.
Policy for an Organic Connecticut
9:45 AM
Dr. Kimberly Stoner | CT NOFA
Tracks: Policy & Advocacy
CT NOFA’s policy vision includes the following:
- A clean and healthy environment for everyone, regardless of where they live, with special emphasis on protecting vulnerable people and communities.
- Organic farming, gardening, and land care to protect human and environmental health, and as essential solutions to our climate and biodiversity crises.
- Funding for rapid agricultural disaster assistance in the face of the changing climate.
- Land access and opportunity for new and beginning farmers, centering racial justice.
- Fresh, healthy, and locally grown food available to everyone, regardless of income, and across the life cycle, from childhood to old age.
- Support for Connecticut’s unique agriculture, with smaller and more diversified farms compared to other regions of the country.
I want to hear from you – what policies do we need to change to get to where we want to go? How can we organize to change policy and realize our vision? What are the systems that keep us from moving forward, and how can we change them?
In addition to providing an opportunity for CT NOFA members to network and help inform our future advocacy efforts, attendees will hear about:
- Specific policy proposals that apply to our vision and that have been proposed for the 2026 legislative session in Connecticut.
- The current state of the Federal Farm Bill, including what has been changed since the Farm Bill coalition was disassembled.
Soil Health 3-Ways: Interactive
9:45 AM
Monique Bosch | CT NOFA
Tracks: Soil Health
This is-person session at CT NOFA’s Winter Conference will be a culmination of all topics covered in the virtual sessions. There will be a microscope ‘in the room,’ to offer views of students’ soil/compost samples. We will also demonstrate methods to determine physical properties, as well as chemical analysis, using an ‘at-home’ soil test. This interactive session promises to offer valuable tools and information that you can use back in the field.
This workshop is part of a 4-course series that will run as virtual workshops on March 3, 4, and 5, as well as a final, interactive workshop on March 7, in-person.
session 2 (11:15am-12:30pm)
Bring Back the Pollinators: Enhancing on-Farm Habitat Opportunities for Bees
11:15 AM
Jules Davis | Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Tracks: Beginning Farmer | Gardening and Homesteading
Pollinators are incredibly important for both crops and wild plants. There are a variety of ways that farmers and gardeners can contribute to pollinator conservation. Join Jules Davis, postdoctoral researcher at UMass Amherst and Xerces Society Ambassador, as they explore the world of native bees, their life histories, threats, and simple actions you can take to help conserve them. Jules will also discuss ongoing research efforts to understand pollinator health on farms in the Connecticut River Valley. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.
Attendees will be provided with an understanding of wild bee biology and life history and a discussion of ways to use this knowledge to make targeted on-farm conservation decisions. We will discuss ways to provide supplemental food and nesting resources for bees and mitigate negative consequences of agricultural activity on bee nesting and food habitat.
Small Scale Pastured Poultry Production
11:15 AM
Ross Duffield | Bonnie Blue Farms
Tracks: Livestock | Gardening and Homesteading
Raising poultry takes time and commitment, but the many benefits that come with that small flock of birds make it well worth it. This workshop will explore the essentials to raising a small flock of chickens for egg and meat production as well as turkey production in a pasture based system. From breed selection, brooding chicks, providing proper nutrition, appropriate housing and pens, predator protection, and more, attendees will learn the ins and outs of small scale poultry production.
Climate Change and Policy Responses – What Farmers Can Do
11:15 AM
Tracy Lerman, Hannah Tremblay, and Kaitlyn Kimball
Tracks: Policy & Advocacy
As climate-related disasters become more frequent and severe, farmers are too often left without meaningful relief. This session will take a hard look at the gaps in current disaster assistance and unprecedented slash in funding to support climate resiliency and mitigation efforts. Drawing from new research and a forthcoming white paper, we’ll discuss what’s broken — and what needs to change. Participants will connect with organizations working on solutions and learn how to get involved in efforts to support farmers to increase climate resiliency and when disasters happen.
Designing, Financing, and Managing Farm Construction and Infrastructure
11:15 AM
Baylee Drown and Ryan Quinn | Long Table Farm
Tracks: Beginning Farmer
This workshop is designed for beginning farmers who are developing, rehabilitating, and/or modifying farm infrastructure to meet the needs of their growing operation. We will review considerations for the planning and designing of farm infrastructure and how to afford to build out a functional, efficient, and attractive farm. We will also discuss how to quote out and interview contractors and what jobs can be done by farmers, themselves. We will also dive into providing oversight and support as your own general contractor.
Attendees will learn how to make a whole farm infrastructure plan and build workable spaces, how to utilize grants, credit, farm profits, and grassroots fundraising to afford farm infrastructure, and how to select and manage contractors and determine what jobs you can learn to do yourself.
Organic Invasive Plant Management
11:15 AM
Colin Bennett | Swamp Yankee Earthcare
Tracks: Organic Land Care
This workshop will explore the successes and challenges of managing invasive plant species without the use of herbicides. Participants will learn about mechanical control of many of the most common and pervasive invasive plants in Connecticut, focusing on effectiveness and limitations. Case studies will highlight successful initiatives and the practical obstacles faced, including labor-intensive efforts, the need for long-term management, and ecosystem impacts. The session will also discuss how these methods contribute to sustainable land stewardship and increasing biodiversity. Attendees will gain insights into integrating non-chemical approaches into their own invasive species management plans.
session 3 (4:15pm-5:30pm)
The Right Steps to Start a Farm Business: The Back Office for Beginners
4:15 PM
Kelly Caisse | KDCROP Farms
Tracks: Beginning Farmer
This workshop will cover everything you need to have in place when they are moving from a hobby farm to a income generating farm. It will touch on the basics of a business plan, book keeping, entity creation, and town, state and IRS necessary documents. The goal is to show the simplicity of keeping your back office tidy and clean, so your farm can grow!
The Who, Why, and How of Insect Parasitoids
4:15 PM
Dr. Ana Legrand
Tracks: Organic Land Care | Beginning Farmer | Gardening and Homesteading
Parasitoids are important natural enemies of insect pests. They are commonly reared and released for biological control of pests or simply occur naturally and provide this service. This workshop will cover the biology of insect parasitoids and why they are key elements in organic pest management. Strategies will be presented in how to build a strong beneficial insect community that includes them along with other beneficial organisms. Attendees will learn about key parasitoid groups and how to detect their presence, understand their basic biology, and how best to implement conservation strategies that include the use of insectary plants and cover crops.
Pesticide Use On The Rise: How Do We Stem The Tide?
4:15 PM
Mia Park and Louise Washer
Tracks: Policy
This workshop will demonstrate that knowledge is power when it comes to reducing use of toxic pesticides and their harms. U.S. Geological Survey testing shows we have pesticides in groundwater and that 56% of rivers tested contain pesticides at levels toxic to aquatic life. We will discuss how good data on pesticide use have helped identify substances that pose the highest harm to pollinators, affecting conservation and policy change. You will hear about pesticide concerns right here in Connecticut, the key role of monitoring data in passing of last year’s SB9 neonicotinoid prohibition bill, and the need for a publicly accessible state pesticide database. You will leave with a clear understanding of how you can advocate for state-wide change by supporting new legislative policy in Connecticut this year. Pesticide reform advocates are organizing in Connecticut, and we have momentum for change through policy. We will discuss ways to get involved.
Sheep Management for Small to Mid-Sized Producers
4:15 PM
Ross Duffield | Bonnie Blue Farms
Tracks: Livestock | Gardening and Homesteading
The northeast has seen a revival of small farmers and gardeners looking to get back to the land and connect directly to the consumer. The interest in locally raised meats, including lamb and mutton, has presented small farmers an opportunity to engage with new customers and diversify their operations. This workshop will explore the ins and outs of basic sheep and lamb management for farmers or land owners with limited property access. With flock sizes from as small as 5 to as large as 150 head, sheep and lambs are a great option for producers looking to integrate livestock into their crop rotation, manage invasive species without the use of chemicals, and potentially custom graze neighboring land or solar sites.
Setting Prices to Support Profitability
4:15 PM
Cian Dalzell and Sherlene Rodriguez | The Carrot Project
Tracks: Beginning Farmer
Pricing is more than a numbers exercise: accurate pricing reflects the true value of your products, including your investments. Accurate pricing communicates the worth of your work and provides fair returns. Ultimately your pricing is what keeps you in business. Join us to learn how to interpret sales and expense data and apply strategies to make pricing decisions with clarity and confidence.
This workshop will provide you with practical, immediately useable skills especially important for beginning farmers: setting prices that cover costs, generate profits, and reflect the value and values of your farm. Attendees will learn how to calculate cost of production and use it in setting prices that generate profit, how to know fixed cost (investments and other overhead) and use it in setting prices that generate profit, and how to evaluate the market/market prices and use them in setting prices that generate profit. Overall the objective is for farmers, especially beginning farmers, to learn how to create a pricing strategy that ensures farm profitability.
Profiting from Farm-to-Table Dinners
4:15 PM
Violet Reed | MEVO (Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization, Inc.)
Tracks: Beginning Farmer
Turn your farm’s fresh produce and scenic charm into a profitable farm-to-table dinner experience! This workshop offers a practical blueprint for farmers, non-profits, and community organizations to generate additional revenue, build customer loyalty, and showcase sustainable agriculture. Learn how to plan and execute a successful farm-to-table event, covering key steps like preparing your farm, designing an inviting venue, partnering with chefs, marketing effectively, and managing payments. Tailored for small-scale vegetable producers and community-focused groups, this session provides actionable strategies to diversify income and grow your brand identity.