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.
2027 Conference
CT NOFA is proud to present our 45th Winter Conference, featuring a series of virtual workshops on March 9-11 in the lead up to our full day, in-person gathering and celebration on March 13, 2027 at Wesleyan University.
Winter Conference Archives
Why attend the CT NOFA Winter Conference? Let our attendees tell you, in their own words.
Conference News & announcements
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.
Call for Exhibitors at CT NOFA’s 2026 Winter Conference
Does your business or organization offer products or services that would be of interest to our conference attendees? Then join us at CT NOFA’s 44th annual Winter Conference on March 7, 2026 to connect with 300+ farmers, home gardeners, and organic advocates from across the region.
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. Help support that movement by becoming a sponsor of our 2026 Winter Conference. In addition to helping us continue the fight for organic agriculture, you’ll enjoy numerous benefits leading up to and at the conference.