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In This Issue Celebrating Our Generations Of In This Issue GMO Labeling . 4 Morrison’s Custom Feeds . 6 Scaling Up . .7 . Animals Make us Human: Temple Grandin at UVM . 9 Recipe: Pot Roast . 13 The Quarterly Newsletter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont Celebrating our Generations of Innovation at the 31st Annual Winter Conference By Olga Moriarty, Winter Conference Coordinator, and Vera Simon-Nobes, Winter Conference Assistant Coordinator February 16 & 17, 2013 University of Vermont, Burlington VT hoosing a theme and speaker list for the most prominent Cand visible event of NOFA’s calendar year, the annual Winter Conference, is no small feat. The 1500+ attendees who travel from all corners of Vermont (and beyond) repre- sent the backbone of our local agricultural economy: com- mercial producers with varying farm models; back yard farm- ers, gardeners, and homesteaders; food distributors; policy makers; and enthusiastic localvores and consumers. Each year we face the challenge of developing robust workshop offer- ings that meet the needs of all these different groups. We also spend hours of deliberation to choose a cohesive conference theme that has the ability to tie them all together. This year’s conference theme, “Generations of Innovation,” will highlight the innovative work of our most beloved producers as well as the younger farmers and gardeners NOFA puppets introduce a 2012 conference keynote. Photo by Elizabeth Ferry who continue the work of those who’ve plowed their way. Vermont’s local & organic food movement is thriving due pioneer, Eliot Coleman. Clara, age 36, is an organic farmer, to the leadership of experienced farmers, gardeners, and consultant and speaker on four-season farming techniques. entrepreneurs, and the energy and potential of our younger Like her father, she is a proponent of the “small is better” generation cannot be ignored. model of farming, advocating business growth through This year’s conference will honor improved efficiency, innovative production methods, farmer both our community’s leaders and collaboration and direct customer marketing, rather than the next generation of dreamers, physical expansion. Clara will share the inherent chal- problem-solvers, and pioneers in the lenges and uncertainties of the farming lifestyle, and show making. how the young farmer movement continues the legacy of Keynotes & Featured Speakers innovation. We couldn’t have found a better- Inspired by the “TEDTalks” format of brief but excellent suited person to deliver this message presentations on “ideas worth spreading,” we’re excited to than our Saturday keynote, Clara replace the traditional Sunday keynote address with several Coleman, daughter of innovation Continued on page 3 » NOFA Vermont Winter Thoughts from Enid PO Box 697,14 Pleasant St Richmond, VT 05477 NOFA: 802-434-4122 I was honored to share the stage with in national policy and cultivate the next VOF: 802-434-3821 Russell Libby recently, at the Maine generation of leaders. [email protected] www.nofavt.org Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) Farmer to Farmer “Let’s not dibble over who is certified Board of Directors conference in November, at a conference organic and who is not – that is the wrong Mimi Arnstein center high on a bluff on the ocean in conversation, and only reaching 5-10% Regina Beidler of the people.” With ¼ of all food sales Josh Brown Maine. Jennifer Colby now at Walmart, according to Russell, “if Sona Desai Russell is stepping down after 18 years as we really want to make a dent, we have to Debra Heleba the Executive Director of MOFGA, to crack that. If we have a different vision, Andrew Knafel take care of himself and ongoing health we will have to build it – it is up to us and Jack Manix problems and dedicate his time to policy no one else is going to do it.” Ross Thurber reform as MOFGA’s senior policy advisor. Kate Turcotte Russell’s vision is strong, his words are Helen Whybrow Russell gave the conference keynote, talk- ing about his time as Executive Director strong, and at his MOFGA retirement Staff and inviting some of his peers to share the party a week before the conference, a Enid Wonnacott stage with him. portrait of him was uncovered that will Executive Director be part of a travelling show of “Americans Kirsten Bower Being in that room with Russell, sur- Who Tell the Truth.” Through portraits Financial Manager rounded by veteran and beginning farm- and stories of exemplary American Erin Buckwalter ers, I really felt the power of this move- citizens, Americans Who Tell the Truth Food Security & ment, the shift that has taken place in the teaches the courage to act for the com- Marketing Coordinator quarter century we have worked together, mon good. His portrait is now part of Nicole Dehne and the fact that I am now recognized as the travelling display and will be shown VOF Coordinator an “elder” in this movement. alongside those of Abraham Lincoln and Sam Fuller Harriet Tubman. (Learn more at Technical Assistance Program One of the important lessons I have Administrator www.americanswhotellthetruth.org/) learned from Russell is that relationships Willie Gibson matter – he has done a masterful job of This value on relationship building is Dairy & Livestock Advisor creating connections across various levels one I share with Russell, and something Caitlin Gildrien of government, school boards, Farm we will feature at our annual NOFA-VT Outreach Coordinator Bureau and county commissions, and all Winter Conference. With the theme Caitlin Jenness VOF Office Assistant and Summer along building the kinds of relationships of “Generations of Innovation,” we are Workshop Coordinator that have significantly helped to propel highlighting individuals who are making a Rose McDonough this movement. When Russell called me difference – innovative youth, important VOF Certification Specialist last January and invited me to an inau- farmer mentors – all people who seek Abbie Nelson gural meeting of a “Call to Farms”, as he relationship with others to drive this new Agricultural Education Coordinator named it, he described that only 1/3 of food movement forward. Laura Nunziata the USDA budget is spent on farm pro- VOF Certification Specialist grams, and of that, 1% supports organic We hope that you will join us to make new relationships, and build on old ones, Lynda Prim and sustainable agriculture. He said, “As a Fruit & Vegetable Advisor sustainable agriculture movement, we are at the upcoming conference. See you there! Barbara Richardson playing in the wading pool in the corner.” Office Manager Russell challenged us to radically shift Dave Rogers Dairy & Livestock Advisor the national decision-making around & Policy Advisor agricultural policy and become the front- Gregg Stevens runners in a new conversation. He asked VOF Certification Specialist how we can elevate the voices of farmers Becca Weiss Office Assistant NOFA Vermont is an organization of farmers, gardeners, & consumers working to promote an economically viable and ecologically sound Vermont food system for the benefit of current and future generations. Page 2 NOFA Notes Winter 2012 Winter Conference, continued from cover shorter talks featuring dynamic in- Growing Blueberries Successfully hard cider and kombucha, ferment- novators. These include Joe Bossen, This intermediate level workshop will ing vegetables (kimchee, sauerkraut, owner of Vermont Bean Crafters in provide in-depth information on the etc), and producing your own cul- the Mad River Valley, VT; Michael soil and nutrient needs of blueberries, tured dairy products. Rozyne, founder of Equal Exchange the different varieties recommended And More! and Red Tomato, MA; Scout Proft, for the Northeast, establishing a farm mentor and owner of Someday new orchard or backyard plot as well Of course the conference is much Farm, Dorset, VT; and Laura Brown- renewing mature plantings, pest and more than workshops and keynotes. Lavoie, urban farmer and poet, predator control, and pruning. Networking, celebration, and eating Providence, RI. are at the core of our conference! Farming for Resiliency in Climate Innovators included in the lengthy Change Saturday evening will offer a full list of workshop presenters come This workshop will look at tools that line-up of events, starting with a from near and far. They include improve on-farm resiliency in ex- happy hour and UVM poster session, Adam Montri of Ten Hen Farms in treme weather. Presenters will share followed by an evening of dinner and Bath, MI; Eric and Anne Nordell of strategies for building soil resiliency, dancing with music provided by one Beech Grove Farm in Trout Run, PA; managing weeds, enhancing crop of Burlington’s hottest bands, the Jean-Paul Courtens and Jody Bullyot adaptability, and using perennial Bob Wagner Band. (Get ready for of Roxbury Farm in Kinderhook, crops to improve buffers on flood some high energy rock, funk, blues, NY; Jerry Brunetti of Agri-Dynamics plains and in riparian zones. and reggae!) If you need something in Martins Creek, PA; Eliot Colemen less energetic, there’s a film option of Four Season Farm in Harborside, For food enthusiasts there are two down the hall and our second an- ME; and Michael Rozyne, of Red options, sure to whet the appetite! nual seed swap, sponsored by High Mowing Organic Seeds. Tomato in Middleborough, MA Meat Deconstructed - plus local leaders such as UVM A comprehensive day examining the Stay tuned to the NOFA Vermont Extension’s Heather Darby, Jack various ways to manage a “box of website and follow us on Facebook Lazor of Butterworks Farm, sustain- meat” from creating nourishing bone for more updates as the Winter ability leader Tom Sabo, and farmer- broths, cooking with organs and of Conference evolves. Registration will consultant Lisa McCrory, to name course roasting, grilling and braising begin online in late December, and a few. (For a complete listing of our your favorite and lesser-known cuts.
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