Workshop List for CT NOFA's Winter Conference, Part 3

Shannon Hayes – Tender, Delicious Grassfed Beef
Covers quality control factors from field to plate, helping both farmers and consumers understand how to assess a pasture, animal finish, processing, butchering and proper cooking. She describes it as an in-depth PowerPoint presentation with lots and lots of images that take folks out to the pastures, into the slaughter house and cutting room, then out to the grill and into the kitchen. Following the presentation she does an extensive Q&A to help folks trouble-shoot with their grassfed production and cooking concerns.
Shannon Hayes, Ph.D. of Sap Bush Hollow Farm is the host of grassfedcooking.com; author of "The Farmer and The Grill", "The Grass-fed Gourmet", "Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture” and a working third generation family farmer.
Leigh White – Good Food. The Best Medicine
The healing power of nature is one of naturopathic medicine’s guiding principles. This refers to not only the body’s ability to heal itself when supported, but also the earth’s ability to provide resources (foods) to guide that healing. Dr. White will discuss the use of some everyday, easily-accessible healing foods.
Dr. White began her career as a Product Development Scientist. Realizing she was more interested in educating people about having faith in their bodies, she made a major career change- receiving her Naturopathic Doctorate and M.S. in Human Nutrition (University of Bridgeport). She is now a Naturopathic Physician with a family practice in North Haven.

Nicholas Mancini – Worm Composting Simplified
The PowerPoint presentation/discussion is to show how basic of a concept worm composting can be, while achieving great results. The important aspect of composting is to have the right amount (50/50%) of nitrogen and carbon ratio, water and aeration, the rest should be left to the worm population to complete.
Nick Mancini is a Certified Master Gardener that specializes in organic vegetables, fruits and brambles. He’s the past head Master Gardener of Vegetables at Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford. He teaches at Norwalk Community College Extended Studies, Westport and Fairfield Continuing Education, and lectures in garden clubs, horticultural societies and libraries throughout Connecticut and neighboring states. He’s currently writing a book for the home gardener entitled Intensive Organic Gardening: The High Yield, Low Budget Approach.  

Joan Nichols – PA 490 CT's Land Use Value Assessment Law Power point presentation on PA 490: CT's Land Use Value Assessment Law for Farm Land, Forest Land, Open Space and Maritime Heritage Land, with time for questions and answers.
Government Relations Specialist; advocating and assisting agricultural producers in all aspects of Connecticut agriculture.
 

Erica Fearn – Access to Land for Beginning Farmers Farming without land is impossible and finding the right place you can, to buy or lease for the right price, can be daunting. In this workshop, you will evaluate the land requirements for your agricultural enterprise, increase your understanding of farm acquisition strategies, and learn of resources available to you.
Erica Fearn, Land For Good Connecticut Field Staff, has over 16 years of experience in agricultural organizations. She has served as Executive Director of the CT Farm Bureau and as the Area Director of Programs & Policy for American Farm Bureau. Erica raises Boer goats in W. Suffield, CT.

Alan Gorkin – Growing Winter Greens in a Cold Greenhouse and Frames
Our experience growing winter greens in a cold greenhouse (minimal heat) and coldframes (bottom heat soil only). Examples will be provided for tasting. Many unusual greens and their uses will be featured, as well as soils, sow dates to harvest, etc.
Horticulturist on private estate of 11 acres in Greenwich, CT. Garden supervision related to care of hedges, vegetable, greenhouses, fruit orchard, statuary and water features. Alan Gorkin, Horticulturist, 6 member CSA and market at Wilton Farmers Market and Branchville. Fresh vegetables and transplants. BS Horticulture MIchigan State U; Instr

There's still time to receive the early bird discount! Register online here or call the office at 203-888-5146.