Contact:          Julie Rawson

                        NOFA Summer Conference Co-Coordinator

julie@nofamass.org                                      

 Northeast Organic Farming Association Announces 34th Annual Summer Conference

AUGUST 8-10, 2008, Amherst, MA, Mark McAfee to deliver Saturday night keynote address 

AMHERST, Mass, February 1, 2008 – NOFA, the Northeast Organic Farming Association, is pleased to announce its 34th Annual Summer Conference.  An enlightening weekend-long event, this year’s conference will be held at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst.

The summer conference is not just for farmers.  There is something for everyone who is interested in organic agriculture, food politics, sustainability, activism, nutrition, homesteading, spirituality, and much more.  Engaging workshops and inspiring speakers make this a weekend that should not be missed.

Over 150 workshop presenters will share their knowledge and experience on a range of topics, from global warming to wine-making, honeybees to herbs, chickens to CSA’s, soil to spirituality, and much more.  Running concurrently with the adult workshops are exciting ones for kids and teens with creative crafts, games and projects. 

Saturday’s keynote speaker will be Mark McAfee, founder of the Organic Pastures Dairy Company in California.  OPDC is the only retail approved raw organic dairy products producer in North America.  A pioneer in raw organic milk production, safety and technology, Mark has been at the forefront of the movement to change the laws regarding raw milk.  He has much to share and promises to inspire and educate.   

Along with information and education, the conference also offers plenty of entertainment. Families from all over the Northeast come to the conference to enjoy a traditional contra-dance, a spicy zydeco dance band, drumming, special children’s programming, an old fashioned country fair and local products from the farmers market.

Dorm rooms, camping and wholesome organic meals with vegetarian and meat options are available at reasonable rates.

Registration material will be available in late April 2008. For more information, visit www.nofamass.org or call Julie Rawson at (978) 355-2853 or e-mail julie@nofamass.org.

NOFA is a non-profit organization of approximately 5,000 farmers, gardeners, land care professionals and consumers working to educate members and the general public about the benefits of a local organic food system based on complete cycles, natural materials and minimal waste for the health of individual beings, communities and the living planet. NOFA has chapters in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

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