The Gleanings e-News
 January 2017


ORGANIC MATTERS
Join or Renew Today

Use the colorful buttons to either join, renew, or donate online today. This is the most sustainable way to give to our mission (vs. paper). You become an active member of our community ~ farmers, gardeners, land care professionals, educators, chefs and consumers committed to growing Connecticut organically.
Your donations and up-to-date membership fuels our work providing organic-themed workshops, advocacy, and events that celebrate local foods, farmers and ecological heroes. 



PLEASE CLICK HERE OR MAIL A CHECK TODAY. Thank you!
All donations are tax-deductible. Please give generously.
CLICK THE ORANGE BUTTON TO DONATE NOW OR THE GREEN BUTTON TO JOIN OR RENEW TODAY. Thank you.
 Thank you to New Morn ing Market for generously underwriting the 2017 edition of CT NOFA's Farm & Food Guide 
EAT & SHOP IN THEIR IN STORE IN WOODBURY
~ ~ ~ ~ ~   
 
Learn About Farm Credit East Here
 
A Message From The Director

January 4, 2017
Dear Organic Fans:

Registration is now open for the largest gathering of organic farming, organic food, organic gardening and organic consumers in Connecticut. That's right - it's time for OrganiConn! 
  • Enjoy over 40 organic farm, garden, food, and organic advocacy workshops to choose from during four sessions plus the keynote speaker and special guests.
  • Lunch! Prepared for you by some of Connecticut's most creative and generous chefs. They are cooking up a storm and are sure to please! 
  • Shop in Berkshire Hall from over 60 vendors and exhibitors showing farm products, great gifts, clothes, eco-friendly products & sustainable services.
  • Enter to win the famous 'TEA CUP' raffle featuring gifts and goodies and amazing items donated by generous companies, farmers, and creative folks from all over.
  • Do you have something you want to give to the raffle? Email: [email protected]
Early Bird Pricing
Over 18: Register by January 31st to save $10
Under 18: Pre-registered youth are free

Vendor or Sponsor
Interested in being a sponsor or attending the conference as a vendor? Last year, over 650 passionate organic-minded individuals attended the conference and we expect even more this year. For more information, visit:  ctnofa.org/vendors

Lunch Sponsor
We are grateful for our generous lunch sponsors who support our event by providing a fine meal created with local and organic ingredients. To get involved as a lunch or beverage sponsor,
please email: [email protected]

For ticket prices and other details, please visit:  ctnofa.org/winterconference




Best Regards,
 
Jeff Cordulack,Executive Director
[email protected] | 203-613-8813
 
NOTE: We have a new membership system!
Use it to renew, register, donate, or to update your Farm & Food Guide listing information.  
 
  
Please return your Farmer's Pledges by mail & update Guide listings with us by January.  
 
No doubt, there will be questions. Let us know by email: [email protected] or call the office on weekdays
 
IN THE MEANTIME, STAY WELL AND TOUCH! 
NOFA Tri-State Bulk Order

The NOFA bulk order is now open! This annual tradition brings together farmers, homesteaders and gardeners across MA, RI and CT to take advantage of bulk prices and shipping costs on cover crop seed, hand tools, livestock
supplies, seed potatoes, mineral amendments, onion sets, inoculants, packing supplies and more.  You can shop via mail-in order form and    PDF catalogue  or online at  nofabulkorder.org.  Questions? Contact Caro Roszell at 508-360-0874 or [email protected]

F arm and Food Guide  

We are putting together our annual Farm and Food Guide, and we would love to feature your business! To be listed in the upcoming 2018 guide, become a CT NOFA business member. We are open to all kinds of businesses (unless your company's name is Monsanto!) If your company shares our sustainable principles, please consider becoming a CT NOFA Business Member for only $125. Benefits include:  
  • A free listing in the Farm and Food Guide
  • Increased brand recognition thanks to the Farm and Food Guide's statewide circulation and thousands of views online 
  • A Business Member Profile in our Gleanings eNewsletter (see below for reference) 
  • A listing, link, photo and business description on the Business Members page of our website
  • Free listings on CT NOFA's Classified and Community Board webpage
For  details, please visit:   ctnofa.org/Join

Now available:
  • Introduction to Organic Lawns and Yards 
  • NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care - 6th edition 
 
Earn AOLCP Credentials at the
NOFA Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care
February 6-9 | Norwich, CT

An ideal course for landscapers, lawn care pros, garden caretakers, park and land trust managers, landscape architects, educators, gardeners, and anyone else who is interested in  learning how to care for properties without toxic materials. This  30-hour, 4-day course  for land care professionals and environmental educators offers a well-rounded curriculum which will cover organic land care principles, practices, design and maintenance.

For more information, visit: 
Featured Business Members

Gentle Giant Farm 
85 School St, Middlefield, CT 06455
(203) 654-1595
gentlegiantfarm.com

Located in Bethany, Gentle Giant Farm is an organic vegetable farm offering CSA, retail and wholesale options to New Haven, Middlesex and Hartford counties.  They grow a range of what is considered staples, along with some more unusual and exciting fare. Gentle Giant farmeres constantly re-evaluate their crops based on flavor, "growability," and demand.

Since 2012, Gentle Giant Farm's goal has been to provide accessible, local, fresh, quality produce that is grown with minimal environmental impact.  For more information or to join their CSA, visit:  gentlegiantfarm.com  


Asylum Distillery
259 Asylum St, Bridgeport, CT 06610 
(203) 258-3422
asylumdistillery.com

Asylum Distillery is all about making the most interesting flavors possible using locally grown corn to create craft, small-batch bold taste spirit sensations. Located in Bridgeport, Asylum Distillery never adds sugar, always uses non-GMO corn and will never introduce a product you can make better yourself at home. 

Since they opened in 2014, Asylum has lived up to their motto, "Distilling the spirit of Connecticut." For more information or to book a tour of the distillery, visit:  asylumdistillery.com


BioSafe Systems
22 Meadow St, Hartford, CT 06114
(888) 273-3088

BioSafe Systems, a family-owned manufacturer of biodegradable disease-control products, began selling its flagship product ZeroTol to the horticulture industry in 1998. The company quickly expanded to the agricultural, industrial, and consumer markets with innovative pest control solutions, applications, and products. 

Their mission is to provide disease control solutions utilizing reduced-risk chemistries that do not negatively impact the health and safety of people and the environment.  For more information, visit:  biosafesystems.com  
Connecticut Department of Agriculture's 2018 Farm Transition Grant Program

The Farm Transition Grant Program is a competitive matching grant program. The purpose of the program is to strengthen the economic viability of Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives. Producers and agriculture cooperatives applying for this grant may be awarded up to $49,999 in matching funds.  Grant guidelines and application are now available. Applications must be submitted by February 14, 2018.   For more information,  www.ct.gov/FarmTransitionGrant . 
UCONN's Solid Ground Farmer Training Workshops 
Strengthening Our Farms Across Connecticut

There are many free classes coming up this winter including: 
  • Eco-Focused Farming Practices with Bryan O'Hara of Tobacco Road Farm 
  • Growing Crops in Low, High and Movable Tunnels with Steve Munno of Massaro Farm 
  • Pesticide Safety - for both conventional and organic producers with Mary Conklin from UCONN
  • Planning and Growing Cover Crops With Eero Ruuttila of Johnny's Select Seeds 
To see the full schedule of Solid Ground Farmer Training events, click here.
Can't get enough of organics? Volunteer with us!
 
CT NOFA was founded by volunteers and their collaboration brought about many great changes in Connecticut. Their accomplishments led to the first Organic Certification program in the state, to the now famous Winter Conference which started as potluck gatherings, the development Farmer's Markets, the pesticide ban on school grounds, and so much more! 
 
Your time volunteering could simply be helping in the office or it could lead you to Capital Hill or to be a part of the Board of Directors!  
 
If you would like to get involved and create meaningful change with CT NOFA, contact Executive Director Jeff Cordulack to talk about your interests, skills and the organization's needs. You never know where it will take you!
 Jeff Cordulack | [email protected] | 203-613-8813
In the News...
New York Times | Dec. 2, 2017

Green Industry Pros | Dec. 5, 2017

New Food Economy | Dec. 6, 2017

Prying Mantis | Dec. 7, 2017

Brewers Association | July 14, 2017
Now is the time to be a Winter Conference sponsor and/or an online advertiser.
Visit: www.ctnofa.org/marketing