MOFFA WINTER MEETING 2017
Bring a dish to share at the Potluck Lunch. It’s one of the best parts of the MOFFA Winter Meeting!
FEBRUARY 11, 2017 (Snow Date February 18)
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Maryland Dept. of Agriculture
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401
Information for farmers and gardeners in search of new ideas, techniques, & inspiration, as well as networking opportunities for consumers and distributors looking for good sources of local, organic food.
Presentations, Panels and Workshops
Including research talks by University Of Maryland Extension and scientists.
Homegrown ‘Eat Local’ Potluck Lunch
- One of the highlights of the meeting
- Bring a dish to share at the best local lunch around!
Seed Swap ~ Silent Auction ~ Display Tables
Only $5 for members and $20 for non-members
To make a secure payment through PayPal, please click the donate link:
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Past Events:
MOFFA Summer Social at Forested
Here is a chance to see a different type of ‘farming’. A chance to see permaculture in action!
Join us for the MOFFA Summer Social at FORESTED, a 10 acre Forest Garden that advances forest agriculture through permaculture. We’ll take a TOUR (suggested donation $15) and share a POTLUCK Lunch.
Forested
3707 Enterprise Rd.
Bowie, Maryland 20721
Sunday August 7, 2016
10:30 to 1:30
For more information and directions to the site, check out http://www.forested.us/contact/
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MOFFA WINTER MEETING 2016
FEBRUARY 20, 2016 (Snow Date February 27)
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Maryland Dept. of Agriculture
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD
Go Back to the Future with Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association: Combining the old tried and true sustainable organic farming techniques with the latest science and research.
Information for farmers and gardeners in search of new ideas, techniques, & inspiration, as well as networking opportunities for consumers and distributors looking for good sources of local, organic food.
Presentations, Panels and Workshops
Join farmers, consumers, advocates, and National Organic Program members to:
- Bring home information you can really use
- Add your voice to discussions about nutrition and agriculture, climate change, soil and sustainable organic farming and gardening
- Network with some of the pioneers of the organic food movement
- Find a local CSA
Homegrown ‘Eat Local’ Potluck Lunch
- One of the highlights of the meeting
- Bring a dish to share at the best local lunch around!
Seed Swap ~ Silent Auction ~ Display Tables
Only $5 for members and $20 for non-members
More information coming soon.
Registration for the Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association 2016 Winter Meeting
You can register and pay two ways:
- Register by filling out the form below and pay online.
- Down load the PDF Registration Form. Bring the form with you, mail, or email it back to us. Pay online below, or at the door. Please make checks payable to MOFFA.
To make a secure payment through PayPal, please click the donate link:
PDF Flyer and Press Release to download and share.
Climate Change: Sequestering Carbon the Easy Way
Who? Sponsored by The Climate Stewards of Greater Annapolis, Maryland Sierra Club, and Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association.
What? Mini-Conference Regenerative Agriculture and Global Warming
When? Saturday, November 14, 2015
Time? 2:00 pm
Where? Annapolis Friends Meeting
351 Dubois Rd.
Annapolis, MD 21401
While much attention has been given to stopping global warming by reducing carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels, little attention has been given to the fact that even if we reduced carbon emissions to zero, the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere would still remain above 400 ppm and the devastation of global warming would continue. Only if the carbon dioxide concentration is brought down to 350 ppm or below will we be able to return to a comfortable climate again.
The Climate Stewards of Greater Annapolis is holding a program at the Annapolis Friends Meeting House on November 14, 2015. The mini-conference will address how the carbon dioxide concentration can be reduced.
By photosynthesis and fixing the carbon in the soil using organic agricultural systems, carbon dioxide concentration can be potentially reduced to 280 ppm in 16 years, even with continued emissions from burning fossil fuels, though reducing fossil fuel emissions would certainly help.
The key to increasing carbon fixation in the soil is restoring the micro organisms in the soil that convert some of the plant sugars (from photosynthesis) in the roots into humus, which permanently fix the carbon. Grazing animals on grasslands accelerates the process.
The organization providing the speakers for the program is Biodiversity for a Livable Climate. The D.C. Chapter is directed by Philip Bogdonoff. Biodiversity for a Livable Climate has presented other conferences on climate change, carbon sequestration, and organic farming, including, Tufts, Harvard Science Center , and University of the District of Columbia.
For further information here. Or contact Dick Vanden Heuvel, 410-267-9009.
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MOFFA WINTER MEETING 2015
FEBRUARY 21, 2015
(Snow Date February 28)8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Maryland Dept. of Agriculture 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway Annapolis, MDSCHEDULE
Emcee: Erroll Mattox
| TIME |
Room A |
Room B |
|
| 8:00-8:30 |
Registration, Coffee |
||
| 8:30 -8:45 | Welcome & Announcements Holly Heintz Budd, MOFFA Chair |
||
| 845-9:00 |
Introduction to the United Nations International Year of Soils |
||
| 9:00-10:00 |
Keynote Speaker on Soil Health: |
||
| 10:00-10:30 |
Coffee Break |
||
| 10:30-11:15 | Connecting with Chefs & Distributors Chris Miller, MOM’s Organic Market Jonas Singer, Union Kitchen Terrance Murphy, We’ll Juice Mobile Bar and La Fromagerie |
Can Reduced Tillage and Cover Crop Residues be used to Manage Weeds in Organically Grown Vegetables? Cerruti RR Hooks, Ph.D. & Guihua Chen, Ph.D., University of Maryland | |
| 11:15-noon | Pollinators in Peril Kirsten Traynor, Ph.D. University of Maryland and Bee World magazine |
The Ethnic Crops Program at UDC Yao M. Afantchao, Extension Agent, Ethnic and Specialty Crops Program, Cooperative Extension Service, CAUSES, University of the District of Columbia (UDC) | |
| 12:00-1:20 |
Potluck Lunch, Silent Auction, Seed Swap, Networking |
||
| 1:20- 1:30 |
Board Elections and Announcements |
||
| 1:30-2:15 | Outreach to Low & Moderate Income Shoppers at Farm Markets Michael Tabor, Licking Creek Bend Farm, will screen his video and share questions & skepticism about current approaches to increasing access to fresh foods | Integrating Horsepower & Livestock into the Diversified Farm Tom Paduano & Sarah Rider, Owners and Farmers, Flying Plow Farm |
|
| 2:15-2:30 | Silent auction winners announced, Seed Swap, Display Tables Grab some coffee, Break into separate rooms |
||
| 2:30-3:00 | Farm to Faith: Growing Connections Rev. Rebecca Iannicelli, United Methodist Church Rev. Darriel Harris, Baltimore Food and Faith Project Mike Klein, Good Fortune Farm |
Organic Certification FAQ Deanna Baldwin, Maryland Department of Agriculture Certified Organic or considering certification? Deanna Baldwin will update you and answer questions about NOP interpretations and compliance with all of the rules. | |
| 3:15-4:00 | Bio-Fuels Jay Martin, Provident Organic Farm |
Good Agricultural Practices Shirley Micallef, Ph.D. & Sarah Allard, University of Maryland, will give updates on GAP research and practices for organic farming. |
|
| 4:00-4:45 | The Monsanto Experiment: What GMOs & Pesticides Are Doing to Human Health & the Environment Alexis Baden-Mayer, Esq. Political Director, Organic Consumers Association |
MOFFA Discussion Session Holly Heintz Budd, Chair, MOFFA & Tanya Tolchin, Vice-Chair, MOFFA Are you new to MOFFA? Have you been a member for a long time? Join this session for a chance to meet others and share your interests, what you’re working on, and why you’re part of MOFFA. |
|
| 4:45- 5:00 | Wrap-up | ||
Presentations, Panels and Workshops
Join farmers, consumers, advocates, and National Organic Program members to:
- Bring home information you can really use.
- Add your voice to discussions about critical issues.
- Network with some of the pioneers of the organic food movement
- Learn about the what is happening with the bees
- Find a local CSA
There will be Information for farmers and gardeners in search of new ideas, techniques, & inspiration, as well as networking opportunities for consumers and distributors looking for good sources of local, organic food.
Homegrown ‘Eat Local’ Potluck Lunch
- One of the highlights of the meeting
- Bring a dish to share at the best local lunch around!
Seed Swap
- Bring seeds to exchange with the other participants
Silent Auction
- Members may bring display materials; table space is available in exchange for silent auction item donations.
Only $5 for members and$20 for non-members
- Registration is at the door.
- Membership is $25 for one year or $45 for two years.
- Download the Registration Form. 2015 MOFFA WINTER MEETING REGISTRATION FORM pdf
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MOFFA Summer Social Farm Tour & Potluck Supper
Sunday, August 24
2:00 – 6:00 PM
Summer Creek Farm
15209 Mud College Road
Thurmont, Maryland 21788
MOFFA member Rick Hood, of Summer Creek Farm in Thurmont, has graciously offered to host this year’s Summer Social.
Rick established Summer Creek Farm in 1992 and currently has 34 acres in organic production. Summer Creek farm grows vegetables, grains, and raises poultry. Rick has been active in the agricultural community for many years serving as president of MOFFA (Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association), MCOGC (Maryland Certified Organic Growers Cooperative), and the Frederick Farmers Market, as well as being a Future Harvest/ CASA board member.
Come join us for a fun and informative afternoon!
Please bring a dish to share for a fantastic potluck supper.
For more information call or email: 301-785-2936 hcole77@aol.com
Please RSVP by August 18th on Facebook or to hcole77@aol.com
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MOFFA Winter Meeting
FEBRUARY 15, 2014
(Snow Date February 22)8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Maryland Dept. of Agriculture 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway Annapolis, MDMOFFA WINTER MEETING 2014 SCHEDULE
| TIME |
Room A |
Room B |
|
| 8:00-8:30 |
Registration |
||
| 8:30 -8:45 |
Welcome and Announcements/Holly Budd MOFFA Chair |
||
| 845-9:00 |
Laura Armstrong of MDE, Julie Oberg MDA Maryland Green Registry A good program to share and improve green practices for your farm and great tool for consumers too. |
||
| 9:00-9:30 |
Shirley Micallef: update on GAP research and organic by Shirley Micallef, University of MD |
||
| 9:30-9:45 |
Coffee Break, Silent Auction, Seed Swap Break into separate rooms |
||
| 9:45-10:30 | Buchanan, A., G. Chen, L. Hunt and C.R.R Hooks. 2014. Using cover crops for pest suppression in crookneck squash. Presented by Amanda Buchana |
Shirley Micallef, Donna Pahl: Pre harvest organic production and GAP | |
| 10:30-11:15 | Chen, G., A. Buchanan, R. Weil and C.R.R. Hooks. 2014. Integrating reduced or no tillage systems with cover cropping for organic vegetable productions. Presented by Guihua Chen. |
Shirley Micallef, Donna Pahl: Post harvest organic and GAP | |
| 11:15-12:00 | Mike Haigwood, PA Bowen Farm, “Grassfed and Beyond” – Mike recently returned from Australia where he was studying permaculture and he will include some of that in his presentation! | Deanna Baldwin, MDA Organic Certification FAQ. Certified Organic or considering certification? Deanna Balwin will update you and answer questions about NOP interpretations, and compliance with all of the rules. | |
| 12:00-1:20 |
Potluck Lunch, Silent Auction, Seed Swap, Networking |
||
| 1:20- 1:30 |
Board Elections and Announcements |
||
| 1:30-2:30 |
Panel Discussion GMO/Food Safety Issues Exciting News in State politics Moderated by Sophia Maravell, Brickyard Educational Farm Alexis Baden-Mayer Organic Consumer’s Association |
||
| 2:30-2:45 |
Last Chance for Silent Auction, Seed Swap, Grab Some Coffee, Break into separate rooms |
||
| 2:45-3:30 | Tanya Tolchin: Exploring Low Tech Food Dehydration to Increase Profits on Small Farms. | Liz Retzig Update cow share and raw milk legislation in Maryland | |
| 3:30-4:15 | Erroll Mattox from UMES – MD Cooperative Extension will be talking about ethnic vegetable production | Panel Discussion: Organic Food Justice Panelists: Carrie Vaughn, Claggett Farm, Lavette Sims, Capitol Area Food Bank. Greg Bowen, Hub and Spoke Program for SMADC | |
| 4:15-5:00 | Tyler Brown Real Food Farm. Urban farming collective The Farm Alliance of Baltimore | ||
Homegrown ‘Eat Local’ Potluck Lunch
- One of the highlights of the meeting
- Bring a dish to share at the best local lunch around!
Seed Swap
- Bring seeds to exchange with the other participants
Silent Auction
- Members may bring display materials; table space is available in exchange for silent auction item donations.
Only $5 for members and$20 for non-members
- Registration is at the door.
- Membership is $25 for one year or $45 for two years.
- Download the Registration Form.
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MOFFA Winter Meeting
FEBRUARY 16, 2013
(Snow Date February 23)8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Maryland Dept. of Agriculture 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway Annapolis, MDPresentations, Panels, and Workshops
- Information for farmers and gardeners in search of new ideas, techniques, and inspiration
- Networking opportunities for consumers and distributors, looking for good sources of local, organic food
Homegrown ‘Eat Local’ Potluck Lunch
- One of the highlights of the meeting
- Bring a dish to share at the best local lunch around!
Seed Swap
- Bring seeds to exchange with the other participants
Silent Auction
- Members may bring display materials; table space is available in exchange for silent auction item donations.
Only $5 for members and$20 for non-members
- Registration is at the door.
- Membership is $25 for one year or $45 for two years.
MOFFA WINTER MEETING 2013 SCHEDULE
|
TIME |
Room A |
Room B |
|
|
8:00-8:30 |
Registration |
||
|
8:30 -9:00 |
Welcome and Announcements/ Deanna Baldwin, MDA |
||
|
9:00-9:30 |
Shirley Micallef: Research Concerning GAP and Organic |
|
|
|
9:30-9:45 |
Coffee Break, Silent Auction, Seed Swap Break into separate rooms |
||
|
9:45-10:30 |
Ray Weil and Natalie Lounsbury: U of MD: Innovating with low residue winter-killed cover crops, oil seed radish |
Shirley Micallef, Donna Pahl: Pre harvest organic production and GAP |
|
|
10:30-11:15 |
C.R.R. Hooks, J. Hinds, K.-H. Wang, A. Rosario-Lebron, M. Lekveishvili, & L. Kolb: Making summer and winter cover crops a part of organic vegetable production |
Shirley Micallef, Donna Pahl: Post harvest organic and GAP |
|
|
11:15-12:00 |
Guihua Chen, C.R.R. Hooks, L. Kolb: Effects of Tillage Systems on Soil Nitrogen and Weed Dynamics, Growth and Yield of Organic Eggplants |
Margaret Morgan Hubbard: Eco City Farms |
|
|
12:00-1:30 |
Potluck Lunch, Silent Auction, Seed Swap, Networking |
||
|
1:30- 1:4o |
Board Elections and Announcements |
||
|
1:40-2:40 |
Arianne Lotti, Mike Tabor, Deanna Baldwin: What will new FDA Food Safety Rules mean for small, local, and organic farmers? |
||
|
2:40-2:50 |
Last Chance for Silent Auction, Seed Swap, Grab Some Coffee |
||
|
2:50-3:35 |
Tom Harbold, Anna Johnson, Margaret Morgan Hubbard : Panel Discussion, Environmental and Agricultural Education |
||
|
3:35-4:30 |
Laura Lengnick: Is Your Farm Climate Ready? Best Practices for Managing Climate Risk on Your Farm |
||
|
4:30-5:00 |
What Retailers are looking for from Organic Producers |
||
More information about the individual presentations available on the blog posts.
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4th Ever Pasture Party for Land Conservation!
Saturday, October 6th, 2012, 11 AM to 3 PM
Location: P.A. Bowen Farmstead
5701 Dr. Bowen Road
Village of Aquasco
Brandywine, MD 20613
Welcome a new-fashioned, pasture-based farm! Join us for an afternoon of rural FUN while you learn about initiatives to conserve and renew our natural and cultural heritage.
Fun Activities to Celebrate Rural Living!
- Live Music by “The Swampy Bottom Boys” and Special Guests!
- Taste of Local-Potluck starts at 12 Noon
- Hoops and stilts for kid fun
- Nature scavenger hunt starts at 1 PM
- Sustainable Door prizes
- “Prettiest Cow” Contest!
- Old Jar Flea Market/Farmer’s Market & Local Artisans /Red Bud Trees
- “What is it?” collection of farm and home items from the past
- Antique tractors and cars
- Birds of prey/Pottery Making /Silent Auction
- Scarecrow Stuffing … And more FUN
- Informative Displays
Sponsored By: The Black Swamp Creek Land Trust Inc., Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association, Prince George’s Soil Conservation District, The Paturxent Tidewater Land Trust and The Patuxent Riverkeeper. Agency and organizational representatives will be on hand to answer questions you may have about voluntary land conservation methods.
Please let us know if you are planning to attend, wish to contribute an activity, or volunteer! – contact Joanne (301) 502-3261 or blackswamp@me.com. The event is FREE, however donations are encouraged. See you there!
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2012 MOFFA SUMMER SOCIAL
Sunday, June 24th, 3:00 PM
Country Pleasures Farm
6219 Harley Road
Middleton, MD 21769
Country Pleasure Farm Website
Potluck Dinner- Please Bring A Dish
Join us to tour this unique, diversified farm and home to Eric and Lori Rice. Country Pleasures Farm is Maryland’s first certified organic orchard, with over 1800 apple, cherry, pear, peach, and apricot trees. Eric and Lori also grow a variety of berries,
as well as beef, hay, eggs, vegetables, herbs, and flowers, and they
produce preserves, fruit sauces, pesto and body lotions. Eric is a
founding member of MOFFA and helped write Maryland state organic
regulations.
