Past Events

MOFFA’s 30th Anniversary 2021 Virtual Conference with Rooting DC!

We’re celebrating by joining together with the dynamic Rooting DC to put on an exciting free virtual farming and gardening conference!

We are excited to release this year’s virtual meeting schedule for MOFFA and Rooting DC! There are 17 Free Workshops covering a variety of topics of interest to farmers and gardeners.  We hope you’re able to make it to at least a few of these great sessions!
Here’s the complete schedule of events:

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JOIN US AT 4:45 FOR HAPPY HOUR.  BYO!  

Visit with old friends. Make new friends.  Talk shop.  Or just catch up.

Hope to see you there!


Saturday’s Presenters:

Keynote: Fred Tutman, Patuxent Riverkeeper

Building A Fresh Legacy On The Land Of Ancestors

Fred TutmanIn 2004 Fred Tutman founded Patuxent Riverkeeper to be a grassroots community advocate for clean water in Maryland’s longest and deepest intrastate waterway.  Through strategic advocacy, restoration and education Patuxent Riverkeeper’s goal is long term sustainability for the ecosystem of the entire Patuxent River basin and the people who rely on its future.  Fred is a recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for his work on behalf of environmental causes and issues in Maryland.  In addition to his work at Patuxent Riverkeeper, Fred currently teaches at Goddard College. Fred’s MOFFA presentation will take us on an odyssey about his multi-generational family farm bordering the Patuxent River outside of Bowie, Maryland.  He’ll explore heritage, sense of place, holding onto the family farm, and efforts to make it organic and resilient. 

The Quick and Dirty on Growing and Marketing Medicinal Herbs

Hillary BanachowskiHillary Banachowski is the owner, farm manager, community herbalist, herb grower, and teacher at Sacred Roots Herbal Sanctuary in Shepherdstown, WV.  She grows over 50 or more varieties of medicinal herbs. Hillary has been immersed in the herbal world for over a decade – studying and practicing in the Western, Ayurvedic, and Folk Herbalism traditions.  Prior to starting Sacred Roots in 2012, Hillary tended the medicinal herb gardens for Dr. Jim Duke at the Green Farmacy Garden.

 MOFFA, The Early Years: History & Remembrance with Nick Maravell & Eric Rice

Eric RiceEric collaborated to write the Maryland state organic regulations as well as helping to found MOFFA.  He has been farming organically since 1986 at Country Pleasures Farm in the Middletown Valley of Maryland. The farm is the state’s first certified organic orchard, with over 1800 apple, cherry, pear, peach, and apricot trees.  It is also the home of Willow Oaks Craft Cidery.  Eric teaches at Johns Hopkins and has a consulting practice. 

Nick Maravell

Nick was an active participant in the development of the legislation and regulations for both the Maryland Organic Program and the National Organic Program.  He has been active in starting and participating in many local, state and national groups, including the founding of MOFFA and Future Harvest-CASA. Nick also served a five-year term on National Organic Standards Board (2011- 2016).  Nick has been farming organically for more than 40 years.  Nick’s Organic Farm in the Frederick Valley produces mainly row crops, forages and livestock feeds, seed stock, and livestock.

Organic Issues & Practices Mini Session

Cleo BravermanCleo Braver is an environmental lawyer and activist turned organic farmer.  Cleo’s Cottingham Farm, one of the few certified organic farms in Talbot County, produces vegetables and herbs, pastured heritage chicken eggs, and pastured heritage pork.  Cleo is a knowledgeable and passionate advocate for organic, regenerative, and other low-input farming and is a frequent presenter at agricultural and environmental forums.

 Resources for Farmers

CRP, FSA, ALC/PLC, NRCS, EQUIP – What do all these acronyms mean?  What services are available to farmers? 

Erroll Mattox, Three Maples Farm, and long-time UMES Farm Management Specialist, VK Holtzendorf of Red Top Farm, and Cleo Braver of Cottingham Farm (see above) will unlock the lingo and valuable resources to help launch your farm or improve your existing operation. 

Erroll Mattox

 

Erroll Mattox was an early adopter of organic ag practices at his Three Maples Farm, where he grew certified organic vegetables and raised pastured sheep.  Erroll has served as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Farm Management Specialist.  He currently serves as chairman of the Agriculture Committee for the Maryland Pesticide Network.

 

VK Holtzendorf

VK Holtzendorf grows amazing cool season greens at her Red Top Farm in Anne Arundel County.  She has a deep interest in farming and is a keen student of organic agriculture.  She has built a heritage post and beam barn on her farm, and is currently experimenting with growing grain.

  

 

Cooking Demo with Katie Workman

Katie WorkmanAuthor of Dinner Solved! and The Mom 100 Cookbook, Katie writes a regular column for the Associated Press, and her articles have appeared in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Better Homes and Gardens, Cooking Light, Eating Well, Parents, Rachael Ray Every Day, and various online outlets such as FoodNetwork.com.  She has also appeared on the Today Show, Access Hollywood Live, and NPR, among others and posts regularly on her popular blog, themom100.com.

Katie is a fervent advocate for food justice.  She is a board member and active volunteer for City Harvest, New York’s leading food rescue nonprofit, and also the Leadership Council of No Kid Hungry.  

Saving Our Seeds – Preserving the Past to Provide for the Future

Bevin CohenBevin Cohen is an author, herbalist, educator, and owner of Small House Farm in Michigan.  Cohen offers workshops and lectures across the country on the benefits of living closer to the land through seeds, herbs, and locally grown food.  He has published the bestselling Saving Our Seeds and his highly anticipated new book, The Artisan Herbalist (New Society ’21). He serves on the board of the International Herb Association and the advisory council for the Community Seed Network. 

 Farm Scale Pollinator Plantings with USDA

Laura PleasantonLaura Pleasanton works for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Annapolis.   She is a program specialist who focuses on the administration of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in Maryland.  Laura’s presentation will focus on opportunities that the USDA provides to assist farmers in establishing plantings that attract pollinators.

BLISS Meadows & Backyard Basecamp – Farming to Build Community

Atiya WellsAtiya Wells is a pediatric nurse, the Founder/Executive Director of Backyard Basecamp, Inc., and the driving force behind BLISS Meadows – a 10 acre land reclamation project in Northeast Baltimore City. While attending outdoor workshops and classes, she noticed a lack of racial diversity both in attendees and leadership, as well as a lack of cultural relevance in many environmental programs. She founded Backyard Basecamp to address these concerns, and has dedicated her time to highlight connections to nature in urban environments. 

The Nicolo Whimsey Show with Nick Newlin and Joanne Flynn, Imagine Acres, Brandywine

For 35 years this dynamic duo has performed the Nicolo Whimsey Show locally, at Renaissance Fairs around the country, and street-performing in Europe and Asia.  Joanne started The Black Swamp Creek Land Trust and helps young farmers get set up with housing and land.  Nick entertains children, plays in a band Zydeco Jed, and has published the 30-Minute Shakespeare book series.

 

 
 
 

 


MOFFA WINTER MEETING 2020

FEBRUARY 22, 2020

8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Maryland Dept. of Agriculture
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401

News you can use! Presentation, panels, and workshops for farmers and gardeners looking for new ideas, techniques, and inspiration, as well as networking opportunities for consumers and distributors looking for good sources of local, organic food. Homegrown ‘Eat Local’ Potluck Lunch. Silent Auction. Half Price New Book Sale. Display Tables. Cost: $25. (Includes one year membership.)

Register here.

 

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You are invited to attend a Farm Tour and Open House at MOFFA founder Nick’ s Organic Farm.

Nick’s Organic Farm- Since 1979

October 19-20, 2019

2733 Buckeystown Pike, Adamstown, MD 21710

301-983-2167 (office)

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday    October 19, 10 am-4 pm

Sunday   October 20,    Noon-4pm

Rain date: Check website

 http://www.nicksorganicfarm.com

Activities

  • Hay Rides and Farm Tours
  • Visit the Chickens, Turkeys, and Cows
  • Tour the crop fields
  • Kids Shell and Grind Corn
  • Play on Hay Pile and Corn box
  • Learn about Organic Farming

Food

  • Cherry Wood Fired BBQ
  • Pit Beef, Burgers, Sausages, Chicken
  • Hot Cider and Chocolate

Products

  • Order Your Organic Thanksgiving Turkey
  • Buy Organic Heritage Corn, Pop Corn, Cornmeal
  • Buy Grass-Fed Beef by the Individual Cut
  • Buy Pastured Whole Frozen Chickens or Cuts of Chicken
  • Buy Pastured Eggs
  • Buy Chicken Feed, Hay, Straw

Directions (look for signs as you get near):

From I-270, Exit 31B, Rte. 85 South, towards “Buckeystown,” go 5.5 miles to 2733 Buckeystown Pike on the left,

From I-70, merge onto I-270 via Exit 53 toward “Washington.”  Take first exit 31B toward “Buckeystown” (Rte. 85 South) go 5.5 miles to 2733 Buckeystown Pike on the left.

 

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MOFFA WINTER MEETING 2019

FEBRUARY 23, 2019

8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Maryland Dept. of Agriculture
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401

News you can use! Presentation, panels, and workshops for farmers and gardeners looking for new ideas, techniques, and inspiration, as well as networking opportunities for consumers and distributors looking for good sources of local, organic food. Homegrown ‘Eat Local’ Potluck Lunch. Silent Auction. Half Price New Book Sale. Display Tables. Cost: $25. (Includes one year membership.)

Register here.

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Join us for a Farm Tour and Potluck Lunch at Clagett Farm

August 5, 2018

10:30 AM-1:30 PM

Clagett Farm
11904 Old Marlboro Pike
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Clagett Farm produces over 60,000 pounds of vegetables (and some fruit) each year. The farm strives to use sustainable techniques in farming. Clagett Farm also stresses the vegetable production plan, From the Ground Up, a joint effort by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Capital Area Food Bank to raise a variety of produce and provide food to people of all income levels. Clagett Farm is noted for distributing free or reduced priced produce for the underserved communities in Washington, D.C.. Forty percent is distributed free to non-profit organizations including Melwood Women Shelter and Capital Area Food Bank. The other sixty percent is sold to shareholders in the Community Supported Agriculture program.

For more information and directions to the site, check out http://www.cbf.org/about-cbf/locations/maryland/facilities/clagett-farm/ 
Please RSVP on Facebook or to marylandorganic@gmail.com

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MOFFA WINTER MEETING 2018

FEBRUARY 17, 2018

(Snow Date February 24)

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 the latest research by  University Of Maryland Extension and scientists.

Speaker Bios

Homegrown ‘Eat Local’ Potluck Lunch

  • One of the highlights of the meeting
  • Bring a dish to share at the best local lunch around!

Silent Auction

Display Tables

Only $5 for members and $20 for non-members

MOFFA Meeting Agenda 2018

Register Here

To make a secure payment through PayPal, please click the donate link:

Donate Button

More information coming soon!



 

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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!
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

Click here for Speaker Bios


To make a secure payment through PayPal, please click the donate link:

Donate Button


Save

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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:

  1. Register by filling out the form below and pay online.
  2.  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:

Donate ButtonPDF  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, MD

 SCHEDULE

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
Tanya Tolchin, MOFFA Vice-Chair

9:00-10:00

Keynote Speaker on Soil Health:
“Turning your Dreams of Healthy Soil into Reality”
Dr. Bianca Moebius-Clune, Ph.D.
Director, Soil Health Division, USDA-NRCS, Washington, DC

10:00-10:30

Coffee Break
Silent Auction, Seed Swap, Display Tables, Book Sales Table (Donated by Storey Publishing, 100% of proceeds for MOFFA)
Break into separate rooms

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
Please note: Presentations and times are subject to change.

 

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

 
 
 

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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, MD
 

MOFFA 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
Darla Eaton, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
MD Delegate Ariana Kelly, Montgomery County
MD Sen. Karen Montgomery, Montgomery
Colin O’Neil, Center for Food Safety

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, MD
 

Presentations, 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 HubbardPanel 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.

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