A Day at the Northeast Organic Farmers Association NH 2017 Winter Conference

Saturday was the NOFA-NH's 15th Annual Winter Conference. It was a great mid-winter day long retreat. The annual event caters to anyone who is interested in organic food or just living life sustainably in a way to helps protect our environment. Attendees include large and small farmers, back yard gardeners, educators, policy advocates and businesses. 

With over 40 workshops and presentations, it was difficult to narrow my selection down to only four, but here is what I picked:

Fundamentals of Organic Lawn Care 
Britt Phillips, owner of Complete Land Organics, which as its name implies, offers completely organic lawn care services. She provided tips on maintaining a healthy lawn organically. We have been doing this for years at our home, but it was good to learn about current best practices and to reinforce what we are already doing. Although it will be several months, before we need to get out the lawn mower, it is good to plan ahead with the following schedule:

• April to May 15 - Clean-up by hand fallen branches and other debris that has collected on the lawn over the winter.  If necessary, lightly rack thatch and dead grass trying not to disturb the soil too much. Once the lawn has dried out completely, cut the grass to 2 - 2 1/2 inches. While the grass is still short, fertilize with an organic fertilizer. If a soil test determines that you need to raise the pH of your soil, you can also apply lime at this time. 
• May 15 - May 30 - Overseed patchy or bare areas. You can rack the seed lightly into the soil, mix it with compost and then apply, or rent an overseed machine which will slice the lawn while dropping seeds into the rows. For Northeast lawns, Britt recommends a Tri-Rye or Perennial Rye/Kentucky Blue or Fescue blend. It is important to keep the soil moist until the seed has germinated, then water regularly until the grass is established.
• June and July - Keep grass mowed no lower than 3 1/2 inches. 
• August - After August 15, if your lawn is compacted, it can be aerated, then over-seeded at this time. A fall application of fertilizer can also be applied.
• September - This is the time to apply Hb nematodes if you have a grub problem. Lime again, if needed.
• October - Early November - Final mowing to 2 1/2 inches.
• November 15 - April 15 - Take a rest, knowing that your grass is doing the same and will awaken again in the spring in tune with the warmer weather and awakening of the microorganisms in the soil. 

Principles of Biological Systems & Implications
Dan Kittredge, farmer and founder of the Bionutrient Food Association,  discussed how to bring out the best in the plants that we grow. Through understanding the biological systems of the soil and what makes plants thrive, we can actually increase a plant's natural defense mechanism against pests, improve their flavor and increase their nutritional value. By ensuring that plants are receiving the five basic elements to survive - air, water, carbon, minerals and soil life, growers can improve their crop yield, while helping the planet by taking care of the soil which increases its capacity to retain water as well as store carbon (CO2) from the atmosphere.

Books and related products and services were available at the "Green Market Fair"

Nanoparticles in Food
Darryl Benjamin, author and educator presented basic information, and the lack thereof, on nanotechnology and its presence in the food system. I won't go into details here, but the manipulation of materials at the molecular (nano) level has penetrated our food system. It is being used in food packaging, as a preservative, thickener, anti-caking and coloring agent, to name a few of its applications. Due to limited oversight and regulations, it is almost impossible to know if nano-particles are in the food that we are buying. This could be a problem, since a substance at the nano level behaves differently than it does at a larger scale. This has some scientists and advocacy groups concerned since nano-particles are easily absorbed in the body and the long-term impacts on humans is unknown. The CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health website writes about nanotechnology, "Studies have indicated that low solubility nanoparticles are more toxic than larger particles on a mass for mass basis. There are strong indications that particle surface area and surface chemistry are responsible for observed responses in cell cultures and animals. Studies suggests that some nanoparticles can move from the respiratory system to other organs. Research is continuing to understand how these unique properties may lead to specific health effects." In the meantime, if you are buying USDA labeled organic products you can rest assured because "no engineered nanomaterial will be allowed for use in organic production and handling unless the substance has been: 1) petitioned for use; 2) reviewed and recommended by the NOSB; and 3) added to the National List through notice and comment rulemaking." (March 24, 2015, USDA Policy Memorandum 15-2)

For the last workshop, I opted to attend Seasonal Plant-Based Foods for a Healthy Life. Chef and yoga instructor Christine Fletcher prepared four delicious vegan recipes which we all got to share. These included a smoothie, two salads and sushi. All were amazingly easy to make and I look forward to trying them at home.

The end of the day was capped with a presentation by Joel Salatin, a world-renowned author and farmer. His family's farm operated as Polyface, Inc. provides locally produced meat and products for over 6000 people and businesses in Virginia. It was featured in the bestseller The Omnivore's Dilemma and is the focus of the documentary Polyfaces. At the end of the day, I left feeling rejuvenated and encouraged by the hundreds of people in attendance that were there to increase their knowledge on how to live and farm/garden in a manner that will improve our earth today and long into the future.