Request for Workshop Proposals for NOFA-VT 2015 Winter Conference

The NOFA-VT Annual Winter Conference is Vermont’s largest agricultural conference, bringing together more than 1,500 farmers, gardeners, homesteaders, educators, policy makers, and consumers for three days of workshops, networking sessions, meals and celebration.

This year we are combining many aspects of NOFA-VT’s Direct Marketing Conference (DMC) into the Winter Conference, and will not be hosting a separate DMC in January.

The goal of the conference is to facilitate learning and sharing of information on all aspects of local, organic food production, marketing, and consumption. Our conference aims to create a gathering space that fosters collaboration between diverse groups of people, while also meeting the specific needs of these varied groups. The suggested topics below apply in the broadest sense. Additional topics will be considered. 

1. Technical commercial organic vegetable, fruit, herb, flower, dairy & livestock production (beginner – advanced)
2. Direct marketing strategies and best practices: CSA, farmstands, farmers’ market vending, etc.
3. Procurement and infrastructure: distribution, processing, storage, food safety and cooperative models
4. Education: farm-based education, experiential education, school gardens
5. Agri-business marketing, technology, and business planning
6. Food security and access
7. Homesteading and gardening (beginner - advanced)
8. Health, wellness and nutrition
9. Alternative energy, climate change and resiliency
10. Policy, activism, and community engagement

Please review the full RFP and submit a workshop proposal by September 15, 2014. All proposals will be reviewed by committee and notification of your proposal’s status will be provided by October 15, 2014.