NOFA/Mass: Northeast Organic Farming Association

Programs

Beginning Farmer Program

The NOFA/Mass Beginning Farmer Program aims to cultivate the next generation of committed organic farmers in Massachusetts. Through three distinct educational components of the program, as well as educational conference scholarships, we are able to offer young farmers and those who are coming to farming after a diverse range of careers to engage in educational opportunities that are appropriate for where they are in their professional farming development.

Bulk Order Program

Off-loading supplies at New England Small Farm Institute, Belchertown, MA

Do you buy cover crop seed, fertilizers, mineral amendments, compost, potting soil, potato and allium seed? Would you like to save money on those items? If so, the bulk order might be perfect for you. Prior to the spring growing season, NOFA/Mass organizes a bulk order with popular suppliers, for distribution at sites around MA/CT/RI. Take advantage of significant savings through group purchasing power and collective shipping, while helping NOFA support organic practices throughout the region. The order is open to both members and non-members & no order is too small or minimum order required! Items available: fertilizers, mineral amendments, pest control, feed-grade supplements, useful tools for the farm/garden, compost, potting soil, cover crop seed, potato and allium seed.

CSA Connect

NOFA/Mass is in the midst of a pilot project that began in February of 2012 that connects low-income communities in the Greater Boston area to weekly CSA deliveries of fresh local food.

Policy

NOFA/Mass has an active policy program educating members and the public about issues of concern to us and advocating for public policy changes where necessary. Among our top concerns are the dangers of transgenic crops, the need for rigorous organic standards, the rights of families to raise and consume foods of their choice, large-scale aerial spraying of pesticides, use of municipal sewage sludge for soil fertility, irradiation of food, preserving farmland, and unreasonable regulations that prohibit individual initiative and free choice.

Summer Conference

Save the Date: August 9-11, 2013, UMass, Amherst, MA

Friday's keynote: Atina Diffley is an organic farmer, consultant, activist, and author of the 2012 memoir, Turn Here Sweet Corn: Organic Farming Works.

Winter Conference

SAVE THE DATE IN 2014 – 27TH ANNUAL NOFA/Mass Winter Conference on January 11

Thank you to all who attended the 26th annual NOFA/Mass Winter Conference January 12, 2013. Karen Washington addressed conference attendees in her keynote speech: “Hands across the Fields: Bridging the Rural/ Urban Connections.

Education Events

This year, the NOFA/Mass Education Department will offer a variety of workshops, seminars, and events across the state.

Organic Certification Program

Baystate Organic Certifiers is a USDA National Organic Program accredited certifying agent that certifies farm operations in the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic United States, and processing operations in the Continental United States. We will certify growers & livestock producers in the following states:

Organic Food Guide

The Organic Food Guide is your source for finding certified organic and sustainably grown food and products throughout Massachusetts. As a program of the Massachusetts chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association, the Organic Food Guide aims to be a comprehensive statewide directory of organic and sustainable farms. But this site also offers much more. You can locate restaurants, grocery stores and specialty shops that sell organic food, beverages and products ranging from clothing to cleaning supplies.

Organic Land Care Program

Twelve years ago, a group of landscape professionals, scientists, educators and concerned citizens formed the NOFA Organic Land Care Committee to extend the vision and principles of organic agriculture to the care of landscapes. The Committee drafted the first organic land care standards in the United States and offered the first organic land care accreditation course. Today, NOFA's Standards for Land Care: Practices for Design and Maintenance of Ecological Landscapes is revised annually by NOFA's Organic Land Care Committee, and forms the basis of the curriculum for NOFA's 5-day Course in Organic Land Care.

Raw Milk Network

Buying fresh, unpasteurized milk from a local farm is good for your family's health, good for the farm and good for the environment. NOFA/Mass is working to make safe, healthy raw milk and raw milk cheeses easily available in Massachusetts.