What's Happening in Colchester, VT…

A meeting designed for people engaged in organic agriculture is set to take place in Colchester.

The NOFA-VT (Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont) Winter Conference brings students, educators, policymakers, land stewards, earth tenders, gardeners, homesteaders, farmers, and other activists in the food system together for one weekend. At the meeting, everyone will have an opportunity to share resources, ideas, and skills.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Seeding the Future,” which refers both to encouraging people to support a more resilient and fair food system, and to saving heirloom seeds. The keynote speaker, Ira Wallace, has spent her life protecting heirloom seeds, and will share what she has learned.

Wallace is the owner and a worker at the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, which offers more than 700 varieties of organic and open-pollinated heirloom seeds that have been selected for their adaptability to the region, as well as their flavor. Among other honors, Wallace was a finalist for the 2023 James Bearc Foundation Leadership Award.

The first day will be the main conference, and the second will give attendees an opportunity to make deep dives into agricultural topics presented in intensive all-day workshops. A full day of activities on the college campus for children aged 5 to 12 is also available.

The 2026 NOFA-VT Winter Conference will be held on Saturday, February 14, and Sunday, February 15, at Saint Michael's College in Colchester. Events like this can benefit if organizers use flyer printing to create a handout containing an agenda for attendees.