Programs & Events

 

MOFFA 17TH ANNUAL MEETING 2008

MARYLAND ORGANIC FOOD AND FARMING ASSOCIATION

SATURDAY JANUARY 5, 2008
8am to 5:30pm

MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
50 HARRY S. TRUMAN PKWY, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401
Snow Date: Saturday, January 12, 2008

Maryland Organic Association To Hold Conference in Annapolis

M O F F A, the Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association, announces its 17th Annual Winter Meeting on Saturday January 5th from 8 am to 5:30 pm at the Maryland Department of Agriculture Building, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway in Annapolis.

This year's theme will be "Making Local Connections".

For more information contact Nick Maravell (301) 983-2167 or Mike and Michelle Klein (301) 579-2105.

 

2008 Annual Meeting Agenda
Open to the General Public

8:00 Registration &Literature Table, Sponsored Coffee/Tea

9:00 Opening, Announcements, Treasures' Report, Board Nominations, Call for New Business

9:30 Presentations from Agricultural Agencies

Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) - Organic Update: Deanna Baldwin
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Risk Management/Crop Insurance: Mark Powell
MDA - Maryland’s Best Program: Mark Powell
USDA - Farm Service Agency: Frank E. Spray

10:30 Morning Workshops

1. Sustainable Farm/Life Management
Christina and Frank Allen, Farmers and proprietors of Allen’s ARTicles, Lexington Park, MD
Moderator: Mike Klein, Farmer & Co-Owner, Good Fortune Farm, Brandywine, MD

The Allens will tell about their experience homesteading, organic gardening and integrating art with farming near Lexington Park, MD. Having been interested in self-sufficiency for as long as they can remember, the Allens attempt to make or grow everything they need themselves. Frank has been growing fruit trees and vegetables organically for nearly 30 years. They tend flocks of sheep, chickens and rare heritage Jersey Buff turkeys. A weaver, spinner, knitter and framer, Christina is also an accomplished artist who has shown her work in numerous juried shows at home and around the world. As part of her homesteading and to support it, she sells her wool and wool products, paintings – often of agricultural subjects -- and sculptures, not to mention turkeys. For more on Christina, her business Allen’s ARTicles, and the farm, go to http://home.earthlink.net/~allensarticles/index.htm/

2. Organic Meat Processing Round Table
Deanna Baldwin, Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA)

Recently a letter was issued from MDA stating that regardless of how an animal was raised, the meat could only be labeled organic if the animals were processed in a certified organic facility. As there are no certified organic processing facilities in Maryland, Maryland farmers are facing a challenge in marketing and labeling their products. Baldwin will discuss the current MDA positions as stated in the letter. Participants in this workshop should use this as an opportunity to discuss the current status of meat processors in Maryland and develop strategies that may bring about the transition of one or more processing facilities to meet organic requirements.

11:30 Key Note Speaker

Carlos Amaya, Chef & Co-Owner, Coppi’s Organic Restaurant, Washington, DC
Moderator: Kristi Bahrenburg Janzen, Contributing Editor, Edible Chesapeake
Carlos Amaya will talk about his commitment to local, organic produce and meat, as well as his dedication to sustainable business practices. As a restaurateur, Amaya represents three main segments of the organic industry: consumer, processor and distributor. Coppi’s buys as much of its produce as possible from Tuscarora Organic Growers, a cooperative of organic farms in Pennsylvania, as well as other local and organic farms. Amaya is committed to making Coppi’s an eco-friendly establishment and to connecting to the local community. The restaurant serves almost exclusively sustainably raised fish, local organic produce, grass-fed and free-range meat and poultry. It also uses low-wattage light bulbs and sources its electricity from wind power. Check out the restaurant’s website at www.coppisorganic.com.

12:30 Pot Luck Lunch / Suzie Harrison Memorial Auction

Live portion of auction conducted by Claudia Raskin, Heron There Farm, Upper Marlboro, MD

1:30 Afternoon Workshops

1. Efficacy of Organic Pesticides
Galen Dively, Professor, Department of Entomology, University of Maryland

Over the past several seasons, Dr. Dively has conducted controlled research trials of many of the most popular organic pesticides (including Entrust, Pyganic, Dipel and other products). He will discuss how well the different products have faired in his trials. This will be a valuable session for anyone deciding to try some new organic pesticides in 2008.

2. The Raw Milk Predicament
Liz Reitzig, President, Maryland Independent Consumers and Farmers Association (MICFA)
Moderator: Holly Budd, Holly’s Garden & Pushaw Station Pastured Poultry, Sunderland, MD

Consumer demand and interest in un-pasteurized dairy products are growing. Current regulations in Maryland prohibit direct sales to consumers of these products. In contrast, these products are legally available in neighboring states. This discussion will focus on what efforts can and have been made to bring about the availability of raw dairy products to Maryland’s consumers.

3. Pastured Beef to Kosher Kitchens
Devora Kimmelman Block, Food Activist
Moderator: Mike Klein, Farmer & Co-owner of Good Fortune Farm, Brandywine, MD

When Devora Kimmelman Block, a member of Temple Tifereth Israel in Washington, DC, wanted organic, kosher-butchered, pasture-raised beef, she couldn’t find it. But this well-informed, conscientious eater wasn’t daunted. Block went out, did some research, made some contacts and linked up with Julie Bolton, co-owner of Groff’s Content in Rocky Ridge Maryland, a farmer who produces beef, poultry and lamb near Frederick, MD, to get the job done. Find out what it took to get into the very specialized high-demand market of kosher meat. Check out Julie’s website at http://016bf05.netsolhost.com/groffs/index.html.

2:30 Break / End Silent Auction (Doug Britt)/ MOFFA Board Nominations

2:45 MOFFA Board Elections (Errol Mattox)

3:15 Afternoon Workshops

1. Pasture Poultry and Ungulates Round Table
Will Morrow and Kent Ozkum, Farmers & Co-owners, Whitmore Farm, Emmitsburg, MD
Moderator: Penelope Breese, Farmer & Co-owner, Longview Farm, Accokeek, MD

Aiming to preserve and rebuilding the soil and infrastructure of their historic farm, Morrow and Ozkum raise heritage chickens, turkeys, sheep and goats under USDA certified organic and certified naturally grown standards. They will share their practical experiences raising and marketing poultry and undulates, and will cover a variety of topics, including breed selection, pasture management, economics and marketing. The farm’s products are marketed to restaurants and directly via on-farm sales. Go to www.whitmorefarm.com for more.

2. New Developments in Local Food-to-Hospital Program
Louise Mitchell, Sustainable Foods Coordinator, Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (MD H2E), University of Maryland School of Nursing
Moderator: Michelle Klein, Farmer & Co-Owner, Good Fortune Farm, Brandywine, MD

In 2007, Mitchell’s program received a grant from the USDA to facilitate the inclusion of local foods into the food systems of regional hospitals. She has organized several meetings that have brought together various segments of the hospital food service industry including farmers, kitchen managers, distributors, waste haulers/composters and hospital administrators. Mitchell has also organized several buyer-grower meetings that are scheduled in January and February 2008. This segment of the organic/sustainable industry is under-recognized, and is a potentially lucrative sector for growers to target. Find out how hospitals are making sustainable changes in their food systems and what is needed by local hospitals from local growers from this enthusiastic presenter.

3. Equipment Round Table Discussion
Moderator: Errol Mattox

Who does custom work in your area? Where is the nearest tractor dealer? What shops still know how to handle tractor tires and other minutiae? This is an opportunity for meeting participants to come together and discuss what equipment works, where it can be obtained, who needs what, and what they have for sale or rent.

Homework for participants: be prepared to answer these three questions:

i. What was the best piece of equipment (of any size) you bought this year?
ii. Where are the three closest places to your farm that sell farming equipment?
iii. What equipment are you planning to or would like to buy next.

4:15 Closing Comments, Adjournment

4:30 Post-Meeting MOFFA Board Meeting

 

Download PDF version of Agenda (will open in separate browser window)

Directions to MDA: www.mda.state.md.us/about_mda/directions_mda.ph

SNOW DATE: Saturday, January 12th. If in doubt, check this website or call Mike Klein directly at 240-350-2111 or 301-579-2105 for a recorded message. Generally, if 3 inches or less is predicted in Annapolis, the meeting will be held.

VOLUNTEERS If you are interested in volunteering prior to or during the meeting or would like to assist in publicity please contact Mike Klein at 240-350-2111 or by email at mkleinm@msn.com .

POTLUCK LUNCH:This is an opportunity to highlight why MOFFA works for ecological farming and local food production. Last year's diversity was fantastic. Please bring a dish featuring your farm's products or a family specialty. MOFFA farmers will prepare home-grown main dishes. All attendees are invited to contribute, but not required, main, side and especially desserts are appreciated. Beverages will be provided.

AUCTION: The Suzie Harrison Memorial Auction is an annual fund-raiser for MOFFA. Last year’s was a great success. Please contribute home-grown, home-baked, hand-crafted items agricultural related or not. Prior contributions have included: paintings, a hand knit sweater, organic feed, cook books, gardening tools or services. We are happy to recycle, do you have great auction or yard sale find that just doesn’t work for you, bring it in!

LITERATURE TABLES and DISPLAY TABLES: Tables will be available at no charge for any participants that would like to display products or services; we only request that you donate an item to the auction.

Advance registration is encouraged to allow
for better lunch planning. Registration at the door

will also be permitted

REGISTRATION: 

Download the PDF registration form, make checks payable to “MOFFA” and mail it to:

MOFFA,
c/o Mike Klein
PO Box 77
Brandywine, MD 20613 

This meeting is underwritten by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Risk Management Agency