April 2015 Dear CT NOFA Friends, We are so proud of what we achieved in the first quarter of 2015:  January - over 60 new and beginning farmers raved about our 10th annual Getting Started in Organic Farming Conference at Connecticut College in New London AND the 6th year of our Beginning Women Farmers Program took place at Goodwin College and farms statewide  February - In Hartford our voice was heard and continues to be heard on the pesticide ban, GMO labeling on baby food, and the Community Investment Act AND almost 50 landscapers took our gold standard Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care at Three Rivers Community College in Norwich AND our Green Stormwater Infrastructure Project got its start at Three Rivers Community College in Norwich and Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury  March - Our 33nd Annual Winter Conference at WCSU in Danbury was the place to be according to our 800 attendees AND our 2015-2016 Farm and Food Guide was ready for distribution AND our onfarm workshop series began with our 1st days of spring Greenhouse Workshop at Wayne's Organic Garden in Oneco AND our Permaculture Design Charrette was held at Jenna Messier's home in West Haven. Spring is finally here and with it comes some of our most important activities including our Spring Appeal, which is so important for funding our important programs. Right now we're busy planning and implementing our on-farm workshops, choosing our next journeyperson class, making sure beginning organic farmers know about our new Technical Assistance Program, and getting the word out on our new online Organic Lawn Care Certificate Course. We’re also distributing 12,500 copies of our CT NOFA 2015-2016 Farm and Food Guide to households and businesses statewide. This year's Guide has new information and an exciting "Dining Out, Farm to Plate and Bottle" section, illustrating how going out provides delicious and fun opportunities to eat and drink well and support our local farmers at the same time. Our Spring Appeal is more important than ever. Thanks to YOUR financial support we're able to present our acclaimed programs throughout the state. Check out the sidebar for a sampling of what we've done so far - and it's only April! None of these programs would be possible without the financial support of individuals like you who are passionate about organic agriculture, organic food and organic land care. Please participate in our Spring Appeal by sending payment in the enclosed envelope, or by clicking on the Donate button at ctnofa.org. Your generous support will enable us to continue our critical work for the remainder of 2015. Please be as generous as you can! As many of you already know, with mixed emotions I am moving on to a new position at the March of Dimes, an organization I worked for previously. The board has formed a search committee to find my replacement who I’m certain will lead our organization to even greater heights. Personally, I am going to remain an active and contributing member of CT NOFA. Please join me in donating to the Spring Appeal! Each week donors of $100 or more will be placed in a drawing with special prizes such as lunch with our board President and new Executive Director, embroidered CT NOFA polo shirts, books, manuals, and more. Thank you for your support of local and organic farming, gardening and land care, Eileen Hochberg Executive Director