2025 is the International Year of Co•operatives

NOFA Summer Conference 2018: Co-op Track

NFCA Sponsors Track of Co-op Workshops

The Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) is proud to sponsor a special track of workshops and presentations on “Co-operatives in the Food System” at the 44th Annual NOFA Summer Conference focused on “Honoring Our Roots, Tending Our Future,” August 10-12, 2018 at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA. And, Members of NFCA Co-ops receive a 20% DISCOUNT with the code “NFCA20”!

This year’s conference program is woven with workshops and activities that will pay homage to the agricultural wisdom that has been instructive to us through the ages. We will celebrate the wisdom of the rich indigenous agricultural past that has provided the basis of the organic movement and the ecologically based practices we have used to be successful.  Keynote speakers, Rowen White and Eric Holt-Giménez, two passionate, ambitious educators, are both working diligently to share their knowledge and experience with small agricultural communities.

Co-op Track workshops, which will take place on Saturday, August 11, 2018 in ASH 222, address a variety of the ways co-operative enterprises are contributing to a more healthy, just and sustainable food system, including how food co-ops are strengthening food security and empowering people to build sustainable food systems, practical steps for small producers and co-ops to comply with new food safety rules, launching a new co-op or converting an existing business.

Co-op Track Workshops: Saturday, August 11th in Ash 222:

  • 8:00-9:30 am: “Update on Food Safety Rules for Small Producers & Co-ops” with Roger Noonan (NEFU) (New England Farmers Union) & Vicki Smith: Food Safety Specialist, New England Farmers Union (NEFU).
  • 10:00-11:30 am:  “Economic Democracy: Building Co-operative Power” with Adam Trott (Valley Alliance of Worker Co-operatives & Shared Capital Cooperative) & Suzette Snow-Cobb (Sourcing Coordinator for the Neighboring Food Co-op Association)
  • 1:00-2:30 pm: “A Legacy of Food Security: History of Food Co-ops in the Northeast” with Bonnie Hudspeth (Membership Programs Manager, Neighboring Food Co-op Association) & Suzette Snow-Cobb (Sourcing Coordinator, Neighboring Food Co-op Association).

See workshop descriptionshttp://nofasummerconference.org/2018-saturday-workshop-sessions/

Registerhttps://nofasummerconference.org/

Members of NFCA Co-ops receive a 20% DISCOUNT with the code “NFCA20”!