Maryland Organic Association Holds 2007 Conference in Annapolis

The Maryland Organic Food and Farming Association (MOFFA) will be holding its 16th Annual Winter Meeting on Sat., Jan. 6th, featuring nationally known speakers Joseph Heckman, soil scientist at Rutgers, and Susan Belsinger, cookbook author and culinary herbalist.

Sessions will be geared toward both farmers and consumers of fresh, local products. Pennsylvania fresh market farmers Eric and Anne Nordell will describe their methods for controlling weeds while improving the soil. Also, University Park, MD residents and writers Renee Brooks Catacalos and Kristi Bahrenburg Janzen will lead a session entitled, "Making the Local Food Connection."

The meeting will be from 8 am to 5:30 pm at the Maryland Department of Agriculture Building, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway in Annapolis. For more information go to www.marylandorganic.org. The meeting, which is open to the public, features informative presentations and workshops, a home grown "Eat Local" potluck lunch, and a fundraising auction.

Registration is dirt cheap and you get a great local organic lunch. I'm excited about the Nordells.