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 NOFA ORGANIC LAND CARE PROGRAM
E-News April 2010
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Major Revamp of Organic Land Care Website
www.organiclandcare.net
The NOFA Organic La nd Care Program has just released a major
overhaul of
its website. New features include a blog and Q&A forum, links to
studies
and articles, a video gallery, a photo gallery, a store and much more
intuitive navigation. If you have items you would like to bring to our
attention for inclusion, please let us know.
We are also interested in showing off your individual photos. We can use nice
organic landscaping photos on our new website, in e-newsletters, brochures, the annual
guide, display booth, power point and other media. We've looked through all the
Flickr photos tagged "AOLCP" and there are some really good ones out
there.
If you are willing to share some of your shots of organic landscapes for our
non-commercial use, we would gladly give attribution on each use. If you set
the copyrights on each photo to Creative Commons Attribute Non-commercial then
we don't have to bother you each time we'd like to use one. If you'd like to be
asked each time, that is fine too. Please let Carol know if you'd like to share
your photos.
And don't forget to let us know if you've set up a Flickr set to showcase!
Thanks!
Sarah Little,
NOFA OLC Committee, Chair
(and webservant)
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Carol bids you farewell...
It is with very mixed feelings that I leave you and the NOFA Organic Land Care Program at the end of April 2010. It has been a privilege to meet and serve so many committed AOLCPs and to work with an extraordinary group of people on the Organic Land Care Committee and at CT NOFA. I appreciate having had the opportunity to participate in your work and hope to remain connected to so many wonderful people. However, what better time than Spring to try retirement again? I think I can do it this time! I expect to volunteer from time to time, when the need arises and I can contribute.
 My decision is made easier, knowing that I am leaving you in the good hands of Clara Buitrago, who has developed and managed the OLC homeowners' workshops with great competence and enthusiasm. Clara is already learning easily about most of my responsibilities and will take over officially on May 1.
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The 2010-2011 Guide to Organic Land Care
We are in the process of preparing the print Guide, using the contact information that you have listed on your AOLCP Search profile. Your contact information will be extracted directly from the online database for use in the print guide. Business names--or, if you are not affiliated with a business, AOLCP names--will be listed in alphabetical order by State and County. Information on AOLCPs that will be provided in the guide will include only the following contact information if it is public on your profile: your business name, city, state, zip, telephone number, email address and website. (If you are associated with a business, the email address that displays on the business search will be listed.) The print Guide will direct potential customers to AOLCP Search for more information.
If you have any concerns about the accuracy of your contact information on AOLCP Search, please check your profile and let Carol know of any discrepancy. If you are a business owner, who employs AOLCPs, please verify that your listing is accurate and as you want it to appear.
Here is a link to the primer , which can now be found under the heading "Accreditation" at the OLC website.
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Market yourself as a NOFA AOLCP
Send out local Press Releases!
The NOFA OLC Program has written a template press release that you can send to
your local newspapers, magazines, town publications and other media outlets,
announcing your accreditation. The press release has all the information
needed to explain the program and its benefits, and all you have to do is fill
in your own business information. If you are a NEW AOLCP (accredited for the first time in 2010): To access the
press release, for new AOLCPs click HERE. If you were accredited before 2010, click HERE. To download the file to edit, once you have found the document, click on "File", then "Download" and then choose "Word". This should allow you to tailorthe press release in Microsoft Word. If you need help or have questions, please call the office at (203) 888-5146.
We'll also be happy to send the release out to your local media for you,
provided you email us the email contact information of the media where you
would like it sent.
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In memorium
Jonathan Hemingway, 1973-2010
Our deepest sympathy goes to AOLCP Katie Hemingway, of Hemingwayscapes on 
Nantucket, who lost her beloved husband earlier this year. Jonathan Hemingway loved surfing, singing, dancing to live music, and especially fishing and boating. He also enjoyed working the land as another way to connect to the beauty and the natural
rhythm of Nantucket island. Jon was a loyal friend, devoted son, a loving husband, an adoring and attentive father to his two young daughters, Elizabeth and Madeline.
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Environmental Action, 2010
As you may know, NOFA Organic Land Care Program is
cosponsoring Environmental Action, 2010, a grassroots, environmental conference
on April 11th at Bentley University in Waltham, MA. All NOFA AOLCPs
get a $15 discount on admission, and we definitely encourage you take advantage
of it! The conference is just a great opportunity to share what's going on in
your work, learn from experts, and meet new people. There will be over 20
workshops, covering topics including "Recruiting Volunteers and Building Your
Group for the Long Haul,""Using Social Media for Your Campaign," and Issue
Strategy Sessions on "Reducing Pesticides" and "Moving Towards Zero Waste." The
workshops are all led by experts in the field who are great to network with,
and there will also be lots of other community activists there who are
interested in the issues you're working on.
This year's keynote speaker is especially exciting: Judy
Bonds is the daughter and granddaughter of coal miners, and is now the nation's
leading anti-mountaintop removal activist. Mountain-top removal is the most
destructive form of coal-mining, and Judy got her start leading community
activists in towns just like ours to oppose this dangerous practice.
You can find out more and register for the conference at the by contacting Sam, the event coordinator by phone, 617-747-4362, or email. We hope you'll be
able to join us and represent NOFA Organic Land Care Program there! back to top
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Opportunities for AOLCPs
 Newton Community Farm, Inc., a vital, five year-old organization dedicated to teaching and modeling sustainable agricultural and environmental practices, is seeking an energetic self-starter to help grow their educational programming. The position, based at the Newton Community Farm, 303 Nahanton St., Newton, is currently part-time, ranging from 4 to 25 hours per week over 30-weeks (total of 500 hours, with the potential for more hours dependent on funding), mid-April through October. Applications by email are strongly encouraged. Please send a resume,cover letter and list of three references by email. The Fulbright Scholar Program offers 25
awards in teaching, research or combined teaching/research in agriculture,
including a Fulbright Distinguished Chair in 2011-2012. Faculty and
professionals in agriculture also can apply for one of the 175 "All
Discipline" awards open to all fields in 2011-2012 or for short-term grant
opportunities through the Fulbright Specialist Program.
You can obtain more information by e-mail, or by calling 202-686-4000.
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AOLCPs in Action...
Frank Koll will discuss organic soil principles for any garden or lawn
activity at the Somerville Garden Club, Somerville, MA, on Wednesday,
April 14. The presentation will include up-to-date
information on soil and its components, structure and texture, and an
explanation of the soil triangle. Resources for soil testing and an explanation
of results will be covered. Soil amendments, compost tea and compost
topdressing will be described, along with water-conserving practices. Visit the Wicked Local Somerville website for the entire article about Frank's presentation and his work as an EPA WaterSense Partner.
Earl McGhee has prepared You-tube clips in an effort to get the word out to the public on the importance of healthy lawn practices. Each is very brief, and packs a final punch. Click here to view one of Earl's clips.
Chris Hart is teaching
"Organic Lawns and Gardens: What
Nature Intended" on April 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. to
12 noon, at Sam Bridge Nursery in Greenwich, CT.
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Also of
Interest...
OLC Committee Member Kim Stoner was named an Outstanding Partner
in Support of Natural Resource Conservation by the Southwest Conservation
District, which covers Fairfield and New Haven counties. That award was given
in part for Stoner's work at the CT Agricultural Experiment Station, but also for her
involvement with the Boulder Knoll Farm on Boulder Road in Cheshire, CT. Read more about Kim's accomplishments and the Boulder Knoll Farm in The Record Journal article of April 6.
An extensive list of plants of all seasons that serve as Nectar Sources for Honey
Bees can be retrieved from this Wikipedia entry.
A tiny Japanese insect that could help the fight
against Japanese Knotweed has been given the go-ahead for a trial release
in England. Follow this link to read more and view a brief video.
The 2010 Tree Fruit Management Guide is available for purchase at http://www.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/2010/2010netfmg.html. Other resources for managing fruit planting are also available online.
For AOLCPs on Long Island Each
year the Neighborhood Network compiles a list of Long Island
landscaping companies that can provide 100% synthetic chemical-free
service. Each landscaper on the list meets educational requirements,
demonstrates
knowledge of organic methods, and signs an agreement with the
Neighborhood
Network to provide service that meets Neighborhood
Network's organic standards to customers that
contact them through the list. You can find the list on the Neighborhood Network website.
Gaia Northeast is an action learning
university, looking forward to their January 2011 degree programs
launch, offering accredited Bachelors and Masters degrees in eco-social
design and eco-social agriculture. Visit their website for
more information.
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Reaccreditation Responsibilities
Please remember the things you need to do in order to benefit from the credit opportunities that are available to you and in order to retain your accreditation.
- Check Credit Opportunities at the Organic Land Care website before attending a workshop or class to determine whether the event has been approved for credits and, if so, how many credits will be awarded for attendance.
- Take with you to all approved workshops the reaccreditation form, which is available here at our
website. Record the name of the event and the number of credits awarded. Have the form signed by the presenter and return it to CT NOFA, P.
O. Box 164, Stevenson, CT 06491.
- Keep track of the number of credits you have acquired. You need four (4) credits each year, unless you have let your accreditation lapse.
- Be aware of what you need to do in order to reaccredit in the event you have indeed let your reaccreditation lapse. You can find reaccreditation requirements at our website.
- Send your reaccreditation fee ($100) to the CT NOFA office before the end of every year in order to avoid the $25 late fee.
- Finally, if you learn of an event that might be credit worthy, let the Accreditation Manager know before the event, so that approval may be obtained from the Credit Committee and the event posted at our website.
Thank you!!!
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Current AOLCP Credit Opportunities
The following classes and events have been approved for OLC credits. In order to see a complete description of an event and the number of credits that will be awarded for attendance please go to the credit opportunities page of our website. When you click on an event title, a complete description, including time, place, registration information, and number of credits will open.
4/8/10 - Garden Plants Great and Small, Boston, MA
4/9/10 - Compost Matters, Philadelphia, PA
4/10/10 - NOFA-NJ Organic Gardening Series, Hillsborough, NJ
4/10/10 - Planting Design in Multiple Dimensions HOR 331, Boston, MA
4/10/10 - Morning with the National Wildlife Federation, Valhalla, NY
4/10/10 - Pruning Workshop with Lee Reich, New Paltz, NY
4/10/10 - The Lowdown on Gardening Down Low, Randolph, VT
4/10/10 - WOW-Botany is Exciting! BOT 103, Wellesley, MA
4/10/10 - Invasives: ID, Ecology, and Control, New Haven, CT
4/10/10 - Invasive Plant Identification Workshop, Litchfield, CT
4/10/10 - A Morning with the National Wildlife Federation, Valhalla, NY
4/11/10 - More Fruit, Please! Expanding Your Home Harvest, Boston, MA
4/12/10 - Soil Science I: Physical Properties, Bronx, NY
4/12/10 - Conservation Arboriculture, Burlington, CT
4/15/10 - Insect Identification and Management, Wareham, MA
4/16/10 - Designing Your Garden with Northeastern Flora, Valhalla, NY
4/17/10 - Landscape Design for the Natural Garden, Norwich, VT
4/17/10 - Invasive Plants: ID, Ecology, and Control, Framingham, MA
4/21/10 - Spring Trees and Shrubs, Bronx, NY
4/24/10 - Planting and Transplanting Trees and Shrubs, Boston, MA
4/24/10 - Steps to a Better Garden, Boston, MA 4/29/10 - Pests and
Problems of Woody Ornamentals, Boston, MA
5/8/10
- NOFA-NJ Organic Gardening Series, Hillsborough, NJ
5/8/10
- Introduction to Plant Propagation, Bronx, NY
Introduction to
Plant Propagation, 104GAR 311 Section A
5 Saturdays May 8-June 12, 2010
10 a.m.-1 p.m
New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Blvd.
Bronx, NY 10458
718-817-8700
www.nybg.org
Plant propagation is a basic horticultural skill. Survey the
theory and
practice of propagating woody and herbaceous plants using
traditional
methods such as the use of seeds and cuttings. Gain hands-on
experience
practicing simple propagation methods.To register, or for more
information, call 718-817-8747 or register online.
CEU: 6 AOLCP
credit.
5/8/10
- Gardening with Native Plants, Bronx, NY
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