Spring Planting requires planning and actions that start long before the Planting Date, Mike will present a quick roundup of images from NJ Organic Farms across the State.

Also, Following the Spring Update, we switch topics and Delve into Growing Organic Grains in New Jersey.. There will be a video presention of Grain growing operations at Zeng Farm and Morganics Family Farm, and an update from the NOFA-NJ Demonstration Grain Plots at NorthSlopeFarm, Wheat, Spelt, Rye and Eincorn.

Join us the Last Wednesday of every Month, 6pm -8pm. We are still in ZOOM mode (link on our home page for tonight), but hope to return to in person gatherings at NorthSlopeFarm, by late summer.

Urban Agriculture is a great concept – Urban is so much of our New Jersey Reality, and Agriculture is about Food, Fiber and Human Investment in Providing for Ourselves.

Join Our March Organic Open House, to hear from guests, engaged in Urban Agriculture, and participate in discussion on the Topics that emerge!

Allen Shelton, Zena Floyd and a Youth Entrepreneur share their vision and experience working with Fresh From Zone 7, NJ Farm and Food Experts, to pull together a Pop Up Farmstand, in Montclair NJ, despite all the Challenges of the Pandemic. Allen hoped to connect his Youth Team to a local farm, but Covid restrictions made them have to shift the plan. Hear all about it, and their thoughts about expanding activities!

Isles, Self Reliant Families and Sustainable Communities in Trenton NJ, will be represented by Bitnari Kim, Urban Agriculture Coordinator. Isles Inc has been serving Trenton New Jersey since 1981. I first learned about their work through Howell Living History Farm, who has partnered with Isles by bringing Oxen in for Spring Plowing in Downtown Trenton! Lots of stories there, just for starters. Isles has many offerings, but we will be asking Bitnari to share stories of Urban Agricultural Projects.

The Capital City Farm, in Trenton New Jersey, represents an effort that reflects the potential of Urban Settings. How to identify underutilized Space, to focus investment, to foster something that offers an opportunity for healthy production. We will hear from John (Jay) Watson, currently with the NJ Conservation Foundation, as he shares the story of Capital City Farm, how it began, some lessons and where the future lies..

Amy Rowe, Ph. D., County Agent II and (Associate Professor), with the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension of Essex and Passaic Counties, will also be joining us. Amy will help us connect the discussion to the perpective of the Cooperative Extension for New Jersey – what factors do we consider when discussing Urban Agriculture, what resources exist, to understand and address the challenges and opportunities?

Agricultural Adventurer, Adam Forbes, has shared a slide show with some video clips of Urban Agriculture in Philadelpia. Adam wont be able to join our discussion but CLICK HERE, to visit the References Post where you can see inspiring photos of People Feeding Themselves in Urban Settings!

The Open House is an informal setting, to hear from special guests, speaking on a specific topic. We all can ask questions, and contribute to the discussion. Its a place where you can introduce yourself, please share your business contact information in the CHAT, so others can connect with you, networking is welcome and encouraged.

If you are unable to register in time, at NOFANJ.org, You can text Mike, up to the few hours before the event begins, and I’ll reply with an invite link for the zoom meeting. 609-647-9754

Organic Open House – January

Zoom Gathtering – see NOFANJ.org and instruction below for connection

The Journey Persons Path.

NOFA-NJ and North Slope Farm host our monthly Organic Open House, to Gather folks around a topic. For January and February, we are going to Focus on the NOFA-NJ Journery Person Program, starting with a presentation on the concept, and introduction of current and previous JP’s and Introduction to the Program for 2021.

Please Join this conversation, if you, or someone you know might be interested in working with a Farm Mentor. Even just saying so, is the beginning of the Journey.

A Journey Person, by definition, is leaving the comfort, of what is known, and safe. NOFA-NJ invests in providing a Farmer Mentor, to support our Organic Farming Journey Persons. A Mentor’s job is to make significant contact, to ask hard questions, to process hard topics and to develop a lasting relationship, with New Organic Farming Operations, or Existing Organic Operations that want to connect with a Mentor. Journey Persons need to demonstrate a profound Committment to their path, and Mentors are intended to pay attention, to question, to provide support and to encourage.

To learn more, join us on the last Wednesday of January and February, 6-8pm.

Registration on the NOFANJ.org website is best, but if unable to register or join, text your email address to 609-647-9754, on the Wednesday of the event, for a zoom link.

Also – The Organic Winter Conference is virtual this year, very affordable (free to Students and Veterans), and will have a 3-4pm session of NJ Organic Farmers and Journey Persons on Sunday 1/31. Register at NOFANJ.org

Direct To Consumer, Farmer Interface.. 6pm to 8pm

6-6:30 introductions, 6:30-7:30 Special Guests, 7:30-8 discussion and sharing.

Our monthly gathering will be Zooming again this month. Register at the NOFA-NJ webpage, or if trying to join on that Wednesday, text me 609-647-9754, your email address and Ill send you an invitation to join, around 6 pm.

Check out these Links:

Rutgers On Farm, Food Safety Covid-19 info

Fresh From Zone 7 ;Farm Products

West Windsor and Trenton Farmers Markets

Dogwood Farms ; NJ Organic Farm and Retail

Bone-In Food; Home Delivery Quality Foods

Special Guests confirmed to date; Meredith Melendez, County Agricultural Agent, to discuss Food Safety Best Management Practices. Mike Azzara, Zone 7 Produce Supplier, to discuss managing changing marketing strategies and staff topics. Chris Cirkus, Manager of West Windsor and Trenton Farmers Markets, to relate experiences from the front lines of protecting food access and farmer outlets. Also, Jon Knox of Dogwood Farms, Ron and Virginia from Bone -In Foods, to discuss managing home delivery. Organic Farmers to share insights and discuss strategies.

Join us, to hear from these folks, collect some good info, ask questions and generally connect with our NJ Organic Community.

Organic Open House May 27, 2020 6pm-8pm

Send your email address to receive an invitation to the zoom – to northslopefarm@comcast.net, or text your email address to mike at 609-647-9754

Awareness and Influences – and your questions about NOFA-NJ and Organic Farming in New Jersey!

Each Month, North Slope Farm and NOFA-NJ co-host an Organic Gathering.

May 2020, will start by asking each participant to share their Name, occupation (these days), and Location. If you are new to the Open House, please share something about what has brought you to join? We will try to address specific questions, early on.

Once we’ve welcomed newcomers and heard around the table, what’s the latest in the Organic Community, As host, I suggest the topic of, “coping with stress, insecurity and life’s challenges.”

I ask everyone to think about the practices, teachers, guidance’s and safety measures they use, to cope with stress and insecurity. Specific authors, books, movies, teachers, practices can be shared with the group by sharing a “Chat”, as well as your spoken word.

I find myself aware, that the influence of stress in my life, is reducing the joy I feel even when I am facing a joyful scene, like a child laughing or dogs playing. Being aware of the situation, I am aware I need to focus on my disciples – to stay healthy and find positive guidance and support, to help me through the fog. No one should be expected to get through these days, without some vulnerabilities being tested!!

I find comfort in a regular schedule, I am happiest when I am outside, I need time to think about whatever comes to me. These are my strengths, they are why I love farming, and I am looking forward to gathering with a bunch of Organic Minded folks on Wednesday night.

Register to join the Zoom, even if you can join last minute, text Mike 609-647-9754, your email address, to be invited, during the Zoom, 6pm-8pm. If we can add you, we will.

Totally Informal Format, please remember it is a public space, so our discussion will be focused on the appreciation of individual experiences and awarnesses, to the benefit of the group. We can field questions about Organic and NOFA-NJ, and folks can come and go, its an Open House!

Planned for the Last Wednesday Night, of each Month 6-8pm, but programming should be confirmed prior to attending.

North Slope Farm is hosting Monthly Organic Open Houses, see Calendar Page. Please register on the NOFA-NJ website by Tuesday, the day before the Open House. Zoom invitations will be emailed on Wednesday. If you want to join us, but missed the registration cut off, text your email address to Mikes cell – 609-647-9754, he’ll invite you, once the gathering starts at 6 pm.

Due to Corona Virus Social Distancing Guidelines, We are adjusting, but we hope to host outdoor gatherings, as soon as we reasonably can.

NOFA-NJ is cultivating New Jersey’s JourneyPersons, and we will be focusing on them, over the course of the 2020 Growing Season. If you are interested in the Journey Person Program, NOFA-NJ would like to support your journey.

Journey Persons are traditionally, skilled workers, with a vision of their future, open to the Lessons of Life, as grist for the Training, to become a Master Trades Person. In Partnership, NOFA NJ and North Slope Farm would like to focus resources towards Organic Farmers and Gardeners in New Jersey. Currently we are meeting with Journey Persons and Mentors, and we look forward to developments.

2020 is starting dramatically, and North Slope Farm and NOFA-NJ wish you all good fortune and long life. Stay in touch, and we’ll share as we go.

Soil Health Field Tour – Sat June 22, 2019, 6pm

Farmers, Landowners, Agricultural Professionals, and the caring public are all invited to join the discussions – How do we prepare the Soil for Planting Crops, while fostering the Health and Future of the Soil?

Responsible management of Agricultural Production, starts with assessing the Soil Conditions, Developing Strategies for fostering beneficial growing conditions, and troubleshooting any Challenges. The long term objectives must be Building Soil Health, Protecting Soil Structure and Maintaining Fertility.

On the Field Tour, we will look at a number to soil samples, to provide examples of different Management Practices; Fallow Fields, Hay Field, Row Cropping of Vegetables using our Favorable Furrow technique, Solarization of Soils pre-planting, Layering Mulches and Intensive Vegetable Production on Permanent Raised Beds.

We have invited Robert Fulper Jr., a neighboring farmer, who’s family was one of the first to adopt No-Till Practices in NJ, to give his perspective and respond to questions about his experiences farming many acres with multiple crops.

Also invited, Yichao Rui, Rodale Institute Soil Specialist, to discuss Soil Fertility Management, including understanding soil tests and addressing specific concerns like high concentrations of Phosphorus and high pH readings that may be associated with Manures and High Levels of Organic Matter.

We will share our experiences in detail, because all Farmers and folks who care about the future know – Healthy Soil is critical to Productive Agriculture. Our understanding of what is happening in the soil, especially the growing body of science studying the benefits of Organic Matter and a thriving MicroEcology, may hold Huge Inspiration for Positive Farming Outcomes.

Check out our Post about the CIG Grant that is sponsoring this event and others across multiple farms and States!