Farmer of the Year Keynote Address
Live Spanish Interpretation
Tuesday, January 18 from 10:00 am - 11:15 am EST

Zaid Kurdieh, managing partner of Norwich Meadows Farm has amassed more than 35 years working in the agriculture industry in different capacities. While pursuing an MBA from the University of South Dakota, Zaid simultaneously worked for the USDA and Farmers Home Administration as an agricultural management specialist. Following that chapter, he did some graduate study work in agricultural economics at Kansas State University. In the fall of 1996, Zaid then took a position with Cornell Cooperative Extension as a farm business specialist where he worked closely with farmers and other agricultural businesses assisting them with planning, analysis, and marketing. In 1998, Zaid and his partners decided to start Norwich Meadows Farm to produce and provide certified organic fruits and vegetables to the market. What started as a two-acre farm has grown into a 230+ acre business, with 180 high tunnels and 50+ employees. During peak season, Norwich Meadows Farm is present at eleven farmer's markets each week, has 600+ CSA members and supplies more than 200 high-end restaurants in addition to wholesale customers. Zaid was also a member of the faculty at SUNY Morrisville, Norwich campus, teaching business statistics for two and a half years. He has also contributed as a speaker at Farm AID and several agricultural conferences and symposiums. He is also a board member of Chef's for Impact, a non-profit aimed at empowering people and connecting communities to make sustainable food decisions through media, programs, and advocacy.

Cider, Farming, Collaboration, and Reparations
Presented by Eve's Cidery, Redbyrd Orchard Cider, Open Spaces Cider, and Quarter Acre for the People
Thursday, January 20 from 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm EST
Eve's Cidery, Redbyrd Orchard Cider, and Open Spaces Cider produce small batch hard cider on their farms and through foraging. Over the past 20 years of farming, they have recognized that true regenerative agriculture includes organic and biodynamic practices, but must reach further into equity, justice, and reparations. With their land access partner Quarter Acre for the People, they explore reparations twice yearly through a collaborative cider package. In the conference workshop, they will share their farming and business philosophies and tune into opportunities for making reparations. Participants can sign up for a reparations cider package to be mailed after the conference and then join them for a virtual tasting in late February! 

Open Mic Night
Hosted by Milo Petruziello of OEFFA
Thursday, January 20 from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm EST
Share your artistic side with your community during this very special open mic night. Songs, poems, stories, and skits are welcome. Upon accessing the virtual conference website, participants will be able to sign up for spots on a first-come, first-served basis until all the spaces are filled.

Virtual Witness to Injustice
Presented by residents of the Onondaga Nation and Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON) 
Saturday, January 22 from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm EST
This unique interactive group teaching is used to foster truth, understanding, and respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and is led by both residents of the Onondaga Nation and members of NOON. The exercise helps individuals to learn the true, untold history of the indigenous people of North America including colonization and the injustices Indigenous peoples experience then and still today. 

Handmade Pasta Class
Presented by Chef Andrea Belfiore of EVÈNTO
Saturday, January 22 from 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm EST
In this class, you'll learn all the steps to make traditional pasta without the use of any tools except for your hands! Pasta making is truly an art form that takes years to master, but only an hour or so to get the hang of. Bring the whole family to enjoy this interactive event. And don't forget to get the ingredients!

REGISTER