9th Annual NOFA Course in Organic Land Care

What is the NOFA Organic Land Care Program?
Ten years ago, a group of landscape professionals, scientists, educators and concerned citizens formed the NOFA Organic Land Care Committee to extend the vision and principles of organic agriculture to the care of landscapes. The Committee drafted the first organic land care standards in the United States and offered the first organic land care accreditation course. 

The 5-Day Course
Growing public awareness of pesticide use hazards and new legislation mandating least toxic and non-toxic alternatives are fueling a new market opportunity for professionals with knowledge of organic land care. This 30-hour course for professionals will provide the education needed for an understanding of organic landscape design and maintenance. The curriculum is based on the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care: Practices for Design and Maintenance of Ecological Land- scapes, published by the Committee in 2001. At the end of the course, students will be able to incorporate methods and materials that respect natural ecology and the long-term health
of the environment.

January 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 2010

Parker River Wildlife Refuge, 6 Plum Island Tpke.

Snow Date: Jan. 21

New Haven, CT

January 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 2010

CT Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington St.

Snow Date: Jan. 29

Westchester County, NY

Feb. 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 2010

Antun’s of Westchester, 35 Valley Ave., Elmsford, NY

Snow Date: Feb. 17

Providence, RI

Feb. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 2010

Save the Bay Center, 100 Save the Bay Drive

Snow Date: March 1

Who Should Attend?

Landscapers - Designers - Landscape Architects - Municipal & Institutional Groundskeepers - Parks, Recreation & Conservation Commissioners - Garden Center Employees - Master Gardeners - Horticulturists - Landscape Teachers & Students

Each day runs from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and includes six hours of presentations, a one-hour case study, one-hour lunch and two 15-minute breaks.

 (daily schedule varies slightly by state)

Day 1: Principles & Procedures - Site Analysis - Design & Maintenance - Rain Gardens/Stormwater Infiltration - Fertilizer & Soil Amendments

Day 2: Soil Health - Soil Biology & Ecology, Compost - Mulches - Lawn Alternatives

Day 3: Planting & Plant Care: Lawns - Pest Management - Ticks &  Lyme Disease

Day 4: Pest Management - Perennials, Trees, Shrubs - Turf Insects - Disease Control - Wildlife Management - Wetlands

Day 5: Invasive Plants Management & Control, Running a Business - Client Relations - Q&A, Accreditation Examination

•  $550 Course ($520 for registrations received by Dec. 18 in MA & CT; by Jan. 29 in NY & RI) Course fee includes a delicious, catered lunch daily

•  $150 Exam & Accreditation (optional) Exam & Accreditation may be paid during the course

•  NOFA Membership Discounts

 Register ONLINE at www.organiclandcare.net