NOFA Summer Conference 2010 FAQ Sheet
FAQ FROM 2009, New one coming soon. Online Registration scheduled for April 2010
When is registration open?
Registration hours are:
Friday 8/7 11am-7pm
Saturday 8/8 7am-1pm and 4-7pm
Sunday 8/9 7-10am and 1-3:30pm
Can I register at the Conference?
• Yes! Go to the Registration Tent to register. The cost of the conference increases by $5 each day.
Can I get a reduced rate on registration?
• Yes! You can contact Deb Pouech at debpouech@nofamass.org for more information.
Can I get a free registration to the conference?
• Yes! You can participate in Work Exchange for free registration and camping. Contact Adrianne Appel at brooksgarden@gmail.com for more information.
Can I earn money at the conference?
• Yes! You can work as a volunteer for Helping Hands and earn $25 for every four hours of work, or $30 if you help with the Children's Conference. Contact Dorothy Siudut at dorabead@yahoo.com for more information.
Where are the workshops?
• Workshops will be held in the Campus Center classrooms, at the Isenberg School of Management, on local farms, in the kitchen of Wheeler Dorm and in various noted locations on the lawn. See link to the campus map: www.nofasummerconference.org/pdfs/campusmap.pdf.
Can I just pay to go to the keynotes and nothing else?
• Yes! You can pay $10 at the door for each of the keynotes (held in the Student Union Ballroom) See link to the campus map: http://www.nofasummerconference.org/pdfs/campusmap.pdf.
Can I just pay to go to the Contra Dance or the Zydeco Dance?
• No, you must pay for admission to the conference to attend the dances.
Where can I camp?
• Camp sites will be available on the library lawn adjacent to the Campus Pond, on Metawampe Lawn and adjacent to the Fine Arts Center.
• Camping fees are per person age 13 and over.
• 1 Tent per campsite.
Where are the restroom facilities & showers for campers?
• The Student Union will be open 24/7 for restroom access.
• Porta-potties will be available near the camping areas
• Showers will be in Brett Dorm.
Can I bring my dog?
• No! All pets must be left at home.
Where do I park my car before 5pm on Friday?
• Free parking will be available only in specific surface lots on campus. All conferees should have received a yellow parking pass with their program book. On this pass are listed the lots in which conferees may park during the day on Friday. Refer to the campus map for the locations of these lots. http://www.nofasummerconference.org/pdfs/campusmap.pdf.
• The parking pass must be filled out completely and displayed in clear view on your car's dashboard. If you need an additional pass, you may obtain one at conference registration.
• The Campus Center Parking Garage will also be open for the entire conference. There is a cost of $1.50/hour to park in the garage during the day and a flat rate of $3.00 from 5:00pm - 5:00am, payable to the garage attendant upon exit.
• If you will be in the garage for an extended period, you should stop by the NOFA Registration Tent to obtain a discount coupon. This coupon will entitle you to a full day of parking in the garage for a flat $5.00/day. Simply present the discount coupon, along with your garage gate ticket, to the attendant the first time you exit the garage. The attendant will charge you $5.00 and staple a receipt to your coupon which allows you to come and go for the rest of that day at no charge.
Where do I park my car after 5pm on Friday?
• After 5pm on Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday, you may park for free in any surface lot on campus except Lots 21, 29, 35, 46 (in front of Brett, Brooks, Wheeler Dormitories), 47, 50, 54, and 67. See link to the campus map: www.nofasummerconference.org/pdfs/campusmap.pdf.
Where do I park my RV or Camper?
• Before 5pm on Friday RVs and Campers must park in the North End of Lot 25 on Commonwealth Ave. After 5pm on Friday RVs and Campers can move to any numbered lot, as per above. If you park in a Tow Zone you will be towed!
See link to the campus map: www.nofasummerconference.org/pdfs/campusmap.pdf.
Where do I pick up my dorm key?
• After checking in at the Registration Tent and receiving your dorm assignment, pick up your access card & dorm key at Brett Dorm. A $70.00 deposit is required. (A check payable to UMass is preferred.) Your check will be returned to you when your key and access card are turned in at Brett Dorm.
Are there sheets and towels in the dorms?
• No! You must bring your own sheets, towels, pillows and blankets.
Are the dorms air conditioned?
• No, but you may bring a fan to keep you cool.
Where can I stay if dorms are full?
• Rooms are available in the Campus Center Hotel. Call 413-549-6000 ext. 7714 and mention NOFA9C Summer Conference for preferred rate.
Where do I stay if I'm not camping, staying in a dorm or the Campus Hotel?
• There are motels and hotels in the UMASS area listed on the website, Click Here.
Can I just buy any combination of the 7 possible meals?
• Yes! You can purchase any combination of meals (Friday lunch – Sunday lunch) when registering for the conference. Prepaid meals will be listed on your name badge.
• Meals will be available for cash purchase at the dining commons for walk-in registrants at a slightly higher price.
• The Friday Lunch and Saturday “Local Meal” Dinners will not be available for cash purchase.
What if I don't want to eat at the Dining Hall?
• There are organic snack options available at the Blue Wall in the Campus Center and many restaurant options in the Amherst area. You can walk downtown or catch a Shuttle Bus from North Pleasant Street to downtown.
See link to the campus map: http://www.nofasummerconference.org/pdfs/campusmap.pdf.
When and where is the Fair?
• On Saturday afternoon from 3-6pm by the Campus Pond
See link to the campus map: http://www.nofasummerconference.org/pdfs/campusmap.pdf.
Who do I contact if I want to play music or provide entertainment at the Fair?
• You can contact Tricia Cooper at (617) 558-3322 or at triciaannecooper@gmail.com.
How do I get into the Farmer's /Crafter's Market?
• You can sign-up on the Registration Form under the listing
• "Sat Market" A space at the market costs $20 if you have registered for the conference and $40 if you have not. You may rent a table for an additional $15. Please list the products you will be selling in the space provided on the registration form.
• Some items require an insurance policy
Can I just go to the Fair and Farmer's Market and nothing else?
• Yes! The Fair and Farmer's Market are free and open to the public from 3:00-6:00 pm on Saturday.
How do I donate to the Teacup Raffle?
• Indicate items you are donating (goods/service) on your registration form in the 'special needs' space.
• Drop any items you have to donate off at the Teacup Raffle Table under the Exhibit Tent on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.
Is lunch included in the Lawn & Turf Course registration fee?
• Yes!
What is for lunch during the Lawn & Turf Course and are there vegetarian options?
• The "Find it Local" Lunch Menu for Friday, Aug. 7, 12:30-1:30 p.m.: Butternut Squash Bisque, Vegetarian Vegetable Chili, Fresh Baked UMass Bake shop Whole Grain Breads, Cranberry Tea Bread, Locally Grown Cobb Salad, Locally Produced Coleslaw, Roast Turkey (local), Locally Grown Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Cranberry Sauce, Grilled Locally Grown Summer Vegetable Medley, UMass Bake shop cookie assortment. Served with Organic Fruit Punch Spritzer and Ice Water
If I register for the Lawn & Turf Course can I still visit the Exhibit Tent?
• Yes!
If I register for the Lawn & Turf Course can I get into the conference for free?
• No! You must register separately for the Summer Conference. You can use the same registration form (click here) and if you register for both events you'll receive an additional discount of $30.
If I register for the Lawn & Turf Course can I stay for the rest of Friday night at the conference?
• If you wish to attend the keynote on Friday night, you can pay $10 at the door.
Where do I park to attend JUST the Lawn & Turf Course?
• Free parking will be available only in specific surface lots on campus. All L&T attendees will receive a yellow parking pass. On this pass are listed the lots in which conferees may park during the day on Friday. Refer to the campus map for the locations of these lots. The parking pass must be filled out completely and displayed in clear view on your car's dashboard. If you need an additional pass, you may obtain one at conference registration.
• The Campus Center Parking Garage will also be open for the entire conference. There is a cost of $1.50/hour to park in the garage during the day. You should stop by the NOFA Registration Tent to obtain a discount coupon. This coupon will entitle you to a full day of parking in the garage for a flat fee of $5.00/day. Simply present the discount coupon, along with your garage gate ticket, to the attendant the first time you exit the garage. The attendant will charge you $5.00 and staple a receipt to your coupon which allows you to come and go for the rest of that day at no charge.
• See Parking Notes above; all of the above locations and rates apply.
What course materials are included in the Lawn & Turf Course?
• The NOFA Organic Lawn & Turf Handbook and a packet of speaker PowerPoint handouts and additional resource lists.