NOFA Summer Conference 2011

Conference Logistics

 

Transportation And Parking
Checking-in and Housing Options
Food Options and Menus
General Logistical Information

Transportation And Parking

Public Transportation: Valley Transporter runs shuttles from Bradley (Windsor Locks, CT), Logan (Boston), NYC-area and Providence airports. Call (413) 253-1350 or www.valleytransporter.com for information. PVTA bus service runs to UMass/Amherst from both Amherst Center and Northampton in the summer. Call (413) 586-5806 or www.pvta.com for current schedule info.

Car-Pooling: You can offer or request a ride to the conference, using the online ride-sharing website, RideBuzz.

Where to Park Before Going to Registration: UMass restricts parking on campus before 5pm during the week to accommodate its employees. Please park in one of the following locations before going to registration on Friday afternoon. (If you are staying at UMass Housing, you may park at lots close to your dorms, but only after you check in at the registration desk first. See "Parking for those staying in UMass Housing" below.)

Where to park for Campers and RVs/Camper Vans: Unlike in past years, we do not recommend that campers and RVs/camper vans park in lot 25. There is a large event happening at the Mullins Center and lot 25 will be full for the entire weekend.

People who are camping on the lawns near the registration tent will be able to drop off their campus equipment and belongings in close proximity to the lawns as in years past. However the route has been changed this year to accommodate a construction project. To access the camping areas, participants should follow the "Hicks Way" detour and enter the Haigis Mall horseshoe on President's Drive (on the UMass Campus Map, you will find Haigis Mall at the cross section of 4 and C ) and follow the signed sidewalks, passing by Herter and Memorial Hall en route to the camping area. NOFA Volunteers will be on hand to assist you, and to expedite your unloading. After unloading, you will exit the same way that you entered and then park your car for the day. We ask that you use this route only if necessary; in all other cases, please travel on foot from your parking area, bringing camping gear with you. We recommend that attendees who are camping on the lawn park their cars in lots 44 and 49 for the weekend.

RVs and Camper Vans can be parked in lots 44 & 49 anytime throughout the weekend. They may also be parked in any of the unrestricted lots on campus after 5pm on Friday or in Lot 62 after 1pm on Friday as detailed above, but we recommend parking them in lots 44 & 49 as they are large open spaces and would offer you the most privacy.

Parking for those staying in UMass Housing: After you've checked in at the Registration Tent, park at the appropriate dorm. Those staying in a Single or Double should check in at Brett Hall. Before Friday at 5pm, the closest available lot to Brett Hall is lot 49. (Note: Lot 46, directly in front of Brooks/Brett/Wheeler is a 24 hour restricted lot, and there is no parking available there at any time.) Those staying in a Suite should check in at North Apartment Building C. Before Friday at 5pm, the closest available lot to these dorms is Lot 44.

Important Towing Information: Be sure to read parking signs for restrictions! Vehicles must be parked in designated lots - read signs in parking areas! If you park in a Tow Zone or a Restricted Lot, you will be towed. If your vehicle is towed, you may claim it at Ernie's Towing in North Amherst by calling (413) 586-1021. The charge is $90.00, payable in CASH ONLY (no checks or credit cards). There is an additional charge of $20.00 per day for vehicles left unclaimed longer than 24 hours. These charges are in addition to any applicable parking fees payable to the University of Massachusetts. Should you need a ride to Ernie's to claim your car, you can call the number above and ask for a pick-up. Ernie's staff always attempts to pick up people stranded on the UMass campus.

CHECKING-IN AND HOUSING OPTIONS

Check In - Amherst: When you registered you chose whether to pick up your registration packet in Amherst or South Deerfield. If Amherst, go to the Registration Tent to get your Program and Addendum, nametag, dorm assignment or camping permit before going to workshops, dorms or camping areas. Plan to spend up to 25 minutes at registration lines during peak hours.

Amherst Registration Hours: Friday, 11am - 7pm; Saturday, 7am - 11am AND 4pm - 7pm; Sunday, 7am - 11am.

Check-In: South Deerfield: Go to the registration area to get your Program and Addendum, nametag, dorm assignment or camping permit before going to workshops, dorms or camping areas. PLEASE NOTE: The central registration staff will be located at the UMass Amherst campus, so if you have any problems with your registration, you will need to resolve them with the registration staff in Amherst, even if you plan to pick-up your registration packet in South Deerfield.

South Deerfield Registration Hours: Friday, 11am - 5pm; Saturday, 7am -1:30pm; Sunday, 12pm - 2pm.

Dormitories: Singles (1 single bed; limit of 1 adult and 1 child per room), Doubles (2 single beds; limit 2 adults and 2 kids per room) and Suites (4 singles, kitchen, and private baths). All beds are twin-sized. All children under 12 must room with parent/guardian. For children ages 3-12 ("Youth"), the cost is reduced. Under 3 years, cost is free. If you reserve a room, bring your own sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels. A small fan is advisable. Refrigeration is not available, so bring a small cooler if you want to keep food cool. Ice can be purchased at stores in town.

Dorm Key Policy: If you pre-paid for a dorm room, you will get your dorm assignment in your registration packet. For Singles or Doubles, go then to Brett Hall for room check-in; for Suites, go to North Building C. There you will be given your access card and room key by the UMass housing staff. In order to pickup your key and access card, you must have a $70 check ready, payable to UMass, for key and card deposit. Your deposit will be returned when you return your key and access card to UMass staff at the dorm where you picked them up (key deposit $50, card deposit $20). Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis for walk-in registrants and only at the UMass Registration Table.

Camping: 15'x15' tent sites are on the library side of the pond in the center of campus, and on Metawampe Lawn, beside the Student Union and the Campus Center. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with 1 tent per site. Set up tents only in designated spaces. Fees are per person. Ages 3-12 camp free with parent/guardian. No camping without a paid camping permit. If you're camping only Friday night, you must vacate your space by noon Saturday to make room for others. Cooking and campfires are not allowed. Please treat your campsite with the utmost care, leaving it as you found it with no damage to the field. Trash/recycling/compost barrels are available.

For people camping in RVs: RVs must stay in assigned lot. There are no hook-ups available. Camping permit must be displayed on tent or camper.

Toilets & Showers: Student Union bathrooms are open 24 hours. Portapotties are on the lawn. Camper showers are in Brett dorm.

Late Arrivals: If you arrive after registration hours, set up your tent in the camping area or go to Brett dorm to get your room assignment. Then check in at registration the next morning. Camping space and dorms are available on first-come, first-served basis for walk-in registrants.

FOOD OPTIONS AND MENUS

2011 Worcester Dining Commons: Meals will be served in the Worcester Dining Commons, located in the Northeast residential section of the UMass campus (a ten-minute walk from the central Conference tent). In order to be served in the dining commons, be prepared to show your nametag with pre-purchased meals listed. Please be expeditious in going through the line and eating in the dining hall to make room for more folks. Please arrive early for Saturday lunch and dinner as these are the busiest meals.

All meals served at the Worcester Dining Commons during the Conference are made with all organic ingredients, which means among many other things that no GMOs were used in the production process. When possible, ingredients are also local. In-season vegetables are purchased from local farms, from Whole Foods Market, and from United Natural Foods in NH. Meat products are purchased through Whole Foods and United Natural as well. The UMass Baking Department will prepare the desserts. We hope you enjoy the healthy organic fare! Food donations for the Conference are solicited from organic producers and distributors and help defray the total costs. If you know of an organic source that might want to donate, please contact Melanie Shaw, Food Donations Coordinator, 978-376-7092, mel.q.shaw@gmail.com.

Saturday Local Meal: All food served in the Worcester Dining Commons on Saturday evening is locally grown or produced on organic farms in the Northeast. At your table Saturday evening, look for more information about the farmers and farms represented in this meal.

Dining Hours: The Worcester Dining Commons will be open: Friday Lunch 11:00 am - 1:00 pm; Friday Dinner 5:30 - 8:00 pm; Saturday Breakfast 6:30 - 8:00 am; Saturday Lunch 11:00 am - 1:00 pm; Saturday Dinner 4:30 - 8:00 pm; Sunday Breakfast 6:30 - 8:00 am; Sunday Lunch 11:00 am - 1:00 pm.

Walk-in Prices for Meals: Conference participants can walk in and pay cash to eat on an as-available basis. The cash prices are always higher than the advance price. Adult Breakfast - $12.00; Adult Lunch - $16.00; Adult Dinner - $18.00; Child Breakfast - $10.00; Child Lunch - $14.00; Child Dinner - $15.00. (Those 12 and under are considered "children," except children under 3 who are free.)

Blue Wall Cafe Tent: If you want a snack or a meal purchased by the item, you can visit the Blue Wall Cafe tent, on the lawn by the pond, near the big exhibit tent. Perk up with coffee on Friday morning or grab a burger until lunchtime on Sunday. Please check the Program Addendum for more information on specific hours. All food will be organic (and therefore, non-GMO). It will be sourced locally to the extent possible.

Hours of Service: The Blue Wall Cafe Tent will be open: Friday 12:00 noon -7:00pm; Saturday 6:45am - 7:00pm; Sunday 6:45am - 2:00pm.

Service at UMass Research Farm: The Blue Wall Cafe will also be serving lunch (using the lunch menu below) at the UMass Research Farm on Saturday, August, 13 from 11:15am to 1:15pm.

2011 Blue Wall Cafe Tent Menu

GENERAL LOGISTICAL INFORMATION

Handicapped Accessibility: Most of UMass is handicapped accessible. Please contact us in advance with any special needs.

Contacting Conference Staff: The conference headquarters is at the registration table under the big tent. If you need help, information, or you want to contact the conference staff, go there. The phone number for the NOFA Summer Conference registration team is (413) 230-7835.

Name Tag: It is your admission pass to all conference workshops, meals, and special events, including the Northeast Animal-Power Field Days component at the UMass Research Farm in South Deerfield.Your name tag must be worn in a visible manner at all times as you will asked to show it to gain entrance to workshops, meals, and all other events.

Messages and Announcements: There is a bulletin board at the registration area in the big tent to use for messages and announcements. Incoming calls should be directed to the Conference registration line: (413) 230-7835. In emergencies, we will try to page you. For non-emergencies, we post messages on the bulletin board. Please check it periodically.

First Aid: If you need medical attention, come to the registration area in the big tent.You may also visit the University Health Center located near Brett dorm. For extreme emergencies where an ambulance or fire engine is needed, call 911.The Cooley Dickinson Hospital is located in nearby Northampton.

ATMs: ATMs are on the first level of the student union. There are also several banks in the center of the town of Amherst.

Telephones: Pay phones are on the first level of the Campus Center. There are speaker phones outside the doors to dormitories from which you can dial extensions on campus.

Minimize Waste! Please help us reduce what gets sent to the landfill. Bins for Recyclables (cans, glass, paper, plastic), Compostables (food scraps) and Garbage, will be at convenient locations throughout campus. Please sort your waste and place in the appropriate bins.

Chemical Sensitivity: For the health & safety of those who are chemically sensitive, kindly refrain from wearing volatile compounds such as scented hairspray, perfume, cologne or aftershave.

Pets: Please leave your pets at home! UMass Security and NOFA staff will ask you to remove your pet from the campus if you bring it. This is equally true for The UMass Research Farm and the UMass Campus.