2015 PRESENTERS
Speakers sponsored in part by Missouri Apple Merchandising
19510 Garr Road
Lexington, MO 64067
19510 Garr Road
Lexington, MO 64067
Barber, Kenneth
Green Gate Family Farm Wheatland, MO 65779 [email protected] 304 - 807 - 0336 greengatefamilyfarm.com Ken and his wife Kate own and operate their 67 acre certified organic farm in Hickory County, MO, where they grow fruits and vegetables, as well as chickens, ducks and geese. GGFF started in 2010, when a conventional corn and cow Amish family farm was bought and converted to an all organic poultry farm. We have added a new water well and irrigation system, a 96 foot long high tunnel, electric deer fencing for a 2 acre plot, and a new 48 foot greenhouse. Advanced Organic: Saturday 1:00 PM Barden, Charles 2021 Throckmorton-HFRR Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 66547 [email protected] 785 - 532 - 1444 Dr. Charles Barden has worked for K-State Research and Extension since 1998. A native of Rhode Island, he grew up working in his grandfather's apple orchard. He currently oversees the K-State Master Gardener vegetable trial program. He earned his Ph.D. from Penn State, his Master's degree from Virginia Tech, and his B.S. degree from the University of Rhode Island. Vegetable Production: Saturday 2:00 PM Becker, Anastasia Missouri Dept. of Agriculture PO Box 630 / 1616 Missouri Blvd. Jefferson City, MO 65102 [email protected] 573 - 526 - 0837 Anastasia Becker earned a horticulture degree emphasizing fruits and vegetables followed by a Masters in Entomology at the University of Missouri. Her career includes work in the fields of entomology and sustainable agriculture. She currently oversees the Integrated Pest Management Program at the Missouri Department of Agriculture where the emphasis is on tackling pest problems by combining management strategies. Small Fruit: Saturday 3:00 PM Bohner, Earnie 367 Persimmon Hill Lane Lampe, MO 65681 [email protected] 417 - 779 - 5626 persimmonhill.com A grower of blueberries since 1982. Began processing products in 1986. Currently have 7 acres of blueberries, an acre of blackberries, 7000 shiitake mushroom logs a few gooseberries & elderberries. Primarily operate as a u-pick farm. Newest element is our farm restaurant. Berry Workshop: Thursday 1:00 PM Bolle, Brian 9226 Hillsboro Road Valles Mines, MO 63087 [email protected] 636 - 208 - 5006 Bolle Farms is owned by Brian and Kay Bolle. Brian's full time job is with the information Technology department of Jefferson College. Kay is a teacher at Festus Elementary school. The journey of Bolle Farms started in 2008 when they purchased 70 acres in southeast Missouri. Seeking a higher return from the land than what hay was providing, Brian researched the various niche farming opportunities in Missouri and in 2012 decided to establish elderberries orchards. Small Fruit: Saturday 9:45 AM Brandenberger, Lynn Oklahoma State University 358 Ag Hall Stillwater, OK 74078 [email protected] 405 - 744 - 5408 http://go.unl.edu/5hk9 Dr. Brandenberger has served the needs of commercial vegetable producers throughout Oklahoma since 2001. His extension program is a cooperative effort with county extension educators and utilizes demonstration work and program presentations concentrating on the cultural aspects of crop production. Cooperative programs are aimed at helping producers to move new information and technologies into the production field. Dr. Brandenberger's research and on-farm demonstration work is targeted at improving the safety of Oklahoma produce, screening for improved cultivars through variety trials and identifying and refining new weed control technologies. Further information on Dr. Brandenberger's research can be accessed at: http://www.hortla.okstate.edu/about-us/faculty-staff/Faculty/page4. Food Safety/GAPS: Saturday 11:30 AM Small Fruit: Saturday 2:15 PM Byers, Patrick Patrick Byers is Regional Horticulture Specialist with the Greene County office of University of Missouri Extension. His educational background includes degrees from the University of Nebraska, University of Missouri, and University of Arkansas, all in horticulture. Job experience includes 3 years at the University of Arkansas Fruit Substation, 18 years as Fruit Grower Advisor at the MSU State Fruit Experiment Station, and 6 years in his current position. A native of Nebraska, Patrick and his family reside on a farm near Fordland, Missouri, where they raise elderberries. Byrd, Jason 3824 E Napier Ave Benton Harbor, MI 49022 [email protected] Jason Byrd works on a small family farm located in Benton Harbor MI that grows 800 acres of vegetables. Works under father-in-law and helps run the farm in every area from planning to planting to harvesting. Focuses extra time on technology and food safety. Only full time worker on the farm. Has been with the farm for 10 years and has handled all food safety certifications. Technology: Friday 2:00 PM Food Safety/GAPS: Saturday 1:30 PM Carpenter, Brandon 55519 170th Street Ames, IA 50010 [email protected] 515 - 290 - 9495 Brandon Carpenter is a recent graduate of the Horticulture Department at Iowa State University. His graduate research focused on using biochar as a soil amendment in vegetable cropping systems. Brandon now works as an agriculture specialist at the Iowa State Horticulture Research Station. His responsibilities include coordination and support of fruit and vegetable research, as well as marketing produce grown at the Horticulture Station. He has also been charged with the task of bringing the research station's food safety practices into compliance with the FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act. Food Safety/GAPS: Saturday 2:15 PM Clark, John R Dept of Horticulture University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701 [email protected] John R. Clark is a university professor of horticulture at the University of Arkansas. His research responsibilities are his primary appointment, where he directs the University’s Division of Agriculture fruit breeding program. Crops he works with include blackberries, table grapes, muscadine grapes, blueberries, and peaches/nectarines. He also teaches in the areas of plant breeding and fruit production and advises graduate and undergraduate students. He has developed more than 50 varieties of various fruits and has cooperative breeding activities at several locations in the United States in addition to Europe, Mexico, South America, and Australia. He has worked in fruit breeding since joining the University of Arkansas in 1980. He will share at the Great Plains Growers Conference on various new varieties of fruits that should have potential in the Midwest. Berry Workshop: Thursday 9:00 AM Berry Workshop: Thursday 11:00 AM Conway, Paul 25476 183d st Leavenworth, KS 6048 [email protected] 913 - 775 - 2559 Certified Naturally Grown organic market gardener. Used cover crops for 20plus years. Retired US Army. Called back to active duty for service in Iraq 2006-2007. Co-authored the KSU guide for using cover crops in vegetable production Soils & Irrigation Workshop: Thursday 10:15 AM Soils & Irrigation Workshop: Thursday 11:30 AM Cornett, Jerry 10405 Branched Oak Road Waverly, NE 68462 [email protected] lakehousefarm.com Jerry Cornett, co-owner of Lakehouse Farm, grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska, Omaha in 1990. He was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy upon completion of Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1991 and earned his designation as a Naval Aviator in 1992. As a helicopter pilot, he flew over 2800 hours with three squadrons deployed on numerous aircraft carriers all over the world. During his 21-year navy career he served in squadron, staff, and US Embassy positions developing and refining leadership, management, and budgeting skills. He retired with the rank of commander in 2011 and returned to Nebraska to start Lakehouse Farm, a small, certified organic produce farm 10 miles north of Lincoln, NE. Jerry, his wife and chef, Renee, along with their two children, sell produce at local farmer's markets and supply Prairie Plate Restaurant, the Farm-to-Table restaurant they built on the farm. Prairie Plate Restaurant opened in April 2014. Technology: Friday 3:30 PM Cummings, Randy Johnny's Selected Seeds 955 Benton Ave Winslow, ME 4901 [email protected] 800 - 854 - 2580 johnnyseeds.com Johnny's Selected Seeds 2013 Employee of the Year, Randy Cummings is the Territory Sales Representative for the South Central United States. Randy's experience range from his own family's small neighborhood market to working with large contract growers helps him understand the needs of delivering a product you're proud to put your name on. Technology: Friday 1:30:00 AM Delate, Kathleen 106 Horticulture Hall Ames, IA 50011 [email protected] 515 - 294 - 7069 http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/ Dr. Kathleen Delate's graduated with a B.S. in Agronomy from the University of Florida. She received an M.S. in Horticulture at Florida while serving on the Horticulture faculty as the statewide Master Gardener Extension Coordinator. She received her Ph.D. in Agricultural Ecology (Sustainable Agriculture) in 1991 from the University of California-Berkeley, and then held a post-doctoral position at the University of Hawaii in macadamia nut IPM/biological control. Her current position as Professor at ISU is a joint position between the departments of Horticulture and Agronomy, where she is responsible for research, extension and teaching in organic agriculture. Kathleen has farmed organically in Florida, Hawaii, California and Iowa. Beginning Organic: Friday 4:30 PM Advanced Organic: Saturday 9:00 AM Eaton, Touria 213 Allen Hall Lincoln University of Missouri Jefferson City, MO 65101 [email protected] 573 - 681 - 5174 Dr. Touria Eaton is Assistant Professor of Horticulture and State Horticulture Specialist at Cooperative Extension and Research at Lincoln University of Missouri. The focus of her teaching, research and extension work is sustainable production of horticultural crops. Her research includes agricultural strategies to increase the nutrient density in vegetable crops, production of Brussels sprouts for marketing on stalks, and the use of organic fertilizers in the production of greenhouse crops. Her taught courses include Organic Farming and Gardening, Sustainable Horticulture and Introductory Horticulture. Her extension program consists of applied research and educational programs aimed to help farmers increase income and profitability through sustainable agricultural practices. Soils & Irrigation Workshop: Thursday 9:30 AM Market School Workshop: Thursday 1:30 PM Small Fruit: Saturday 9:00 AM Marketing & Business: Saturday 3:45 PM Fahrmeier, Bret 9133 CO Farm RD Lexington, MO 64067 [email protected] 816 - 289 - 2496 Vegetable IPM: Friday 11:45 AM Froikin-Gordon, Jeff PO BOX 4943 Washington, DC 0 646 - 867 - 1887 [email protected] agsquared.com Jeff Froikin Gordon is the co-founder of AgSquared, an online service that is designed to help small-scale growers improve their farm planning, management and record keeping practices. Prior to his work at AgSquared, he conducted tomato breeding research with small farmers in West Africa. Technology: Friday 3:30 PM Fusselman, Molly 35230 W. 135th Street Olathe, KS 0 913 - 856 - 2335 [email protected] Molly Fusselman is a Kansas State University M.S. graduate student. She is getting her Masters in Horticulture with an emphasis in Urban Food Systems at the K-State Olathe campus. She previously worked as a Horticulture Educator at the University of Missouri Extension for 7.5 years. She co-manages the Growing Growers program and works at the K-State Horticulture Research Farm in Olathe, KS. Beginning Organic: Friday 2:30 PM Gawron, Mark 1609 NW Us Hwy 50 Kingsville, Missouri 64061 816 - 629 - 0069 [email protected] www.powellgardens.org After graduating from Truman State University and a couple years of working construction, Mark started working for Powell Gardens as a gardener on the Island Garden. After taking over as Senior Gardener specializing in rock and water plants, Mark worked on the Island Garden for the next six years. In 2011, he left Powell to work for Kansas State University at the Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center as a research technician in fruits and vegetables. In the fall of 2013, he returned to Powell Gardens to take over the management of their 12 acre edible garden named the Heartland Harvest Garden. Mark currently lives in Raymore, Missouri with his wife and three children. Beginning Organic: Friday 1:30 PM |
Gross, Roy
39 Old Elam Avenue Valley Park, MO 63088 636 - 861 - 3344 [email protected] www.stlcompost.com Roy has been with St. Louis Composting for six years. He is involved with new product development for St. Louis Composting. He is currently working on developing compost based growing media for greenhouse growers and green roof top growing media. Roy is currently the president of the Horticulture Coop of Metro St. Louis and is an active member in the Landscape and Nursery Association of Greater St. Louis and Missouri Landscape Association. Roy is also a past president and treasurer of Professional Grounds Maintenance Society-Gateway Branch and earned a degree in horticulture from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Soils & Irrigation Workshop: Thursday 1:15 PM Gude, Kelly KSU Olathe Horticulture Center 35230 W. 135th St Olathe, KS 66061 913 - 856 - 2335 [email protected] Kelly Gude is a graduate student at Kansas State University working toward her M.S. in Horticulture and Urban Food Systems with Dr. Eleni Pliakoni. She grew up in Kansas City and received her B.S. from the University of Arkansas in Food Science. Her research focuses on a strawberry variety trial of day-neutral ever-bearing plants in high tunnels, as well as the post harvest physiology, and microbial components of the berries. Hannan, Joe Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 280559 Fairground Rd. Adel, IA 50003 515 - 993 - 4281 [email protected] IowaProduce.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Specialist Joe Hannan supports the Local Foods Industry by working with commercial fruit and vegetable growers to expand and improve their operations. His focus is in Commercial fruit and vegetable production including small fruits, tree fruits, and vegetables; soil fertility; irrigation; and high tunnel production. Soils & Irrigation Workshop: Thursday 3:45 PM Hatfield, Dennis 30226 Holly Rd. Pierce City, Missouri 65723 417 - 476 - 5454 [email protected] www.facebook.com/hatfieldtomatofarm Dennis Hatfield & Becky Hatfield began using plastic culture practices for growing field tomatoes in 1999. Current field production includes tomatoes (8,000), onions (15,000), and strawberries (25,000). For the past 10 years, they have grown about 550 tomato plants each year in a 26 ft. x 196 ft. heated high tunnel. Several innovative growing methods have been tested, including the current micro-climate, above ground growing method. Vertically grown cucumbers are also grown in the tunnel. All vegetables and U-Pick strawberries are marketed at the family on-farm retail store. More information is available at: www.facebook.com/hatfieldtomatofarm Soils & Irrigation Workshop: Thursday 3:45 PM Hohl, Adam and Kathy 1977 Hwy 2 Donnellson, IA 52625 319 - 470 - 1558 [email protected] www.harvestvillefarm.com Harvestville Farm is part of a 5th generation family farm located in Southeast Iowa. For over 100 years, our family has strived to be an ecologically friendly farm and firmly believe in being good stewards of the land. Our mission is to provide a fun, safe, educationally based rural experience for families by offering unique hands-on agricultural related activities. Vegetable Production: Saturday 11:00 AM Marketing & Business: Saturday 3:15 PM Hopper, Charlie 1616 Missouri Boulevard Jefferson City, Missouri 65109 573 - 522 - 4170 [email protected] http://agrimissouri.com Charlie Hopper is the program coordinator for the Missouri Department of Agriculture's AgriMissouri Program. Charlie has more than 25 years of experience in specialty crop production and marketing as well as community and business development. Food Safety/GAPS: Saturday 9:00 AM Food Safety/GAPS: Saturday 3:30 PM Johnson, Hwei-Yiing 900 Chestnut Street Jefferson City, MO 65101 573 - 681 - 5533 [email protected] Dr. Hwei-Yiing Johnson is an Extension Composting Specialist at Lincoln University. She received her B.S. from National Taiwan University, M.S. from the Ohio State University, and Ph.D. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She began composting university cafeteria food debris in 2005 and has expanded the university's composting operation to include worm composting, Effective Microbes (Bokashi) composting, and, most recently, compost tea brewing. Dr. Johnson demonstrates uses of compost and compost tea to support green roof/green wall and organic gardening at the university Busby Farm. She offers training in composting and provides outreach support to schools and agricultural producers. Beginning Organic: Friday 4:00 PM Advanced Organic: Saturday 11:00 AM Jokela, Dana 260 Horticulture Hall Ames, IA 50011 [email protected] Dana is a Master's student in Horticulture at Iowa State University. His research focuses on reduced tillage systems for organic vegetable production. Specifically, he is looking at cover crop-based no-till and strip-till systems as alternatives to conventional tillage in broccoli and bell pepper production. His objective is to determine whether these systems can maintain yields while improving soil health compared with conventionally tilled cropping systems. Prior to entering graduate school, Dana spent seven years working on fruit, vegetable, and livestock farms across the country, and plans to start his own farm after completing his Master's degree. Beginning Organic: Friday 3:30 PM Kennelly, Megan Department of Plant Pathology, 4024 Throckmorton Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 66506 785 - 532 - 1387 [email protected] Megan Kennelly is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at Kansas State University. Megan received her B.S. in Botany at University of Wisconsin and a PhD in Plant Pathology at Cornell University. She worked as a researcher at Michigan State University before she joined the faculty at Kansas State in 2006. Her position at KSU includes extension and research programs in turf, ornamentals, shade trees, fruit, and vegetables. High Tunnel Workshop: Thursday 10:30 AM Berry Workshop: Thursday 3:00 PM Kirk, Steven Soils & Irrigation Workshop: Thursday 4:30 PM Marrison, David OSU Extension- Ashtabula County 39 Wall Street Jefferson, OH 44047 440 - 576 - 9008 [email protected] http://ashtabula.osu.edu David Marrison is an Associate Professor and Extension Educator for OSU Extension for Ashtabula & Trumbull Counties in northeast, Ohio. He also serves as the County Extension Director for Ashtabula County. He received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Agricultural Economics in 1990 from The Ohio State University and a Masters Degree in Education from Purdue University in 1992. He taught Agricultural Science at North Montgomery High School in Crawfordsville, Indiana from 1992-1997. Marrison has been an Extension Educator for OSU Extension since 1997. He is currently the co-leader of OSU Extension's Ohio Ag Manager Team which authors a monthly farm and agribusiness management newsletter. He is nationally known for his teaching in farm succession planning and has authored numerous publications in succession and estate planning. He is an instructor for the OSU Income Tax Schools and is a Registered Tax Return Preparer. Marketing & Business: Saturday 10:30 AM Marketing & Business: Saturday 2:15 PM McConnell, Lane 210 Lookout Ridge Branson, MO 65616 417 - 766 - 8711 [email protected] LoveYourFarmer.com Lane McConnell has had a passion for telling the story of agriculture from a young age. She was raised on her family's cattle ranch deep in the heart of southwest Missouri. Lane graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she majored in Agricultural Education, Leadership and Communications and minored in Agricultural Economics. Lane has worked in Agricultural Marketing for 11 years. She is the Executive Director for the Farmers Market of the Ozarks (FMO) in Springfield, Mo., which serves more than 100 farmers across the Ozarks. Lane, her husband Charlie, and children Caston and Cora reside in Branson, Mo. Technology: Friday 11:00 AM Technology: Friday 11:45 AM Marketing & Business: Saturday 8:30 AM Mersha, Zelalem Lincoln University Cooperative Extension 900 Chestnut St., 214 Allen Hall Jefferson City, Missouri 65101 573 - 681 - 5634 [email protected] http://www.lincolnu.edu/web/programs-and-projects/plant-pathology1 Zelalem Mersha is an Assistant Professor and State Extension Plant Pathology Specialist at Lincoln University of Missouri. The Plant Pathology program at Lincoln focuses on enhancing the quality and productivity of vegetables and small fruits through delivering educational programs pertinent to monitoring, identification and management of economically important diseases. Zelalem worked with limited resource farmers in Africa and completed his graduate and post-graduate studies in Germany. Before joining Lincoln, Zelalem worked as a postdoc at University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center. His current address is 214 Allen Hall, 900 Chestnut St., Jefferson City, MO 65101. He can also be reached @ 573-681-5634 or [email protected]. Vegetable IPM: Friday 1:30 PM Vegetable Production: Saturday 1:00:PM Misko, Cathy 321 SW 58 Hwy Centerview, Missouri 64019 660 - 656 - 3485 [email protected] midwesternbeekeepers.org Cathy Misko, Centerview MO; Privileged to be the mother of 8 and enjoying 2 grandchildren, Cathy resides on a hobby farm with her physician husband of 34 years. With a focus on small scale sustainable beekeeping and as natural as possible management, Cathy is the steward of an average of 20 colonies. She serves as Midwestern Beekeepers Association's third term President and MBA Youth Scholarship Program Chair. 25 years ago "God sent a swarm of bees" which officially started her adventure of "keeper of the bees." Her appreciation, respect, fascination, and knowledge concerning this tiny amazing animal continues. She will share the importance of raising local honey bees and how to initiate nucleus colonies. Honey Bees Workshop: Thursday 3:15 PM Moyer, Brian 4184 Dorney Park Rd. Suite 104 Allentown, PA 18104 610 - 391 - 9840 [email protected] extension.psu.edu/business/farm Brian Moyer is a program assistant with Penn State Extension at the Lehigh County office where he assists farmers with marketing and regulations. Brian is a past board member of PASA (Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture) and a past board member of APPPA (American Pastured Poultry Producers Association) and currently is a board member of Fair Food. Brian was the founder and manager of the Skippack Farmers Market from 1999 to 2009. Brian and his wife Holley own and run Green Haven Farm and raise grass-fed livestock on their 27 acre farm in Berks County. Market School Workshop: Thursday 9:00 AM Market School Workshop: Thursday 11:15 AM Market School Workshop: Thursday 12:00 PM Market School Workshop: Thursday 3:55 PM Marketing & Business: Saturday 9:15 AM Naeve, Linda Iowa State University 1111 NSRIC Ames, IA 50011 515 - 294 - 8946 [email protected] Linda Naeve is an extension program specialist in the Value Added Agriculture Program at Iowa State University. She has a B.S. and M.S. in horticulture from ISU and has been working for ISU Extension and Outreach for over 30 years. She works with growers on various aspects of production, including high tunnels and food safety. She and her husband have a small-scale commercial vegetable farm and market through a CSA and wholesale to institutions. Market School Workshop: Thursday 10:45 AM Market School Workshop: Thursday 3:15 PM Marketing & Business: Saturday 11:15 AM |
Nair, Ajay
145 Horticulture Hall Ames, Iowa 50011 515 - 294 - 7080 [email protected] http://www.extension.iastate.edu/vegetablelab Dr. Ajay Nair is an Assistant Professor working in the area of Sustainable Vegetable Production in the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University. The focus of his research, extension, and education program is on cover cropping, nutrient management, soil amendments and health, and season extension strategies in vegetable production. He also has an interest in local food production and works on production aspects and techniques needed to meet the rising demand locally grown produce. Vegetable Production: Saturday 3:30 PM Oxley, Kimberly KSU Olathe Horticulture Center 35230 W. 135th St Olathe, KS 66061 913 - 856 - 2335 [email protected] www.hightunnels.org Kimberly Oxley grew up in the Kansas City and Denver areas, and currently works as a Research Associate at Kansas State University. She received her B.S. from Kansas State University and had a successful career in Market Research and Digital Marketing. Recently she returned to school and is in the process of receiving her Associates of Science in Horticulture from Johnson County Community College. Kim works in the fruit and vegetable program at Kansas State University and she is located at the Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center. High Tunnel Workshop: Thursday 3:30 PM Pinero, Jaime Lincoln University Cooperative Research and Extension Jefferson City, MO 65101 808 - 756 - 2019 [email protected] http://www.LU-IPM.net Jaime has been working for Lincoln University as an Assistant Professor / State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist since 2010. His research is aimed at developing and promoting simple, effective, and affordable alternative insect pest management strategies to combat key insect pests of vegetable crops and small fruits in Missouri. He also has a state-wide Extension responsibility for all aspects of IPM in vegetable and small fruit production. Small Fruit: Saturday 3:00 PM Pliakoni, Eleni 22201 W. Innovation Dr. Olathe, KS 66061 913 - 307 - 7370 [email protected] Dr. Eleni Pliakoni is an Assistant Professor in Urban Food production and Postharvest Handling of the Department of Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources at K-State. She received her MS in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from the University of Crete and her PhD in Agricultural Sciences from University of Thessaly. Dr. Pliakoni did her postdoctoral research in the Department of Horticultural Sciences in University of Florida. Her research is focused on postharvest handling of local food production. She is studying different ways of extending the shelf life of locally grown produce based on changes in sensorial and nutritional quality factors. Beginning Organic: Friday 2:00 PM Quinn, James 2436 Tanner Bridge Rd Jefferson City, MO 65101 573 - 634 - 2824 [email protected] James has been a Regional Horticulture Specialist for University of Missouri Extension in Jefferson City for 9 years. He was a wholesale greenhouse salad green and herb grower for 9 years in Michigan. Since moving to Missouri he has been involved in a wide range of agriculture projects, including greenhouses, vegetables, alternative agronomic crops, IPM, high tunnels, and medicinal herbs. He has been a contributor to the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for over 5 years. Market School Workshop: Thursday 2:30 PM Vegetable IPM: Friday 4:30 PM Rivard, Cary KSU Olathe Horticulture Center 35230 W. 135th St Olathe, KS 66061 785 - 320 - 3033 [email protected] www.hightunnels.org www.growinggrowers.org Cary Rivard is a Fruit and Vegetable Extension Specialist at Kansas State University and also serves as the Director of the Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center. Cary grew up working in his parents’ greenhouse near Kansas City, MO. He received his B.S. from Truman State University in Agriculture Sciences and Biology, and earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from NC State University. His research focuses on the propagation and utilization of grafted tomatoes, high tunnel production, strawberry management, and minimum tillage systems. High Tunnel Workshop: Thursday 4:45 PM Beginning Organic: Friday 11:00 AM Stouffer, Bill 31229 Mount Olive Rd. Napton, MO 65340 660 - 287 - 4510 [email protected] Bill Stouffer is a former state senator, small business owner, and lifelong farmer. For sixteen years, Stouffer was a member of the MFA's Board of Directors, a Midwest-based regional farm supply and marketing cooperative, and is credited with helping save the MFA from bankruptcy while updating critical systems. As a legislator, Stouffer was a leader in transportation and agriculture issues, and helped craft bills relating to health care, second amendment rights, and senior and veteran's issues. Throughout his career, his balanced approach has helped organizations move past partisan politics and achieve tangible results on the ground. Prior to being elected to the Missouri Senate, He and his wife, Sue Ellen, operated a 2500 acre corn and soybean farm along with a 200 cow beef herd. In 2009 they started their chestnut orchard by planting 250 seedlings. The orchard has grown to 575 trees in 2013, with another 120 trees to be planted in spring of 2014. In 2009 pumpkins were planted between the trees which, over the years, changed to wheat and sweet corn. Agroforestry: Friday 3:30 PM Stukenholtz, Matt 13611 B street Omaha, NE 68144 402 - 334 - 7770 [email protected] midwestlabs.com Grew up on a family farm in Southeast Nebraska. Currently works with Midwest Laboratories which is one of the largest soil laboratories in the country, Midwest Laboratories, Inc. has been serving the agricultural industry for over 30 years. Matt currently manages the Chemistry dept. that is responsible for analytical testing of compost, organic fertilizer, and the analysis of soil health. Matt also owns and operates a small CSA farm serving the Omaha area. Soils & Irrigation Workshop: Thursday 2:15 PM Thellman, Scott 1547 N 2000 Road Lawrence, Kansas 66044 785 - 840 - 4892 [email protected] www.facebook.com/JHFarms As a first generation farmer and owner of Juniper Hill Farms, a diversified farm producing hay, alfalfa, small grains, and organic vegetables located in Lawrence, Kansas, Scott Thellman has a passion for organic and sustainable agricultural production, post-harvest handling, food systems, and the economics of growing. A recent graduate of Iowa State University, Scott has returned to Kansas to continue growing his operation, and is working to strengthen the region’s food systems to better serve his local and regional communities with fresh and affordable locally grown produce. Advanced Organic: Saturday 9:45 AM Thornton, Tom Cloud Mountain Farm Center 6906 Goodwin Rd. Everson, WA 98247 360 - 966 - 5859 [email protected] www.cloudmountainfarmcenter.org Tom Thornton started Cloud Mountain Farm in 1978. In his decades of agricultural experience he continues to develop innovative production systems for a myriad of crops in NW Washington. In 2011 the farm was turned into a non-profit, Cloud Mountain Farm Center. The Center’s focus is on their educational workshop program, diverse crop trials, a curriculum based Intern Program and to develop an Access to Land Program for new farmers. Friday Keynote Address Vegetable Production: Saturday 9:30 AM Marketing & Business: Saturday 11:45 AM Tordsen, Craig 1111 NSRIC Bldg. Ames, Iowa 50011 515 - 291 - 0966 [email protected] http://www.extension.iastate.edu/valueaddedag/ Craig Tordsen is an Iowa State University Value Added Ag & Rural Development program coordinator. He has specialized in providing feasibility studies, business plans, resource information, communications and financial planning tools for the winery and vineyard communities as well as for the biofuels agricultural sectors. Tordsen assists companies with marketing and business planning and technology transfer, conducts market research and explores opportunities for new or existing companies. Tordsen is the Iowa state coordinator of the MarketMaker program since 2004. Marketing & Business: Saturday 1:30 PM Wallace, Russ Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center 1102 East FM 1294 Lubbock, TX 79424 806 - -746 - 6101 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/texasstrawberryproject Born and raised in Upstate New York. He attended University of California - Fresno and received his Masters and Ph.D. at Cornell University. Currently works as an Extension Vegetable Specialist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center in Lubbock evaluating high tunnel vegetable and strawberry production, weed and pest control and vegetable varieties for heat tolerance on the Texas High Plains. High Tunnel Workshop: Thursday 9:45 AM High Tunnel Workshop: Thursday 1:30 AM Weller, Dr. Stephen C. Professor of Plant Science and Weed Management, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University 625 Agriculture Mall Drive West Lafayette, IN 47907-2010 765-494-1333, Fax: 765-494-0391; [email protected] Dr. Weller has over 34 years of experience in research, teaching and extension, and 20 years experience in leading international pest management, cropping systems development, and training activities. His areas of specializations include: weed management in vegetable crops, studies of plant responses to and mechanisms of weed resistance to herbicides; research on and implementation of integrated crop and weed management production systems for US horticulture growers and internationally for small-holder farmers for vegetable and traditional crops and cassava and in vitro regeneration and transformation systems for mint crop improvement. He has worked in Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador), Mexico, Ukraine, China, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, South Sudan, Nigeria and Uganda. He developed and coordinated the Purdue University course 'Herbicide Action' which was offered for 23 years (1980-2003) which attracted pest management professionals from around the world. Dr. Weller co-authored the text, Weed Science: Principles and Practices, Fourth Edition and has written 6 book chapters, over 80 refereed journal articles, more than 200 research abstracts, and 50 miscellaneous research/extension publications. Dr. Weller is a Fellow of the North Central Weed Science Society and the Weed Science Society of America. Vegetable IPM: Friday 11:00 AM Vegetable IPM: Friday 2:15 PM Wilson, Jacob Allen Hall Lincoln University Jefferson City, MO 65101 573 - 681 - 5591 [email protected] www.lu-ipm.net Extension Associate in the IPM program at LU and owner/operator of a small family farm Beginning Organic: Friday 11:30 AM Vegetable IPM: Friday 3:30 PM Wiswell, Brice 39675 W. 183rd st Edgerton, Kansas 66021 913 - 602 - 0047 [email protected] GieringersOrchard.com Frank and Melanie Gieringer have a diversified farm that first started with row crops, hogs and cattle. After many years of just having a home garden we started selling Fresh Peaches and Tomatoes in the early 2000's and Gieringers Orchard was started. Beginning with on farm sales and multiple farmers markets. Then recently also adding more U-pick options and agritainment. With ideas of growth my parents asked me if I was interested in coming back to help manage the farm. Most of my efforts have been to expand our U-pick and our on farm sales and we are focusing most of our growth in these areas. We have grown to over 10 acres of Peaches, 2.5acres of Blackberries, 3 acres of Annual plasticulture strawberries, 10 acres of sweet corn, and a 1/2 acre of high tunnel tomato production. Berry Workshop: Thursday 9:40 AM Berry Workshop: Thursday 1:00 PM Wohletz, Jerry 1831 N 1100 Rd Lawrence, KS 66046 785 - 331 - 3468 [email protected] Wohletzfarmfresh.com Wohletz Farm Fresh is a small family owned, diversified strawberry, vegetable and beef farm.Selling direct to the end user, our sells are generated at four farmers markets in the Lawrence Ks. and Overland Park Ks.farmer markets. And for the last 5 years we have operated a 2 acre u-pick strawberry patch at our Lawrence Ks. farm. Berry Workshop: Thursday 1:00 PM |