2013 friday presentations
tree fruitFundamentals of Tart Cherries
Greg Lang Tart cherry production differs from that of sweet cherries in terms of risk assessment (lower), establishment investment (less), production potential (similar), market potential (processed rather than fresh) and crop value (lower). However, the past few years have seen some experimentation with innovative production strategies that may significantly change tart cherry production in the future. Dwarf Orchard Establishment Shawn Bixby This presentation will cover such topics as site selection, ground preparation, irrigation, etc. through peak production years. We will also look at the average ROI with minimal crop load. Rootstocks and Varieties Shawn Bixby This presentation will aid in rootstock choices pertaining to the area of your planting, soil type, market, etc. and also what you grow well versus trying varieties that are not suitable for the growing climate. conventional vegetable ipmPerimeter Trap Cropping Wilt Management in Muskmelon
Mark Gleason Most cucurbit growers rely on insecticides to manage cucumber beetles and bacterial wilt. But those insecticides also injure the bees that pollinate cucurbit crops. Using perimeter trap cropping in Iowa and Ohio experiments enabled us to control bacterial wilt in muskmelon with fewer sprays. This talk explores how to get started with perimeter trap cropping. Weed Ecology and Management in Vegetable Cropping Dan Brainard Weeds represent a major constraint to successful production of vegetables. This presentation will provide an overview of strategies for managing weeds based on an understanding of their biology. The emphasis will be on integrated strategies including mechanical, cultural and chemical controls with examples drawn from multiple vegetable crops systems. Integrated Management of Soilborne Diseases Cary Rivard Root- and stem-infecting pathogens can be difficult to manage both due to their severity as well as their longevity in soils. They can be especially difficult in high tunnels as the extended cropping season combined with limited crop rotation options. This session will discuss the biology and epidemiology of several important soilborne pathogens on vegetable crops and will focus on control strategies that can be used in organic production systems. Minimizing Chemical Inputs for Pest Control in Vegetables Tim Coolong Methods of controlling insect pests while minimizing the use of chemicals or using "soft" chemicals. Melon crops will be primarily discussed. Determining Economic Thresholds for Pesticide Applications Dr. Jaime Pinero Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the optimization of pest control in an ecologically and economically sound manner. A known fact is that nearly all crops can tolerate a certain amount of pest damage without appreciable effects on vigor and yield. A measure of tolerable damage or pest density is provided by what is called the Economic Threshold (ET), a key aspect of IPM. In this presentation, l will explain in detail what ET means, and will provide examples of ET’s for insect pests in various crops. Effective ways to reduce insect pest density below the ET (i.e., below damaging levels) will also be discussed. Controlling and Avoiding Bacterial Diseases of Vegetable\ Crops Mark Gleason Bacterial diseases are among the toughest challenges for vegetable growers. This talk will explore the latest strategies for fighting four key bacterial diseases: bacterial wilt of cucurbits, cucurbit yellow vine disease (CYVD), bacterial canker of tomato, and bacterial spot of tomato. beginning beekeepingBeginning Beekeeping
Raymond Heldenbrand There are lots of good reasons to keep bees. Their honey tastes great, and selling it can add another source of revenue to your farm. If you are a grower, many of the crops you grow require bees to insure good pollination. This session will be taught by Raymond Heldenbrand, who has kept bees for over 17 years. He will discuss basic bee biology, what equipment you need to buy, how to take care of the bees through the year, and even how to capture a swarm. In addition to his discussion of basic beekeeping, Raymond will bring equipment to demonstrate. CSA Farmers Panel Discussion Rebecca Graff, Tom Ruggieri, Alicia Ellingsworth & Bob Lominska Come hear experienced farmers discuss the difficulties and benefits of farming for a Community Supported Agriculture membership. Panel participants include Alicia Ellingsworth from Gibbs Road Community Farm, Bob Lominska from Hoyland Farm and Rolling Prairie CSA, and Rebecca Graff and Tom Ruggieri of Fair Share Farm. Topics covered will include what goes in a share, communicating with the membership, members on the farm and share pricing. introduction to vegetable production
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beginner organicOrganic Certification
Alicia Ellingsworth Interested in learning about organic certification? Why is it important? How does it help you grow your farm business? And, what does it take to become certified and maintain organic certification? Alicia Ellingsworth, farm manager at the Cultivate KC-Gibbs Road Farm, will present her experience with organic certification including many of the nuts and bolts of going about becoming certified. Topics will include: the overall reasoning for organic certification, finding a certifying agency, documentation, and maintaining organic certification. The Gibbs Road Farm has been organically certified for over 5 years and sells to a number of restaurants in the Kansas City area as well as the Brookside Organic Farmer's Market. Building Healthy Soils Thomas Ruggieri Feeding the soil is the prime directive of the organic farmer. A discussion of the various soil building and management methods employed at Fair Share Farm will be discussed. These will include spring, summer and winter cover cropping, mineral additions, composting, and low-till farm. Working these methods into your farming rotation will also be discussed including, bed prep, seeding methods, mowing techniques, cover crop incorporation, and cultivation. Key Production Equipment for Growing your Operation Mark Cain In our 27-year history at Dripping Springs Garden, certain key pieces of equipment made it possible to produce more marketable crops with less labor. In this presentation, we’ll take a look at everything from propagation greenhouses to spaders, landscape fabric to walk-in coolers, deer fencing to delivery vans. This overview should help beginning producers to prioritize their equipment needs into stages of farm development, and to see what may lie over the near horizon for their own business. Basics of Drip Irrigation Cary Rivard Drip irrigation is a great tool for fruit and vegetable growers to provide water and nutrients to their crops in an efficient and cost-effective way. In this session, we will briefly describe the options available for growers to use for building drip systems and discuss important considerations such as water source, filtration, and fertigation. We will also outline basic calculations that growers can utilize to determine their water needs. Elements of Organic Production Putting Your Systems Together George Kuepper We are often told that organic farming requires a systems approach. Yet new growers are rarely told what a systems approach means or how to begin designing an organic system. Using the Kerr Center's management system as a model, George will explain how low-input soil-based organic systems can be designed around traditional practices that include crop rotation, cover crops, and green manures. Are We Organic Yet George Kuepper Understanding the Federal Organic Regulations is a challenge for new organic farmers, whether they seek full certification or qualify for exemption. George's presentation will center on resources developed at the Kerr Center and NCAT to aid growers, and those who work with them, in assessing compliance with the National Standard. marketingLocal Growing for the Wholesale Produce Distributor Customer
Joan Daleo Discussion of the early development of local farmers bringing product to restaurants, institutions, schools, hotels, clubs and caterers through a wholesale produce distributor and the evolution--We are at now; Advantages of farmers specializing in growing and distributors doing the delivery; Marketing farms to the distributor's customers and the ultimate end users; the future--Greener Fields Together and other such programs. The Produce Auctions of Missouri and Iowa James Quinn The number of produce auctions has increased significantly in Missouri and Iowa in recent years. There are now 14 across the two states. These businesses are an important source of locally grown fresh vegetables supplied at wholesale volumes, but the prices received tend to be above terminal or supermarket contract price. The typical business structure of the auctions will be briefly reviewed, as well as the origin of this business model. Most of the presentation will cover the main aspects of each auction, such as year formed, sales volume, products the auction is noted for and type of Amish or Mennonite community in which auction is located. James and Patrick both have received extension awards for their work in this area. Family Fun Days at the Market John Porter In 2009, extension agent John Porter developed a plan to bring awareness of local crops to the consumers at the farmers market. Three years later, the program is a state-wide effort used to promote local produce, encourage healthy eating, educate consumers and let folks have fun at the farmers market. The program combines on-site cooking demos, kids’ activities, ask the expert clinics, research initiatives and more to promote the market and promote the local extension office. Educating Consumers through a Regional Farm Tour Jennifer Smith The annual Kaw Valley Farm Tour attracts more than 2,000 attendees to northeast Kansas farms each year. Tour-goers report a greater connection to local agriculture and increased knowledge of local farms and farm products. They also report purchasing more local food, consuming more fruits and vegetables, and being more likely to purchase products from farms they have visited on the tour than other farms. Learn how the tour is organized and if it is a viable option to model in your area. Legislating Farmers Markets-A Journey in St. Louis Deb Henderson A synopsis of the lobbying process for successful Farmers Market Legislation in St. Louis County, Mo. Includes a description of the obstacles encountered and how we overcame them to arrive at the first working county-wide Farmers' Market Ordinance in Missouri. Contains recommendations which Farmers' Market Stakeholders in other Counties may find helpful if they are encountering similar problems regarding unfair permitting and licensing fees, inappropriately applied codes or business dampening regulations. Des Moines FM and Effect of Drought Kelly Foss Satellite or Affiliate Markets, NE Winter Markets Billene Nemec Farmers' markets reflect the best of our community--healthy lifestyle, hard-working people (producers and market managers) and strong communities. Cultivating new tends, more choices, meeting our communities desire to participate in farmland preservation and healthy lifestyle is the way to grow sustainable farmers' markets that have economic potential to support our family farmers, build community and preserve farmland and protect the farming way of life. Roundtable Discussion-Use of Social Media to Promote Markets speaker informationFor contact information for Friday speakers, please see the Speaker Information tab.
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