2014 saturday presentations
small fruitBlackberry Growth and Development
Dr. John Strang, University of Kentucky Blackberry types, varieties and training trial results will be discussed. The Rotatable Cross Arm Trellis will be introduced. Bud and flower development and pruning will be covered along with fruit harvest and handling. * See presentation below Producing Blueberries in Iowa Judy and Dean Henry, Berry Patch Farm The presentation will be on soil modification, northern highbush varieties, planting, fertilizing, pruning and marketing. Blueberry Automated Quasi-Pulse Irrigation Dr. John Strang, University of Kentucky Highbush blueberry grower field studies using Watermark sensors and a low cost automated irrigation will be discussed. * See presentation below Spotted Wing Drosophila Management Dr. Jaime Piñero, Lincoln University Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) has very quickly become a devastating pest of berry crops in some Midwest states. In addition to small fruit crops, this invasive insect pest also attacks some stone fruits (cherry, nectarine, peach), high tunnel tomatoes, and wild hosts (including pokeweed, autumn olive, crabapple, nightshade, Amur honeysuckle, and wild grape). Raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, elderberries and grapes are at the greatest risk. This presentation will focus on Integrated Pest Management tools to minimize larval infestations by SWD with a focus on monitoring, cultural, and insecticidal control options available to conventional and organic berry growers. * See presentation below Marketing and Promoting Berries Judy and Dean Henry, Berry Patch Farm The presentation will provide information TV and radio public relations, slow food dinners, table tents at restaurants, farmers markets, website and Facebook page. Table Grape Cultivars Patrick Byers, University of Missouri The presentation will discuss the current situation concerning table grape cultivars. Emphasis will be placed on adapted cultivars for the Midwest. Recently developed cultivars will also be presented. * See presentation below Updates in the 2014 Small Fruit Pest Guide Patrick Byers, University of Missouri The presentation will discuss updates, additions, and other changes in the Midwest Small Fruit Spray Guide. * See presentation below Elderberry Cultivar Development Andrew Thomas, University of Missouri 
Growing Garlic in the Great Plains
Chuck Marr, Kansas state University Garlic is easy to grow, niche market crop that is in demand at local markets now. This presentation will focus on varieties, fertilization, planting, and harvesting garlic for our region. What Do You Get When You Mix Pumpkins, Cowpeas and Mycorrhiza? Steven Kirk, Lincoln University In 2013, we grew mycorrhizal inoculated and non-inoculated pumpkins in replicated trials at LU’s Carver Farm and MU’s Southwest Center and Bradford Farm in raised plastic mulch beds while letting the vines trail into a living cover crop of cowpeas and buckwheat to eliminate erosion from bare soil and for weed suppression. Weed control Options for Sweet Corn Vince Lawson, Iowa State University Review of management strategies and materials for controlling weeds in commercial sweet corn. What’s Special About Specialty Melons, Red Beets and Savoy Cabbage Dr. John Strang, University of Kentucky Specialty melons including Piel de Sapo, Honeydew, Galia, Canary, Ananas, Casaba and hybrid melons will be discussed. Red beets and savoy cabbage will also be discussed. Yield, production and fruit characteristics will be covered. Recommended Tomato Cultivars from K-State Trials Dr. Charles Barden, Kansas State University Results from multi-locational tomato trials across Kansas will be presented. For the past 7 years Master Gardeners have collected field observation data from 8-10 sites per year, and yield data from 3-4 sites per year. Outstanding Determinate and Indeterminate cultivars will be recommended.
The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): Proposed Produce Safety Rule
Gretchen Wall, Cornell University An in-depth review of the proposed Produce Safety Rule including who may be exempt, and requirements for agricultural water, soil amendments, worker training, wildlife and domestic animal management, and postharvest handling. FSMA Preventive Controls Rule Dr. Jayne Stratton, UNL Food Science Making the Leap Going from the USDA GAP&GHP to the Harmonized Audit Douglas Goodson, USDA Going over some of the differences between the USDA GAP&GHP audits and the harmonized audit standards and what to expect during an audit. Food Safety Plan Writing: Resource4s, Tips, and Tricks for Getting Started Sarah Browning, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Resources are available to help growers develop a customized food safety plan for their farm. We'll take a look at some of these resources; give tips on developing your plan, and answer grower questions. Postharvest Sanitation and Produce Wash Water Workshop Gretchen Wall, Cornell University Postharvest sanitation principles and wash water solutions for small and medium scale farms; including how to properly clean and sanitize food contact surfaces, packinghouse/shed design considerations, how to choose a sanitizer for postharvest wash water, and tools for monitoring and managing safe sanitizer levels.
For contact information for Friday speakers, please see the Speaker Information tab.
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advanced organicEnhancing Farm Profitability Through the Use of Cover Crops
Steven Groff, Holtwood, PA * See presentation below Maximizing Profitability by Utilizing Labor Mgmt. Practices & Diversifying Markets Alicia Ellingsworth, Happy Hollow Farm Taking a look at what works at Gibbs Road Farm, Alicia will discuss labor and time management systems; efficiency - creating strategies; business management practices; and often-forgotten good practices for 'putting your head down and working. Diversifying markets can create a more stable income base for a farm. Gibbs Road Farm has been able to balance income streams among farmers market, CSA and restaurant sales. Learn how she's been able to do this and why it's become essential to their success. Increasing Profits through Use of Trap Cropping to Manage Key Insect Pests of Cucurbits Jacob Wilson An overview of the history of trap cropping, current research at LU future possibilities and a grower testimonial. * See presentation below Role of Biochar in Vegetable Production Dr. Ajay Nair, IA State University * See presentation below Growing Organic Strawberries with Annual Plasticulture Systems in the Great Plains Cary Rivard, Kansas State University Strawberries are a highly profitable crop that can help provide income early in the season. This session will discuss what it takes to grow one of the most delicious and marketable small fruits using certified organic practices. We will focus on annual, plasticulture systems and talk about common pests and methods for reducing damage. We will also talk about several case studies of growers who are successfully growing organic strawberries at various scales (1-20 acres). * See presentation below Enhancing Beneficial Insects for Biological Control & Pollination in Organic Systems Jaime Piñero, Lincoln University Pollinators and natural enemies depend on plant-provided resources such as nectar, pollen, alternate prey, refuge and shelter, overwintering and nesting sites. This presentation will discuss effective ways to enhance populations of beneficial arthropods in organic vegetable farms with a focus on Farmscaping methods which include the use of insectary plants, hedgerows, and cover crops to attract and support populations of beneficial organisms. Cost-share Programs to Enhance Pollination Habitat NRCS Staff (TBD)
Beginning
Beekeeping
Raymond Heldenbrand Overwintering Bees and Spring Management Ross Conrad Chestnuts Mark Gold, MU Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri Globally chestnut production exceeds one billion pounds. In stark contrast, few US citizens are familiar with chestnuts (other than the “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” lyric). Annual US chestnut production is under 2 million pounds. Over the past decade, US chestnut production has been increasing. Full time chestnut growers face more demand than they can supply. In and around Missouri, 15+ years of research in the Missouri River Hills reveal excellent growing conditions, productive cultivars, good prices and strong market demand. * See presentation below Paw Paws Andrew Thomas, University of Missouri * See presentation below Black Walnuts Mark Coggeshall, University of Missouri * See presentation below
Get Growing Urban Water Project
Teresa Kelly & Sherri Harvel, Cultivate Kansas City Over the last five years or so, our rain patterns have been so extreme and changeable that having access to water for irrigation crops has jumped onto every grower’s agenda. In Kansas City, urban farm businesses are faced with city water connections that can cost anywhere from $6,000 and up! Get Growing KC, a collaboration between Lincoln University Cooperative Extension, Cultivate Kansas City, Kansas City Community Gardens, set up a process to help urban growers to take a whole system approach to sourcing municipal water, storm water management, catchment, and conservation practices. We will share key pieces of the urban agriculture water puzzle and how to create a sustainable system that works for your space; we’ll also share several policy initiatives that are helping urban growers get the funding they need to set up sustainable water systems. Urban Access: Building Community Through Intensive Cultivation Gabriel Hahn, Seeds of Hope Farm The Seeds of Hope Farm is a created to increase geographic accessibility and affordability to fresh organically grown foods in a food desert. Plot design is a slight variation on the SPIN farming model, using an intensively planted ½ acre for education, CSA, market, and wholesale. * See presentation below The Kansas Community Garden Grants Program-Seeding Gardens for the Future Evelyn Neier,K-State Research & Extension The Kansas Community Garden Grant Program is a joint project of K-State Research & Extension and the Kansas Health Foundation. Learn how this innovative project helps provide seed money for new community gardens, and how it has impacted community gardening in Kansas. * See presentation below Southern Boone Learning Garden – A Model for School Garden Sustainability in a Public School District Jennifer Grabner, Southern Boone Learning Garden The Southern Boone Learning Garden was started in 2007 by 2 mothers who believe passionately that experiential, garden-based outdoor education can dramatically enrich public school education, raise a community’s environmental & food-system awareness, & effectively reduce adult and child obesity levels by facilitating healthy food choices and physical activity in a fun and engaging way. What started as a small volunteer-led after-school garden club has grown into a thriving community-based nonprofit organization which now employs 4-7 people, involves 150+ volunteers, and provides high quality garden-based school-day, after-school, & community educational programming & resources on a year-round basis. We do this through a combination of grants, in-kind support, community donations, club fees, & farmer’s market sales. This presentation will provide listeners with our history, lessons learned, pros & cons of our approach, & future plans relating to long-term sustainability. * See presentation below Developing a University Student Farm for All Kimberly James, SDSU Student Farm, South Dakota This Spring South Dakota State University set out to develop a Student Farm with the goal of engaging students in hands-on education producing vegetable crops for sale through a CSA share program. The farm will also serve as a site for research, outreach, and education for the public and local producers. Hear about our start-up successes, and issues, and offer dialogue on the role you think Universities can play in promoting and supporting alternative agriculture. * See presentation below Community Orchards – Examples from Nebraska Vaughn Hammond, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Providing details of several community orchards that have been established in Nebraska including correctional centers, churches, Boys Town and other sponsored projects. * See presentation below Auburn Community Gardens Project Craig Long, Auburn Community Gardens PowerPoint presentation of garden history, events, grants received, and food insecurity info. Q & A * See presentation below Urban Harvest: Feeding the Hungry Among Us Beth Rydberg, Iowa Master Gardener How to start a garden for the food pantry. * See presentation below Growing Through the Winter for School, Community, & Home Gardens Jennifer Grabner I will describe the various season extension techniques I'm familiar with through my own gardening & cool-season vegetable farm experience, as well as through the school & community gardening experience gained in my work with the Southern Boone Learning Garden. My talk will include examples of covering techniques (row cover, low tunnels, cold frames, high tunnels, homemade cattle panel hoop houses, etc.), along with estimated costs, pros & cons of each, crop choices & timing & labor considerations, etc. * See presentation below
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