2013 SATURDAY PRESENTATIONS

conventional vegetables

Heat Tolerance in Lettuce
Lewis Jett

Carrot Production: Tillage, Planting Density, and N Management
Dan Brainard
This presentation will highlight results from research efforts in Michigan aimed at optimizing carrot quality and yield. Our work has included evaluations of the impacts of tillage, compost, and cover crop windbreaks on carrots as well as optimization of planting densities to minimize culls and maximize profits.  We will also present preliminary findings from studies during the 2012 growing season evaluating the potential benefits of deep-placement of slow release nitrogen fertilizers for production of processing carrots on sandy soils.

Growing Cabbage, Broccoli and Cauliflower
Chuck Marr
These cool season crops offer a chance for early season production plus another crop in the fall. They are easy to grow but have some special growing needs. This presentation will focus on planting methods, fertilization, insect control, weed control, and various types of local markets available.

Sweet Potato Production in Great Plains: Is it a Sweet Deal?
Ajay Nair
In recent years local food production has expanded rapidly. The growing demand for locally produced food crops in the great plains region has motivated growers to diversify their cropping systems. Growers have expressed interest in exploring opportunities to grow new and alternative crops. This presentation will provide growers information on managing sweet potato crop in great plains region. Presentation will highlight findings from two sweet potato trials conducted in Iowa this past summer. The trials focused on cultivar selection and plant spacing for profitable sweet potato production.

Bell Pepper Trial
Steven Kirk
In 2012, Lincoln University Cooperative Extension’s Commercial Vegetable Program conducted variety trials on 11 cultivars of Sweet Pepper, 27 Jalapeno, 9 Poblano and 12 Cayenne chilies. This talk focuses on the results of these pepper trials

Making Money with Melons
Mark Jirak
This is a presentation on the production and marketing of melons in the Midwest.  Key points of the growing melon discussion will be melon type and variety selection, planting dates, spacing, fertility, irrigation, pest management and harvesting.  On sales and marketing we will discuss pricing, supply, market outlets, and food safety.

2012 Seedless Watermelon and Pumpkin Variety Trials Update 
Sanjun Gu
In 2012, 18 seedless watermelon varieties were tested in central, southeast and southwest regions of Missouri. Eighteen pumpkin varieties were tested in Jefferson City and Cape Girardeau. This presentation will provide a brief summary of these trials.

small fruit

Fundamentals of Strawberries
Elizabeth Wahle
Strawberry growing is an intensive and demanding enterprise.  Although much of the work can be performed by hand on a limited scale, prospective growers will learn that specialized equipment and knowledge of the crop go a long way towards assuring success.  Successful strawberry enterprises are based on quality inputs and timeliness.  When each operation is done correctly and on time, the chances for success improve.

Fundamentals of Blueberry Production
Patrick Byers
The presentation will discuss blueberry production in the Midwest.  Topics will include evaluation of prospective blueberry sites, site preparation, blueberry types, choosing blueberry cultivars, blueberry culture, blueberry disease and insect management, and blueberry marketing.  Actual case studies of successful blueberry producers will be discussed.

Weed Management in Small Fruits 
Eric Hanson
Weeds are a particular challenge in berry crop production. Since these crops are in place for multiple years, perennial weeds often become established and are very difficult to remove. We will discuss weed management approaches, including a review of chemical control options and a discussion of some non-chemical control ideas.

Fundamentals of Brambles
Elizabeth Wahle
High demand and market prices for bramble fruit have stimulated much interest among potential growers.  Successful field or high tunnel production of raspberries and blackberries requires a fundamental knowledge of site selection and preparation, trellising and pruning, and nutrient management.  In addition, proper identification and timely control options for common pests and physiological disorders of brambles are key to a successful enterprise.

Experience with Strawberries
Jerry Wohlertz
The Wohletz Family has operated a U-Pick strawberry patch on their farm in Lawrence, Kan. for four years. During that time, the crop has grown from 450 plants in a high tunnel to a 25,000 plant U-Pick operation. The presentation will discuss all aspects of starting and growing a strawberry crop, including the use of cover crops, planting, fertilizing, winter protection, spring fertigation and harvest.

Update – SWD and BMSB
Dr. Jaime Pinero
Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) are two invasive insects that pose a threat to the production of many crops. In the Midwest, the presence of SWD has been detected in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois and Arkansas; BMSB has been reported in Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. One live specimen was collected in St. Louis area (MO) in 2012. Monitoring systems for these two invasive insects will be set up in Missouri in 2013 in cooperating vegetable and small fruit farms.

Trellis Option for Blackberry
Patrick Byers
The presentation will discuss trellising options for blackberry, with a focus on blackberry growth characteristics as they relate to trellising, functions of the trellis system, and the primary types of trellises: two wire trellis; supported hedgerow trellis; and the shift trellis.

speaker information

For contact information for Friday speakers, please see the Speaker Information tab.

advanced organic

Growing Organic Berry Production in High Tunnels
Eric Hanson

Bioextensive Rotations and Killed Mulches for Organic Market Garden: Kerr Center’s Experience
George Kuepper
This presentation will focus on Kerr Center's experiences using cover crops in long rotations to manage fertility and suppress weeds, including Bermuda grass.  It will also address growing in situ and moveable mulches, as well as experimentation with organic no-till methods on a market farm scale using walk-behind tractors and other small-scale equipment.

Organic Management of Japanese Beetles 
Jacob Wilson
In Missouri and other Midwest states, the level of damage to crops caused by Japanese beetles has been increasing as populations continue to become established and expand.  Managing this pest with organic methods is a big challenge that many organic producers face. This presentation will provide an overview of various approaches to control including biological control and OMRI-listed materials, and will also provide our most recent research findings from studies conducted in three MO farms aimed at developing an effective, chemical-free push-pull strategy that integrates mass trapping (pull component) and kaolin clay (trade name: Surround; push component).

Organic Research and Extension at Lincoln University: Farmer Input
        
Growing Organic Vegetable under Drought Conditions
Robbins Hail & Grower Panel
A Discussion on the best approaches to growing vegetables in terms of providing water and nutrients, and managing weeds, insects and diseases, as well as other challenges associated with extreme heat and drought will be held in a panel format.

cut flowers

Successful Direct-Market Flower Production
Mark Cain
Cut flowers have always been a part of the organic production mix at Dripping Springs Garden, but have become our most profitable marketing niche. This overview of our practices will cover transplant production, greenhouse and hoophouse production, most important flower species and amounts planted, field preparation and equipment, irrigation, fertility maintenance, and direct-marketing farmer’s market. There will be a lot of great photos of flower production.

First Year Flower Farming, Getting Started
Vicki Lander
New ventures require new routines.  As beginner farmers it means new skills, tools, relationship with weather, and a new community in which to participate.  If all goes well and there is a product to sell, it requires finding customers, letting them know what’s available, establishing pricing, creating invoices and making deliveries, and more.   Join us in a short review of what we thought we were getting ourselves into, and what we did.  Questions will be             welcomed, answers subject to more questions.  

The Local Flower Market- Changing with the Times
Karen Pendleton
Having grown flowers for over 25 years, Karen has seen changes in the market, and the marketing of locally grown  flowers. She will describe her experiences selling through grocery stores and farmers markets, as well as wholesale to florists, direct sales on the farm, and full service weddings. Come ready to share your experiences and forecasts for the local flower industry.

urban horticulture & gardens

Community Gardens and Urban Farming in West Virginia 
John Porter         
West Virginia is a rural landscape dotted with small towns and cities. Even with abundant land, community gardens are thriving in the Mountain state, and farming is creeping right into town. Why these gardens and farms are successful and what purpose do they serve in this land that is more rural than urban? What agricultural opportunities are available to other rural areas and small towns?

The Big Garden Community
Nathan Morgan & Matt Freeman
The Big Garden began in 2005. Initially funded by the USDA's Community Food Project, the Big Garden had a goal of creating 12 community gardens in three years. Five years later the Big Garden included 26 gardens in the metro-Omaha area and added a sister project, the Big Rural Garden, in Southeast Nebraska. Today, the Big Garden is a network of over 70 community gardens in metro-Omaha and rural and semi-rural communities in Nebraska and Kansas. Learn about the mission of the Big Garden and how we do our work in urban and rural settings.

Changing Policies and Revising Planning to Benefit KC Urban Ag
Dennis Murphey
Urban agriculture and local food production are “hot topics” across the nation.  Cities, large and small, are recognizing the many benefits of urban agriculture and are looking for ways to support growers.  Local food production can help cities address critical issues such as food deserts, poor nutrition, and beneficial reuse of vacant lots, while providing healthy food and new sources of income.  Kansas City, Missouri has revised its zoning codes to promote local food production and is working with growers and the local food policy coalition to expand opportunities for urban agriculture.

A Refugee Incubator Farm – The Unfinished Story
Linda Gobberdiel, RD, LD
This presentation will tell the story of how refugees on a road trip across Iowa, were compelled to ask how they might have the chance to farm in Iowa.  Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI), their refugee services organization, reached out to the metro Des Moines community to make this happen.  Totally new to food-based services, planning an incubator has been a learning experience for LSI as well as the refugees.  The planning steps, collaborations, the benefits to refugees as well as the Des Moines community, current challenges, and next steps will all be shared.


Low Maintenance Fruit Plants for Community Gardens
Shawn Bixby
Growing fruit can enhance the functional and educational value of a community garden, but often comes with special challenges. Fruit requiring high maintenance, be it pruning, disease insect issues, or wildlife predation (e.g. birds), can quickly negate idealistic images of gardeners sharing in bountiful harvest. Opportunities for fruit crops that could provide a dependable harvest without high inputs will be             reviewed, including varieties, cultivars or selections of these fruit crops which are adapted to Midwest conditions.

Good Start: Organizing to Launch a School Garden
Rev. Tim Olsen
School gardens are a safe place to inspire students to excel academically, begin habits of a healthy lifestyle, including eating local foods, and practice skills of being a great neighbor. This presentation will provide the steps to organizing, launching, managing and sustaining a school garden. A special focus will be on long-term resourcing of the school garden program.

Plant a Row for the Hungry
Jeff Lowenfels
Plant a Row for the Hungry is a national program that encourages gardeners to plant on row in their gardens dedicated to feed the hungry. This national program is an easy way to help make a dent in feeding the 35 million American's who go to bed every night wondering where they next meal might come from. Learn how the program started, its simple rule and how you can join in.

The Manna Meal Soup Kitchen Garden: Growing to Give
John Porter
In Charleston, West Virginia a community garden produces over 3000 pounds of produce on a little over an acre…all to make sure that the hungry can eat. This award-winning garden is manned by community volunteers and Master Gardeners to provide fresh produce to a local downtown soup kitchen. In the process, a community has developed around the garden, which feeds more than just hungry mouths. It has become a hands-on garden classroom and so much more – feeds the hearts, minds and souls of everyone it touches.

Developing a Learning Garden Community on a Land Grant University
Christopher Murakami
Since November 2010, campus community organizers from diverse disciplines have worked to create the Children's Learning Garden in the middle of a large, Midwestern, Land Grant University. The purpose of the presentation is to showcase an interdisciplinary community collaboration project dedicated to reconnecting people to food and natural resources. Expect to learn about and discuss challenges and opportunities in practicing urban agroecology on school campuses.

Starting an Urban Farm: Considerations and Options
Miranda Duschack     
Farming in the city is an exciting prospect to many growers. However, the process of turning city land into a tangible urban farm can be involved. The aspiring urban farmer has to realistically consider the opportunities and limitations of city farming. Topics discussed in this presentation include: land acquisition, soil health, city zoning, farm planning, and for profit versus non-profit business models.