Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
1/14/00
Contacts:
Shelly Gradwell, Sustainable Agriculture Extension Program,
ISU, 515-294-0887, shellyg@iastate.edu
Diane Mayerfeld, Extension Sustainable Agriculture, (515)
294-0887, dmayerfe@iastate.edu
Elaine Edwards, Extension Communication Systems, (515)
294-5168, eedwards@iastate.edu
Learn Valuable Organic Vegetable Production Tips and Techniques at Midwestern Workshop Series
AMES, Iowa--Three organic vegetable production workshops in February 2000 promise in-depth, practical information to help growers increase profitability.
The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) will hold its fourth annual professional series at a retreat center south of Des Moines, Iowa. The workshops' audience includes:
* small- and large-scale vegetable growers looking to
hone skills or expand operations;
* vegetable growers who want to convert to organic or
biodynamic methods; and/or
* farm producers considering vegetable production as an
alternative enterprise or wishing to start a Community
Supported Agriculture (CSA) operation.
Farm producers will benefit from hands-on, practical knowledge at these intensive workshops:
Soil Health and Biodynamic Methods. One-day workshop, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 15. Walter Goldstein, agronomist and director of research at MFAI, will discuss soil health and links to crop and animal health and productivity. Dan Kaplan, farm manager at Brookfield Farm in Amherst, Mass., will address practical experiences of integrated animal and vegetable farming systems.
Advanced Organic Vegetable Production for Small- and Large-Scale Growers. Three-day workshop, 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16 through the evening of Friday, Feb.18. Kaplan will join Richard DeWilde, of Harmony Valley Farms in Viroqua, Wis., and Larry Cleverley, of Cleverley Farm in Mingo, Iowa, to discuss aspects of organic vegetable production from soil health and manure management to post harvest handling and market development.
Starting and Managing a Community Supported Farm. One-day workshop, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 19. DeWilde, Jan Libbey, of One Step at a Time Gardens in Kanawha, Iowa, and Angela Tedesco, of Turtle Farm CSA in Johnston, Iowa, will present advantages and challenges of the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm. Participants will learn about obtaining and keeping members, packing and distribution, member participation and much more.
All workshops will take place at the Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat Center in Indianola, Iowa, just south of Des Moines. Fees are $45 per person for the one-day workshops and $140 for the three-day workshop. Discounts are available if registering for two or more workshops. Limited scholarships are available for up to 50 percent of the workshop fees. Contact Tanya Meyer at (319) 668-8110 for information about scholarships. Accommodations and meals are available at the Retreat Center. Registration deadline is Feb. 7.
For more information, contact Gail Kahovic, MFAI, at (262) 642-3303. This professional workshop series, presented by MFAI, is co-sponsored by: the Iowa Network for Community Agriculture, Iowa State University (ISU) Organic Agriculture Program, ISU Sustainable Agriculture Extension Program (funded in part by the USDA North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education SARE program), ISU Extension Valued-Added Agriculture Program, Practical Farmers of Iowa Field to Family Farm Project, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy and Environmental Education Local Food Project.
ml: isufarm
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.