Farm Certifications Panel

Hear from a few farmers about why they have chosen certain certifications, pros & cons of each, how your particular farm & marketing situation determine which certification(s) might be appropriate for you, and more. Certifications discussed will include Organic, Certified Naturally Grown, Animal Welfare Approved, Oregon Pasture Network, and Certified Grassfed. Presenters: Narendra Varma, Our Table Farm; Gus Liszka, Naked Acres Farm; and Lindsay Howells, Coyote Ridge Farm

Small Engine Troubleshooting & Repair

Join small engine experts for demonstration of troubleshooting & repair of common small engine problems. This session is designed for people who already have a little bit of familiarity with small engines. Presenters: Patrick Olson and Greg Susbauer, Canby Rental & Equipment

*Portable Fencing and Crossfencing

Portable electrified fence and netting can be a tool to create healthier pastures. Healthy pastures grow more grass, feed more animals, reduce feed costs, and create happier animals. Learn to build a quarter mile of fence in less than 30 minutes. Presenter: Randy Bailey, Territory Manager, Gallagher USA

Farmscaping with Native Hedgerows

This practical session will offer participants the “How-To’s” on hedgerow design, costs, planning, installation and maintenance. Farm Hedgerows provide benefits for pollinators and visual, windbreak and drift barrier functionalities. This session will have a native plant focus.

Presenter: Marsha Holt-Kingsley, Metro Native Plant Center

The Economics of Poultry Production

How do you make raising poultry pencil out? Jim Hermes from OSU Poultry Extension brings the research-based knowledge to answer this question-and many others on poultry profits-for broilers and layers. Presenter: James Hermes, OSU Poultry Extension

Vegetable Packing Sheds and Coolers

Many vegetables are lost in storage, or have reduced shelf-life due to poor storage conditions. In this workshop, you will learn about some low-cost and practical ways to improve post-harvest handling and storage of your vegetables. Nick will introduce some principles of good produce storage, and some packing shed furniture designed by Josh Volk (Slow Hand Farm). Bryan will share his experience at Dancing Roots Farm, describe their low-cost cooler and other innovations on their farm. Presenters: Bryan Dickerson, Dancing Roots Farm and Nick Andrews, OSU Extension

Plastic Tarps and Mulches

Plastic tarps and mulch can improve soil conditions for plant growth. Black plastic mulch has been used in agriculture for the last 30 years or more. Specially designed tools can shape beds, lay drip tape and plastic mulch in one pass. Yields of heat loving crops like tomatoes, peppers and eggplants can be increased, water can be conserved, and weeds can be managed very little cultivation. Jean-Martin Fortier and other innovative market gardeners are now using re-usable plastic mulch to take advantage of many of these benefits on a small-scale. Rowan and Josh will share their practical experiences and concerns with the use of plastic tarps and mulches. Presenters: Josh Volk, Slow Hand Farm, and Rowan Steele, East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District Headwaters Incubator Program

2017

Getting started at the Farmers Market

Are you looking to sell your products at a farmers market and not sure where to start? Jackie Hammond-Williams, market manager of the Oregon City Farmers Market, will cover how to get into a market, how to communicate with managers, and the ins and outs of having a market booth.

Instructor: Jackie Hammond-Williams, Market Manager Oregon City Farmers Market

Poultry nutrition and health

Learn to keep your poultry well fed and healthy. Dr. Hermes will cover feed sources, nutrition, pasture mixes and other steps for producing healthy poultry. Layers and meat birds will be discussed.

Instructor: James Hermes, OSU Extension Poultry Specialist

Raising pigs on pasture

Pigs can be a great addition to many small homesteads and farms. Learn how to raise pigs on pasture, in woodlands, and even integrated into an orchard or row crop farm. We will discuss breed selection, feeds and feeding, watering logistics, shade/shelter needs, fencing, animal health, handling, slaughter and market considerations.

Instructor: Rebecca Thistlethwaite, Niche Meat Processors Association Network

Nutrient management for organic vegetables on diversified farms

Healthy soil equates to more productive, high quality crops that have greater pest resistance and resiliency. Soil tests are a critical component to achieving healthy soils by providing baseline data for the creation of a nutrient management plan; something that can be challenging on a diversified vegetable farm. Come ready to learn about taking soil samples and interpreting results, resources and techniques for nutrient management, soil organic matter, pH, macro nutrients, and key trace elements.

Instructor: Rowan Steele, East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District

Plant problem diagnosis for vegetables, berries and tree fruits

Jay and Nick will introduce you to the process of diagnosing plant problems in your horticultural crops. If you have a sick plant, is that due to the weather, nutritional issues, plant diseases, insect pests, viruses, or some other factor? Diagnosis can be challenging, but this process can help you figure out what’s causing the problem so you can develop a management approach. 

Instructors: Jay Pscheidt, OSU Department of Plant Pathology, and Nick Andrews, OSU Department of Horticulture

Finding Ground: How to find, lease, and purchase agricultural land

Whether you’re starting a business, relocating, or expanding, the task of finding appropriate, affordable land to lease or buy can be daunting.  In this workshop, you’ll hear from a farmer who became a real estate agent after completing his family’s search for land, and from an attorney about how to negotiate, draft, and maintain a good agricultural lease. We’ll also touch on useful online tools to help you research a property.

Instructor: Nellie McAdams, Farm Preservation Program Director, Rogue Farm Corps

Conner Voss, Diggin’ Roots Farm, farm real estate agent, Lindsay Trant, Oregon Farm Link Coordinator, Friends of Family Farmers

Weed management in organic vegetables
Chris will introduce you to different weeds and a wide variety of weed management strategies for organic vegetables. Cover crops, crop rotations, irrigation techniques, stale seedbeds, cultivation methods and timing can all contribute to your organic weed management plan. This classroom workshop complements the “Tools and strategies for controlling weeds in organic vegetable crops”.

Instructors: Chris Konieczka, CCC Department of Horticulture and Josh Volk, Slow Hand Farm

Beekeeping for small farm operations

Topics for this class include; The annual beekeeping cycle, review of basic beekeeping equipment types (Langstroth hives, Kenya hives, Longhives and Warre hives), discussion of hive suitability for your operation, stocking your hives with bees (swarm, package, nucleus hives), and basic colony management for the busy farmer

Instructor: John Edwards, Ruhl Bee Supply

Market booth design and layout

Colorful, bountiful displays bring the customers in. Bunched and pre-wrapped products make it easy for customers to grab crops and keep coming back. Use your artistic flair to make your booth more appealing. Jackie will share tips for creating effective market displays that she has learned from managing the Oregon City Farmers Market.

Instructor: Jackie Hammond-Williams, Market Manager Oregon City Farmers Market

Small scale poultry processing and policies

This workshop will take you through the A to Z’s of poultry processing, sanitation, and regulatory compliance. Learn what equipment and steps you need to safely process your own birds. This workshop addresses the new laws and regulations for farm direct slaughter and sales under Oregon HB 2872 (the 1000 bird exemption).

Instructor: Rebecca Thistlethwaite, Niche Meat Processors Association Network

Managing mud & manure on your small farm

If you were frustrated with the mud and muck in your barnyard last winter and want to learn about strategies for reducing mud and composting livestock manure, this session is for you.  We’ll discuss 6 management practices to reduce mud, including installing all-weather paddocks.

Instructor: Melissa Fery, Associate Professor (Practice), OSU Extension Service- Small Farms Program

Orchard harvest walk and fruit tasting

Description: Join arboretum manager, Tonia on an informal guided tour of our lovely demonstration gardens. We will talk about ripeness indicators, proper harvesting techniques, post harvest handling, and all sorts of other fruit growing related stuff… as we leisurely stroll through the orchard tasting ripe and not so ripe fruit straight of the trees, shrubs, and vines that share their bounty with us each harvest season.

Instructor: Tonia Lordy, Arboretum Manager, Home Orchard Society

Plant problem diagnosis in the field

Go into the field with Jay and Nick to look for biotic and abiotic plant health problems. As a group we will scout the CCC student vegetable farm and Home Orchard Society arboretum looking for pests and plant disorders. You will start to learn how to recognize plant health problems in the field, and narrow down the cause to make a field diagnosis, or decide what sort of tests you should take to confirm the cause. Pre req: basic knowledge of plant problem diagnosis.

Instructors: Jay Pscheidt, OSU Department of Plant Pathology, and Nick Andrews, OSU Department of Horticulture

Water rights in Oregon

Oregon water law has been in place since 1909, and many types of uses require a water right.  Find out about the application process, limitations, water availability, and other issues surrounding obtaining new water rights.  We will also discuss information pertinent to current water right holders, such as transfers and non-use.

Instructor: Amy Kim, District 20 Watermaster, Oregon Water Resources Department, Kye Scianna, District 20 assistant Watermaster

Tools and strategies for controlling weeds in organic vegetable crops

Josh will discuss strategies and tools for controlling weeds in organic vegetable crops, ranging from hand scale through tractor cultivation. We’ll meet in the field to look at real-life weed management challenges. We will discuss cultivation strategies, and demonstrate cultivation techniques. Pre-req: basic knowledge of weed management.

Instructor: Josh Volk, Slow Hand Farm, and Chris Konieczka, CCC Department of Horticulture

Living with your domestic well

When you live in the country or just outside city limits, there is a lot behind turning the faucet on and filling your glass of water. Learn the basics of protecting your water quality, testing (including requirements for Oregon’s Real Estate Transaction rule), and about how poor water quality can affect your health. We will also cover a bit on water rights, well construction, well logs, and how your septic system can influence your well water quality. If you would like to test your well water (free of charge!) for nitrates please bring a 1/2 cup sample in a sealed and labeled container.

Instructor: Chrissy Lucas, OSU Extension

Natural resource conservation on small farms

Are you interested in the environmental impacts of your farm?  Join this workshop to learn about the wide range of on-farm practices and activities that can support natural resource conservation.  We’ll discuss topics like establishing buffer zones, rotating crops, improving soil organic matter, growing cover crops, and managing nutrients.  The session will also provide information on conservation programs that provides financial and technical assistance to support these activities.

Instructor: Ben Bowell, Organic Education Specialist, Oregon Tilth

Winter vegetables without plastic

Even without high tunnels, fresh vegetables can be grown year-round in the Willamette Valley. Instructors will discuss planting dates, varieties and harvest dates for root vegetables, heading brassicas, winter greens, and alliums. Winter weather can sometimes cause crop losses, but most years crops produce well and provide fresh local vegetables for customers, and early season farm income.

 Instructors: Polly Gottesman and James Just, Pumpkin Ridge Gardens and Nick Andrews, OSU Department of Horticulture, Danny Percich, Full Plate Farm

Tree fruit nutrient management

Jeff will teach you about nutrient requirements to maintain healthy fruit trees. He will address foliar and soil sampling, interpreting results, fertilizer options and timing recommendations, and visual deficiency symptoms.  Most examples will be for apples; pears and cherries will also be covered.

Instructor: Jeff Choate, OSU Extension

Hoophouses- Types, funding, & construction  

Hoophouses can offer season extension and increased productivity.  You will hear from a hoophouse supplier on construction tips and which types of structures are good for which situations. You will also hear how NRCS can help fund hoophouse projects.

Instructors: Kimberly Galland, Clackamas County District Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Hoophouse Supplier TBD, Katie Coppoletta, Fiddlehead Farm, Ivan Schuening, Oregon Valley Greenhouse

Mock land acquisition walk

Thinking about a farm or property purchase or lease?  Take a Farm Walk with knowledgeable Natural Resources professionals who will provide information and resources on assessing soil health, water resources, operations and the potential productivity of an example farm.

Instructors: Chip Bubl, Extension Horticulturalist, OSU Extension; Scott Eden, Conservation Specialist, Clackamas Soil & Water Conservation District; Rowan Steele, Headwaters Farm Program Manager, East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District

Tractor implements operation & demonstration

Description: There are many types of implements for small scale farming.  What do they do and when should you use which one?  This class will seek to answer some of these questions and offer tips on & demonstrations of various tractor tillage equipment such as chisel plow, disc, spader, and rototiller, and various tractor cultivation options as well.

Instructors: Derek Wells, OSU NWREC Farm Assistant & Tractor Trainer and Frank Battilega, Big B Farm

Rotational grazing and pasture management

Animal management can protect pastures from over grazing and ensure long-term productivity. Learn the fundamental principles and practices that promote healthy pastures.

Instructor: Gene Pirelli, OSU Extension

Operating BCS tractors and equipment

In this double session, a detailed introduction to BCS two-wheel tractors and the variety of scale-appropriate attachments for all your farm or homestead needs. You will also have a chance to try operating a BCS walk-behind tractor.

Instructor: Ross Johnson, Marketing and Demonstrations, BCS America

Lean farm efficiency

Having appropriate tools, equipment, structures, and software reduces waste and increases efficiency on the farm. Learn about the concepts of Lean Farming and hear how local farmers have implemented these techniques to improve their businesses.

Instructors: Heidi Noordijk, OSU Extension, Lili Tova, Flying Coyote Farm, Katie Coppoletta and Tayne Reeve, Fiddlehead Farm

Honeybee nutrition and health

Do you know what bees need for nutrition and how to provide resources to maintain a healthy hive? Researchers from Oregon State’s honeybee lab will provide you with the knowledge to keep your bees healthy. Factors that cause colony loss will also be covered.

Instructor: Carolyn Breece, OSU Extension Service

Soil health on your farm

Come to this workshop to learn how to keep your soil healthy. Healthy soil helps ensure healthy crops and protect natural resources. Soil health is important whether you’re growing pasture, hay, tree fruit, nuts, grapes, berries, vegetables or other crops. Jericho and Garrett will explain the principles of improving soil health and discuss ways to evaluate your soil. Healthy soils store more water, improve aeration, enhance soil structure, suppress some plant diseases, and provide adequate nutrients. Fields with healthy soils also tend to be more resilient under stress.

Instructors: Jericho Winter and Garrett Duyck, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Fruit tree pruning and training

Learn about the importance of fruit tree pruning and training to maximize fruit production and increase overall health. You will learn about proper techniques, tools and timing. You will be guided through the steps of pruning with demonstrations and visuals to help you gain confidence in making the right cut. Fruit thinning will also be discussed.

Instructor: Jeff Choate, OSU Extension

Introduction to organics and certification

Join this workshop to learn the basics of organic certification.  The discussion will cover the steps, costs, record keeping and other key components.  During the presentation, we will also talk about some of the basic organic regulations and answer your questions.

Instructor: Ben Bowell, Organic Education Specialist, Oregon Tilth