Seed Stories: A Deeper Dive into the Process of Seeds: Ada Snyder, High Mowing Organic Seeds
What happens to seed varieties? Where do they go? We will share a handful of specific organic seed stories, challenges, and triumphs of the multi-faceted process. Our stories demonstrate the importance of building relationships with breeders, farmers, and vendors to develop organic varieties. We hope this narrative informs growers of the efforts and obstacles of developing organic seed and the importance of grower feedback in furthering product development.
Making the Match: Facilitated Land Access Networking: Geoffrey Van, Future Farms Program Director, Rogue Farm Corps
This session is for farmers and ranchers who wish to access land, and for landholders who want to sell or lease their agricultural land or business. Whether leasing, purchasing, or engaging another creative arrangement, finding a land-match counterpart is a critical step to success. This workshop will help participants craft an elevator pitch for effective landseeker/landowner communication, and facilitates networking for meaningful connection. Breakout groups by region will be facilitated as possible.
Agricultural Microplastic Pollution and Reduction: Susanne Brander, Oregon State University, Fisheries Wildlife Conservation Sciences; Gwenyth Manser, Washington State University; Minal Mistry, Department of Environmental Quality; Jooyeoun Jung, Food Science and Technology, Oregon State University; Stephanie Danyi, The Farm at Southern Oregon University; Bryan Robinson, Biocycle Farm, Cities of Springfield and Eugene.
Plastics have become a staple of everyday life, including in agricultural practices. However, agricultural plastics, such as mulches and films, as well as biosolids, are a source of microplastics and have been shown to impact soil and crops. In this session, hear from researchers, stakeholders, and farmers to discuss how microplastics affect farming and best practices to reduce agricultural plastic pollution.
Manage It: Systems for keeping and using farm records: Josh Volk, Cully Neighborhood Farm.
Looking for straightforward and effective ways to keep records that actually get used on the farm? This session is based on the practical methods used on my own farm and on farms of different sizes with multiple employees and marketing outlets. The principles we’ll talk about are applicable for paper and pencil, or specialized apps. I will share examples of the actual record keeping systems that I use and how I use the information I keep records on to make decisions for my own farm business; both day to day production decisions and longer term general business decisions. The session will include plenty of time for question from the audience.
Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley Grow: Adding Grain and Pulse Crops to your Farming System: Brigid Meints, Oregon State University. She also spends part of her time with the OSU Center for Small Farms and Community Foods Systems as an Organic Grains & Pulses Extension specialist. James Henderson, Oregon Grain and Bean and Hummingbird Wholesale; Del Blanchard, Myrtle Creek Farm; Hayley Richardson; Underground Seed Co.
Come learn about the opportunities and challenges associated with adding small grains or dry edible legumes to your farm: species and variety selection, marketing, equipment, and more! In this session, Brigid Meints will begin by sharing some strategies for selecting which crops to grow and present results from her variety trials, followed by a small panel who will share their experiences growing and marketing small grains and pulses. The session will wrap up with an interactive discussion and questions from the audience.
Adding Flowers to Your Market Farm: Erin McMullen, Rain Drop Farms
Adding a crop to your farm can be daunting, but flowers can be an easy and satisfying addition to many market farms. Join veteran flower farmer Erin McMullen, of Rain Drop Farms in Philomath, to discuss the ins and outs of how to be successful with cut flowers. We’ll check in on the differences of existing markets, how your farm can best take advantage of the upsurge in demand for locally grown flowers, and what crops will best suit your farm. Whether you’re thinking about adding sunflowers to your market share, looking to add flowers for pollinators, or wanting to launch a comprehensive flower program, the potential for profitability in cut flowers is worth consideration.
An Introduction to Living Soils and Applications of Regenerative Agriculture: Matthew Slaughter, President, Earthfort LLC
A life-focused approach to farm and land management is centered around soil microorganisms. In order for soils to function properly, there must be adequate microbial diversity and abundance. Just a teaspoon of soil has billions of microorganisms that play a vital role in soil to plant interactions, which are essential for people to continue cultivating their land in a healthy and sustainable manner. Learn how to harness the power of microorganisms in your own backyard!
Local Meat Local Flavor – The Keys to Marketing Your Meat Products Locally: Michele Thorne, Executive Director, Good Meat Project
Michele Thorne is the Good Meat Project’s second Executive Director, and she works in partnership with her staff, Board, collaborating organizations, government agencies and subcontractors to support and expand the GMP’s programmatic work that helps connect stakeholders across the meat value chain to its shared values of transparency, collaboration and inclusivity
Climate Stress & Grief: Addie Candib, American Farmland Trust; Maud Powell, OSU Extension Service
As we continue to face challenges related to climate change, it is important to address how we can cope with the mental toll they can bring. The goal of this session is to introduce farmers to the concepts of climate stress and grief. Participants will learn how it is different from other forms of grief and discuss theories about the grief process. After establishing a safe and supportive group dynamic, participants can discuss what they have lost to climate change with their peers, then identify and share coping mechanisms they employ.
Pricing Info For 2024
- Registration $85 per person until Feb. 1st
- After Feb. 1st $100 per person
- At the door registration may NOT be available due to venue capacity.
