2007 Conference
Jan. 12-13, 2007
Hagerstown, Maryland

Don't miss the chance to learn from area farmers and agricultural educators with expertise on and insight into new, profitable farm enterprises! Future Harvest-CASA brings together outstanding farmers, regionally known researchers and experienced educators in the field of sustainable agriculture in its popular annual gathering.

Download the 2007 conference brochure.

Conference sponsors.

Keynoter

Alex Hitt (in orange shirt), who will deliver the 2007 conference keynote address, sells up to 80 varieties of vegetables at North Carolina markets.

North Carolina farmer Alex Hitt will deliver the conference keynote address. Since 1981, Alex and his wife, Betsy, have worked to turn their five-acre farm in Graham, N.C., into an environmental gem and profit center. Over the years, Hitt has reduced acreage and labor by improving their soil with cover crops, concentrating on high-value crops that grow well in the area. What he hasn’t reduced is profits, thanks to direct marketing through the Carrboro Farmers Market and Weaver Street Market, a cooperative grocery store. Each acre returns a minimum of $20,000 annually, while four high-tunnel greenhouses bring in $1,000 per crop.

The Hitts embrace their small scale, growing 80 varieties of 23 vegetables along with164 varieties of cut flowers on just three acres. In 2006, they won the Patrick Madden Award for Sustainable Agriculture from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program.

Pre-Conference Seminars

Going Grazing: Real-life economics and production methods of management-intensive grazing for dairy

– Dale Johnson, University of Maryland extension educator, and dairy farmers Glenn Shirley and Ron Holter

This short course focuses on the economics of grass-based dairying — allowing participants to estimate the profit they'll realize after transitioning to grazing — and highlights best production methods. All participants will leave with a complete worksheet itemizing potential profits on their farms.

Vegetable Production 101: A how to class for beginners

– Jerry Brust and Caragh Fitzgerald, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension

For people who have no or very little experience with growing vegetable crops but really want to learn! This comprehensive course covers crop selection, soil management, land preparation, fertility and pH, equipment, irrigation, pest management, harvesting and more.

Getting Started with Small Fruits and Berries.

– Bryan Butler, Director of Carroll County, Md., Extension

In response to surveys from those attending the 2006 Farming for Profit and Stewardship conference who asked for more on small fruits and berries, we offer this short course on the ins and outs of berry production. Bryan’s session last year had so many people wanting to learn how to get started they were lining up in the hallway. This year’s session, at three hours, allows plenty of time for growers to learn from an expert and ask questions.

Conference Highlights

• Community supported agriculture - a model that works even in remote areas
• The ecology of weed management - understanding a farmer’s worst pest
• Predator control in livestock
• Extending the growing season with high-tunnel technology
• Estate planning
• Getting started with cut flowers
• Selling beef at farmers market s
• On-farm diesel production
  

Registration
Download the 2007 conference brochure and follow the instructions on the registration panel. Or, request a print copy. (Please include your physical mailing address in your request.)

Future Harvest-CASA
P. O. Box 1544
Eldersburg, MD 21784
phone: 410-549-7878 
fax: 410-549-9778 
email: fhcasa@verizon.net