EVENTS

Part of our 2009 Whole Farm Workshops. How do you get started in farming with nothing? Think outside the box and find alternative solutions for housing and farm land. Bill Liebhardt, part of our professional Farmer Faculty, will guide participants through their options and the decision making process.
Register online today!
Time: 9am - Noon

This Retreat is a 1.5-day event that features grower-to-grower sharing and discussion to help growers improve their organic production and marketing of tree fruits in the Midwest. Growers will also discuss their value-added tree fruit businesses. Advance registration is required. For more information go to www.mosesorganic.org/treefruit/events.htm, email Deirdre at deirdreb@mindspring.com or call
608-967-2362. This Retreat immediately precedes and is held in the same venue as the MOFFA
Organic Conference -- read more below.

This annual conference, with the theme of "Local Organic Food: Sustainable prosperity for Michigan", will be held at Michigan State University's Kellogg Center. The conference is sponsored by MOFFA. Learn more at www.moffa.org/2009_Registration.html.

March 10th - Perspectives on Market Farm Scale, Income, and Capitalization
An in-depth discussion and practical advice on how to plan for your fresh market business.
March 17th - Market Options for Market Farms
Listen to farmers with years of experience teach you about marketing at Farmers Markets, with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and selling directly to restaurants and food cooperatives.
March 24th - Irrigation and Equipment Options for Market Farms
Learn more about irrigation systems and small equipment options along with tips and tricks for what has worked best.
March 31st - Pest Management Options for Market Farms
Experienced growers will discuss how Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and other strategies are used to manage insect, disease, as well as deer and other four-legged pests for a more profitable business.
Cost: Full workshop series $75, individual workshops $25 each.
Times: 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Register by March 6th, space is limited. Register online at www.barron.uwc.edu/ce or download a brochure to fill out and mail in.

The agenda for both workshop includes "Successfully Direct Marketing Quality to Consumers", a local sustainable lunch, "How Food Choices are Changing and Who is Driving the Movement" and "Whole Food choices for Healthy Results". Holistic Vet Will Winters will speak. Download a brochure to learn more. Time: 10am - 5pm

Led by Holistic Vet Will Winters, this workshop will include "How to Get Started, Natural Herd Health", "Local Feed Options, Housing Options", " Processing and Marketing" as well as time for Q&A. Download a brochure to learn more - PLEASE NOTE info for this workshop is on the second page of the brochure.

Organic Farming Workshop

This workshop is geared to help farmers who want to learn more about organic production systems for producing small grains, forages, corn and beans for the organic market. Transitioning conventional land as well as working with CRP or fallow land to produce good quality organic crops will be covered. The organic regulations and certification requirements will be presented in an easy to understand manner, with plenty of time for questions and answers. A panel of experienced organic farmers will end the afternoon, explaining their specific organic production systems. Soil fertility management, use of cover crops, purchasing organic seeds, developing recordkeeping systems that are practical and efficient, harvesting and marketing organic crops will all be covered, offering attendees the opportunity to learn about these aspects of successful organic production.
Preregistration is not necessary, but highly encouraged!
Register by calling 715-772-3153, emailing info@mosesorganic.org or by sending a letter to
MOSES at PO Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767
Time/Location: Galesville, WI at the public library meeting room from 1-4 PM.

Gorst Valley Hops is hosting a workshop for all interested in sustainable Midwestern hops production. The workshop will be held at Wisconsin's first LEED-certified sustainably built library, the Rosemary Garfoot Public Library (2107 Julius St., Cross Plains). The focus of this workshop is the education of current and potential hop farmers in the basics of low impact hops horticulture, harvesting and processing. The workshop is supported by two local breweries, Capital Brewery and Esser's Best Beer.

Time: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Cost: $45 prior to 2/14. $55 after.
Register online at www.gorstvalleyhops.com, or download a registration form.

This workshop will include instruction in orchard production and restoration techniques, taught by nationally recognized fruit advocates and writers Gary Nabhan, Ben Watson, Dan Bussey and Kanin Routson, along with renowned apple conservationists from around the country. For experienced and beginning orchard growers alike, or anyone wishing to join the growing group of people knowledgeable and dedicated to the region's unique fruits.

Time/Location: 9 am to 4 pm at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum
Cost: $25, and includes instruction, workshop materials, hands-on demonstration,
bus transportation to the orchards and lunch.
Questions and registration requests: contact Heidi Busse at heidi_busse@yahoo.com -- due date is March 1, 2009. Registration is limited to 25 participants.

Download a brochure to learn more about this day-long series at The Dairy Center.
Time: 9:15am - 3pm
Cost: $29

This national environmental conference will include sessions on: Pesticides and public health, Organic agriculture, Domestic fair trade, Organic lawns and landscapes, Schools and daycare, Water contamination, and more. Register online or call 202-543-5450 to register by phone.

Organic Farm Field Day

Join MOSES for an Organic Field Day at the Welsh Family Farm. Our field day will focus on organic soil management, including soil nutrient balance and use of a variety of green manures. The many benefits of these cover crops will be obvious, from soil and water protection to soil tilth and fertility improvement. Improved weed and insect management are additional benefits, and the Welshs have had good yields of high quality organic crops for many years. Participants will have the opportunity to see land that has been under active organic management for 30+ years, and land that has been recently converted from CRP land. The comparison of these fields, as well as the practices in use by the Welshs to bring productivity to these formerly marginal lands is useful for anyone who is interested in low cost soil improvement.
Time: 1-4 PM. Please arrive before 1:30 PM if you'd like to get on the tour wagon.
Preregistration is not necessary, but highly encouraged!
Register by calling 715-772-3153, emailing info@mosesorganic.org or by sending a letter to MOSES at
PO Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767

Twin-Cities residents are invited to stop by Seward Co-op on April 25th from 11am-3pm for their Community Supported Agriculture Fair. Meet the farmers, learn about CSA options and select a CSA that is best for you and your family. The fair will be followed by the Grand Opening of the new Seward Coop on April 26th from Noon-5pm. This year�s fair will take place at 2823 East Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, under a canopy in the co-op�s parking lot, rain or shine. For more information and a list of participating farms, visit www.seward.coop. On April 25th, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., Twin Cities residents are invited to stop by Seward Co-op to meet farmers, learn about CSA options and select a CSA that is best for themselves and their families. On April 26th, from Noon until 5p.m., join us again to celebrate our Grand Opening. We'll have live music, demos, give-aways and kid-friendly activities. Both events will take place in the Seward Co-op parking lot.

This two-day workshop offered by FARRMS & IOIA will provide training in the USDA Organic handling and labeling standards, understanding the requirements of organic system plans, and virtual tours of organic processors. The course is for processors who are newly certified or considering organic certification. A limited number of spaces are available for organic inspectors or certification staff. Space is limited, so early application is encouraged. Training fees are $500 per participant. A limited number of scholarships are available. For more information visit www.farrms.org/proctrain.html or 701.486.3569.

Nelson and Pade, Inc., a leader in the aquaponics industry, is now offering aquaponic training courses for anyone interested in learning more about aquaponics. Aquaponics and Controlled Environment Agriculture is the first course scheduled. It will provide attendees the opportunity to learn about aquaponic system designs, methods and daily operation with an emphasis on proper environmental control. This 2-day course covers concepts through construction. Other upcoming courses include Afternoon in the Greenhouse, Aquaponics and Hydroponics and Aquaponics for Educators. For more information on the courses, schedule and related details, visit www.aquaponics.com and click on �Training and Workshops,� or call 608-297-8708 or email: info@aquaponics.com.

This course is aimed at those involved in small, integrated, local farms. Topics covered will include energy efficiency and independence, barnyard layout, barn design and rehabilitation, site planning, sheds and outbuildings, greenhouses, root cellars, housing, long-term planning, and the many systems involved in a local food source. The studio experience will be an opportunity for farmers to take to time and space away from the daily routine and imagine, prioritize, and plan the upgrades they have always dreamed of. Students are encouraged to bring a design project to the class to workshop through the week. A small building project at the school or at a local farm will give the students a chance to safely learn the basics of construction. Farm visits, presentations, and guest lectures will provide a first hand opportunity to see how others have taken on the noble challenge of building a farm. Learn more about this workshop and additional workshops at www.yestermorrow.org.
Cost: Beginner to intermediate. $1400 plus $45 materials fee.