Calendar of Events

July 8, 2009
12 noon-1:30 pm EST
Webinar

Meat labels can be confusing, for producers, processors, and consumers. On this NMPAN webinar, Tammie Myrick and Jeff Canavan, from the USDA/FSIS Labeling and Program Delivery Division; Janis Hochstetler, from Iowa Meat and Poultry Inspection; and Pam Saunders, with Organic Prairie, will address the following questions: How do I get my label approved? Does the processor or producer do this?; Is the process different for state-inspected meat?; What do voluntary label claims like grass-fed, certified organic, and natural really mean?; How do USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service and USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service share roles and responsibilities for these claims? To join, at the time of the webinar, go to: http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/nichemeat/ and follow directions.

July 8-10, 2009
Joplin, Missouri
The conference will encompass lectures from university faculty and dairy producers as well as farms tours to local pasture-based dairy operations.

July 9, 2009
Lamberton, Minnesota

Field tour stops will include: organic high tunnel; no-till roller/crimper research; soil pit comparing organic and conventionally managed soils; variety trials; forage research; weed control plots; and much more! Hear presentations on Tricks and Trades for Weed Control, Farm Business Management, and UMN Organic Research Reports, as well as brief presentations by exhibitors.

July 9, 2009
Petersburg, Virginia

The field day will be informative to producers raising and selling produce, but anyone interested in vegetable production is invited to attend. The program will include a tour of the field and high tunnel crops grown at the farm such as seedless watermelon, sprite melon, canary melon, eggplant, bitter melon, long bean, pepper, blueberry, basil, thai guava, ginger root, papaya, raspberry and blackberries.

July 9, 2009
Lincoln, Nebraska

This event is open to anyone who is interested in local food production or consumption. The agenda is packed with powerful speakers and helpful information.

July 9-11, 2009
Oberlin, Ohio
This annual event is a three-day beekeeping educational conference with some of the top speakers from the United States. This event will include keynote talks by leading apiculture researchers and educators, classroom sessions, lab sessions, and hands-on sessions in the apiary.

July 10, 2009
Bridport, Vermont

This workshop will go over the aspects of growing food grade wheat along with incorporating other crops such as soybeans, corn and hay into the rotation.

July 11, 2009
Barre, Massachusetts

From this one day field training, you will: Learn basic agronomic principles of growing nutrient dense crops in a morning power point presentation.; Learn key skills like taking brix and conductivity readings, applying base minerals, foliar sprays and nutrient drenches in a field demonstration.; Walk through the workshop location observing a broad range of crops and discussing historical experience to integrate theoretical principles into practical knowledge.

July 11, 2009
Paso Robles, California

The first annual Central Coast Lavender Festival will be held in the Downtown Paso Robles City Park on July 11, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The free event celebrates the lavender industry-an emerging local product-and features lavender producers, growers and farms from throughout the county, who will serve tastes of lavender cuisine, dipping sauces, lavender ice cream, and sampling of fine varietals of lavender essential oils and bath and body creations, with an education on lavender, lavender growing, and sustainable farming practices.

There will be free seminars on distilling lavender, benefits of lavender, and demonstrations throughout the day in the City Park Gazebo.

Features: Music, a special children's activities area, local lavender growers and vendors, arts, a Lavender Tasting Garden with tastes to purchase, and free samples and demonstrations.

Accompanying the Lavender Festival is a juried arts show, plus a variety of food and festival vendors.

A production of the Central Coast Lavender Growers Association, Inc. and community partners Paso Robles Main Street Association, Inc.

July 11-15, 2009
Dearborn, Michigan

The conference includes workshops, concurrent sessions, symposia, posters, plenary sessions, and technical tours designed to raise the awareness of conference participants to recent developments in the science and art of natural resource conservation and environmental management.

July 13, 2009
Oakville, Washington

See how farmers utilize summer and winter cover crops and field rotations; conservation tree planting and habitat strips. Tour the greenhouses, hoop houses and fields.

July 14, 2009
Lane, Oklahoma

The 2009 Organic Agriculture Field Day will feature presentations by specialists from Wes Watkins Research Center, the Kerr Center, and ARS, on topics including getting and keeping organic certification, organic production practices, drip irrigation, and challenges in organic production.

July 14, 2009
Nevada, Iowa

This workshop will cover three processes of converting biomass to fuel, and how these technologies might affect energy use in your community and on your farm.

July 14, 2009
Dickinson, North Dakota
Topics include: "What We've Learned about Organic Farming from Long-Term Research", by Kathleen Delate; "No-Till Organic Farming: How to Do It", by Jeff Moyer; "Organic Farming in Wet Conditions", by Paul Porter and Carmen Fernholz; "Crop Variety Selection for Organic Systems", by Steve Zwinger, etc.

July 15-17, 2009
Ames, Iowa

Come join us in the heartland to learn about key issues of the sustainable agriculture education research and practice community! The conference will provide an open exchange of information among students, faculty, staff, administrators, student farm managers, farmers, non-profits, community organizers and others.

July 15, 2009
Goldsboro, North Carolina

This workshop will focus on how various landscapes (farms, home gardens, golf courses, etc) can be managed to enhance populations of beneficial insects used for pest management.

July 16-18, 2009
Omaha, Nebraska

AAMP's annual convention is geared toward U.S., Canadian, and Foreign operators of small and very small firms in the meat, poultry & food business.

July 16, 2009
Stillwater, Oklahoma

These hands-on workshops explore pest management strategies that boost both the environment and farmers’ pocketbooks. Participants will learn how to identify insects, weeds, and diseases, and how to safely use a variety of methods, both organic and conventional, to control pests. The goal of the workshop is to show smaller-scale producers how to reduce pesticide use (and costs) while still getting good crops.

July 17-19, 2009
Decorah, Iowa

This year's annual conference will include workshops on various aspects of farming, a panel discussion, demonstrations, heritage seed swap, lots of good local food, inspiring conversation and, of course, the fun-filled, floor-shaking barn dance.

July 17, 2009
Kutztown, Pennsylvania

Discover resources on how to start building soil health. Learn soil-building practices that every farmer can use every day. See what 30 years of organic management does to improve soil texture and performance. Experience the vitality of a farm that is actively pioneering the frontiers of organic agriculture after 60- years of ground-breaking research.

July 19-23, 2009
West Lafayette, Louisiana

Experts on growing nut trees for food and timber will lecture on various topics. There will be field trips to nut and fruit tree orchards. Exhibitors will include nut tree nurseries and manufacturers of farm equipment.

July 19-22, 2009
Jackson, Wyoming

A regional conference focused on developing and operating organic diversion systems with a particular focus on addressing the specific regional issues such as: operating in cold and arid climates with limited access to landfills and distant markets; integrating new programs with existing infrastructures; and developing markets for woody biomass.

July 20-24, 2009
Los Angeles, California

To enhance your ability to successfully meet the myriad restoration challenges, we invite you to participate in the interdisciplinary 3rd National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration. This is your opportunity to expand your knowledge, share your experience, and network with colleagues from across various disciplines such as engineering, science, economics and the social sciences. This conference offers several ways to broaden your knowledge and understanding: traditional technical sessions (platform and poster); presentations by national leaders; interactive panel discussions; training workshops; and scheduled times to “meet and greet” our many diverse exhibitors and partners.

July 20, 2009
Tulsa, Oklahoma

These hands-on workshops explore pest management strategies that boost both the environment and farmers’ pocketbooks. Covering topics useful to both new and experienced farmers’ market growers, as well as other small-scale producers. Participants will learn how to identify insects, weeds, and diseases, and how to safely use a variety of methods, both organic and conventional, to control pests.

July 21, 2009
Corvallis, Oregon

The Western Region Functional Agricultural Biodiversity Work Group invites farmers, western region ag policy and decision makers and food safety regulators to a short course and field tour on Biodiversity that Works in the West. We will tour three very diverse, habitat rich, farms, two annual vegetable systems and one perennial grape and hazelnut orchard system highlighting the farm biodiversity of landscape and organisms and how this biodiversity supports farm sustainability, regional food safety and security, and overall environmental stability. The tour is free. An accompanying farm dinner and night walk are $18.

July 21, 2009
Danville, Pennsylvania

Check out small-scale flour mills with Elizabeth Dyck, and hear about options for larger scale milling. Spend the day touring farm and field, discussing failures and successes, and learning about small grain production – from seed to crop to mill, to tasting the finished flour.

July 21, 2009
Zebulon, Georgia

George Boody from the Land Stewardship Project in Minnesota will present his organization’s experience with educating new farmers and addressing land access challenges for new farmers. Participants will be encouraged to discuss local and regional beginning farmer goals and problems that need solving.

July 22-23, 2009
Rutherford, California

Highlights of the 2 day event include: expert panel discussions by leading grapegrowers; presentations on key topics such as pest management for organic vineyards; advances in mildew control; getting started in organic farming; the use of compost and cover crops in the vineyard; vineyard equipment demonstrations and trade show; and an evening reception in the garden featuring wines made from Napa’s organic vineyards.