Congratulations
Spring 2011Graduates:

Nicole Chrusciel

Karmi James

Tom & Tricia Kelsey

Robert Slivka

David & Claudia Tausz

Dave & Sue Waskowski

 

 

Raising the Salad Bar: 

Advanced Techniques and Season Extension for the Established Specialty Crop Grower

Sponsored by Countryside Conservancy and OEFFA, this multi-day, two-session workshop will equip experienced specialty crop producers with the tools needed to improve efficiency, utilize season extension, engage in sophisticated business planning, and improve growing practices.

Session 1: Advanced Specialty Crop Growing Practices
Saturday, November 5 & Sunday November, 6
This session will feature Josh Volk, vegetable production expert, lecturer, and regular contributor to Growing For Market. Josh's Slow Hand Farm is home to his own CSA, where he implements strategies for consistent yields of specialty crops. This session address season long planning, seed starting and transplanting, weed management, pest and disease control, harvest and post-harvest handling, marketing outlets, and food safety. Additional presenters include Celeste Welty, and others TBA.

Cost: Two day intensive workshop, including lodging Friday and Saturday evenings at Procter Camp and Retreat, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, wine and cheese reception), and bonfire social--$175 (cottage room, shared bathroom), $225 (hotel room, private bathroom). Two day intensive workshop, not including lodging, with lunch only both days--$45.

Schedule:
Friday, November 4
Friday evening arrivals will enjoy a wine and cheese reception
Saturday, November 5
7am Breakfast
8am Welcome & Logistical Information
8:20am Season Long Planning using spreadsheets and appropriate equipment
Noon Lunch
1pm Seed Starting & Transplanting
3pm Break
3:15pm Weed Management Techniques and Equipment
5:30pm Break
6pm Dinner
7:30pm Bonfire Social Gathering & Networking
Sunday, November 6
7am Breakfast
8am Pest & Disease Control
10am Break
10:15am Harvest & Post Harvest Handling
12:30pm Lunch
1:30pm Marketing Outlets
3:30pm Break
3:45pm Food Safety
5pm Adjourn

Session 2: Season Extension Techniques for the Specialty Crop Grower
Monday, November 7-Tuesday, November 8
Session 2 will feature author, commercial market gardener, teacher, and lecturer Eliot Coleman during day 1. Eliot has more than 40 years experience in all aspects of sustainable farming, including field vegetables, greenhouse vegetables, and rotational grazing. His books include The New Organic Grower, Four Seasons Harvest, and The Winter Harvest Handbook. This session will address advanced techniques for season extension options including high tunnels, low tunnels, cold frames, and greenhouses; utilizing season extension structures during the main season; crop selection; planting schedules and succession planting; harvest and post-harvest handling; soil management, and pest and disease control. Other presenters include Phil and Mindy Bartholomae of Breezy Hill Farm and Sally Miller of OSU Extension.

Cost: Two day intensive workshop, including lodging Sunday and Monday evenings at Procter Camp and Retreat, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, wine and cheese reception), and bonfire social--$275 (cottage room, shared bathroom), $325 (hotel room, private bathroom). Two day intensive workshop, not including lodging, with lunch only both days--$145.

Schedule:
Sunday, November 6
Friday evening arrivals will enjoy a wine and cheese reception
Monday, November 7
7am Breakfast
8am Welcome & Logistical Information
8:20am Season Extension Options, & Utilizing Season Extension structures during the main season
12:30pm Lunch
1:30pm Crop Selection
2:30pm Break
2:45pm Creating a Plan
5:45pm Break
6pm Dinner
7:30pm Bonfire Social Gathering & Networking
Tuesday, November 8
7am Breakfast
8am Harvest/Post Harvest Handling
Noon Lunch
1pm Soil Management
2:30pm Break
2:45pm Grower to Grower Experience Sharing
5pm Adjourn

These workshops provide an intensive learning environment for experienced growers. Attendance is limited to 25 farmers to maximize this opportunity. To ensure that the discussion and information presented remains at an advanced level, a completed application must be submitted for consideration.
Farmers can attend one or both sessions. For more information, contact Countryside Conservancy at (330) 657-2542 or [email protected] or OEFFA at (614) 421-2022 or [email protected]. To submit your application for review, visit www.cvcounryside.org/