Growing PA’s Organic Farmers Conference
Experts to Speak at Growing Pennsylvania’s Organic Farms Winter Conference
Make plans to join innovative and inspiring speakers for the first annual educational farm conference focused on advanced organic vegetable, crop, and livestock production. Scheduled for December 9 & 10, 2014 at the Sheraton Inn, 4650 Lindle Road in Harrisburg, PA, the conference includes in-depth presentations and forums on current organic farming issues with speakers from universities with accomplished organic research programs, successful certified organic farmers, and farm industry representatives dedicated to organic production. Sessions will include topics on animal health, dairy, pastured livestock, fruits, vegetables, soil health, pest control, transitioning to organic production, and becoming certified through the USDA National Organic Program. Meals for the two-day conference will be sourced from local and regional organic farms and businesses.
Mr. Terry Brett, owner of Kimberton Whole Foods will serve as keynote for the conference. Educational sessions include the following:
- Realizing the Benefits of Soil Microbiology, Kris Nichols, Chief Scientist, Rodale Institute & Mr. Dan Dostie, NRCS State Resource Conservationist
- Organic Animal Health Management, Hubert Karreman, VMD Rodale Institute
- Growing Organic Peaches: Success is in the Details, Jim Travis, Travis Organics
- Growing Organic Apples: The Best Tools, Jim Travis, Travis Organics
- Organic Swine Production, Tom Frantzen, Frantzen Family Farm
- Organic Fly Control that Works, Keith Waldron, Cornell University
- Grazing Plans for (Cattle) Beef & Stocker Production, Troy Bishopp, The Grass Whisperer
- Successful Organic Vegetable Production & CSA’s, Mike & Terra Brownback, Spiral Path Farm
- Conquering Weeds on the Organic Farm, Jeff Moyer, Farm Director, Rodale Institute
- Organic Grain & Field Crop Production, Thor Oeschner, Oeschner Farms
Two evening concurrent sessions, a marketing forum and transitioning to organic, are planned to engage participants in Q&A discussions to draw on the wide knowledge base of the presenters and the conference goers. Farmers with various marketing experiences and certified organic farmers and Pennsylvania Certified Organic representatives will answer questions and share their experiences.
Register by November 1, 2014 to qualify for the early-bird rate of $159. Registrations received after November 1 through December 1 are $185 per person. The registration fee covers the full conference schedule including tracks, presentations, and organic meals. This conference qualifies for three SmartStart credits from AgChoice Farm Credit. For more information on SmartStart, visit www.agchoice.com. Six credits are also available for Nutrient Management continuing education credits.
The conference program and registration information can be obtained at www.pafarmlink.org or by calling Darlene Livingston at 717-705-2121 or Michele Brookins at 717-787-5319 or for more information.