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Organic Intensives 2017

Organic Intensives 2017

We invite you to join us on Thursday, March 9th for a one-day in-depth learning experience. Organic Intensives are an opportunity to acquire practical, detailed information over the course of a day with fellow Michigan farmers and gardeners.  For 2017 we are working with individuals who are recognized experts and educators in one of three topic areas:


photo of cucumber beetleOrganic Weed, Insect and Disease Management
for the Diversified Vegetable Farm

Successful diversified vegetable production depends in part on having a well-developed organic pest management plan before the start of the growing season. Researchers at MSU and other Midwest institutions have been awarded a grant to develop organic pest management strategies and educational materials for cucurbit crops (cucumber, squash, pumpkin). Participants will benefit from the outcomes of this grant as well as general pest management strategies for the diversified organic vegetable farm, with a focus on small and medium scale systems. This will be a unique opportunity for organic farmers to pick up some of the most recent information available on successful organic pest management techniques from both researchers and practitioners.  For more information and a schedule for the day, see the one-page flyer.

 

photo of lettuce rowsSuccessful Organic Gardening: Growing Nutrient Dense Vegetables in a Changing Climate—A Comprehensive In-Depth Discussion

Join a consort of skilled, insightful, experienced Michigan growers—Amy Newday and John Edgerton of Harvest of Joy Farm, Emily Nicholls of Giving Tree Farm and Dane Terrill of Crop Services International—for an 8 hour day dedicated to broadening even the most experienced grower’s skill-set and stimulating those who aspire for more knowledge.  Presentations on soil biology and fertility management, crop planning, sched­u­ling and cultivar selec­tion, strategies for attracting pollinators and beneficial in­sects, season extension and crop protection methods, water wise irrigation, and working with/teaching others, culmina­ting with a round table open-ended conversation on our passion for gardens and farms.  Intensive handouts from the presenta­tions of the day and a complete gardening/grower book from five choices included with registration.  For more information and a schedule for the day, see the one-page flyer.

 

graph overlaid on photo of fieldThe Changing Face of Organic Field Crop Marketing

This Intensive focuses on where the organic field crop market has been, is now, and what may be changing for organic growers in the future.  The session features Heath Dewey, one of the chief architects of the USDA Bi-Weekly National Organic Comprehensive Report.  It also spotlights representatives from organic field crop users and marketers including Organic Farmers of Michigan, Cherry Capital, Herbruck’s Poultry, Everbest Organics, Cooperative Elevator Co., SunOpta, Organic Valley, Gerber, Arbre Farms, and Anderson's of Maumee, OH.  Come, listen, and learn more about the organic market opportunities awaiting you.  For more information and a schedule for the day, see the one-page flyer.

 



The event will take place on Thursday, March 9th, at Brody Hall on the MSU campus in East Lansing.  The day begins with registration at 8:30 am and sessions end at 5:30 pm. 

The registration fee includes a full day of learning, all-you-care-to-eat lunch at Brody Square, printed materials, and parking at the Kellogg Center (across Harrison Road from Brody Hall).  

Registration is open now.  The earlybird rate period has passed; registration is now $85 for members and $95 for non-members. We have a limited number of registration fee scholarships avail­able; if you are interested please email us at moffaorganic@gmail.com.

We've prepared a map showing the locations of Brody Hall, the parking garage, and the Kellogg Center (where you may wish to reserve a hotel room).

Please help us spread the word ... make copies of the tri-fold brochure or the one-page flyer about the event and pass them on to anyone who might be interested, or steer people to this page, www.moffa.net/OI-2017.html.


We'd like to thank our sponsors, without whom Organic Intensives would not be possible. (For sponsorship information, please see the sponsorship webpage or email us at moffaorganic@gmail.com.)

Blue River HybridsEden FoodsCrop Services, InternationalGreenStone Farm Credit ServicesCertis USAOrganic ValleyGrice Farms & FeedmillCherry Capital Foods