Southern SARE Upcoming Events

Alabama Organic and Small Production Field Day

outreach@sare.org (Candace Pollock) — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:18:31 +0000

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System will hold an Organic and Small Farm Production Field Day June 20 at Jack-O-Lantern Farms, Garage Road, Muscle Shoals, AL from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. The field day will include such topics as hoop house production, rainwater catchment, and cover crops. Lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is required. Contact the Colbert County Extension office at 256-386-8571 to register.

Tropical and Semi-Tropical Organic Crop Production Webinar

outreach@sare.org (Candace Pollock) — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:14:24 +0000

The Florida Organic Growers (FOG) will lead short virtual tours of certified organic operations in Florida and Puerto Rico as part of a live webinar being broadcast on Thursday, May 31, by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) as part of a multi-partnership project of leading sustainable and organic organizations from around the United States. As they show webinar participants around their agricultural systems, each organic grower will touch on the philosophical and practical aspects of growing organic crops in semi tropical and tropical regions – including their main production challenges and successes. They will also discuss the ways they manage their soils, water, crops, wildlife, and other resources.

The webinar will begin at 1 PM Eastern Standard Time. The organic producers featured in the webinar will include:

Sonia Carlo of Hacienda Sana Siembra Organica. Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.
Farmer Charlie Andrews of Hammock Hollow Herb Farm. Island Grove, Florida.

The FOG staff members included in the webinar will be Jose Perez and Executive Director Marty Mesh. To register for the webinar, go to https://attra.ncat.org/tropicalcrops.

Langston University Small Farmer Conference

outreach@sare.org (Candace Pollock) — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:09:16 +0000

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma – Tools and strategies for small farmers and ranchers will be the theme of Langston University’s 21^st annual Small Farmers Conference, taking place at the Embassy Suites in Oklahoma City May 23-25.

The event will include farm tours of several Langston University research facilities, including the E. (Kika) de la Garza American Institute for Goat Research and aquaculture research facilities; and agritourism visits to Oklahoma and Logan counties.

Sessions include conservation practices, marketing strategies, aquaponics, forage management, organic fruit production, production using plastic mulch, renewable energy, farmer resources, livestock management, and land stewardship.

For more information contact Mathilda Hall at 866-466-2231 or e-mail mahall@langston.edu.

Kentucky State University 15th Anniversary Third Thursday Thing

outreach@sare.org (Candace Pollock) — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:24:57 +0000

FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- Kentucky State University will hold its 15th anniversary Third Thursday Thing on July 19. The event will showcase sustainable ag projects and research demonstrations taking place at the university. The event is free and open to the public.

NACAA 97th Annual Conference

outreach@sare.org (Candace Pollock) — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:21:30 +0000

The 97th Annual National Association County Agricultural Agents Conference will be held July 15-19 in Charleston, SC.

FAMU Farm Fest

outreach@sare.org (Candace Pollock) — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:16:58 +0000

QUINCY, Florida -- Florida A&M University will host its 2012 Farm Fest on June 2 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the FAMU Research & Extension Center in Quincy. Demonstrations and presentations included aquaculture, grape growing, hydroponics, wind tunnels, urban farming and livestock. Registration is $5 per person and free for children.

NC A

outreach@sare.org (Candace Pollock) — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:13:34 +0000

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- The Cooperative Extension Program at North Carolina A&T University is hosting the 11th Annual Small Farms Field Day at the University Farm from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 21. (Registration begins at 8 a.m.) Four research projects and Extension demonstrations at the farm will be open for inspection, and farmers and the general public are welcome as Extension agents and other professionals work to promote and support small-scale agriculture.
Guided tours of research plots will be conducted, and topics will include:

• Pastured poultry
• Alley cropping: pecan trees and watermelons
• Mixed grazing: meat goats and hair sheep
• Managing small ruminant parasites in conjunction with mixed grazing
• Managing collard pests

Although there is no registration fee for the Small Farms Field Day, those planning to attend should get their names on the registration list for a lunch headcount, which they can do by contacting Alexis Gaines at 336-334-7956.

Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course in Mansfield, GA

outreach@sare.org (Anonymous User) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:41:21 +0000

This day-long SARE-funded Short Course will equip conservationists, land managers, farm educators, and agricultural professionals with the latest science-based approaches to increasing crop security and reversing the trend of pollinator decline, especially in heavily managed landscapes. The current Farm Bill makes pollinators and their habitat a conservation priority for every USDA land manager and conservationist. This training session provides an overview of pollinator-specific language within the Farm Bill, and how to translate that language into on-the-ground conservation. Introductory topics include the principles of pollinator biology, the economics of insect pollination, recognizing native bee species, and assessment of pollinator habitat. Advanced modules will cover farm management practices for pollinator protection, the development of pollinator habitat enhancements, incorporating pollinator conservation into NRCS programs, selection of plants for pollinator enhancement sites, management of natural and urban landscapes, and the additional funding sources and technical support available to land managers. Throughout the workshop these training modules are illustrated by case studies of pollinator conservation efforts across the country. Visit the course website for more information and to register online. Hurry, space is limited!

Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course in Tifton, GA

outreach@sare.org (Anonymous User) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:41:16 +0000

Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course in Charleston, South Carolina

outreach@sare.org (Anonymous User) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:21:53 +0000

Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course in Spartanburg, South Carolina

outreach@sare.org (Anonymous User) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:21:38 +0000

Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course in Oklahoma

outreach@sare.org (Anonymous User) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:33:02 +0000

Southeast Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) Farm Tour

outreach@sare.org (Candace Pollock) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:35:48 +0000

New Dawn Farm will host the first Southeast Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) Farm Tour. The tour is a great opportunity to learn about diversifying your farm operation and network with like-minded sustainable growers in the region. Topics include spring planting for vegetable production and raising and managing grass-fed beef.

The SE CRAFT Program is hosted by the Organic Growers School.

Tour starts at 4 p.m. with potluck to follow.

University of Tennessee Organic Crops Field Tour

outreach@sare.org (Candace Pollock) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:28:17 +0000

University of Tennessee Ag Research and Extension will host an organic crops field tour, April 26 from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Pre-registration is $10 per person by April 23 and $15 afterward, and includes lunch and proceedings booklet.

Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course in Arkansas

outreach@sare.org (Anonymous User) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:26:38 +0000

Managing Risk with Composting and Rainwater Harvesting

outreach@sare.org (Candace Pollock) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:48:36 +0000

See how composting and rainwater harvesting can improve production. Workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. with lunch provided. After lunch, participants are invited to two demonstration sites to see the techniques they learned about in action. Please register no later than one week prior to the workshop.

Managing Risk with Composting and Rainwater Harvesting

outreach@sare.org (Candace Pollock) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:46:42 +0000

Managing Risk with Composting and Rainwater Harvesting

outreach@sare.org (Candace Pollock) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:43:05 +0000

Managing Risk with Composting and Rainwater Harvesting

outreach@sare.org (Candace Pollock) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:41:05 +0000

Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello

outreach@sare.org (Candace Pollock) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:16:42 +0000

Heirloom vegetable and fruit tastings; lectures, workshop and family activities; and cook demonstrations are among some of the events of the 6th Annual Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello.