Organic Production & Hoophouse Production 

This event is heavily geared towards FARMERS
interested in organic & sustainable production.

Southern SAWG, with support from Southern SARE PDP and in collaboration with Mississippi NRCS will offer a one-day training event focused on Organic Horticulture and High Tunnel (hoophouse) Production. This event is designed for resource conservation professionals serving farmers who are practicing or interested in organic and/or high tunnel production. Farmers who themselves serve as trainers or mentors to other farmers or to technical service professionals are also eligible to attend.

The training event will be held on a farm and led by practitioners with personal and practical experience with commercial organic and high tunnel farm enterprises. The focus will be on production of specialty crops on smaller farms, and will include discussion of how NRCS cost share and technical assistance can be profitably applied on these farms, especially in operations with organic and/or high tunnel production. This training is intended to help resource conservation professionals better serve farmers, including farmers with or considering NRCS EQIP Organic Initiative or Hoophouse cost-share agreements.

There is no charge for this training for qualifying agricultural professionals, but registration is required. FREE Lunch will be provided for pre-registered attendees.

 

Register Now! 

Directions to Demonstration Farm

The Demonstration Farm is located in Holmes County, Mississippi – off Highway 51 between Goodman and Durant.  Visitors may exit Interstate Highway I-55 at Exit 146/Highway 14 and travel East toward Goodman and Holmes Community College, or Exit 150/State Park Road and travel East through the park toward Highway 51.  From the park, travel south less than 1 mile on Highway 51 to Coleman Rd. on the right.  From Goodman, travel north on Highway 51 approximately two miles to Coleman Rd., on the left.  The farm is one mile south at 1184 Coleman Rd. 
Directions: Keith Benson, Farm Director, for more information: (601) 988-4999 or keithmdp@yahoo.com.

Working Agenda

9:00 – 9:30 am                      Arrive on Farm – Registration

9:30 am                                  Introductions, Overview of Training Event
9:40 – 12:00 noon                Walk and Learn: Farm Tour topics
12:00 -12:15 pm                   Drive or walk to Lunch & Classroom
12:15 – 12:40 pm                 Lunch
12:40 – 3:20 pm                   Classroom topics, Q&A, and Discussion
3:20 – 3:30 pm                      Q&A; Evaluations & Close

Trainers

Dr. Mark Schonbeck, an independent consultant in sustainable agriculture from Floyd County, VA has been conducting organic related research and developing organic resources in cooperation with land-grants, nongovernmental agencies and farmers for 22 years.

 Mark Cain has been operating a successful diversified organic farm enterprise in Arkansas for over 20 years.  Mark produces mixed vegetables, culinary herbs, blueberries, and specialty cut flowers for the popular Fayetteville Farmers Market and CSA distribution.

 Andrew Williams is a retired NRCS conservationist from Alabama with 35 years of experience as a soil conservationist, district conservationist, RC&D, and state outreach coordinator.

Alliance for Sustainable Agricultural Production

ANNUAL TRAINING SCHEDULE – 2013

“Field Days: On-Farm/Hands-On Learning Opportunities”

Friday, June 21^st                  10:00AM - 4:30PM     Sales, Marketing, and Networking

Friday, July 19^th                    10:00AM - 4:30PM     Farm and Food Safety                      
                                                                                        Post Harvest Handling and Traceability         

 Friday, August 16^th             10:00AM - 4:30PM     Risk Management and Insurance

Friday, September 20^th       10:00AM - 4:30PM     Growing Fall Crops 

Friday, October 18^th             10:00AM - 4:30PM      Planning: How to Plan a Profit and Produce                                                                                                                   Recordkeeping, Farm Labor, Equipment, and Inputs  

Friday, November 15^th         10:00AM - 4:30PM     Preparation for Spring Planting
                                                                                         Crop Nutrient Management, Pest and Weed Control, Crop 
                                                                                         Rotation, Fall Cover Crops, and Soil Testing

 Friday, December 13^th         10:00AM - 4:30PM    Crop Selection/Seed Acquisition for Spring Planting
                                                                                         Equipment Maintenance, Selection, and Acquisition

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