August 31, 2008 11:03 pm
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WARNER — Starting a farm can be overwhelming, and even established farmers can benefit from learning a new trick or two of the trade.
An upcoming workshop called “Growing for Local Markets” provides practical advice and hands-on demonstrations to help current, beginning and potential farmers operate more effectively and profitably.
The workshop runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Connors State College campus in Warner.
The event is being sponsored by Connors and the Kerr Center, as part of their new sustainable agriculture partnership.
In the morning, a dynamic duo of northeast Oklahoma farmers will explain how they’ve fitted together all the pieces of a successful market farm.
In the afternoon, several other Oklahoma agriculture professionals will lead hands-on sessions on specialized topics.
Mike Appel and Emily Oakley make a living feeding local markets through small-scale, sustainable agriculture. Accomplished educators as well, they will spend the morning sharing their strategy for staying both small and economically viable.
“We will cover the history of our farm’s development from the start-up phase, to leasing, to finally owning our own land,” Oakley said.
She and Appel will describe the nuts and bolts of market farming, both production and marketing, on their five-acre, certified organic, two-person farm in Cherokee County.
“We will discuss all aspects of our production practices for fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs through direct marketing with CSAs and farmers’ markets,” Oakley said. “We will present the practical ways in which we strive to balance environmental, economic, and social sustainability.”
Their topics include soil fertility; weed management; pests and diseases; greenhouse production; crops, varieties, and succession planting; irrigation; tools and equipment; marketing outlets; and record-keeping.
After lunch, Oklahoma Farm-to-School Program Administrator Chris Kirby will speak on marketing opportunities in Oklahoma schools.
In the afternoon, the audience will divide into four groups for focused, hands-on sessions on specific topics. Topics will repeat, enabling each participant to attend two different sessions.
Debbie Golden, head of the horticulture department at Connors State College, will explain how to grow transplants.
Steve Upson, a horticulture consultant with the Noble Foundation, will lead a session on hoop houses. These unheated greenhouses can stretch the growing season by protecting crops from frosts.
Doug Walton, a market gardener/manager from Muskogee and coordinator of the community foods program at the Kerr Center, will discuss cover crops. Cover crops help maintain soil fertility in organic farming, among many other benefits.
Alan Ware, head of producer outreach at the Kerr Center, will demonstrate drip irrigation systems. Drip irrigation meets crops’ water needs while saving both water and money.
Registration includes lunch and costs $45, due by Sept. 15. Spouses and additional persons from the same farm or business can register for $30 each. Register at www.kerrcenter.com or 647-9123.
Extension agents can receive continuing education credit for attending the workshop.
Connors students can get college credit if they attend. For student registration, contact Dr. Ron Ramming at 463-2931, Ext. 6328 or rronald@connorsstate.edu
The workshop will be held rain or shine; attendees should wear outdoor shoes.
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