Calendar of Events

November 9-10, 2009
Richmond, Virginia

The conference theme is "Linking Urban and Rural Communities." Topics covered will include agritourism, marketing, urban farming, and more.

November 10-15, 2009
Santa Barbara, California

This two-part workshop will cover holistic resource management and Broadacre Permaculture and Keyline Design.

November 11-12, 2009
Albany, New York

A working conference to build our Northeast Food System AND NESAWG's Annual Meeting. Open to food system advocates, policymakers, planners, researchers, Extension and other educators, farmer groups, food businesses, farm support organizations, consumer groups, and students.

November 12, 2009
Mountain Grove, Missouri

One day workshop designed for individuals interested in cut flower production and marketing with an emphasis on commercial enterprises.

November 12-14, 2009
Tarrytown, New York

Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture and the Farm-Based Education Association invite you to join us for the 2009 Farm-Based Education Conference! The goal of the conference is to provide professional development and support to the evergrowing farm-based education community. Enjoy three days of field trips, workshops, panel discussions, networking time with friends and colleagues, inspiring success stories, evening entertainment, hearty local food and fun, and of course, new knowledge to take back to your farm education programs.

November 12-14, 2009
Albany, New York

The Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symposium is the major annual event of the dairy sheep industry in North America. The first day includes talks directed towards beginning producers. The second day features presentations by innovative producers and top scientists from North America and abroad to bring the latest information on dairy sheep production and sheep milk processing to our domestic industry. The final day will include tours of local dairy sheep producers and processing plants that manufacture sheep milk cheeses. The Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symposium provides an educational environment and fosters connections among dairy sheep producers, processor and researchers.

November 12, 2009
Goldsboro, North Carolina

At this workshop producers will learn about different systems for wintering beef cattle including the use of heavy use areas, winter grazing on ryegrass and/or stockpiled fescue, or rotating hay feeding locations. Participants will be able to see cows being fed using different systems. We will discuss the use of crop residues to winter the beef cows, hay sampling and use of supplements for a balanced nutrition program, the economic and environmental advantages of winter grazing, the distribution of manure nutrients as influenced by winter feeding system, the total energy cost of various wintering systems, and managing calf scours in winter calving beef herds.

November 12-14, 2009
Great Falls, Montana

The Montana Organic Association (MOA) announces its 7th Annual Conference, “Organic: Breaking New Ground,” November 12-14, 2009, at the Holiday Inn in Great Falls, Montana. This year, MOA is featuring Organic University on November 12. The general Conference runs November 13-14 and features top-notch speakers and sessions such as: Ron de Yong, Director of the MT Department of Agriculture; Paul Hepperly of the Rodale Institute; ranch management sessions; and updates from our colleagues at MSU, the Organic Seed Alliance and our legislators. We will also be touring the new Montana Milling facility and learn about carbon credits, nutrition, retail trends, converting CRP land, cross-generational communications on the farm and much more. The conference also features delicious organic food, thought-provoking discussions, lively business networking and fun entertainment—a perfect gathering to learn, network and promote your business or organization.

November 12-14, 2009
Birmingham, Alabama

Featuring local & regional speakers and interactive sessions on topics including health and nutrition, food policy, organic farming and gardening, and cultural and traditional foods.

November 12, 2009
Franklinton, Louisiana

Managing animal waste and finances in these tight economic times will be two topics featured at the LSU AgCenter dairy field day.

November 12, 2009
Wooster, Ohio

Ohio State University will host its second annual Renewable Energy Workshop on Nov. 12 at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) in Wooster. You'll get updates on wind, solar, bioenergy and biofuel production and use in Ohio; see practical ways to use less energy and save money; and tour OARDC's state-of-the-art biomass processing and research facilities.

November 12, 2009
Stillwater, Minnesota

Small-scale processors are invited to join meat, vegetable and fruit producers to learn more about marketing to restaurants, grocery stores and institutional food buyers. Following the presentation, producers and buyers will discuss strategies for developing successful business relationships involving local foods in the St. Croix Valley that are efficient and profitable for both.

November 13-15, 2009
Yakima, Washington

Events begin Friday with a one-day symposium on advanced organic farming practices. A welcome reception and value-added farm product tasting precede dinner and evening workshops. New this year, Tilth Producers offers a series of Spanish language workshops on both Saturday and Sunday. Dr. E. Ann Clark offers her keynote Saturday morning on finding the common ground between organic and sustainable agriculture. The keynote will be followed by the Tilth Producers’ annual meeting and board elections. Nominations for board positions will be accepted from the floor of the annual meeting. Saturday afternoon brings workshops, then evening celebration — a retailer and farmer meet and greet, organic wine tasting, trade show, silent auction, banquet and dance. Sunday brings three full sets of workshops, after which the conference ends at 3:00 pm.

November 13-15, 2009
Syracuse, New York

At the Harvest Fest you will enjoy a full weekend of sampling and purchasing fine quality food, wine and beer from New York growers and producers. You will attend cooking demonstrations presented by exceptional restaurateurs from across the state and educational seminars presented by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation. You will taste the “Pride” in everything from savory sauces, sophisticated wines and hearty beers, to quality meats, distinctive specialty foods and fresh-from-the-farm produce.

November 13-14, 2009
Raleigh, North Carolina

This conference features workshops and sessions on selection, production, and marketing of rare and heritage breed livestock.

November 13-14, 2009
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

This conference will feature sessions on organic farming, farm family communications, recordkeeping, and more. There will be speakers and networking time for women farmers.

November 13, 2009
Brookings, South Dakota

The South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service will host a workshop on how high tunnels can be used in growing specialty crops on Nov. 13. Participants will learn about high tunnel design, construction, and management during the workshop. Some of the specific topics to be addressed during the program include high tunnel setup, fertility, irrigation, and crop selection and management.

November 14, 2009
Delhi, New York

This workshop is designed to help producers develop integrated parasite management (IPM) programs for their sheep and goat farms. The instructor is Dr. tatiana Stanton, Extension Goat Specialist. In addition to teaching the basics of internal parasites and their control, the workshop will teach proper anthelmintics use and provide lots of hands-on training in doing fecal egg analyses and using the FAMACHA© Anemia Guide to determine the need for deworming. Each farm will receive a handout package of IPM reference materials from the seminar and a laminated FAMACHA© guide.

November 16 & 23, 2009
Warrenton, Virginia

The purpose of this two-part workshop series is to support new and existing innovative, value-added food processing and food production enterprises and to strengthen agriculture and food economic development opportunities in Virginia through a series of educational workshops.

November 16-17, 2009
San Luis Obispo, California

Crop specific and general seminars featuring researchers, extension, consultants and growers!
Extensive print and electronic promotions for sponsors and exhibitors!
Topics addressed are appropriate for row crops, vineyards, orchards, & rangeland!
Continuing education credit for Pest Control Advisors, Private Applicators, Certified Crop Advisors and water quality, including 2 hours of laws and regulations!
Unique trade show includes businesses with specialty products!

November 16, 2009
West Valley City, Utah

The conference is designed to support the growth and vitality of urban farmers working along the Wasatch Front by providing information from small sustainable farm and ranch experts from Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Montana.

November 17-18, 2009
Memphis, Tennessee

Entrepreneurs considering cut flowers as a full or part-time business should consider attending this workshop. Among the sessions on the agenda:

* Farmers markets vs. wholesale florist: What market is best for you?
* Effective cost accounting
* Best trees and shrubs for woody cut flowers
* Concurrent sessions for neophytes and established growers
* First-person examples from those in the cut flower business.

November 17-18, 2009
Troy, New York

This conference will focus on serving New York State’s agriculture community to improve energy efficiency and profitability while meeting new environmental challenges. Topics such as energy efficiency, renewable fuels, carbon credits, and biomass will be covered.

November 18, 2009
Goldsboro, North Carolina

The basics of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), water quality concerns for all types of production, an on-farm mock inspection will be combined with harvest and postharvest handling demonstrations, and traceability issues related to industry distribution standards, as well as what it means to develop a food safety plan. Food safety issues specific to direct marketing will be discussed.

November 18-19, 2009
Johnston, Iowa

The purpose of the 2009 Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health Forum is to provide updated information on agricultural and rural safety and health and to strengthen collaborative efforts among researchers, practitioners, agricultural producers and medical professionals.

November 19-21, 2009
Windsor, Ohio

Participants will learn about milk quality, the ingredients used in cheese making, the processes for making a variety of cheeses, techniques for aging cheese, and tips for establishing a farmstead cheese business. The heart of this workshop is the hands-on opportunity for participants to make a number of cheeses including Paneer, Gouda, Havarti, Lactic, Tomme, Ricotta, and fresh mozzarella.

November 19, 2009
Woodland, California

A seminar presented by Woodland CAPCA Chapter and OFAC addressing soil fertility and pest management issues in certified organic farming. Seminar will feature speakers on fertility, weed/pest control and other issues. Will feature farmer panel.

November 19, 2009
Fort Wayne, Indiana

A new seminar for anybody interested in marketing ag products -- everybody from backyard gardeners to farmers -- will be held Nov. 19 at the Fort Wayne Marriott. Sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau, the Indiana Cooperative Development Center and Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, the workshop is called New Food for Thought, and its theme is "Get Local, Get Thinking, Get Started, Get Better."