Organic Vegetable Production Conference set for Feb. 3-4

Farmers from around the Midwest are encouraged to attend the first ever Organic Vegetable Production Conference that will take place at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison on Feb. 3 and 4.

The conference is an expansion of the Southern WI Organic Vegetable Production Workshops that have been taking place in Madison for the last 6 years. It is a result of overwhelming attendance at these workshops and requests from organic vegetable growers for a full conference focused on organic vegetable production topics.

The conference will include farmer panelists, representing small, mid and larger scale operations, presenting detailed production information on four vegetable crops, carrots, potatoes, salad mix and snap beans.

The farmers' presentations will include photos, videos and a detailed handout outlining each presenter’s system from varieties to pricing.

Extension professionals will also be on hand to address specific questions on fertility as well as pest and disease management.

Alongside the production track, the conference will  cover advanced management topic, including managing employees, hoophouse management and creating a farm/life balance.  A large group discussion will also take place on the selecting the best varieties for a wide range of vegetable crops.

Presenters will include the following:

• Steve Pincus of Tipi Produce on carrots
• Chris Blanchard of Purple Pitchfork on farmer quality of life
• John Middleton of Fazenda Boa Terra on salad mix
• Chris McGuire of Two Onion Farm on snap beans
• Allen Philo of BioStar Renewables on hoophouse fertility
• Noah Engel of Driftless Organics on potatoes
• and many more

For more information and a link to registration, visit http://tinyurl.com/orgvegconf.  Questions can be directed to Claire Strader, Claire.strader@ces.uwex.edu.