Carolina Farm Stewardship Association

in this section: Conference Schedule, Conference Location and Accomodations , Register ,
Conference Vendors

Registration ends Jan. 6th.
Limited on-site registration available.

organic commodities and livestock conference

January 12-13, 2012
Rocky Mount, NC at Nash Community College

If you are interested in the Carolinas’ rapidly growing organic agriculture sector, don’t miss this opportunity to network with and learn from experienced organic farmers at the 3rd Annual Organic Commodities and Livestock Conference.

This conference will allow you to learn more about:
- growing organic
- raising livestock sustainably
- marketing organic products
- food safety and good agricultural practices

In addition, this unique event will host more than 150 farmers growing grains, vegetables, and tobacco and raising livestock.

The conference includes lunch, keynote address, multiple workshops on production and marketing of organic crops, and an evening reception in the exhibit hall on Thursday, January 12th.

There is no cost to attend this conference thanks to the generous support of our sponsors.

NEW THIS YEAR
Pre-conference workshop - Finding Wholesale Success

Attend the workshop and receive a free copy of Wholesale Marketing: a Farmer’s Guide to Selling, Postharvest Handling and Packing Produce Success developed by FamilyFarmed.org!

conference location and accomodations
The conference will take place in Rocky Mount, NC at Brown Auditorium Business & Industry Center at Nash Community College.

DIrections to Nash Community College

The Community College is located at 522 North Old Carriage Road in Rocky Mount, near the US 64 and interstate 95 interchange.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the nearby Holiday Inn (200 Enterprise Dr, Rocky Mount, NC 27804)
Phone: (252) 937- 7100
Fax: (252) 937-7105
Email: holidayrmsales@1stcarolina.net

Mention the Organic Commodities and Livestock Conference to receive the $65/night conference discount rate.

conference registration
There are 2 easy ways to register:

Register on-line

Over the phone - 919-542-2402

If you have any questions, please contact CFSA.
By Phone: (919)542-2402
By Email: Brad Aderhold

The conference includes lunch, keynote address, multiple workshops on production and marketing of organic crops, and an evening reception in the exhibit hall on Thursday, January 12th.

There is no cost to attend this conference thanks to the generous support of our sponsors.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE - Jan. 6, 2012.

ORGANIC COMMODITIES & LIVESTOCK CONFERENCE SCHEDULE - 2012
THURSDAY, JAN. 12, 2012
8:30	Registration
9:00-11:00	Pre-conference workshop - Finding Wholesale Success
	Atina Diffley (Organic Farming Works) will share successful wholesaling techniques, including post-harvest handling and food safety, for small to mid-scale farmers.
11:00-1:00	Lunch and Keynote Speech
	Ecology as Model for Organic Agriculture by Dr. Francis Thicke (Radiance Dairy)
1:30-3:00	First Session
	Track 1. Organic Livestock Production Dr. Francis Thicke (Radiance Dairy) will provide an in-depth look at how soils function in pasture systems and ways you can optimize soil management.
	Track 2. Organic Vegetable Production Dr. Keith Baldwin (NC A&T) will cover the three Cs of organic farming; compost, cover crops, and crop rotation.
3:00-3:30	Visit Trade Show and Vendor Booths
3:30-5:00	Second Session
	Track 1. Organic Grains This workshop will address topics that are important to food-grade wheat production including fertility management (Dr. John Spargo, USDA-ARS), variety selection (Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton, NCSU) and mycotoxin management (Dr. Christina Cowger, USDA-ARS).
	Track 2. Organic Transition Tony Kleese (Earthwise Co.) and Kyle Stephens (Clemson, DPI) will discuss the National Organic Program regulations and the certification process.
5:00-7:00	Trade Show Reception and Wholesale Success Buyers Networking

FRIDAY, JAN. 13, 2012
8:00-9:30	First Session
	Track 1. Organic Livestock Dr. Matt Poore (NCSU) will present on diversified pasture management for year-round grazing.
	Track 2. Organic Grains Various topics in organic grain production will be covered including organic variety trials, and canola production (Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton, NCSU) and cover crops for grain production (Dr. Julie Grossman, NCSU).
10:00-11:30	Second Session
	Track 1. Organic Vegetable Production Allan Thornton (NCSU) will provide an update on organic sweet potato research.
	Track 2. Organic Transition Dr. John Spargo (USDA ARS) and Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton (NCSU) will discuss how to transition to organic fertility managment and how to manage weeds in organic cropping systems.

Hosted by:

Conference Vendors:
The deadline for vendors has been extended to Jan. 6, 2012!

> Download Vendor Brochure and Registration Form

To showcase your organization to the farmers, ranchers and ag professionals at the conference, please return the registration form in the vendor brochure above to: CFSA P.O. Box 448, Pittsboro, NC 27312, email Brad Aderhold or purchase your vendor space online. When purchasing online, please be sure to scroll down and select the VENDOR item.

The cost is $195.