2008 Sustainable Agriculture Conference
Saturday In-depth Learning Sessions
Saturday, November 1 , 8:30- 11:30 AM
A Farm Business Planning Roundtable
Presenter(s): A Panel of Successful Farmers, Moderated by Tony Kleese
After some brief presentations on new opportunities in sustainable farming, Tony Kleese of Eastern Carolina Organics (ECO) will lead a panel discussion on business planning.The most successful farmers are those who plan and manage their farm as a business. Join this panel of experienced farmers in an in-depth discussion of how to bring the many pieces of a farm and business plan together.
B Farmers’ Market Management
Presenter(s): A Panel of Successful Farmers’ Market Managers
Participants will take a trip to the Anderson County Farmers’ Market to observe the operations and review the location. A panel will then be convened in a classroom on site to discuss the various issues facing farmer’s markets (managers, sellers, and consumers) in the ever changing landscape of farm marketing. Managers from successful markets around our regions will lead a discussion on market topics.
C Farm to Cafeteria Basics
Presenter(s): Marion Kalb, National Farm to School Network & Emily Jackson, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
Farm to School programs are emerging as fantastic venues for increasing farm profitability, improving the health of school children, and strengthening the connections between farmers and consumers. National, regional, and local experts on these systems will conduct a seminar on the issues facing the creation and sustainability of these vital efforts.
D From Farm to Good Health
Presenter(s): Natalie Sadler, Liz Lipski, and Ruth Foster, Weston A. Price Foundation
This workshop will focus on the choices consumers face when trying to become a part of the sustainable agriculture movement. Three sub-sessions will specifically focus on: “Why Local and Organic?”, “Whole Food Nutrition”, and “The Status of Raw Milk”. Foodies come have the power to improve our food system, and the information presented here will help them to do so.
E Lasagna Gardening
Presenter(s): Robin Kohanowich, Coordinator, The Sustainable Farming Program CCCC
Lasagna gardening is a time saving organic gardening method which requires no digging, no tilling and no sod removal. Instead it relies on a layering method called “sheet composting.” The name “Lasagna,” comes from the way garden beds are created from layers, the same way you layer ingredients when making a pan of lasagna. Watering and weeding are reduced through the heavy layers of mulch and by planting crops close together. The lasagna layering method quickly builds soils that are incredibly rich in nutrients, resulting in higher than average garden productivity. The method also works great for container gardening.
F Niche Market Dairy
Presenter(s): Tina Horn, Clemson University, Virginia Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services &
Cindy Masterman, Horizon Organics
This workshop will focus on opportunities for niche market dairy enterprises, including certified organic and raw milk. In the first segment the speakers will discuss market opportunities for certified organic dairy farms in the Carolinas and will give an overview of organic certification requirements for dairy. The last workshop segment will focus on raw milk production, marketing and health and safety regulations.
G Applied Permaculture: Building a Farm & Homestead from Scratch
Presenter(s): Susana Lein, Salamander Springs Farm (Kentucky)
Learn permaculture methodologies used to build a successful organic farm, market business and homestead with scant financial resources and no existing infrastructure. Workshop covers building rich, healthy soil on marginal land without ever tilling, including non-mechanized grain & bean fields, recycling nutrients and resources, creating a gravity-fed spring water system, use of ponds, season extension, marketing, and building a house and infrastructure from on-site, salvaged, and local materials.
H Rare Breed Conservancy
Presenter(s): American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy protects genetic diversity in livestock and poultry species through the conservation and promotion of endangered breeds. These rare breeds are part of our national heritage and represent a unique piece of the earth’s bio-diversity. The loss of these breeds would impoverish agriculture and diminish the human spirit. This workshop will inform the farmer in methods for getting involved in this vital program.
I Regulatory Issues for Meat Processing
Presenter(s): Mark Stevenson, Clemson University & Dr. Daniel La Fontaine, South Carolina Meat and Poultry Inspection Department
This workshop will clarify the rules and regulations for meat processing that are pertinent for small-scale livestock producers and processing operations. The speakers will present an overview of the current regulations with examples and case histories, with ample time for discussion and questions.
J Rodale’s Organic No-till System
Presenter(s): Jeff Moyer, Farm Director, and Paul Hepperly, Research Director; Rodale Institute
This workshop will highlight research from Rodale Institute’s ongoing Farming Systems Trial, the longest running trial comparing organic and non-organic farming in the U.S. The Rodale Institute has designed a unique farming system that incorporates the benefits of no-till technology into an organic farming strategy based on the basic biology of cover crops. (This is a repeat of the Friday morning Extension Agent workshop. See page 15 for more details.)
K Rotational Grazing and Intensive Pasture Management
Presenter(s): Joel Salatin, Polyface Farm (Virginia) & John Andrea, Clemson University
This workshop will focus on effective pasture management techniques for intensive and sustainable livestock grazing. Joel Salatin and John Andrea will share their experiences and research on all aspects of pasture management from soil quality to selection of appropriate pasture grasses and forbs.
L Seed Saving and Heirloom Varieties
Presenter(s): Cricket Rakita, CFSA Saving Our Seed Coordinator
In times of uncertainty, having folks that are successful seed savers in every neighborhood is essential for food security and sustainability. Furthermore, you can improve the quality of the vegetables you grow through effective seed saving. Seeds can also be a great way to diversify your income stream, as vegetable seeds tend to be of high quality on drier than average years. Cricket Rakita will demonstrate and discuss the practices and principles of successfully saving high quality vegetable seed in the Southeast.
M Taking Your CSA to the Next Generation
Presenter(s): Elizabeth Henderson, Peacework Organic Farm & Bill Landis, Meredith College
Combing interviews with farmers and members of over 300 CSAs conducted while writing “Sharing the Harvest” with her own experiences of running CSA’s over the past two decades, Elizabeth will talk about the most creative strategies for CSA operation. Bill Landis will share the research of several grad students who conducted a large survey among CSA members and obtained data on reasons for joining CSA’s, motivations to renew membership, and a study of particpant’s dietary intake. This will lead to a disscussion about contemporary issues facing CSA operators, where actual solutions will be explored for problems posed by audience members.
Saturday Workshops
WORKSHOP 1
2:00 - 3:00 PM |
WORKSHOP 2
3:30 - 4:30 PM |
Track 1: In the Community, sponsored by Compass Group |
Expanding Market Opps-Overview of Farm to Institution, Marion Kalb, National Farm to School Network |
Community Gardening: Greenville Organic Food Organization’s School/ Urban Gardens, Vivian Trama, GOFO |
Track 2- Gardens and Beyond |
Food Preservation & Preparation/ Seasonality, Chefs from Anderson Independent Restaurant Association |
Backyard Chickens and Egg Production, Ted Chewning, Sweet Bay Acres |
Track 3- Preserving Farmland sponsored by City of Anderson
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Farmland Preservation, Gerry Cohn, American Farmland Trust |
Farms and Smart Growth, TBA |
Track 4- Advanced Growing Techniques |
Season Extension: Focus on Tomatoes, Keith Baldwin, NCA&T |
Organic Weed Control, Patryk Battle |
Track 5- Growing Opportunities |
You Can Keep Bees for Fun and Profit, Kerry Owens |
Native Grasses Forage Systems, Dr. Patrick Keyser, Univeristy of Tennessee |
Track 6- The Latest on Livestock |
Pastured Poultry: A Southern Agriculture Research and Education Project, Casey & Meredith McKissick |
Goats on a Sustainable Farm, from a Dairy Perspective, Evin J. Evans |
Track 7: Advanced Market Issues |
21st Century Farmers Markets Update, Robert Andrew Smith, Leaflight Foundation |
Advanced Farm Marketing Techniques, Joel Salatin |
Track 8- Fresh Ideas for Farm Businesses |
Farms & Renewable Energy, John Bonitz, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy |
Vermicomposting, Brian Rosa, NC DENR |
Track 9- Permaculture |
Great Edible Plants and How to Grow Them, Chuck Marsh |
Permaculture Topics, Doug Barlow |
Track 10: Grain, sponsored by Braswell Foods |
Grain Marketing, Lowell Rheinheimer, Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative |
Organic Heirloom Grain Production and Genetics, TBA |
Track 11- Advanced Farming Techniques sponsored by AgSouth Farm Credit
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Cover Crops for Annual Production: The Winter Season, Dr. Ken Fager, NCSU |
Equipment for Small Farms, Representative from Earth Tools |
Track 12- Policy |
National Organic Action Plan , Michael Sligh, RAFI |
Implementing the Farm Bill Victories, Jim Riddle, University of Minnesota |
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