PRE-CONFERENCE FRIDAY WORKSHOPS
Note: There are additional fees for pre-conference workshops.

Time	Title	Speaker
9:00 am – 4:30 pm	Organic Certification Workshop, with lunch	Amy Griner Stafford of International Certification Services and Jim Riddle of the University of Minnesota
9:00 am – 3:30 pm	Pastured Heritage Poultry Mobile Workshop, with lunch	Jim Adkins of International Poultry Center
9:00 am – 12:00 pm	Advanced Vegetable Production Workshop*	Alex Hitt of Peregrine Farm
9:30 am – 4:00 pm	Essential Elements for Successful Farmstead Cheesemaking, with lunch	Steve Tate of Goat Lady Dairy
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm	Practical Soil Biology in Action, Intensive Workshop*	Joel Gruver, Western Illinois University
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm	Food Security & Food Policy Councils*	Panel of Food Policy Leaders from the Carolinas
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm	Mushroom Cultivation for Everyone, Beginner to Advanced Techniques*	Tradd Cotter of Mushroom Mountain

*Lunch not included

NOTE: Extension Agents - Click here for details about special Friday programming just for you.

 

Organic Certification Workshop, with lunch
Presenters: Amy Griner Stafford of International Certification Services and Jim Riddle of the University of Minnesota
9 am – 4 pm

Thinking about getting certified, but haven’t taken the next step? Ready to take advantage of the price and market opportunities of organic certification? This very popular six hour hands-on workshop will get you to the next level by walking you through the entire certification process. Items covered include: an overview of the National Organic Program standards; the certification process; the organic farm plan; how to pick a certifier; record-keeping templates; approved materials and cost-share opportunities.
Participants are encouraged to bring their field histories, farm maps, input labels and specific questions about the program, organic standards and approved materials.  We want you to leave the workshop confident and able to complete an organic farm plan and apply for certification.  Nationally-known and outstanding presenter Jim Riddle will lead the course.  Jim helped write the standard so he knows it.  He will be assisted by Amy Griner Stafford of International Certification Services, a knowledgeable and experienced organic certification expert.  There is a materials charge for the notebook.  Space is limited, so sign up early.  The registration deadline is November 15.  Lunch is included with the fee.

 

 

Pastured Heritage Poultry Mobile Workshop, with lunch
Presenter: Jim Adkins of the International Poultry Center,
On-farm Workshop at Stauber Farm in Pfafftown, NC
9 am – 3:30 pm

This advanced on-farm training is for those who are raising standard bred poultry for sustainable farming, marketing, exhibition and preservation. During this day long intensive, you will learn how to properly identify heritage poultry breeds; how to select for meat qualities and rate of growth; how to select for egg production; how to select your ongoing breeding stock; the basics of genetics and breeding.  The training will take place on a model farm and will include live breeds of standard bred poultry. One of the highlights of the day will be lunch, which will include heritage poultry.  The workshop will take place at Stauber Farm owned by Charles Taft and located in Pfafftown, NC, which is 20 minutes north of Winston-Salem.  Meet at the farm at 9 AM.  Lunch is included.

Location: Stauber Farm, 6085 Bethania Tobaccoville Road, Pfafftown, NC 27040, Owner: Charles Taft

 

 

Advanced Vegetable Production Workshop
Presenter: Alex Hitt, Peregrine Farm
9 am – 12 pm

So you've been at it for five years or more and made it past some of the early hurdles.  Here’s a look at some ways to fine tune your system.  Techniques, tools and tips to help answer some problems you may be encountering and ways to make your farm life sane.  From soil prep to trellising and labor, we'll talk about what is and isn't working for us and for you.  Alex Hitt, along with his wife Betsy, runs Peregrine Farm near Graham. NC.  Now into their 30th year of production, Alex is the author of numerous articles and the co-developer of Southern SAWG's educational CD-Rom “Organic Vegetable Production and Marketing in the South.”

 

 

Essential Elements for Successful Farmstead Cheesemaking, with lunch
Presenter: Steve Tate of Goat Lady Dairy
On-farm workshop at Goat Lady Dairy in Climax, NC (about an hour away from Winston)
9:30 am – 4 pm

In this on-farm workshop, well-known cheesemaker Steve Tate of Goat Lady Dairy will describe the essential elements for successful farmstead cheesemaking.  Topics covered include: the milk; product line; work flowl cheeseroom arrangement; packaging; equipment; storage; pricing; marketing and strategies for profit.  We will discuss the pros and cons of fresh, ripened and aged cheeses from the cheesemaker's point of view and sample some of each. Steve will demonstrate making a simple, fresh Farmer's Cheese.  In their 15th year of production Goat Lady Dairy is co-owned by Steve and his wife Lee.  The dairy annually produces 35,000 pounds of national award winning handmade cheeses sold throughout North Carolina.  Workshop participants should meet at the dairy in Climax, NC, which is 25 minutes south of Greensboro.  Detailed directions and info on the dairy is at www.goatladydairy.com.  Lunch is included.

 

 

Practical Soil Biology in Action, Intensive Workshop
Presenter: Joel Gruver, Western Illinois University
1 pm – 4 pm

Soil is where it all begins! Come hear one of the most popular soil experts around with a fun and fascinating update on important soil biology information. This practical presentation will explore management strategies that promote healthy root systems such as improved drainage, cover crops, vertical tillage, compost and other soil amendments and seed inoculants. Underlying scientific concepts will be clearly explained within the context of many on-farm examples from vegetable, grain and forage production systems. Joel is a professor of soil science and sustainable agriculture and previously taught at NC State. He knows North Carolina farm and soil issues and has been a popular presenter at CFSA conferences in the past.

 

 

 

Food Security and Food Policy Councils
1 pm – 4 pm

Come get fired up about local food security.  This interactive three hour workshop will give you the latest on what is happening in the Carolinas around local food policy.  The workshop will feature presentations from leading local food policy experts from across the Carolinas, with information on Community Food Assessments, Farm to School, Local Food Policy Councils, Value-Added Centers and other exciting projects.  The workshop will also highlight important tools such as local agricultural development plans, voluntary ag districts and farm incubators  --  effective components of local food security efforts.  Time will be allotted for small group discussion and planning for what you can do in your own community.  Speakers will include:  Aaron Newton, Local Food System Project Coordinator for Cabarrus County (NC), and co-author of "A Nation of Farmers;" Allison Schaum of Palmetto Agricultural Consulting who has been active in farm to school and other SC food policy work; Marilyn Marks, Society of St. Andrew and a leader of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy Council; Gerry Cohn, Organic Valley and formerly with American Farmland Trust, who has been preparing county farm development plans around NC.   The session will be moderated by Leslie Hossfeld of UNC-Wilmington and the Southeastern North Carolina Food Systems Program.

 

 

Mushroom Cultivation for Everyone, Beginner to Advanced Techniques
Tradd Cotter, Mushroom Mountain
1 pm – 4 pm

If you think growing mushrooms is too complicated or the grower’s guides aren’t enough, this workshop is designed to get you growing and understanding the best ways to cultivate delicious mushrooms at home or on your farm.  Inexpensive start-up options for beginners and many commercial ideas to expand on, this class will energize your efforts and maximize your production!  Topics include: Life Cycle and Ecology of Fungi; Mushroom Psychology (behavior, fungal empathy, intuitive growing); Choosing, Buying, and Storing Spawn; Woodland Mushroom farming (logs, wood chips, and composts); Indoor Production (small and large scale); Converting existing structures into grow rooms (barns, chicken houses, storage containers); Shrooming Off the Grid (solar cookers, solar dryers); Marketing your mushrooms (trends, demand, strategies); Organic Pest Management; Alternative Product Development (powders, extracts, composts).  This workshop is taught by Tradd Cotter, founder of Mushroom Mountain in Liberty, South Carolina. Tradd has been studying the art of identifying and cultivating mushrooms in the Southeast for over 15 years.