FOGInfo.org | Past Events

Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University
College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture
StateWide Small Farm Programs

Organic Fruit Production and Management Field Day
September 08 and 09, 2007
Facilitator, Jerald Larson
CEA, Fort Valley State University

This two-day workshop is offered in collaboration with Turkey Hill Farm, Crescent Moon Farm, and FAMU StateWide Small Farm Programs.

The Organic Fruit Production and Management Workshop will demonstrate how you can use organic, sustainable methods to grow fruit in our region:
Peaches, Plums, Blueberries, Raspberries, Muscadines, Pears, Blackberries, Figs, Persimmons, and more.

Learn how to successfully establish organic fruit trees:
Select varieties
Control for pest using organic methods
Determine soil requirements
Use organic amendments and fertilizers
Mulching, double digging,
Winter and summer pruning, trunk painting,
Drip irrigation, polypipe demonstration, winter cover crop, etc.

This is a two-day workshop:
September 08, 2007/9:00am-4:00pm
Day one of workshop will be held at Turkey Hill Farm, certified naturally grown. Directions to Turkey Hill Farm, Tallahassee, Florida: In Tallahassee, take Hwy 90 east to Baum Road
3546 Baum Road, Tallahassee, FL 32309.

September 09, 2007/9:00am-2:00pm
Day two of the workshop will be held at Crescent Moon Organic Farm, 145 Crescent Moon Trail in Sopchoppy, FL.
Directions to Crescent Moon Organic Farm, Sopchoppy, FL: Take Hwy 319 S to Sopchoppy. Follow the signs. Go straight through town, take the right across the bridge continue to Greenough Rd, take right onto Greenough; at the three-way road take the far left fork; go 1/4 to the red brick house; turn left immediately after the red brick house. Continue 3/4 mile on Crescent Moon Trail.

Registration: Contact Turkey Hill Farm, Louise Devine.
Cost: $40.00/person
Email turkeyhill@earthlink.net to register. Limited class size $40 in advance to hold your space. No cash refunds, credit on produce only.

Thank you for your participation. For additional information about this or other sustainable development sessions, please contact: Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University/CESTA StateWide Small Farm Programs/850 4125260/ Jennifer.Taylor@famu.edu

University of Florida IFAS Extension
Soil and Water Department
Short Course on Mycorrhizal Fungi

July 23-25, 2007
McCarty Hall B; Room 3096
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

This training course is designed for scientists, organic farmers, and other interests who are in practical and theoretical aspects of the use mycorrhizal fungi to enhance plant growth and nutrient cycling.

The first-ever SPIN-Farming workshop is coming to Michael Fields Agricultural Institute:

PURPOSE: To equip a new generation of farmers with the know-how to farm commercially without having to own much, if any land, and without having to make a large financial investment

INSTRUCTOR: Wally Satzewich, veteran urban farmer and developer of SPIN will show others how to replicate his success using this unique sub-acre farming approach

TO REGISTER: Contact Janet Gamble at Michael Fields Institute at 262-642-3303 or jgamb;e@michaelfieldsaginst.org

“While the land base and expenses for a sub-acre farm are a fraction of the costs for a conventional multi-acre farm, the bottom lines are similar. A sub-acre farmer can expect to make the same living as a large-scale farmer, but with less stress and overhead, and with more certainty of success from year to year.” –Wally Satzewich

Signup Deadline for 2005 Supplemental Hurricanes Disaster Programs

FSA Notice DAP-250, available at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_Notice/dap_250.pdf <http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_Notice/dap_250.pdf> , was issues on January 25, 2007. This notice announces the extension of the deadline to sign up for 2005 Supplemental Hurricane Disaster Programs. The sign up deadline was extended to close of business March 30, 2007. The extension applies to the following programs: Citrus Program, Fruit and Vegetable Program, Tropical Fruit Program, Nursery Program, Livestock Indemnity Program II, and Livestock Compensation Program. All applications received after March 30, 2007 will be disapproved and that decision will not be appealable.

On the Farm with Joel Salatin
A Field day Promoting Sustainable Agriculture March 10, 2007
8:00am – 3:30pm
Broxton Georgia
$35.00/person

Hudson Red Angus and C&M Earthworks Pastured Poultry proudly present Joel Salatin of PolyFace Farm.
Its time to learn. Come and join us for a full day of fun and excitement on the farm with nationally renowned sustainable farmer and speaker, Joel Salatin.
Joel Salatin will address:

Joel Salatin Field Day Sponsors include: Georgia Organics, Florida A&M University StateWide Small Farm Programs, WDMG, TAMWORTH Farm, and The Weston Price Foundation.

Directions: Take Hwy 441 to Broxton.
Right on Hwy 268 East to Hazlehurst.
Left on Watson Avenue/Paved turns to dirt.
First paved drive on right/109 Watson Avenue.
Follow the signs.

The Field Day activities will also include a Fundraising Auction to benefit The Weston Price Foundation.
Registration:
Cost: $35.00/person (ages 13 and up). This includes lunch.
Pre-Registration deadline: February 28, 2007.
You can still register at the gate!
Send all pre-registrations and payments to:
Jim Hudson, Jr.                                 Need additional information contact:
109 Watson Avenue                                   (912) 3593017
Broxton, Georgia 31519                            (678) 7020400
                                                                    (850) 4125260

Sustainable Agriculture Conference Offers Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms

Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, Inc. (Southern SAWG) is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1991 to promote sustainable agriculture in the southern United States.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Statewide Small Farm Program at Florida A&M University, in conjunction with local small farmers, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service/ATTRA, and Piedmont Biofuels, will sponsor a series of timely workshops designed to equip small farm populations and the surrounding communities toward a sustainable and thriving development.

The workshops focus on the popular topic of “Using Vegetable Oil as Alternative Fuel/Biodiesel Fuel.” Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel can be made from almost any vegetable oil or animal fat, through an easy process which is not prohibitively expensive. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. Production of the fuel is growing rapidly as many farmers already produce their own fuel.

Matt Rudolf, workshop facilitator, has been working with and teaching biodiesel production since 2002 and is the executive director of Piedmont Biofuels Cooperative in Pittsboro, NC. (Visit online at http:// www.biofuels.coop/ ). At the workshops, he will provide information and demonstrations so participants can:

Find out about farm energy, the sustainability of biodiesel fuel, health benefits, and related success stories;
Learn what it takes to produce clean-burning biodiesel fuel and to build the equipment to do so. At the two-day workshop, participants will learn how to build a biodiesel processor;
Make test batches of fuel, titrate and test oil, and assess quality of the finished product;
Explore the chemistry of biodiesel and the related technology, and discuss the environmental, social, economic, and political implications of using vegetable oil or biodiesel as alternative fuels; and
Learn how to start a biodiesel cooperative;

Each workshop will include hands-on learning, demonstrations, handouts, and discussions.

Two-Day Workshop

TOPIC “Vegetable Oil as Alternative Fuel/ Let’s Build It All Workshop”

FACILITATOR: Matt Rudolf, Executive Director of Piedmont Biofuels Cooperative in Pittsboro, North Carolina.

DATE: December 1-2, 2006

TIME: 9:00am – 4:30pm

LOCATION: Crescent Moon Organic Farm, Crescent Moon Trail, Sopchoppy, Florida

Free to the public. Organic lunch provided. Please bring your own chair.

REGISTRATION: Contact: Jennifer Taylor, Coordinator, Statewide Small Farm Florida A&M
University; Telephone 850-412-5260; Fax: 850 -561-2151;
Email: Jennifer.Taylor@famu.edu.

One-Day Workshop

TOPIC “Veggie Oil as Alternative Fuel Workshop”

FACILITATOR: Matt Rudolf, Executive Director of Piedmont Biofuels Cooperative in Pittsboro, North Carolina.

DATE: December 4, 2006

TIME: 9:00 am- 5:00pm

LOCATION: Jessica’s Organic Farm 4180 47th Street, Sarasota, Florida
Free to the public. Bring your own brown bag lunch and chair.

REGISTRATION: Contact: Jennifer Taylor, Coordinator, Statewide Small Farm Florida A&M
University; Telephone 850-412-5260; Fax: 850- 561-2151;
Email: Jennifer.Taylor@famu.edu.

For information about these particular workshops or other sustainable development sessions offered through the FAMU Statewide Small Farm Program, please contact: Jennifer Taylor, Ph.D., Coordinator, Statewide Small Farm Programs, Florida A&M University; Telephone: 850 412-5260; Email -Jennifer.Taylor@famu.edu.

Also: the pamplet for these events is available for download here: Page 1 _ Page 2

Sustainable Agriculture Conference Offers Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms

Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, Inc. (Southern SAWG) is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1991 to promote sustainable agriculture in the southern United States.

UF/IFAS SARASOTA EXTENSION
AUDITORIUM
TWIN LAKES PARK
6700 CLARK ROAD
SARASOTA, FL

Learn how to grow, clean and sell seed !
Network with growers and researchers !
Help meet the demand for native species of central/south Florida

WORKSHOP AGENDA:
-Morning session of presentations.
-Lunch provided.
-Afternoon session of field trip to demo
seed production & cleaning facilities

Florida Organic Growers Farming Workshop/ UF-IFAS Organic Field Day
September 20, 2006 (Wednesday)

Plant Sciences Research Experiment Unit, Citra, FL
Sign up early and get the opportunity to learn about:

Organic Seeds: The rule and where to get them
Organic Certification Process: how to become certified under the USDA National Organic Program
Organic Pest management practices: effective methods to control pests, weeds and diseases
Organic nutrient management/BMP/water management: how to supply essential nutrients to your organic crops
Organic fruit and vegetable production: how to grow the most profitable organic crops in Florida.

For further information contact Juan Rodriguez at education@foginfo.org Telephone: (352)377-6345

Florida Disaster Training: What Farmers need to know about applying for and receiving Disaster Relief.

Farm Aid, Florida Organic Growers (FOG) and the Florida Farm Bureau are sponsoring a training session on Federal Disaster Assistance Programs for Farmers, taught by the Rural Advancement Foundation International - USA (RAFI-USA) and the Farmers Legal Action Group (FLAG). The training sessions will be held on July 10- 11 at the Farm Bureau in Gainesville, FL.

The training will present an overview of Federal disaster programs available to farmers, including eligibility, deadlines and application procedures for Farm Service Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Small Business Administration and Risk Management programs. All attendees will receive copies of the "Farmers Guide to Disaster Assistance," a comprehensive, user-friendly guide to disaster assistance programs. The training will provide individuals with information and experience with the specific issues of working with farm families who have been through a disaster. The cost for registration is $20.00. Fee waiver and other assistance may be available for limited resource participants.

Georgia Organics presents: The FARMER’S TOOL CHEST
ESSENTIALS FOR ORGANIC AND SUSTAINABLE GROWERS

June 29, 2006, 8 am—5 pm
Gaia Gardens, Decatur, GA
Includes Farm Tour and Lunch

THIS IN-DEPTH WORKSHOP WILL PROVIDE TRAINING IN KEY BUSINESS, FARM PLANNING, AND PEST MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Morning session:
►Planning, budgeting, and recordkeeping, linked with crop planning, rotation systems, and other production issues.
Afternoon session:
►Interactive workshop on developing pest management strategies for organic farms.

Sessions will be conducted by Daniel Parson, B.S., farm manager of Gaia Gardens, and Rose Koenig, Ph.D., owner of Rosie’s Organic Farm and agricultural educator.

•$35 for GO members; $45 for non-members; $20 mentoring program participants.*
Includes lunch and a farm tour.
•To register and for more information visit www.georgiaorganics.org or
contact Karen Adler, 404.633.4534; karen@georgiaorganics.org.
(*Mentoring participants please contact Karen to register.)

Dinner in Paradise!
The once-a-month celebration of organic and locally grown bounty of South Florida ingredients will be hosted by Paradise Farms in Homestead and feature culinary creations from Miami’s top chefs. Proceeds will benefit Katrina-ravaged farmers in Louisana and Mississippi.

Miami, FL ─ A strong proponent of fresh ingredients, acclaimed chef Michael Schwartz practices what he believes at the dinner table with his family, and in the kitchen of afterglo, the Miami Beach restaurant where the executive chef prepares beauty cuisine, a concept that incorporates organic produce, herbs and spices, wild game and seafood.

Read the entire post HERE
Make a donation and schedule a dinner HERE

An Evening At Lola's

Florida's Best Celebrity Chefs will prepare a Wild Organic Feast. Chef Al Rosas along with Heather Lee, Editor of Ocala Magazine and CIA graduate and Dr. Suzie Kerns will prepare a WILD organic evening for the lucky attendees. Entertainment including Ellen Livesay jazz recording artist and Pat Livingston, author of This Blessed Mess with be sure to make this a memorable evening. A Private Book signing will take place after the event. Ticket prices are $250 each or Tables of 6 for $1250 The Event is Sunday May 21st at 7:00 PM. Seating is limited for this celebrity star studded event! The Event will be held At Rosas' Farms in Citra Florida, just outside of Ocala. This is the Rosas' 2nd Annual Benefit for The Sturge-Weber Foundation. SWF is the leading non-profit organization that helps those who are victims of vascular birth defects. Erin Rosas, a medical research specialist and Board of Director for the SWF, owns Rosas Farms with her husband, Chef Al Rosas. Erin is also disabled by a vascular malformation. Please visit the Sturge-Weber Foundation or Rosas Farms websites for more information or call Erin Rosas (352)812-5036 for tickets and seating information.

WATERCOLOR April 22, 2006
Posted By:
on Tuesday, April 11, 2006
BUILDING COMMUNITY AWARENESS
FEATURING FRESH PRODUCE DIRECT FROM LOCAL SMALL FARMERS

Are you interested in selling your own local, seasonal, sustainably grown produce, and other products at WATERCOLOR on April 22, 2006/9:00am - 1:00pm? A free market opportunity for small farmers.

For additional information please contact:

Jennifer Taylor
FAMU StateWide Small Farm Programs
850-412-5260
Jennifer.taylor@famu.edu

Grand Opening of the New SouthWood Farmer's Market
Posted By:
on Tuesday, April 11, 2006
April 15, 2006 will mark the grand opening of the Farmers Market at Southwood a vibrant retail and business center that originally opened in December 2005. The celebration will kick off at 8 a.m. with tethered hot air balloon rides, a balloon artist, children's activities, an organic container gardening demonstration, a mini-performance of Beauty and the Beast by the Tallahassee Ballet, and cooking demonstrations by Keith Baxter, Executive Chef of Kool Beanz Cafe.

SouthWood residents and Tallahassee area residents will be able to purchase at the Farmers' Market fresh seasonal plants, fruits, vegetables, and flowers that will be delivered fresh each week and grown by local farmers using organic methods. The market is held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. rain or shine. Farmers participating in the weekly market are part of the Florida A&M University Statewide Small Farm Programs. The Market is a collaborative effort. Market Location: At the Southwood Town Center, corner of Merchants Row Blvd and Four Oaks Blvd. For additional information contact: Jennifer.Taylor@famu.edu FAMU StateWide Small Farm Programs/Cooperative Extension Service.

The Growers' Market- your midweek market
Features fresh seasonal, sustainably grown produce direct to you from your local small farmers.
Hours: Wednesdays, 3:00pm - dusk. Rain or shine.
Location: 229 Lake Ella Drive. Behind Black Dog Café. Tallahassee.
In collaboration with Local Small Farmers, The American Legion, Black Dog Café, and The FAMU StateWide Small Farm Program.

Interested small farmers or communities should contact: Jennifer Taylor/850 412 5260Jennifer.Taylor@famu.edu/ FAMU StateWide Small Farm Programs/Cooperative Extension Service.

Doing Business in Cuba

FREE ONE-DAY WORKSHOP FOR SMALL, BEGINNING, AND LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS
Posted By:
on Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
TEAM AGRICULTURE GEORGIA (TAG)is hosting a FREE ONE-DAY WORKSHOP FOR SMALL, BEGINNING, AND LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS At the VALDOSTA-LOWNDES CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU, VALDOSTA, GA 7:30 AM–3:15 PM
To read the full article click here

South-Central Florida Small Farms Conference
Posted By:
on Monday, February 27, 2006
Juan Carlos Rodriguez, FOG Education Program Director, will be making a presentation on Organic Certification at the South-Central Florida Small Farms Conference March 18, 2006... View the full article HERE.

Meatrix 2 Trailer Makes Anticipated Online Debut
Posted By:
on Saturday, January 28, 2006
NEW YORK An online trailer for the upcoming animated film Meatrix 2: Revolting debuts today at the meatrix2.com site. At long last, fans of the original Meatrix and the public at-large can view the trailer to the long-awaited sequel to the Internet's most popular animated advocacy film. The 20-second series of clips offers glimpses of the ramped-up action, romance and manure that are promised in this next Meatrix installment, slated for release in mid-March.

The Meatrix 2 mirrors the first film's successful combination of movie parody (The Matrix), cutting-edge Web animation and consumer education regarding the detrimental effects of factory farming. The topic this time is dairy farming.

"Already, people from the U.S., Brazil, Australia, India, Canada, the U.K. and other countries have contacted us since we announced the sequel the buzz has been amazing," said Diane Hatz, senior program director of Sustainable Table and executive director of the film. "The film uses innovative Web animation technology and pop culture to enable a broad range of people to grasp the dangers associated with factory dairy farming and the choices they have as consumers."

The Meatrix 2 Flash animation stars our favorite farm heroes, the young-pig, Leo, the trench coat-clad cow, ( Moopheus), and the sultry poultry fighter, Chickity. The Meatrix 2 brings the trio on a new adventure when Leo is taken to a factory dairy farm where he learns the ugly truth about how the animals are raised, what they eat, and their horrendous living conditions. To get the behind-the-scenes scoop and back story on the making of Meatrix 2, visit the Meatrix Blog HERE.

Visitors to the site will also be able to sign up to receive the film delivered directly to their inboxes upon release. Additionally, the Web site that houses the film will soon offer a host of resources to teach viewers about the dark side of the factory dairy farm industry and offer tools to get involved in the sustainable dairy movement. The site will also promote the Eat Well Guide an online directory of sustainably raised meat, poultry, dairy and eggs from sustainable farms, stores and restaurants in the U.S. and Canada.

The Meatrix 2: Revolting was produced by Sustainable Table and Free Range Studios. Sustainable Table is a consumer campaign launched to help fill the gaps in the sustainable food movement, and to help direct consumers to the leading organizations working on the issue. Free Range Studios offers top-quality design and Flash animation services to companies and organizations whose vision goes beyond turning the world into a strip mall.

The Meatrix was a 2005 Webby Award winner, and has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success on the independent film festival circuit. In November 2004, the film won Best Documentary Short at the Fourteenth Annual Environment Media Association Awards (EMAs) in Los Angeles. It also has received awards from the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, the Gynwood Foundation, and Media Rights' Media That Matters Film Festival.

Graphics are available HERE

Agriculture & Aquaculture Economic Development Workshop
Posted By:
on Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Mote Aquaculture Park and UF/IFAS Integrated Agriculture & Aquaculture Economic Development Workshop January 30, 2006 (Monday) Time: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Location: Mote Aquaculture Park 12300 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34240 Who should attend? This Workshop will bring together agriculture and aquaculture producers with UF/IFAS research/extension staff and Mote Aquaculture Park scientists. We welcome attendance by growers from all food, aquaculture and horticultural crops specialties. If you are working on or interested in entrepreneurial opportunities, integrating crop production with state-of-the-art aquaculture, please plan on joining us! Workshop Goals - To present opportunities for participating in an innovative pilot project using effluent from freshwater sturgeon aquaculture for onsite agriculture crop production. - To present examples pilot project opportunities involving: • aquatic horticultural plants • wetland plants • irrigated high-value crops • aquaponics - To encourage sharing and information exchange in this new agricultural technology and economic opportunity - To describe opportunities and requirements for participation in the pilot project - To identify steps involved for selection of participants in the pilot project For additional information contact: Kevan Main, Director, Center for Aquaculture Research & Development, Mote Aquaculture Park, (941) 388-3373, kmain@mote.org or Robert Kluson, UF/IFAS Sarasota County Cooperative Extension, (941) 232-3090, rkluson@scgov.net Please RSVP to: Tina Shumway, Executive Assistant The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County tshumway@edcsarasotacounty.com or 941-309-1200 ext. #204 Please indicate in the subject line “Mote Aquaculture Park”

Training on Disaster Assistance for Farmers
Posted By: sb
on Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Training on Disaster Assistance for Farmers

The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, in collaboration with the Farmers Legal Action Group, the Rural Advancement Foundation International and Farm Aid, is presenting a 1-day training on Federal disaster assistance programs for farmers and rural communities.
This program is open to all individuals who advise farmers, including staff of community-based organizations, agricultural agencies, extension service, consultants, other professionals and concerned individuals, including farmers who plan to assist others in their community.

The training will take place from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM on Thursday January 19 in Louisville, KY, in conjunction with the SSAWG annual conference.

The training will cover the range of Federal disaster assistance programs available to farmers, including eligibility, deadlines and application procedures for the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Small Business Administration (SBA), Risk Management Agency (RMA) and crop insurance programs. It will also cover the Katrina disaster aid package recently passed by Congress. It will also cover the specific needs of individuals who have been through disasters, and phases of disaster recovery.

All participants will receive a copy of the "Farmers Guide to Disaster Assistance," a comprehensive, user-friendly guide to disaster assistance programs; and comprehensive information on disaster assistance programs and practical experience in assisting farmers who have been through a natural disaster.

Registration is $50, with scholarships available.

Participants are responsible for their own meals and lodging. Lodging can be obtained through the SSAWG conference. Details are available at www.SSAWG.org.
For more information, contact Scott Marlow at smarlow@rafiusa.org. To register, contact Laura Freden at Farm Aid at Laura@farmaid.org or 1-800-farmaid.

Nov 9-11, 2005 High Impact Compost Workshop
Posted By: sb
on Thursday, November 03, 2005
Workshops Prices:
$ 395 in advance
$ 445 After October 31, 2005

Subject matter will include:

Understanding the science behind the documented benefits of humified compost
Learn the fundamentals of producing high quality, high value, high impact
compost including a hands-on session at local compost facility.
Determine the worth to the end user of the compost you produce and how to
present that value
Gain insights into selling on the value of humified compost
For more information about upcoming events, email MBS@emypeople.net or call
800-689-0714.

Midwest Biosystems
WEBSITE

CLICK HERE to download a brochure with details on the February 23-25, 2005 workshop
(the Adobe Reader is required to view this file).

Fee Waivers for 2006 Southern SAWG Conference
Posted By: sb
on Thursday, November 03, 2005
Fee Waivers for 2006 Southern SAWG Conference
Held January 19-22 in Louisville, KY.

Southern SAWG will once again be offering a limited number of general registration fee waivers ("scholarships") to help make it possible for limited-resource farmers and soon-to-be-farmers to participate in this unmatched educational and networking event.

Qualified candidates are those who:
1) cannot afford the conference registration fee,
2) are farming or are planning to be farming in the South, and
3) have a sincere interest in sustainable agriculture.
Preference will be given to those who have never attended a Southern SAWG conference before.
To apply to Southern SAWG for a conference fee waiver:
1) Print the Fee Waiver Application by going HERE
2) complete the form, and then
3) mail it by December 1, 2005 to:

Laura Lauffer
330 Hatley Road
Pittsboro, NC 27312
For more information about the fee waivers, contact Laura Lauffer at 919-542-6067 or via email at laural@blast.com.

Lake Ella Growers' Market Celebrating First Anniversary
Posted By: sb
on Wednesday, October 19, 2005
The Growers' Market at Lake Ella is celebrating its first anniversary of bringing fresh local produce, plants, and flowers to midtown Tallahassee every Wednesday afternoon. To celebrate this Season's Harvest several of the areas most accomplished chefs will give cooking demonstrations during market hours Wednesday October 19 - November 9, 2005. The Growers' Market is open each Wednesday from 3:00 - 6:00pm/Rain or Shine. Location: 229 Lake Ella Drive, behind the Black Dog Café. Tallahassee.

For additional information about this and other sustainable development programs please contact: FAMU StateWide Small Farm Programs/Cooperative Extension
Service, 850 412-5260/Jennifer.Taylor@famu.edu

IFAS To Host Academic Conference
Posted By: SB
on Wednesday, September 14, 2005
More than 20 postdoctoral, visiting, and other doctorate scientists at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center will be on hand to provide research updates with scientific posters in the areas of horticulture, plant pathology, entomology and nematology, postharvest and food processing.

For more, click HERE

Hurricane Preparedness for Trees Workshop
Posted By: SB
on Wednesday, September 14, 2005
On Sept. 16, Green Industries Institute is organizing a half-day hands-on workshop on Hurricane Preparedness for Trees. Florida experienced 57 hurricanes during the 20th century. The workshop will include the following topics: methods of assessing hazardous trees, performing preventive hurricane pruning and restoration pruning, and bracing for a hurricane with tree supports.
For more, click HERE

Join us for a very special event when the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association presents a Gardening Conference at the Long Hungry Creek Farm in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee. Download a brochure or registration form, or contact us for more information or to register for the conference: Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association, 25844 Butler Road, Junction City, OR 97448; (888)516-7797; biodynamic@aol.com.

Taiwan Inspector Training
Posted By:
on Thursday, August 18, 2005

Dou-liou, Yun-lin, Taiwan

IOIA and Florida Organic Growers/Quality Certification Services will cooperate with the Ministry of Education of Taiwan, Transworld Institute of Technology, and Integrated Agricultural Development Foundation (IADF) for additional IOIA Organic Inspector training.

For the first time, Processing and Livestock inspection courses will be held.

Processing course will commence September 24 and end September 27, 2005;

Livestock course will be held September 29-October 2, 2005.

Both courses will be instructed in English at Transworld Institute of Technology in Taiwan and use National Organic Standards (NOP) of the United States Department of Agriculture and IFOAM/IOIA International Organic Inspection Manual as references. Some presentations may be translated to Chinese.

Please contact Marty Mesh in Florida, USA at 352-377-6345 or fog@foginfo.org for further information.

NAFDMA Sponsors Survey
Posted By:
on Thursday, August 11, 2005

The North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA) is helping sponsor and strongly endorses the most comprehensive survey that has ever been commissioned relating to the continental farm direct marketing and agritourism industry. Please take the time to participate. The survey is designed to help the operators who are currently engaged in farm direct marketing and agritourism enterprises.

This can’t be accomplished successfully without your participation! We’re so serious about this we are providing an incentive. The first 777 COMPLETED surveys will be entered into a drawing to win your choice either of a $1900+ USD value to attend the NAFDMA Convention in San Antonio and Austin, Texas, or $1000 CASH. Feel free to contact me if you have questions about your eligibility for the drawing.

This email is being sent to over 2000 farm direct marketing and agritourism operations that have had some connection to NAFDMA or their local associations in the past five years.

To complete the survey, go to http://www.farmmarketresearch.com. You will need to register first by providing your email, zip/postal code and name of the ranch/farm.

For more information, click here.

Community Food Systems
Posted By:
on Thursday, August 04, 2005
October 9 thru October 11
Atlanta, Georgia

The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SAWG) will offer a leadership training session for individuals who are working with local community food projects and those interested in taking on a more active role in the community food security movement in the Southern United States. Attendees will be given the opportunity to develop skills useful for working with community-based groups.

This training session will be held immediately after the Community Food Security Coalition Conference on October 9-11, 2005 in Atlanta, Georgia.

For more information:
See Resources

Community Food Security Coalition Conference comes to Atlanta
Posted By:
on Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Ninth Annual CFSC Conference It's Homegrown: Cultivating the Roots of Real Change

October 6-9, 2005 Atlanta, Georgia

The Community Food Security Coalition celebrates its 9th Annual Community Food Security Conference with a "Home Grown" theme in Atlanta, GA at the Westin Peachtree Plaza on October 6th thru 9th, 2005. CFSC brings this educational and empowering event to the home of the civil rights movement, with the intent of "cultivating the roots of real change" in food security and social justice.

For more information: www.foodsecurity.org

Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference
Posted By:
on Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Hold your horses!

Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (Southern SAWG) moves January 2006 conference to Louisville, Ky. Due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans area, Southern SAWG has rescheduled its conference to take place in Louisville, Kentucky, January 19-22, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The complete conference schedule will be available in October at www.ssawg.org or call 678-494-0696 to request a brochure. The fifteenth annual event promises plenty of practical sessions from which to choose, with topics covering production, marketing, farm business management, federal farm policy, and community food programs, to name just a few. The conference features field trips to local farms and exhibits by vendors whose products and services provide support to producers. At a special dinner, attendees will get a taste of Kentucky with locally produced foods. When the meetings are over and it's time to play, the conference location is connected by pedestrian walkway to Louisville\'s hottest new entertainment venue, Fourth Street Live!, a one-stop destination for entertainment, dining and shopping. The 2006 Practical Tools and Solutions For Sustaining Family Farms Conference is brought to you through partnerships with the Risk Management Agency and the Southern Region Risk Management Education Center. Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, Inc. (Southern SAWG) is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1991 to promote sustainable agriculture in the southern United States. Contact: Shari Hawley, Conference Publicity Coordinator Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (Southern SAWG) ssawg_conf@bellsouth.net

For more information:
www.ssawg.org

FOG Seminars: Converting from Conventional to Organic Processing
Posted By:
on Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers Inc. (FOG), a 501(3)C not-for-profit and parent organization of Quality Certification Services (QCS), will hold a one day seminar on Saturday, August 27, 2005 for organic inspectors on conducting inspections of organic processing and handling operations for compliance with the National Organic Standards. The seminar is titled, "FOR INSPECTORS ONLY: Inspecting the Organic Processing Facility" , and will be held in Florida at the Tampa Renaissance Hotel International Plaza from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Organic Processing Seminar: Converting from Conventional to Organic Processing
Friday, August 26, 2005, 9 AM to 5 PM
Renaissance Hotel International Plaza
Tampa, FL

Inspectors Only Seminar: Inspecting the Organic Processing Facility
Saturday, August 27, 2005, 9 AM to 5 PM
Renaissance Hotel International Plaza
Tampa, FL

For more information, registration documents, and more, click here.

Andy Parker, Master Gardener, at the Dreamer's Garden
Posted By:
on Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Dreamers Garden in collaboration with The Generation Connection Summer Camp 2005 & Keep Alachua Count Beautiful present:

Andy Parker, Master Gardener, Tilth Inc., Portland Oregon

Friday July 22, 8:30-9:15am

Dreamers Garden, Corner of NW 10th Ave at 4th St, Gainesville

Further information: Casey Sith 352-378-4389

The Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture
Posted By:
on Monday, July 18, 2005

The Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems is offering a Practical Training / Farm & Garden Apprenticeship. The deadline for applications is November 1st, 2005.

The Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture is an educational program of the Center focusing on practical training in organic gardening and small-scale farming.

For more information:
zzyx.ucsc.edu/casfs/training/infoap.html

Fridays at the Grower's Market, Tallahassee
Posted By:
on Sunday, July 17, 2005

Fridays at the Grower's Market
Friday and Wednesdays 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
229 Lake Ella Drive, Tallahassee.
Behind Black Dog Cafe.

Take a rest from the traffic and rediscover . . .
Fresh Local Produce, Organic, Natural, Sustainable.
Direct from your Local Small Farmers.

In collaboration with Local Small Farmers, The American Legion, Black Dog Cafe, and FAMU Small Farm Programs.

For more information contact: 412-5260/jennifer.taylor@famu.edu

FOG TO HOLD TWO SEMINARS: One for Organic Processing and One for Organic Inspectors
Posted By:
on Thursday, June 30, 2005

Organic Processing Seminar: Converting from Conventional to Organic Processing
Friday, August 26, 2005, 9 AM to 5 PM
Renaissance Hotel International Plaza
Tampa, FL

Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers Inc. (FOG), a 501(3)C not-for-profit and parent organization of Quality Certification Services (QCS), will hold a one day seminar on Friday, August 26, 2005 on converting from conventional to organic processing. The seminar, titled, "CONVERTING FROM CONVENTIONAL TO ORGANIC PROCESSING AND MANUFACTURING: Opportunities, Challenges, and Success", will be held in Florida at the Tampa Renaissance Hotel International Plaza from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, please see the following documents:
All documents Adobe PDF.

Inspectors Only Seminar: Inspecting the Organic Processing Facility
Saturday, August 27, 2005, 9 AM to 5 PM
Renaissance Hotel International Plaza
Tampa, FL

For more information, please see the following documents:
All documents Adobe PDF.

Twilight Organic Field Day
Posted By:
on Saturday, June 18, 2005

Thursday, July 7, 2005
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Location:
Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center
8163 Hwy 178
Lyons, GA 30436

Schedule of Events
Visit Field Plots: 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Compost Demonstration
Biodegradable & conventional black plastic and no-till production of cucumber, cantaloupe, and watermelon
New disease resistant pumpkin.
Other research

Supper: 6:30 – 7:30 pm
A catered organic supper of local produce will be served.

RSVP: Please let us know if you will be able to attend so we can plan the meal accordingly.

RSVP to:

Mary Anne Woodie
Georgia Organics
770/993-5534
maryanne@georgiaorganics.org

George Boyhan
University of Georgia
912/681-5639
gboyhan@uga.edu

Please let us know if you will need directions.

Three Field Days on Organic Seed Crop Management
Posted By:
on Friday, June 17, 2005
Pittsboro, NC- The Save Our Seed Project, comprised of nine Southeastern partners, will be sponsoring three workshops throughout the Southeast this July. The workshops will support and train local growers to raise Certified Organic seed, selected in the Southeast for use in the Southeast.
July 19, 20, and August 2, 2005
For more information: www.savingourseed.org

Bella Via
Posted By:
on Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Bella Via: The Sustainable Community of the Future.
Bella Via is the prototype for a totally new type of intentional community; one that embodies the principles of sustainability, green building materials and techniques, environmentally-friendly products, certified organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices, renewable energy sources, social consciousness, holistic health and wellness of body, mind, spirit and planet.

More Info: www.bellaviacommunity.com

Whole Foods Market
Posted By:
on Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Contact them to let them know you want one in your town: www.wholefoodsmarket.com/contact/

From www.wholefoodsmarket.com:
"Founded in 1980 as one small store in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market® is now the world's leading retailer of natural and organic foods, with 170 stores in North America and the United Kingdom. To date Whole Foods Market remains uniquely mission driven: We're highly selective about what we sell, dedicated to stringent Quality Standards, and committed to sustainable agriculture."

Food Films!
Posted By:
on Thursday, June 02, 2005

Two new animations, one about the real world of meat production, the other about grocery stores! Entertaining and highly educational, The Meatrix won the 2005 Webby Award in the Charitable Orgs/Non Profit category.

Organic Brassica Seed Production Guide released
Posted By:
on Wednesday, June 01, 2005
The Save Our Seed Project announces the publication of the Organic Brassica Seed Production Guide. This is number five in a series of seed production manuals that Save Our Seed created in response to the limited availability of organic and open pollinated heirloom seed.
More: Resources

Organic Consumer Trends Report Now Available!
Posted By:
on Tuesday, May 24, 2005
The Natural Marketing Institute’s 2005 Organic Consumer Trends Report™ can now be purchased by the chapter.

For more information: Press Release

Ecology of Bacterial Pathogens (Keeping out E. Coli and Salmonella)
Posted By:
on Thursday, May 19, 2005
The Soil and Water Science Department at the University of Florida now offers a new specialized 2-day training program on the Ecology of Bacterial Pathogens (Keeping out E. Coli and Salmonella). The Ecology of Bacterial Pathogens Short Course will be held August 17 & 18, 2005 in Gainesville, Florida on the University of Florida campus. For more info: See Resources

Natural Resource Conservation Service's Conservation Security Program
Posted By:
on Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Conservation Security Program sign-up deadline is May 27. Producers have until May 27 to sign up for the Natural Resource Conservation Service's Conservation Security Program. If you want to report your experience with this program or help work to improve it for organic producers, contact Tom Hutcheson (thutcheson@ota.com).

EFEST 2005, Sarasota, FL
Posted By:
on Wednesday, May 18, 2005
EFEST 2005 (www.efest.us), celebrating the Environment and Sustainability, is being held May 27-28, 2005 in Sarasota Florida. This festival hopes to attract some 5000 attendees along the Florida Gulf Coast -- and one of the themes is, of course, sustainable agriculture. The main event day is Saturday. We have Judy Wicks, founder of the White Dog Cafe (www.whitedog.com) in Philadelphia, speaking. She is a nationally recognized proponent of restaurants supporting their local organic farmers.

SAVANNAH ORGANIC WEEKEND
Posted By:
on Wednesday, May 18, 2005
GEORGIA ORGANICS EVENTS:
SAVANNAH ORGANIC WEEKEND

May 21 & 22, Downtown Savannah
Join Georgia Organics at the second annual Savannah Organic Weekend featuring four fabulous events. For Detailed event information:
www.georgiaorganics.org

Thriving, Building Capacity – Planting the Seeds for Change
Posted By:
on Tuesday, May 17, 2005

May 17-May 31

The Eco-Agriculture Workshops for May 2005 will address Sustainable living through Organic Gardening. Learn how to grow plants in small and creative spaces –beneficial for students, urban gardeners, city and rural life. Hands-on Demonstrations.

All workshops are free to the public!

See Resources for full schedule.

For additional information about these and other sustainable development sessions, please contact:

Jennifer Taylor
FAMU State Wide Small Farm Program
(850) 412-5260
jennifer.taylor@famu.edu

Choosing Your Market: A Direct Marketing Decision Tool for Small Farmers
Posted By:
on Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Help has arrived with a new direct marketing tool, "Choosing Your Market: A Direct Marketing Decision Tool for Small Farmers", developed by Georgia Organics, a non-profit organization promoting sustainable and organic farming and foods.
For more information:
Link: www.georgiaorganics.org/markettool/

Suppliers of Organic Fertilizers & Pesticides
Posted By:
on Thursday, May 05, 2005
see: Resources Suppliers of Organic Fertilizers & Pesticides Compiled by Dana Venrick, Extension Agent II - Dec 2003

Texas DOT Compost Utilization: A Blueprint for Florida Success?
Posted By:
on Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Organics Committee Workshop Sponsored by: The Florida Organics Recycling Center for Excellence - FORCE www.floridaforce.org

Texas DOT Compost Utilization: A Blueprint for Florida Success?

Date: Monday, June 6, 2005
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Venue: RFT’s Annual Conference in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. at the PGA National Resort
Moderator: Chris Snow of Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management Department

Speakers: Don Legacy and Richard Weaver of JV Environmental Services, Inc.

Please come and hear how Texas DOT leads the Country in the use of compost and organics in their road projects, and how the Florida organics industry can learn from the Texas experience. We also need to share with JV Environmental Services the state of the organics recycling industry in Florida and its unique characteristics.

Workshop Fee: $35. Please go to the RFT website: www.recyclefloridatoday.org for information on registering for the RFT Annual Conference and the Workshop. You are able to register for the Workshop without registering for the Conference.

Questions: Please contact Chris Snow at (813) 276-8408. Lunch is provided and sponsored by: JV Environmental Services

FOG @ ATO
Posted By:
on Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Florida Organic Growers and Consumers Inc. is having a booth at the upcoming All Things Organic trade show in Chicago to represent Florida's organic producers and handlers. The tradeshow takes place May 1-3 in Chicago. The booth is intended to raise industry awareness of Florida's organic agriculture industry-producers and processors.

2005 Survey of Certified Organic Agriculture in Florida
Posted By:
on Thursday, March 31, 2005
Organic agriculture in Florida is a rapidly growing industry that is characterized by many diverse types of certified organic operators, including certified organic growers, value-added growers, and processors. This report summarizes the data collected from the first survey ever conducted of Florida’s certified organic operators. This report describes the survey responses to questions about various aspects of certified organic operations in Florida, including: ownership types, acreage in production, products produced, sales, markets, labor usage and employment, and program and policy priorities. This survey and report were funded by a grant from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the United States Department of Agriculture.

To download this report in it's entirety, click here:
www.foginfo.org/docs/2002 SurveyofCertifiedOrganicAgriculture inFloridaPreface.doc

Marty Mesh speaking at
Posted By:
on Thursday, March 31, 2005
Marty Mesh, FOG Executive Director will be part of the Domestic Fair Trade Panel, speaking on how the concept of "fair trade" might benefit North American producers, at the Organic Trade Association's "All Things Organic Conference" being held in Chicago from Saturday April 30 until Tuesday May 3 in Chicago, Illinois at McCormick Place. For more information: www.organicexpo.com

Asian Soybean Rust Study
Posted By:
on Wednesday, March 30, 2005
The Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry is currently looking for plots of principal hosts other than soybean, i.e., Kudzu, snap beans/dry beans (Phaseolus spp.), yellow lupine (Lupinus luteus), cow peas/southern peas (Vigna spp.), etc., to survey on a weekly basis throughout Florida. Plots that receive little to no fungicides would be ideal, but not a requirement.

We would greatly appreciate growers willing to allow surveys of their plots to contact us. It is crucial that we promptly gain as much information on this disease as possible.

Asian Soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) (SBR) was first reported in the Southeastern US, including Florida, in November of 2004. Since the first finding, SBR has been detected in 18 Florida counties and so far only on kudzu, a noxious weed (Pueraria lobata) and soybean (Glycine max). SBR spreads rapidly via wind-borne spores causing severe damage to soybeans and other legumes. Because the pathogen is a recent immigrant, scientists have little understanding of the host range, over wintering abilities and general biology in Florida.

For more information:

spdn.ifas.ufl.edu/
Florida_Soybean_Rust.htm
www.doacs.state.fl.us/ pi/enpp/pathology/soybeanrust.html

-----------------------------------------------------------

Contact:

Adam J. Silagyi, DPM
State Survey Coordinator
Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS)
DPI-DOACS 1911 SW 34th St.
P.O. Box 147100 Gainesville, F.L. 32614-7100
Phone (352) 372-3505 x 452
Mobile: (352) 258-0806
Email: silagya@doacs.state.fl.us

USDA ANNOUNCES $6 MILLION FOR NEW SMALL-SCALE/LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS INITIATIVE
Posted By:
on Tuesday, March 29, 2005
WASHINGTON, March 15, 2005-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that the Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide up to $6 million for a new Small-Scale/Limited Resource Farmers Initiative to help small farmers implement good conservation practices on their land.

for more information: foginfo.org/resources

ORGANIC BEEKEEPING PRACTICES FOR HEALTHIER BEES
Posted By:
on Thursday, March 17, 2005

Earth Day Workshop!

April 22, 2005

ORGANIC BEEKEEPING PRACTICES FOR HEALTHIER BEES

Learn how to establish/maintain an organic beekeeping operation. Organics. Hands-on demonstrations.

Facilitator: International Speaker, Gunther Hauk, Co-Founder and Program Director of The Pfeiffer Center for Biodynamics and Environmental Studies in Chestnut Ridge, NY.

Time: 9:00-5:00 pm

Lunch will be provided.

Book Signing/"Toward Saving The Honeybee", by Gunther Hauk.

Location: Native Naturals Farm

Directions: 2 miles South of Monticello Exit on I-10/Route 19 S

Address: 7500 US 19 South

Lamont, Florida

Workshop registration fee: $50.00/person

Address check or money order to: FAMU Foundation/CESTA

Beekeeping

Registration Deadline: April 07, 2005

Mail Registration to:

FAMU StateWide Small Farm Programs

Room 202C Perry-Paige Building

Tallahassee, Florida 32307

Biodynamic Methods
Posted By:
on Thursday, March 17, 2005

Earth Day Workshop!

April 23, 2005

Biodynamic Methods-BIODYNAMICS FOR FARMERS, GARDENERS, and LANDSCAPERS: The Step from Sustainable to Thriving

Participants will learn biodynamic farming; introduction and background of biodynamic farming system, how to get started, benefits of biodynamic farming, how to establish compost/other managements, and details. Hands-on demonstrations.

Facilitator: Gunther Hauk, Co-Founder and Program Director of The Pfeiffer Center for Biodynamics and Environmental Studies in Chestnut Ridge, NY.

Time: 9:00 - 4:00pm

Lunch will be provided.

Location: Native Naturals Farm

Directions: 2 miles South of Monticello Exit/ on US 19 S

Address: 7500 US 19 South
Lamont, Florida

Registration fee: $50.00/person

Address check or money order to:

FAMU Foundation/CESTA

Biodynamics

Registration Deadline: April 07, 2005

Mail Registration to:
FAMU StateWide Small Farm Programs
Room 202C Perry-Paige Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32307

For additional information please contact: Jennifer Taylor, Florida A&M University StateWide Small Farm Programs/Cooperative Extension Service 850 412-5260; EMAIL:Jennifer.Taylor@famu.edu; or Olayinka Reis/reisaffairs@yahoo.com

The Grower's Market, Tallahassee
Posted By:
on Thursday, March 17, 2005

Buy local, seasonal, farm fresh, from your local growers at the Grower's Market.

The Grower's Market is a new innovative participant-oriented market developed by FAMU Small Farm Program in collaboration with Local Organic Small Farmers, the American Legion, and Black Dog Cafe.

The Grower's Market is Tallahassee's only market featuring, each Wednesday, local growers (farmers and gardeners) selling their fresh from the farm produce.

Buying from the Grower's Market at Lake Ella benefits consumer awareness and appreciation of where their food actually comes from, supports earth-friendly farming, seasonal eating - And as important, the Grower's Market provides an atmosphere for communication between local growers and the community.

The Grower's Market
229 Lake Ella Drive/Behind Black Dog Cafe
Open every Wednesday evening - 3:00 - 6:00 pm in Tallahassee.

Rediscover and experience --buying local, seasonal, farm fresh produce-- from your local growers at the Grower's Market!

For additional information, about this or other sustainable development efforts, please contact:
Jennifer Taylor/FAMU StateWide Small Farm Programs/
850 599-3546;
jennifer.taylor@famu.edu.

Thank you.

Global Resource Action Center for the Environment Contest
Posted By:
on Thursday, March 10, 2005
The Global Resource Action Center for the Environment (GRACE) is sponsoring a curriculum contest based on sustainable agriculture for school teachers grades 5-8. The Units will be based on the award winning film The Meatrix ( www.themeatrix.com). Grand prize is $1000 for classroom supplies and equipment. Contest ends June 30, 2005. Visit Sustainable Table www.sustainabletable.org/ schools/teachers/curriculum.html for more information and an application form.

Vermiculture, compost the organic way
Posted By:
on Friday, February 25, 2005
On March 02, 2005, Farmer Herman Holley of Turkey Hill Farm will facilitate a workshop on, "Vermiculture, compost the organic way".

TIME: 4:30 -6:00pm. Free to the public. Bring your own chair.

Located at the American Legion/Black Dog Cafe, 229 Lake Ella Drive. Tallahassee, Florida.

AND while you are at the workshop, Rediscover local, earth friendly, organic, seasonal, farm fresh produce at the Grower's Market at Lake Ella!!! Each Wednesday evening, 3:00 - 6:00 pm, your local farmers and gardeners sell their fresh from the farm produce. Come and experience. Located at The American Legion/Black Dog Cafe - 229 Lake Ella Drive, Tallahassee.

In collaboration with Local Small Farmers, The American Legion, and Black Dog Cafe'. For additional Information please contact Jennifer Taylor, Coordinator of FAMU StateWide Small Farm Program/Cooperative Extension/850 599-3546.

ECO-AGRICULTURE Workshop Series
Posted By:
on Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Thriving, Building Capacity – Planting the Seeds for Change An Eco-Agriculture Workshop Series

March 19, 2005
SAVING OUR SEED/BASICS OF SEED SAVING - SUSTAINABLE IN YOUR OWN FOOD AND SEED PRODUCTION
An exciting hands-on workshop to support sustainability and seed saving of organic heirloom seeds, and local seeds. This workshop will provide advice from expert seed saver, Cricket Rakita, Coordinator of The Save Our Seed Project. Cricket will provide detailed seed saving demonstrations for production of quality organic and heirloom produce.

The workshop participants will learn the benefits of saving seeds for farm or garden uses. The participants will also learn how to save seed for value added market. Hands-on demonstrations.

Facilitator: Cricket Rakita, Coordinator, The Save Our Seed Project/ Carolina Farm Stewardship Association -Date: March 19, 2005 -Time: 9:00am - 3:00 pm -Location: Turkey Hill Farm 3546 Baum Road. Tallahassee

For More information, Download the announcement: 2005ThrivingBuildingCapacity.doc [ MSWord .DOC ]

Introduction to Quantum Agriculture
Posted By:
on Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Quantum Agriculture Pioneer Hugh Lovel comes to Florida.

New tools for clean, quality agriculture. Location: Hawthorne, FL
Cost: TBD
Bring your own lunch
Registration 9:30 a.m.

Saturday February 19th, 2005

For more information, download the flyer:
WorkshopFlyer.pdf (Adobe PDF Reader Required)

Greenways and Trails: Gainesville's Connection to a Statewide Vision
Posted By: Jon Pugh
on Wednesday, February 09, 2005
On Wednesday, February 9th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., the Department of Urban and Regional Planning in the University of Florida's College of Design, Construction & Planning will host Jim Wood's lecture "Greenways and Trails: Gainesville's Connection to a Statewide Vision" at the Florida Community Design Center (located in the Commerce Building at 300 E. University Avenue). Jim Wood is the Assistant Director of the Office of Greenways and Trails with the Florida State DEP. You are cordially invited to attend.

Organic Citrus Establishment & Weed Management Workshop
Posted By: Marty Mesh
on Thursday, February 03, 2005
March 10th, 2005 Citra, Florida
The University of Florida (UF) & Florida Organic Growers (FOG) cordially invite organic growers to an organic citrus workshop. Learn about establishment of organic citrus and improved use of cover crops for weed management of organic citrus and the Organic Research Program at UF.

Preregistration: If you want to attend this work shop please contact Jim Ferguson (352) 392 1928 x 302 or jjfn@ifas.ufl.edu . Please provide information on the number of people in your party & meal preferences (chicken, meat or vegetarian), RVSP due March 3rd.

For Direction, Schedule, and more information, [ Click Here ] (Adobe PDF document. Acrobat Reader Required)

Virginia Biological Farming Conference And Trade Show
Posted By: Jon Pugh
on Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Feb. 18-19, 2005

For Schedule, Speakers, Directions, Registration Forms, etc:
VA-TradeShow-announc1.doc
(MSWord .doc File)

For Program updates please see: www.vabf.org

Farmers Urged to Learn about GMOs Before Planting 2005 Crops
Posted By: Jon Pugh
on Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Contact Information David Moeller
Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG)
651/223-5400;
www.flaginc.org.

Michael Sligh - Rural Advancement Foundation
International-USA (RAFI-USA)
919/542-1396;
www.rafiusa.org
Pittsboro, N.C.

November 19, 2004 – The commercial production of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, has created a legal minefield for American farmers and requires that farmers be particularly sure footed, says Farmers’ Guide to GMOs, just released by the Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG) and Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI-USA).

Co-author and attorney David R. Moeller of FLAG says that whether farmers grow GMOs, conventional seeds, or are certified organic, the use of GMOs in commercial agriculture can affect operations and have costly legal ramifications.

“After almost a decade of commercial production, we have reached that point,” Moeller said, “where every farmer has a stake and has to be fully aware of the legal ramifications. No farmer should buy seed for next season without having a grasp of the information contained in this Guide.”

Read Entire Article

The Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference
Posted By:
on Friday, October 01, 2004

January 21-23, 2005

The Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference, hosted by the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SAWG), will be held January 21-23, 2005 at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel in Kenner, LA.

More details are available at www.ssawg.org

Real Food Revival
Posted By: Jon Pugh
on Monday, September 27, 2004
November 12th-14th, 2004
Satisfy your hunger for real food at the “Real Food Revival”.

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association’s 19th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference will be held in Asheville, NC and will bring together farmers, gardeners, educators, businesses, and activists for a weekend of organic information and inspiration. Featuring over 65 workshops, a trade show, delicious meals featuring local and organic foods, a contra dance, and more. Visit www.carolinafarmstewards.org or call (919) 542-2402 to register.

For more information, Click Here.

Composting School 2004
Posted By:
on Friday, September 24, 2004

UPDATE [9-24-04]:

News & Events

Past News & Events

Doing Business in Cuba

Hold your horses!