SATURDAY WORKSHOP SESSION I
Session I-a | 8:15 to 9:45 a.m. Session I-b | 8:30 to 10 a.m.
8:15 a.m. — Room J
8:15 a.m. — Room E
AGROPHENOLOGY: NATURE BASED PLANTING CALENDAR
MANAGE SOIL HEALTH AND FERTILITY IN PERENNIAL FRUITS
Lately using a standard calendar to determine when to plant crops has become less reliable due to more variable and extreme weather patterns. Instead, learn about planting your crops as they relate to wild indicator species timing to create a nature-based planting calendar! In this workshop, we will explore this Agrophenology research and implementation approach and work with you on identifying whether this is something you might want to do on your farm. David Abazs and his wife Lise run Round River Farm, an off-the-grid diversified vegetables and fruit farm, and is the Executive Director of the Northeast Regional Sustainable Development Partnership at the University of Minnesota.
Soil health and fertility can be challenging to manage in long-lived perennial fruit crops. This workshop will outline examples and lessons learned from two farms which employ different management practices and grow a variety of tree fruit and berry crops. Covering both site preparation before planting as well as ongoing management of established plants, topics will include soil and leaf tissue tests, mulches, groundcover plants, tillage, soil amendments, fertility sprays, and site-specific decisions. Rachel Henderson and her husband Anton Ptak own and operate Mary Dirty Face Farm, a certified organic, mixed-fruit orchard and also raise pastured livestock, including hogs, lambs, and poultry, as well as custom grazing cattle. She has been a remote Organic Specialist with MOSES since 2018. Chris McGuire and his wife Juli operate Two Onion Farm, a diversified fruit farm.
8:15 a.m. — Room C
MINNESOTA TRIBAL CONSERVATION COLLABORATION This panel will discuss the innovative approaches to food sovereignty of the Minnesota Tribal Nations before, during, and after the pandemic. Topics covered: defining tribal food sovereignty, developing tribal food codes, updates on tribal food programs. Also addressing the needs of land, funding, policy - challenges and barriers. In this workshop, we will also introduce programs to help support the tribes through Minnesota Department of Agriculture and a tribal collaborative effort funded by Natural Resources Conservation Services. Nikki Crowe is the Tribal Conservation Collaboration Coordinator for the Tribes in Minnesota. Panel includes representatives of the Tribes in Minnesota.
8:15 a.m. — Room D
STRATEGIES FOR ADDING VALUE TO FARM PRODUCTS Are you looking to add value to fruits and vegetables that you grow, perhaps by canning or drying? Are you looking to process meat or dairy from your farm? Adding value to your farm commodities can be a great way to diversify. This workshop will outline strategies for adding value to farm commodities while considering three important questions: What are the rules in my state? How do I ensure that the foods that I make are safe for sale? Where do I go for help? Barbara Ingham is a faculty member in the Food Science Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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8:15 a.m. — Room K
FROM DREAM TO REALITY: BUYING YOUR FIRST FARM You’ve dreamed about buying a farm... but what does it take to turn that dream into soil? In this workshop, we’ll explain the mechanics of purchasing a farm and cover frequently asked questions including: What does a prospective farm buyer’s personal finances need to look like? Is buying the right choice or is leasing a better option? How do you find the right farm in the right neighborhood? What financing options are available to a first-time farm buyer? This workshop will tackle all of these questions and any other questions you’ve always wanted to ask about buying a farm. Paul Dietmann is is Senior Lending Specialist at Compeer Financial is co-author of the books Fearless Farm Finances and Financial Risk Management for Specialty Crop Farmers, and author of Turning Grain Into Dough: Farm Financial Management for Organic Grain and Crop Rotation.
