Delaware Organic Food and Farming Association

9:00 a.m.—10:00 a.m.
Composting as a Business for Small Farms (CCA=1.0)
Ned Foley, Two Particular Acres Farm, Royersford, PA

10:00 a.m.—11:45 a.m.
Breakout Sessions

Track 1: Organic Principles Session (CCA=1.5)
Gordon Johnson, Extension Agriculture Agent, University of Delaware
Agricultural ecosystems.  On an organic farm, you are creating new agricultural ecosystems.  In this session you will learn about building healthy, sustainable agricultural ecosystems.  Included will be information on soil health, the critical role of soil organic matter, beneficial organisms on the farm, important cycles, interactions between plant species, interactions between plants and animals, and key indicators.  Participants will learn how to monitor soil health through hands on activities.

Track 2: Organic Poultry Session (CCA=1.0)
Dr. Brigid McCrea, Small Flock Poultry Specialist, Delaware State University
Producing organic poultry.  This session will be devoted to producing organic poultry for both meat and eggs.  Topics will include breed selection, hatchery sources, housing and pasturing, feeding and nutrition, and health maintenance.

12:00 p.m.—1:00 p.m. COVERED DISH LUNCH
Bring your dish to share with the group.

1:00 p.m.—1:30 p.m.
Annual Membership and Business Meeting

1:30 p.m.—3:00 p.m.
Breakout Sessions

Track 3: Marketing Session (CCA=1.5)
Anna Stoops, Extension Agriculture Agent, University of Delaware
Community supported agriculture.  Community supported agriculture enterprises (CSAs) have been used by many organic farms as a way of marketing and having customer (and community) participation in the business.  Learn about starting and running a CSA on your farm.

Track 4: Organic Produce Session (CCA=1.5)
Dr. Mark VanGessel, Extension Weed Science Specialist, University of Delaware
Weed management on organic vegetable and fruit farms.  Weed management principles and practices on organic produce farms will be discussed.  Included will be information on weed biology, rotations for weed control, smother crops, mulches, and mechanical weed control.

Introduction to Sustainable Small-Scale Vegetable Production – A Two Part Series

Thursdays, January 15 and Thursday, January 29     7-9pm

New Castle County Cooperative Extension Building

The two-part series is $15.00 (covers materials and refreshments); while individual sessions are just $10.00 each. No refunds will be issued unless the workshop has been cancelled. You will be notified only in the event of cancellation. 

To Register: return this form or call 302-831-2506

January 15: Getting Started Growing Vegetables Organically on Small Acreage

Whether you are a back-yard enthusiast wanting to supplement your income or bring food to your table; or you are looking to farm on a small scale—this seminar will help you understand the basics of small acreage organic production, how to transition, what organic production means, and how to become organically certified.

The session will also include a panel of local experts to answer questions and offer examples of how to get started and what to grow.

January 29: Sustainable Vegetable Production on Small Acreage

This session is geared toward the small-scale grower and is designed to provide information on sustainable growing best management practices—including crop rotations, cover cropping, composting, tillage practices and soil management. There will also be a segment that will help you get started choosing and starting plants, set-ting up your garden and maximizing your production. So come with your questions and be ready to learn some great sustainable growing techniques for small scale vegetable production.