eNEWS
July 2009 > Workshop, field day for conventional Florida growers interested in going organic
Farmers who want to capitalize on the growth in the organic sector will find particular interest in upcoming events in Alachua and Gilchrist counties. FOG and UF/IFAS will hold an “Operation Transition” workshop Sept. 25 at Alachua County Extension in Gainesville. The workshop will benefit conventional farmers seeking information about transitioning to organic production practices. A farm tour Oct. 7 will provide farmers first-hand knowledge of a diversified organic production system at Jordan and Diwa Brown’s farm, The Family Garden, in Bell.
Despite the overall weakening economy, U.S. sales of organic products grew 17.1 percent to $24.6 billion by the end of 2008, according to the Organic Trade Association’s 2009 Organic Industry Survey. FOG’s “Operation Transition” allows qualifying transitional producers to work alongside experienced organic production crop advisors and receive answers to questions about organic production, regulations and certification. Participation in the program is free.
The Sept. 25 workshop will cover organic marketing, research-demonstrated benefits of organic farming, Farm Bill programs that support transition to organic production and National Organic Program regulations. Registration is $15 and includes refreshments, lunch and a resource binder. Participants of the Oct. 7 farm tour will learn about The Family Garden’s diverse fruit and vegetable production, crop rotation, soil fertility and organic approaches to pest and disease control. Registration for the farm tour is free.
To register for the workshop and farm tour call 352-377-6345, email fog@foginfo.org or visit www.foginfo.org/epa.
RESOURCES
Operation Transition: Organic Transition and Pesticide Reduction Program