eNEWS
September 2009 > Workshop, farm tours offer insight on organic agriculture
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. Conventional Florida growers who want to capitalize on growth in the organic industry are invited to learn more about organic production, certification and marketing during a workshop and farm tours in North Central and Southwest Florida.
FOG and UF/IFAS will hold an “Operation Transition” workshop 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at Alachua County Extension in Gainesville. The 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.
Attendees of two upcoming farm tours will learn about diverse vegetable production, crop rotation, soil fertility and organic approaches to pest and disease control. A farm tour Oct. 21 in Brooker will provide farmers first-hand knowledge of a diversified organic production system at John Beville's 100-acre mixed vegetable farm, Promised Land. Beville has been certified organic since Jan. 2006. The 55-acre Worden Farm in Punta Gorda will host a Nov. 9 farm tour. Worden Farm produces more than 50 varieties of certified organic
vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers and also holds field trips, farm tours,
workshops and special events. Registration for the farm tours is free.
“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 EPA-supported project is free.
For more information contact Florida Organic Growers at 352.377.6345, email fog@foginfo.org or visit http://foginfo.org/epa.
RESOURCES
Operation Transition: Organic Transition and Pesticide Reduction Program