Farm tour, workshop in North Florida offer education on organic production practices
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - A farm tour and workshop at two North Florida farms in spring 2010 will teach participants about organic production practices, including soil fertility and preventive and cultural practices to control pests, weeds and diseases.
Suwannee River Valley Farms, with 9.2 acres of blueberries under organic management, will host a free farm tour 1 to 4 p.m Feb. 24. Florida Organic Growers Project Coordinators Juan Carlos Rodriguez and Matt Vargas will lead the tour, accompanied by UF Associate Professor Oscar Liburd, who specializes in pest management, and UF Assistant Professor James Olmstead, who specializes in blueberry breeding and genetics. White Springs is conveniently located at the intersection of I-75 and I-10, allowing for easy access for growers in Florida and Georgia. Blueberries are one of the most widely grown fruits in the United States and a well-suited crop to organic production, often selling for 20 percent more than conventional blueberries.
The 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 26 workshop will be held at Crescent Moon Farm in Sopchoppy, within the Apalachicola National Forest. Lunch will be provided and there is a $15 registration fee. The workshop is in collaboration with FAMU-CESTA StateWide Small Farm Programs/Cooperative Extension Service.
The farm tour and workshop are part of Florida Organic Growers' Organic Transition project, which provides conventional growers with free assistance if they choose to reduce pesticide use or transition a portion of their production to organic practices. Project participants are paired with crop advisors knowledgeable in organic production, regulations and certification, and available to answer questions by the transitioning growers.
To register for the Feb. 24 farm tour or March 26 workshop, visit www.foginfo.org/epa, call 352.377.6345 or email matt@foginfo.org.
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