HomeGrown Directory

NC Cooperative Extension presents: A class for farmers wanting to begin or transition to Commercial-Scale, Certified Organic Production Of Vegetable and Fruit Crops

This class is geared toward growers who are already set-up for commercial scale production (1-acre of ready-to-be-certified-organic field land or more), and wish to enter the expanding Certified Organic Market. Topics covered will include soils & fertility, disease identification & control, insect identification & control, weed management, post-harvest handling, certification & record-keeping, and marketing to wholesale buyers.

The class will meet on Thursdays, from 5:30-8 PM, at the Ashe County Extension Center during the winter and early Spring of 2009.

Participating growers will receive books on organic agriculture, weed management, disease identification, and organic pest control.

Cost: $50 – Class limited to 20 growers

Schedule:

• January 15 – Introduction to Organics & Certification, and Planning Your Organic Crops & Rotations
• January 22 – Soils & Fertility in Organic Systems
• January 29 - Cover Crops in Organic Systems
• February 5 – Weed Management in Organic Systems
• February 12– Insect Management in Organic Systems
• February 19 – Disease Management in Organic Systems
• February 26 – Post-Harvest Handling for Selected Crops, and Marketing Options
• March 5 - Certification Q&A and Paperwork Wrap-up
• March 12 – Snow/overflow day (just in case)
• March 19 – Snow/overflow day (just in case)

For more information, call the Ashe County Cooperative Extension office at (336) 846-5850, or e-mail Richard Boylan at richard_boylan@ncsu.edu