AGENDA:
Thursday, January 28
5 pm Check-in and Social (no-host bar)
6 pm Dinner
7 pm Program
State of Organics in Idaho and Nation: What the Organic Production Survey Revealed
– Vince Matthews, USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Virtual Farm Tours
– George McClelland and Jon Fabricius, Hamanishi Farms, Fruitland, ID
– Nate Jones, King’s Crown Organic Farm, King Hill, ID
Precision Cover Cropping: The Next Step in Organic Strip Tillage?
– Doug Collins, Washington State University
Investing in Organic Research: National Trends & Payoff
– Jen Miller, Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides
9 pm Conclude
Friday, January 29
8:30 am Check-in
9:00 am Welcome
– Jen Miller, Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides
Beyond the Soil Food Web: Managing Soil For Diverse Biological Functions
– Doug Collins, Washington State University (WSU)
Soil ecosystem engineers, litter shredders, and decomposers shape soil structure and drive nutrient availability. The structure of the soil food web can also be a valuable indicator for soil quality. This presentation will focus on groups of organisms and how management practices influence their activity.
Tillage Reduction and Cover Cropping for Enhanced Soil Quality and Weed Management on Organic Vegetable Farms
– Doug Collins, WSU
Current research at Washington State University is exploring methods to address a significant soil health challenge in vegetable production - tillage. The discussion of methods to reduce tillage in organic vegetable systems will include cover crop selection and cover crop termination with flail mowing versus a roller crimper. Standard tillage is being compared to strip tillage and no-till. Research findings compare the impacts of different techniques in terms of crop yield, weed pressure, soil compaction, water infiltration, and other factors.
Roller Crimper and No-Till Drill Rental Program
– Josie Erskine, Ada Soil and Conservation District
In 2015, the district launched an organic no-till demonstration after purchasing a roller crimper (8 ft). The district offers the roller crimper and two no-till drills (7 ½ ft and 15 ft) for rent by area farmers.
12:00 Lunch
Farmer Panel on Reduced Tillage Systems
– Tim Cornie, Cornie Land & Livestock; Clay Erskine, Peaceful Belly; Brad McIntyre, McIntyre Farms; Jason Miller, Eleven Livestock; and Doug Collins, WSU
Learn from area farmers about their experience with organic no-till and reduced tillage systems.
Organic Certification: Tips for Inspection & Record Keeping
– Johanna Phillips, Idaho State Department of Agriculture
Your Rights and Responsibilities: Ideas for Navigating noxious weed regulations
– Matt Voile and Johanna Phillips, Idaho State Department of Agriculture
Covering Organic: Updates to Crop Insurance Options for Organic Producers
– Kal Schank, Northwest Farm Credit Services
Assessing the Barriers and Opportunities to Organic Farming in Idaho: Shared Values Activity
– Carlo Moreno, University of Idaho
5:00 Conclude
Thank you to our Organic Farming Conference Business League Sponsors!