Nov. 13-15: WSU shares expertise at organic farm conference
SPOKANE, Wash. – The latest research and practical information about organic and sustainable farming will be presented at the annual Tilth Producers of Washington conference Nov. 13-15 at the Spokane Convention Center.
It will include tours, a trade show and a poster session. To avoid a late charge, register by Oct. 27. Registration and the workshop schedule are available at http://tilthproducers.org/programs/conference-2/.
John Reganold, Washington State University regents’ professor of soil science and agroecology, will share his vision for the future of global food and ecosystem security based on a research and teaching career that spans more than 30 years.
“Although organic agriculture has an untapped potential role in global food and ecosystem security, no one farming system alone will safely feed the planet,” he said. “A blend of organic and other innovative farming systems – including agroforestry, integrated farming, conservation agriculture and still undiscovered systems – will be needed.”
He said he is inspired to speak at the conference because it draws “innovative farmers and scientists who care about agriculture and its sustainability.”
More than 15 faculty and students from WSU will share their expertise during 10 of the 25 workshops, including:
• Sustainable beef and pork production – Mark Heitstuman, Jan Busboom and Susan Kerr
• Starting a small-scale dairy – Susan Kerr
• Measuring soil health – David Huggins, Tabitha Brown, Jason Morrow and Kendall Kahl
• Environmental footprint of organic farming – Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, David Granatstein, Stewart Huggins and Cornelius Adewale
• Brassica black leg in the Pacific Northwest – Lindsey Du Toit
• Irrigation management for drought – Troy Peters
• Farm internship programs in Washington – Laura Lewis, Kellie Henwood and Clea Rome
• Leveraging farmers markets to expand sales – Colleen Donovan
• Growing new farm businesses – Kate Selting
Every year beginning and established farmers alike gather to network and learn the latest in organic and sustainable farming, from seed to fork, at the conference. This year the theme – “Building tilth: Fields, farmers and community” – is meant to honor 40 years of the movement to build healthy soil through farmer education.
Contact:
John Reganold, WSU Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, 509-335-8856, reganold@wsu.edu
