FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.farmtotablenm.org/fts/category/conference-workshops-trainings/

DOWNLOAD FULL PROGRAM AS PDF: http://www.farmtotablenm.org/fts/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/org-conf-program-20122.pdf

TO REGISTER: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5f88vk0821463fa&llr=9f7995dab

Join the information exchange as organic farmers and ranchers, researchers, and those who help move food from farm to fork gather for the New Mexico Organic Farming Conference at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid, February 17-18, 2012. This two-day event will deliver practical information for farmers, ranchers, and market gardeners on topics ranging from soil building and Integrated Pest Management, to marketing and farming with horses.

The keynote address, “Transforming Our Food System:  Honoring Hope and Hard Work,” will be delivered by Bu Nygrens, co-owner and Purchasing Manager of Veritable Vegetable, located in San Francisco, California. Established in 1974, VV is the nation’s oldest distributor of certified organic fruits and vegetables. There may not be anyone more familiar with organic fruits and vegetables and how they get to your plate than Bu Nygrens. Speaking from the perspective of over three decades as a champion and facilitator of organic production, Bu will challenge conference participants to join together to build a sustainable future.

In addition to the keynote address, 36 workshop sessions will cover a wide range of topics. Highlights include:

Permaculture Case Studies on the Farm

Whether a small market farm or expansive western ranch, permaculture design can be a useful tool. We will be looking at examples of how farms of all shapes and sizes have implemented permaculture design concepts to reduce inputs from materials to labor and increase yields, all while improving farm health for long-term sustainability. Leslie Buerk of the Permaculture Institute will lead this nuts and bolts discussion of bottom-line benefits and lessons learn from real-world examples.

Soil Whispering: Making Your Soil Do What You Want It to Do

You’ve probably heard of horse whispering and dog whispering, but soil whispering?! Dr. Ron Godin, organic soil guru, 2010 NM Organic Farming Conference Educator of the Year, and Extension Agronomist for Organic and Sustainable Agriculture at Colorado State University will lead you through this previously uncharted territory, discussing how to listen to your soil by analyzing what yield, weed and disease problems are telling you, and how to answer back.

Organic Grape Production

Steve and Jane Darland of Old Monticello Farm grow grapes for the production of Traditional Aceto Balsamico of Monticello, as well as herbs, pomegranates and figs. Last winter the temperature dropped to 16 below in the vineyard (the grapes are rated safe to 9 degrees). The Darlands saved their vines with 21 straight days of triage pruning. Steve Darland will explore organic grape production from variety selection to siting to care and use.

Native Pollinators

As honeybees continue to struggle, producers across the country are discovering native pollinators and working to build habitat that will encourage pollinators ranging from inconspicuous flies to huge bumblebees. The results are not only beautiful, but improve pollination on the farm and increase the diversity of habitat so beneficial insects of all sorts can find a home and help with the work of farming. And, they do it for free! Strategies for building habitat and information on some of the most interesting species will be provided. Gail Haggard, owner of Plants of the Southwest, will share insights from decades of study of plants and pollinators in the desert southwest.

Seed Growing 101

Organic Seed is the foundation of organic agriculture. However, most growers just purchase their seed and think very little about how important their seed choices are. There is a definite need for many more, knowledgeable organic seed growers to make the organic model sustainable. This workshop with Joshua Cravens, of the certified organic Jardin del Alma, will cover many seed related topics such as:  isolation distances, the importance of population size, how growing seeds can diversify your harvest, what to look for when buying seed, understanding the difference between hybrids, open pollinated and heirloom varieties, what seed crops grow best in the southwest, along with a step-by-step how to grow and clean seed. Any grower can benefit from this workshop and gain insight into the foundation of our farming systems. Seeds.

Other workshops include: Farming with Draft Animals; Bringing ‘Em In: Farmers’ Market Marketing; Healthy, Happy, Chemical-free Bees: A Guide to Top-Bar Beekeeping; Plant Symptoms: What They Tell Us and What They Don’t; A Few of My favorite Things--Appropriate Varieties for Your Microclimate/Altitude; The Organic Underground: Composting with Worms; Maximizing Greenhouse/Hoophouse Production; Wind Management; Science and Grazing Rotation; Soil Quality Test Kit: Carbon Activity; Estimating Nutrient Availability from Differing Cover/Green Manure Crops; IPM: Understanding Biological Controls; Soil 101; Home-based Canning; Organic Inspecteds Speak Out: Mastering Organic Certification; Evaluating Irrigation Efficiency;  Implementing GAPs; Two-ty Fruity: Jujbes and Figs Step into the Spotlight; Expanding into New Local Markets: Cooperative Approaches to Selling Wholesale; Farm Labor; Fire Proofing Your Ranch or Farm; The Real Scoop on Value-Added Production; Ruminant Preventative Health Care; Setting Up a Cheese Operation; Compost: Does It Just Happen?; Cover Crop and Green Manure Basics; Fungus Among Us: Mushroom Production on Any Scale. 

Dr. Jon Boren, Associate Dean and Director of the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service and New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte will welcome participants to the Conference on Friday morning. On Saturday, participants will feast on local and organic food at a luncheon where the New Mexico Organic Farmer of the Year will be recognized. Farm to Table, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, and New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service are organizing the event. La Montanita Co-op Natural Foods Market, Los Poblanos Organics, Rio Grande Community Farm, and the Silver City Food Co-op are sponsoring the gathering.

Registration for the conference, including Saturday’s luncheon, is $100. For more information call (505) 889-9921. For hotel reservations, call (800) 262-2043 by January 26^th. Say you are part of the Organic Conference to get the special room rate. Hope to see you there!

For more information contact Le Adams at 505-473-1004 x 10 or Joanie Quinn at 505-889-9921.