Workshops - Growing Growers

FROM: http://www.growinggrowers.org/Pages/workshop.htm

Equipment for Fruit and Vegetable Growers
Monday, May 4th

4 PM to 7 PM

Location: K-State Research and Extension Station, Olathe, KS

Farm tour: K-State Research and Extension Station



Post Harvest Handling for Quality and Safety

Monday, June 8th

4 PM to 7 PM

Location: Lexington, MO

Farm tour: Fahrmeier Farms



Starting and Managing a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Program

Monday, July 13th

4 PM to 7 PM

Location: Kearney, MO

Farm tour: Fair Share Farm

Taste and Nutrition

Monday, August 10th

4 to 7 PM

Location: Lawrence, KS

Farm tour: Spring Creek Farm



Fruit Production
Monday, Sept 14th
4 to 7 PM
Location: Kearney, MO
Farm tour: Prairie Birthday

New Farms - First steps in planning a farm business.

Saturday, October 17th

10 AM to 4 PM - lunch provided

Location: K-State Research and Extension Station, Olathe, KS



NEW! Farm business planning and management course.
Tentatively scheduled for November and December, 2009.

In conjunction with Growing Growers, The Kauffman Foundation FastTrac program will be holding a multi-week course designed for both current growers looking to refocus and people who are ready to begin their own sustainable farm business within the next few years. Enrollment is limited and Growing Growers apprentices, past and present, will be given priority. Check back soon for more information.


Workshops are open to the general public for a fee. Proceeds help to pay program costs, including apprentice costs and speaker fees. Scholarships are available in case of financial need. Contact Ted Carey, 913-645-0007, tcarey@ksu.edu or Laura Christensen, 816-805-0362, growers@ksu.edu



To get information via email, sign up for the growers listserv by writing us at growers@ksu.edu

Equipment for Vegetable Growers
K-State Research and Extension Station
35230 W. 135th St, Olathe, KS 66061

Monday, May 4th
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Choosing the right set of equipment and using it correctly can keep both you and your farm on track and healthy.
Join us for an afternoon of information about equipment options, basic safety and maintenance and demonstrations.
We’ll focus on equipment appropriate for small and mid scale growers – from hand tools, to tractors, to high tunnels. The research station includes a large section devoted to research on vegetable production.

4:00 – 4:45 Drip Irrigation
Norm Kilmer of Morgan County Seeds will discuss the basics of drip irrigation - a simple, inexpensive technology that conserves water, helps prevent disease and minimizes irrigation labor.

5:00 – 7:00 Field Demostrations
A chance for hands-on learning and questions. Stations will be set up in the field covering:
- High tunnels
- Drip Irrigation
- Hand tools
- Basic tractor maintenance and operation
- Basic walk behind tiller maintenance and operation

Attendees will be able to examine, and in some cases try, the following:

Hand/push tools:
- broad fork - various types of hoes - high wheel cultivator - wheel hoe with attachments
- various types of push and precision seeders - jab planter - power drill driven tilther
- greens harvester (from Johnnys) - other misc. tools

Walk Behind Tillers/Tractors:
- Toro Dingo walk-behind tractor with multiple attachments (rototiller, bucket loader, plastic mulch layer and more)
- BCS walk-behind tractor/rototiller

Tractor implements/tools:
- Waterwheel transplanters (courtesy of Morgan County Seed) - Ortolan “Stone Burier” rotavator - seed drill
- flex tine cultivator - plastic mulch layer - single row sweet-potato digger - single-row, chain potato digger
- spike tooth harrow - Perfecta S-tine cultivator - sub-soiler - flail mower - brush hog - various discs, plows and toolbar implements.

Other:
- Irrigation pump with sand filtration and irrigation system including layflat line, sprinklers and drip tape.
- International Harvester 140 tractor - Haygrove and Stuppy high tunnels.

Cost to attend this workshop is $15.00 (cash or checks payable to Growing Growers Training Program).
You are welcome to pay at the door, but please contact Laura Christensen to pre-register or if you have questions.

Phone: (816) 805-0362 Email: growers@ksu.edu