Organic Vegetable Management
10:30am - 1:30pm
This session will offer guidance of key aspects of organic farming; vegetable variety selection, sound pest management program for hoop houses and fields and approaches to improving soil health.

Systems of Machinery for Any Scale, with a Focus On Controlling Weeds
10:30am - 11:15am
On the vegetable farm specific field operations need to be done, at whatever scale of production is used. From tillage for seedbed prep, seeding, transplanting, irrigation, cultivating, harvest, etc., you need tools that work together to do each operation effectively and hopefully efficiently. While you can farm with just a rototiller and a hoe, it is nice to have several implements that work well together. I'll talk about considerations in choosing a scale of production (hand, two-wheel tractor, tractor), and common spacings and implement systems for each scale. Since weed control is a chief challenge in organic, I'll offer a focus on weeding tools at each scale. Farmers often consider scaling up or scaling down, and you'll see examples of how to integrate different scales or individual tools into your production.     
Sam Oschwald Tilton - Glacial Drift Enterprises, LLC

Your First Date with the Soil-making Good Observations and Soil Testing
11:15am - 12:00pm
Testing soil and making good observations can offer key insights to long term planning. Bring your own soil test results if you like. Let's consider challenges and possible approaches to improve the soil, year by year.
Vicki Morrone - Michigan State University

Pest Management in Protected Culture With Emphasis on Biological Control
12:00pm-12:30pm
Hear how our work in high tunnels has identified aspects of pest management in summer and winter, natural enemies and biocontrol, and some work with biorational pesticides.
Laura Ingwell - Purdue University

Organic Meet and Greet
12:30pm - 1:30pm
All organic growers (certified organic or not) are invited to join this social event to meet service providers and other farmers to ask questions and share your experiences. Interaction by all is encouraged! Michigan grown nibbles will be offered during the session. Farmers and service providers are invited to introduce themselves and all can share experiences that can help others with their farm businesses. All beginning farms who are seeking organic and sustainable farming/marketing guidance are especially invited to attend.
Julie Studier - Tower Hill Farm
Ryan Romeyn - Providence Farm

MAEAP representative

Katie Brandt - Michigan State University