Agriculture Pond and Reservoir Management
Description: OSU faculty and partners are creating new pond management technical resources and education programs over the next two years for farmers and service providers. Current topics, guiding concepts, and references to date will be shared with requests for feedback.
Instructor(s): Derek Godwin, Extension Watershed Management Specialist OSU; Abigail Tomasek, Extension Soil and Water Quality Specialist OSU; Sam Chan, Extension Aquatic Health, Oregon Sea Grant and OSU
Bringing Your Culture to the Farm Stand
Description: Locally niche crops and culturally important plants such as nopal, ginger, sweet potatoes, and persimmons can grow in Oregon, but can they work for your farm? We will discuss strategies to incorporate specialty crops that are important to you into diversified operations.
Instructor(s): Todd Anderson, OSU Small Farms Extension Program
Farm Business Plans – What You Need to Know When Writing and Using a Business Plan for your Farm
Description: This session will guide you through a sample outline and the steps of creating a farm business plan. Learn what funders and lenders look for, and how internal plans can help with decision-making and achieving your farm's goals. You'll leave this session with a clear understanding of when and how a business plan can benefit your farm.
Instructor(s): Andrea Krahmer, Oregon Agricultural Trust, Director of Ag Business Support
Getting Started with Beekeeping – What you Need to Know About Equipment and Acquiring Bees
Description: Learn the basics of what’s needed to get started with beekeeping, including essential equipment, protective clothing, and information on acquiring bees. This session is for farmers interested in adding bees to their farm business.
Instructor(s): David Matis, Backyard Beekeeper; Oregon Master Beekeeper, Journeyman; Oregon State Beekeeping Association
How to Get Started With High value and Low Input Fruit (Trees and Shrubs)
Description: One way to diversify your offerings as a small-scale organic farm is to grow low input, high value fruit crops. This session will cover some of our favorite specialty fruiting plants that are mostly pest and disease free, easy to grow, highly productive, and vastly profitable at market.
Instructor(s): Tonia Lordy of Home Orchard Education Center
Irrigation Scheduling for Annual Crops
Description: In this session, we will explore how to use various tools to design irrigation schedules for annual crops based on soil and weather conditions. We'll cover understanding crop water needs and integrating soil moisture sensors on your farm to determine when to water. Spencer will share Tanager Farms irrigation scheduling methods for both overhead and drip systems, and how they are working to reduce overall water usage on their farm. By the end of this session, you'll have actionable ideas to implement as you create or adapt an irrigation plan for your annual crops, optimizing water use and enhancing crop health.
Instructor(s): Heidi Noordijk, Metro Small Farms Program Coordinator at OSU Extension; Spencer Suffling, Farmer at Tanager Farm
Just Getting Started: What to Know - Doubling Down: A Deep Dive on Farmland Due Diligence
Description: Attendees will engage in a live demonstration using widely available online resources to practice skills in researching farm properties. Tools to practice with include - County Mapping and Assessor sites, Google Earth Pro, Soil Web Survey, Water Rights Mapping and more.
Instructor(s): Christina Bentrup, Navigator at Friends of Family Farmers; Silvia Cuesta, Navigator at Friends of Family Farmers
Practical Ways to Improve Soil Health on Your Farm
Description: In this session, we'll explore crucial aspects of soil health for farmers, including organic matter options, the importance of cover crops, how to optimize tillage, and a greenhouse inoculant demo. The role of microbiology for enhancing soil and plant health will be emphasized throughout.
Instructor(s): Jen Aron of Blue Raven Farm
Selling Producer-Processed, Value-Added Products under the Oregon Farm Direct Marketing Law
Description:Since 2011, farmers and producers across Oregon have been selling farm direct, value-added, low-risk products such as fruit spreads, pickles, and lacto-fermented fruit and veggies to consumers under the Oregon Farm Direct Marketing Law. In 2023, SB507 was signed into law which expanded the product list, opened new sales channels, and increased the gross sales limit. This session will explain the requirements outlined in the new law and provide some step-by-step guidance regarding its implementation.
Instructor(s): Kelly Streit, Senior Instructor at OSU Extension
Small Engine Basics, Part 1 (Double Session)
Description: Josh Anderson from Canby Rental & Equipment will cover the basics of how a 4-stroke engine operates, routine engine maintenance and small repairs you can do at home. He will also teardown an engine and go over parts and their functions, and if time permits the engine will also be reassembled.
Important: During registration, please select this class for Block A, and for Block B please select 'Not Attending'. This way you will keep your schedule clear for this two-part workshop.
Instructor(s): Josh Anderson, Service Manager at Canby Rental & Equipment
Veterinary Care Basics for Livestock
Description: Learn about basic health care for livestock from the perspective of a producer. This workshop will cover the basic care your animals need throughout the year, what to have in a medical kit, and the importance of establishing an account with a veterinarian.
Instructor(s): Avery Thompson, Livestock Manager at Tabula Rasa Farms
