Florida Organic Growers announces organic transition workshop on Sept. 25 and farm tour on Oct. 7

Farmers who want to capitalize on the growth in the organic sector will find particular interest in upcoming events in Alachua and Gilchrist counties. FOG and UF/IFAS will hold an “Operation Transition” workshop Sept. 25 at Alachua County Extension in Gainesville. The workshop is intended to benefit conventional farmers looking for more information about transitioning to organic production practices. A farm tour Oct. 7 will provide farmers first-hand knowledge of a diversified organic production system at Jordan and Diwa Brown’s farm, The Family Garden, in Bell.

Despite the overall weakening economy, U.S. sales of organic products grew 17.1 percent to $24.6 billion by the end of 2008, according to the Organic Trade Association’s 2009 Organic Industry Survey. FOG’s “Operation Transition” allows qualifying transitional producers to work alongside experienced organic production crop advisors and receive answers to questions about organic production, regulations and certification. Participation in the program is free.

The Sept. 25 workshop will cover organic marketing, research-demonstrated benefits of organic farming, Farm Bill programs that support transition to organic production and National Organic Program regulations. Registration is $15 and includes refreshments, lunch and a resource binder. Participants of the Oct. 7 farm tour will learn about The Family Garden’s diverse fruit and vegetable production, crop rotation, soil fertility and organic approaches to pest and disease control. Registration for the farm tour is free.

To register for the workshop and farm tour, mail the attached registration form and a check for $15 to FOG, PO Box 12311, Gainesville, FL 32604. To participate in the Organic Transition Program contact Florida Organic Growers, 352-377-6345 or fog@foginfo.org; or visit www.foginfo.org/epa

Organic Transition Workshop Agenda for September 25

Alachua County Extension, Gainesville, FL

8:30 am- Sign-in

8:45 am- Welcome

9 am- Pretest

9:15 am- Organic & Transitional Marketing

9:30 am- Farm Bill Support for Organic/Transitional farming

9:45 am- Description of Organic Transition & Pesticide Reduction Program

9:50 am- What is organic agriculture?

10 am- Research-supported organic farming practices

10:20 am- Break

10:30 am- National Organic Program regulations from seed to sale

11 am- Participatory Organic Farm Plan Activity

11:45 am- LUNCH

12:30 pm- Discussion of groups’ Organic Farm Plan exercises

1:15 pm- Post Test

1:30 pm- Discussion and Q & A with organic farmers

2:15 pm- Workshop evaluation

2:30 pm- Thanks and closing remarks