Apple juggling
Events Calendar
List a new event — we highlight workshops, meetings and festivals in southern New England. Your event should explore the impact of locally grown foods on healthy communities, economies and the environment.
Events: January 2007

Getting Started in Organic Farming

Saturday, January 13 | 11:00AM - 7:30PM | New Haven, CT | directions | website

Are you interested in local food production? In helping meet the growing demand for organic and local, sustainable food? Would you like to learn from some of the best organic farmers in the region?

Workshop topics include:
• The nuts and bolts of farm finance: surviving the first three years.
• Setting up a farm business.
• Alternatives to Certification.
• Marketing
• Organic Certification

The conference costs $25 for CT NOFA members and $35 for non-members. We encourage you to join. Fee includes lunch and handouts.

Hosted by CT-NOFA at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station: 123 Huntington St, New Haven, CT.

Contact Bill Duesing at (203) 888-5146 or by e-mail for more information.

URI - RMA - RICAPE Training Series

Tuesday, January 16 11:00AM - Wednesday, January 17 7:00PM | W. Greenwich, RI | directions | website

A series of special programs to address risk and other challenges in the field and on the farm

Calculating risk and protecting vs. losses
Assessing new enterprises
Understanding the changing regulatory climate
Identifying options & choices
Protecting your business interests
Meeting deadlines - on time
Planning for an uncertain future

Who should attend?
Diversified farm operators, growers of apples, peaches, grapes, cranberries, corn, fresh market sweet corn, potatoes and nursery stock, agriculture and horticulture professionals, extension and other educators, small business and economic development personnel, farm service providers.

Every attendee will receive a free copy of the “Rhode Island Guide to Risk Management and Crop Insurance.”

Session Fees
These sessions are free of charge.

Don’t miss these sessions!
Bring your questions - Meet with the experts

Session 1 – Tuesday, January 16, 2007
8:00-8:30AM Registration

A panel of special guests will provide a provocative overview of issues and related topics and the floor will be open for questions and discussion.

Panelists:
Ken Ayars Chief, RIDEM Division of Agriculture – State of RI agriculture, disaster relief, future projections and expectations
Charlie Koines – Consultant - New York
Colleen Kisselburgh - Arthur Carroll Insurance Agency
Jeremy Forrett – Crop Growers INS Services
John Howard – Farm Family Insurance
Rob Swanson – Farm Service Agency
Melissa Turrissi - Farm Service Agency - Non-insured Assistance Program

12:00PM Networking and Lunch

Session 2 - Wednesday, January 17th
8:00-8:30 Registration

Our special guests will take you through the steps, answer your questions and lead the discussion.

Part 1 Field Corn and Market Sweet Corn
Charlie Koines – Crop insurance
David Handley - University of Maine – IPM scouting for Sweet Corn Pests.
Frank Himmelstein - University of Connecticut – Field Corn Weed Issues
Colleen Kisselburgh - Arthur Carroll Insurance Agency
Jeremy Forrett - Crop Growers INS Services
Whitney Langone – Sustainable Agriculture Specialist - URI Cooperative Extension

12PM-1PM Lunch

1PM Part 2 – Nursery
Charlie Koines – Consultant – New York
Dr. Jeffrey Adkins - University of Rhode Island: Current research update on ornamentals
Colleen Kisselburgh - Arthur Carroll Insurance Agency
Jeremy Forrett - Crop Growers INS Services
Whitney Langone – Sustainable Agriculture Specialist - URI Cooperative Extension

4PM Networking and adjourn

Hosted by URI, RMA and RICAPE at the Whispering Pines Conference Center: 401 Victory Highway (Route 102), W. Greenwich, RI.

Contact Stu Nunnery at (401) 213-6420 or by e-mail for more information.

Good Agricultural Practices and Farm to School Seminar

Tuesday, January 23 | 3:30PM - 7:00PM | Warwick, RI | directions

A seminar/training session on the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and RI Farm to School Programs. GAP is a voluntary program to train and certify farmers in relation to produce handling practices and food safety. GAP certification is typically required of buyers who purchase fruits and vegetables from local farms for the expanding farm to school program in Rhode Island.

Topics covered include the GAP principles related to: personal hygiene practices of workers including illness and handwashing, sanitation in the field and packinghouse, and water quality which are described in the enclosed brochure. Lunch will be served.

Registration Deadline - January 17, 2007.

Hosted by URI, DEM and Kids First at the USDA Office: 60 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI.

Contact Martha Patnoad at (401) 874-2960 or by e-mail for more information.