|
 Starting in January, University of Illinois Extension is
providing a weekly educational webinar series for the small farm
community. This online series will provide small farm producers
practical knowledge on the leading practices in emerging topics
that advance local food production.
The webinars are free and will be noon to 1 p.m. on Thursdays.
They are available to the public to view online from the comfort
of home or anywhere with internet access. Sign up online now at
go.aces.Illinois.edu/SmallFarm WinterWebinar or no later than
the day before the class. Participants will receive a
confirmation email with webinar connection details and session
handouts.
Webinars Include:
January 30, 2020
Asparagus Production and Marketing
Nathan Johanning
Asparagus is an excellent crop for a small farm operation. It is
one of the few perennial vegetable crops we have and once
established, and if maintained, it can be productive for many
decades. The quality and taste of fresh, local asparagus make it
reasonably easy to develop marketing opportunities. It is an
early-season vegetable that can stand alone or complement the
marketing of strawberries or other early high tunnel crops. This
webinar will cover the basics of establishment, maintenance,
harvest, and marketing.
February 6, 2020
Farm Stress and Impact on Health Dr. Josie Rudolphi
Farmers experience tremendous amounts of stress. Chronic stress
can have negative effects on one's physical and mental health.
Participants will identify the signs and symptoms of chronic
stress, or distress and evidence-based strategies to reduce
stress and improve overall health.
February 13, 2020
Updates on Industrial Hemp in Illinois
Phillip Alberti
February 20, 2020
Soil Organic Matters
Grant McCarty
Organic matters are plant or animal-based products that, when
added to the soil, contribute to physical, chemical, and
biological properties. The most common ones are manure, leaf
litter, cover crops, and compost. By adding different organic
matters to the soil, they can address soil health problems and
be a positive action for better soil management in both the
short and long term.
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This webinar will help you decide which organic
matters to use, how they contribute to the soil, impact soil
biology, and add to soil nutrient cycles.
February 27, 2020
Saturated Media Extract
Zack Grant
For decades the Saturated Media Extract (SME) test has been a
routine method used for greenhouse bench crops growing in soil-less
mixes and also in irrigated arid production systems. Many protected
culture growers and high compost input farmers grow in media or soil
that can exhibit very high nutrient levels above the capacity of the
soil or media to retain those nutrients. SME represents an option to
monitor and manage nutrients at the water-soluble level.
March 5, 2020
Selling through Food Hubs and Co-ops: A Growers Perspective
Laurie George
March 12, 2020
Getting Started in Drip Irrigation Bronwyn Aly
Water management is a key component in maximizing yields of
specialty crops. Join Bronwyn Aly, Local Foods Systems and Smalls
Farms Educator, as she discusses the basics of setting up a drip
irrigation system.
March 19, 2020
The Basics for Goats and Sheep James Theuri and Doug Gucker
The Local Food Systems and Small Farms program is a branch of
University of Illinois Extension that provides research-based
information about agriculture health and safety, environmentally and
economically sound pest control and improving profitability and
sustainability. More information is available at go.illinois.edu/dmp
or follow Educator Doug Gucker on Twitter @SoilWaterDoug.
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in
programs and employment. If you need reasonable accommodation to
participate in this program, please call (217) 877-6042.
[News Source: Doug Gucker, Small
Farms Educator, University of Illinois Extension] |
