North East Organic Network (NEON) Field Days 2003

The North East Organic Network (NEON), a research consortium of organic farmers, researchers, extension educators and organic farming organizations, announces this season's line up of on-farm Field Days for 2003:

June 20, (Friday), from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

"Transitioning to Organic Vegetable Production in South Jersey". Muth Farm, Williamstown, NJ. Co-sponsored with the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA-NJ), The Rodale Institute and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County, this field day will include a tour by Bob and Leda Muth of their 27-acre farm, one-third of which is now certified organic. They will describe how they have adjusted their marketing, equipment, and soil management strategies as they have made the transition from conventional to organic vegetable production. Other speakers include Dr. Anu Rangarajan of Cornell University's Department of Horticulture on "Ramping Up Research and Education in Organic Agriculture," Gloucester County Extension Agent Michelle Infante-Casella on "Cover Crops and Crop Rotations," Erich Bremer of NOFA-NJ on "Complying with the National Organic Program," and David Wilson and Matt Ryan of The Rodale Institute on "Research Results from the Farming Systems Trials" and "Using Compost Teas." Lunch will be available. Registration for this event is requested by June 16th. Call 609-737-6848.

June 30th, (Monday), from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM.

"Connecting Local Organic Farms to Institutions and Wholesale Markets." Upper Forty Farm, Cromwell, CT with the CT chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (CT NOFA). Farmer Kathy Caruso will give a tour of Upper Forty Farm, a NEON focal farm specializing in heirloom vegetable varieties. Tony Norris of Urban Oaks, a grower and distributor of organic produce, will talk about what it takes to get food from small organic farms to chefs and groceries across the state. A panel will discuss their efforts to meet the increasing demand for local organic food in universities and other institutions and in wholesale markets across the region. Lunch will be available. Reservations are required call 203-974-8473.

July 9th, (Wednesday), from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM,

"An Organic Success Story", Spiral Path Farm, Loysville, PA with NOFA-NJ and the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA). Spiral Path is part of the NEON Focal Farm Study. Farmers Mike and Terra Brownback will give a tour of their 60 acres in vegetables , while NEON researchers Anu Rangarajan, David Conner, Chuck Mohler, and Brian Caldwell will summarize NEON findings with regard to farm budgeting, crop rotations, and pest management. Lunch will be available. Attendees should register with the NOFA-NJ office (609) 737-6848 by July 2nd.

August 12th -- (Tuesday)

2nd Organic Field Crops Field Day. Geneva, NY. With New York Certified Organic (NYCO) and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY). 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Meet at Jordan Hall at the Geneva Experiment Station in Geneva, NY where regional organic field crop farmers and researchers will share their expertise in roundtable discussions, presentations, and bus tour demonstrations at select farm fields in Seneca and Yates counties. Outstanding organic crop and livestock farmer, Tom Frantzen, from Alta Vista, Iowa is guest speaker. Weed management, soil health, organic grain markets and the beneficial connections between livestock and crop production will be the primary topics of this field day. Lunch will be available. Fee is $25 per person; $15 for additional participants from the same farm. Pre-registration is necessary. Contact Maxine Welcome at 607-255-5439 for details.

October 13th (Monday)

Nordell's Farm in Beech Grove, PA. With the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA). Showcasing innovative cropping systems for organic vegetable production. Eric and Anne Nordell will present their cover-crop intensive rotation for optimal weed and soil moisture management, while NEON researchers will address findings from a number of other vegetable focal farms. Lunch will be available. Contact Maxine Welcome at 607-255-5439 for registration.