Production, Processing and Marketing Organic Crops Covered at Extension Workshop
0 votes
GREENFIELD, Iowa -- The “Transitioning to Organic” workshop held Sept. 23 gave participants a chance to view organic corn and soybean crops at the Neely-Kinyon Farm in Greenfield, Iowa, and to discuss organic vegetable and fruit production, processing and marketing at the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center, in Orient. Iowa State University Extension staff showcased the latest innovations for organic farmers, including toolkits for insect pest and natural enemy identification, soybean rust testing and soil fertility test kits.
“I was energized by the ideas that came forth in the workshop,” said one participant who was thinking of transitioning some acres into organic production. According to Craig Chase, Extension farm management specialist, support from new programs in the Farm Bill will enhance the efforts of transitioning farmers, including direct payments for longer rotations required for organic certification.
More organic agriculture information is available at the ISU Extension organic agriculture Web page at http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/ .
- Full story: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2008/sep/162501.htm
- from Iowa State University Extension - News