Classifieds - Events

People with offers, LEAVE YOUR EMAIL so people can contact you. People who are responding, DO NOT HIT REPLY. If you hit reply, it will post a new public message to this board. Email the people directly in YOUR OWN email program.

Saturday, September 12, 9:30 am to 4 pm
Fascinated by old barns? Enjoy the unique experience of being able to tour inside some of the wonderful old barns along our rural roads in the Saucon Valley area. Each barn is truly one-of-a-kind. Your day begins with a presentation giving an overview of the barn highlights by two well known barn experts at the Beethoven Waldheim Club, 1984 Waldheim Road , Hellertown , PA. You can then travel to the barns on the tour at your leisure using our guide book. Rain or Shine. $20 in advance, $25 day of tour. Tickets are available by using the online order form on our website. Hosted by Saucon Valley Conservancy. Proceeds benefit the Heller Barn Preservation Fund. For information: 610-216-0566, SVConservancy@aol.com, www.sauconvalleyconservancy.com.

Project for Public Spaces is holding its biannual How to Create Successful Markets course this fall (see description below). Would it be possible to post these events on your calendar? If so, what additional information do you require?

How to Create Successful Markets will focus on four crucial elements to successful markets: the right mix of vendors and products; a strong sense of place; solid economic and operational underpinnings; and a firm commitment to the surrounding community. Through presentations, working groups, and on-site tours of New York City's markets, the workshop will examine the benefits of markets, market planning and management, partnership building and community engagement. How to Create Successful Markets will be held on October 23-24, 2009.
http://www.pps.org/training/info/markets_training_course

We are happy to announce our adorable T-cup sized yorkie puppies now ready to be an addition to your family.All my puppies are paper and potty trained and are very sociable and friendly to all other home pets and kids.they are also of excellent personalities and temperaments.Get back to me for more details.

Tinkerbell and Usher will be small when they are grown. Tinkerbell and usher are such a sweet and affectionate little girl and boy. They loves to be held and played with. They are very very healthy and current on Their vaccinations. If you are looking for a little purse puppies to take with you everywhere then here they are! If you would like more info about this beautiful little girl and boy feel free.... to contact carolecarl@yahoo.com for more details.

Agriculture 2.0
The Conference for Innovators and Investors
September 17
SPIN-Farming LLC, together with NewSeed Advisors is co-hosting Agriculture 2.0 to showcase alternative agriculture entrepreneurs in the areas of sustainable growing systems, controlled climate growing systems, building integrated agriculture, urban agriculture, closed loop irrigation and waste processing systems, mobile food processing, aquaculture and appropriately-scaled marketing and distribution systems. Twelve companies will be selected to explain their growth prospects and financial highlights to an audience of potential investors and collaborators. Those wishing to participate should contact Roxanne Christensen at 610-505-9189 or rchristensen@infocommercegroup.com

A series of Workshops on Conscious Gardening will be offered at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in Patagonia, Arizona. The next workshop is May 17 to 23. Additional dates for August and October are available. For details, see: www.treeoflife.nu/consciousgardening The workshop features training in veganic gardening, the use of Effective Microorganisms to help enliven the soil, the integration of Growing Domes and greenhouses and other season extension techniques with outdoor gardens and mini-farms to create a sustainable, regenerative organic food production system. Tree of Life programs on live-food nutrition show how to create a vegan raw food diet for optimum health.

Join Us for a Day of Brewing, Hop Growing and Fun!
Learn to make your own beer and grow hops in this day long workshop at Lost Valley Educational Center..

Home brewers around the country are learning to make their own signature brews for a fraction of the cost of you pay in the market. ?

Tobias Schock of Valley Vinter and Brew will lead this hands-on workshop at teaching you all you need to know to get started brewing.

We will also spend some time in the field learning what is needed to grow your hops.

Organic, vegetarian lunch and home brew tastings included. Space is limited to 25 brewers so pre-registration is recommended. ?

Cost: $25.00 includes lunch and tastings
?When: Sunday, May 24, 2009 - 10am-5:00pm?
Where: Lost Valley Educational Center, Dexter, Or, 97431?
Register : events@lostvalley.org 541 937-3351 x 112

Green Living Expo is a catalyst for changing how we live, work and play encouraging ecologically smart and sustainable practices through commerce, the arts, ecological wisdom and social equality. See all shades of green at the Expo in W. Springfield, MA and Novi, MI.

Learn to play a drum and even carve from an African drum maker and more. Our website will update later this summer, with a detailed schedule of seminars, hands-on workshops, list of participants and exhibitors, entertainment all day. Learn, shop, watch, play, relax and join other like-minded individuals and families next January in Massachusetts and coming to Michigan in March.

Entertainers, Retailers, Non-Profits contact us for more information on becoming a part of Green Living Expo. 215-862-7158 or judy@greenlivingexpo.org.

Be well & happy,

Judy

We would like to introduce an outstanding opportunity for professionals and top graduate students. The Summer Sustainability Series - Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems is not your ordinary conference.

Oregon has earned a reputation of leadership in sustainability, but behind the curtain stands a living laboratory of successes, challenges, and on-going experiments. Hosted in Portland and Corvallis, Oregon, June 22 - 26, 2009, join fellow professionals and students as we wrestle with today’s challenges and review attempts at real-world solutions. This fast-paced five day mobile symposium will venture up and down the Willamette Valley to industry-leading farms and ranches, processors, distributors, markets and restaurants. Attendance is limited to 15 top graduate students and 20 professionals, which supports our goal of providing an individualized, interactive learning environment.

The Summer Sustainability Series is convened by the Oregon University System and the Oregon Business Council. Attendees may earn under-graduate or graduate level credits and/or CEU's. Our website is full of information, videos & testimonials from the class of 2008 and applications. www.summersustainabilityseries.org Note: We offer a discounted rate until March 31st.

Enrollment is limited to 35 and spaces will fill up quickly. Please pass this along to colleagues and students today.

Visit our website for complete details and to register for our 2009 Whole Farm Workshops!

Here's a quick list of what's in store for March:

Join us for another great presentation in our 2009 Whole Farm Workshop series!

Janet Gamble, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute's Farm and Food Education Director, will be presenting this workshop covering the fundamental principles of greenhouse management. Topics include: light, temperature, ventilation, timing, soil, containers, fertilizing and space requirements; alternatives and techniques for saving energy will also be discussed.

Please visit our website to register and to see the complete listing of 2009 workshops!

New Jersey Farm to School Conference
April 18, 2009
Lawrenceville, NJ
The New Jersey Farm to School Network presents a conference focusing on the policies and best practices for improving school lunch programs, connecting farmers to school lunch programs, and implementing nutrition and garden curriculum into the classroom. The conference is geared for teachers, farmers, policy makers, school board members and parents who are interested in improving the nutrition, quality, and local origin of lunches and food education at public and private schools and institutions in New Jersey. Tickets $20 plus $10 for lunch. More information at www.njfarmtoschool.org.

Announcing our 2009 Whole Farm Workshops at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute--education for beginning and advanced farmers, gardeners, general public and enthusiasts alike! Focus on topics such as soil analysis, CSA management, raising animals, marketing, business and farm management, food preservation and more. Come visit our website for more information and to register! Workshops begin February 5, 2009 and are presented by our expert Farmer Faculty.

"A Sacred Vision Manifests a Sacred Planet"

Announcing Webzine Launch Sacred Vision www.sacred-vision.com
Sacred Vision is a sentient online resource webzine network offering creative and sustainable product and service tools for personal and planetary evolution.

Organics
Sustainable Living
Eco Friendly
Mysticism
Holistic Wellness
Conscious Education and more........

Sacred Vision Publishers Maria Pologeorgis and Ron Flatow
www.sacred-vision.com

(November 11, 2008) Spring Mills, PA – PCO is proud to announce its 2008 Annual Meeting, to be held December 4 at the Ramada Conference Center in State College, Pennsylvania. High points will include a keynote presentation made by Drew and Joan Norman on their 25 years of running One Straw Farm, now the largest organic vegetable farm in Maryland, and a legislative update from Rep. David Kessler (D-Berks) and Cheryl Cook from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture on programs for current and transitioning organic producers. There will also be workshops and presentations on growing and using sustainable energy sources, management-intensive rotational grazing, and soil health, cover crops and integrated pest management. This year’s Annual Meeting will also feature the ever-popular panel of top-notch producers, sharing their tips and experience incorporating the feedback from customers into their production and marketing plans. Presentations will be as follows:

Keynote Address: “25 Years and Counting…”

Since 1985, Drew & Joan Norman have been running One Straw Farm, now the largest organic vegetable farm in the state of Maryland. They are selling produce at a number of local markets, running a CSA service and supplying several grocery stores and restaurants, while continuing to expand their outlets every year. Drew & Joan were featured presenters at the 2008 PASA Farming for the Future Conference.

Alternative Energy—Growing & Using it On-Farm

Preston Boop from Briar Patch Organic Farms has been composting yard waste and agricultural waste since 1990. With the rising cost of fuel in 2006, a homebrew bio-diesel production was started to supply fuel for tractors, skid loaders, forklifts, lawn mowers, and home heating furnace. Preston will give a general overview of the chemical process through which used fryer oil is converted to bio-diesel in an 80-gallon water heater, as well as offering some discussion on growing oil seed crops and including electric generation from anaerobic digesters producing methane gas. Lee Rinehart is the Northeast Regional Office Director for the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), and has a Master of Education in Agricultural Education and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Texas A&M. He has previous experience as an extension agent in Texas and Montana, as well as farm-based experience as the manager of a beef cattle operation. Lee also works with alternative and sustainable energy sources and, along with Preston, will be presenting key ideas to building a sustainable farm energy system.

PA Organic Legislative Update

Rep. David Kessler (D-Berks) has worked with PCO, PASA and the Rodale Institute to draft legislation that would establish the Organic Agriculture Development Fund to provide monetary assistance to transitioning organic farmers. Cheryl Cook is the Deputy Secretary of Marketing & Economic Development for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), and works on the First Industries Fund, offering grants and loans to organic processors and handlers, as well as the PA Preferred Program. Cheryl will also discuss recent developments with a $500,000 fund for supporting farmers transitioning to organic production. Together, Rep. Kessler and Cheryl Cook will present the latest information on Pennsylvania’s pro-organic legislation.

Farmer Panel: Incorporating Customer Feedback into Organic Production & Marketing

This year’s farmer panel is comprised of certified organic producers who are also skilled marketers. Rob Amsterdam works seasonally for Spiral Path Farm as their wholesale marketing agent and owns and operates A.P.E., Inc. (Amsterdam Produce Enterprises). Rob also just completed a two-year stint as interim director of sales and operations for Oké USA, a fair trade banana and tropical fruit importer and shipper based in Watertown, MA. Rob will discuss the various elements of identifying customers, getting consumer feedback from wholesale customers, identifying and interpreting indirect feedback from consumers, distinguishing feedback regarding product quality from feedback relating to how you conduct your business, and making adjustments and maintaining customer satisfaction over time.

John and Aimee Good have owned and operated Quiet Creek Farm, a 200-member CSA located at the Rodale Institute, since 2006. Prior to Quiet Creek, John and Aimee managed Charlestown Farm, a 150-member CSA, for 4 years. John and Aimee feel that customer satisfaction is the backbone of a successful CSA, and strive for a member retention goal of 80%. To ensure customer satisfaction, customer feedback is encouraged through an annual member survey and email listserve, as well as having a friendly and approachable distribution manager for on-farm pickup days. John and Aimee utilize customer feedback to make changes in their production – such as quantity and variety – as well as in aspects of distribution, like choices in the members’ shares.

Management-Intensive Rotational Grazing

Richard Stahl runs a management-intensive rotational grazing operation on his 150-head certified organic dairy farm in Somerset, PA. The NRCS Chapter Grazing Specialist for Somerset County, J.B. Harrold also works with South West Project Grass to promote best management practices through educational outreach. From J.B.: “Management-intensive grazing is a cheap, environmentally friendly way to produce milk in an organic system. If practiced correctly, and assuming we receive some rainfall from Mother Nature, pasture can feed the cows for approximately 8 months out of the year, on average. Farming organically, it is economical to grow feed for the other four months instead of purchasing it. We will discuss how management-intensive grazing works on Richard’s organic dairy farm in Somerset County and how to produce corn, soybeans, proton, and small grains in an organic setting. Yields on this organic farm, with less input and production costs, rival conventional yields in the same county.”

Soil Health—Cover Crops & IPM

Wade Esbenshade is a Greenhouse Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, works with the Penn State University Department of Entomology, and owns and operates his own certified organic farm in New Holland, PA. Wade’s session will cover the basics of IPM and its role in organic agriculture, the key elements of a successful IPM program and how to implement them on your farm. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of beneficial organisms and the related effects of conventional and organic pesticides. Kirby Reichert owns and operates Sunshine Farms in Grantville, PA, and has worked with researchers at the Rodale Institute No-Till Plus project in developing, implementing and refining the no-till roller/crimper that is revolutionizing the use of cover crops in organic no-till. Together, Wade and Kirby will explain many of the crucial components of building and maintaining soil fertility in organic systems.

This year’s Annual Meeting is sponsored by Horizon Organic, Lady Moon Farms, Organic Unlimited, and the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA). Products and services will also be exhibited by Dairy Marketing Services, Kreamer Feed, Lancaster Agriculture Products and Organic Valley.

PCO’s Annual Meeting is open to the public, and is a great opportunity for meeting the staff, networking with fellow organic producers, and getting to know some of the most influential members of Pennsylvania’s organic community. The event – including a luncheon to feature items from local and regional certified organic producers – is free for PCO members and a guest, and will be held from 8:30am-4:45pm; admission is $40 for the general public. Register by December 1 by calling the PCO office at (814) 422-0251 or by emailing pco@paorganic.org.

Pennsylvania Certified Organic is a membership-based non-profit organization and USDA-accredited organic certifying agency that educates and certifies growers, processors and handlers of organic crops, wild crops, livestock and livestock products in Pennsylvania and adjoining states. PCO is also accredited under International Standards Organization (ISO) Guide 65 and the Conseil des Appellations Agroalimentaires du Québec.

2nd Annual Northeast Animal Power Field Days
September 26 – 28, 2008
Tunbridge Fair Grounds, Tunbridge, VT

The Northeast Animal Power Field Days is a celebration of sustainable farming and renewable resources promoting conservation, stewardship, small farms, healthy forests, and the roles that they play in vital communities. This 3-day conference will feature working animal and equipment demonstrations in field and forest settings, workshops, exhibits, networking sessions, and an auction and swap meet on Sunday. Workshop topics will include grazing management, working with draft animals, livestock health, getting started with animal power and more.

Volunteering, Sponsoring, Exhibiting, and Advertising in or Program Catalog are all valuable ways to contribute to this Northeast event.

For more information, go to: www.animalpowerfielddays.org or contact Carl Russell and Lisa McCrory, info@animalpowerfielddays.org, 802-234-5524. Join our discussion forum; www.draftanimalpower.com .