2024 Workshop Schedule

Below you will find the workshop schedule for 2024, complete with workshop descriptions and their instructors.

Block A - 8:30am -10:00am

Agriculture Pond and Reservoir Management

Description: OSU faculty and partners are creating new pond management technical resources and education programs over the next two years for farmers and service providers. Current topics, guiding concepts, and references to date will be shared with requests for feedback.

Instructor(s): Derek Godwin, Extension Watershed Management Specialist OSU; Abigail Tomasek, Extension Soil and Water Quality Specialist OSU; Sam Chan, Extension Aquatic Health, Oregon Sea Grant and OSU

Bringing Your Culture to the Farm Stand

Description: Locally niche crops and culturally important plants such as nopal, ginger, sweet potatoes, and persimmons can grow in Oregon, but can they work for your farm? We will discuss strategies to incorporate specialty crops that are important to you into diversified operations.

Instructor(s): Todd Anderson, OSU Small Farms Extension Program

Farm Business Plans – What You Need to Know When Writing and Using a Business Plan for your Farm

Description: This session will guide you through a sample outline and the steps of creating a farm business plan. Learn what funders and lenders look for, and how internal plans can help with decision-making and achieving your farm's goals. You'll leave this session with a clear understanding of when and how a business plan can benefit your farm.

Instructor(s): Andrea Krahmer, Oregon Agricultural Trust, Director of Ag Business Support

Getting Started with Beekeeping – What you Need to Know About Equipment and Acquiring Bees

Description: Learn the basics of what’s needed to get started with beekeeping, including essential equipment, protective clothing, and information on acquiring bees. This session is for farmers interested in adding bees to their farm business.

Instructor(s): David Matis, Backyard Beekeeper; Oregon Master Beekeeper, Journeyman; Oregon State Beekeeping Association

How to Get Started With High value and Low Input Fruit (Trees and Shrubs)

Description: One way to diversify your offerings as a small-scale organic farm is to grow low input, high value fruit crops. This session will cover some of our favorite specialty fruiting plants that are mostly pest and disease free, easy to grow, highly productive, and vastly profitable at market.

Instructor(s): Tonia Lordy of Home Orchard Education Center

Irrigation Scheduling for Annual Crops

Description: In this session, we will explore how to use various tools to design irrigation schedules for annual crops based on soil and weather conditions. We'll cover understanding crop water needs and integrating soil moisture sensors on your farm to determine when to water. Spencer will share Tanager Farms irrigation scheduling methods for both overhead and drip systems, and how they are working to reduce overall water usage on their farm. By the end of this session, you'll have actionable ideas to implement as you create or adapt an irrigation plan for your annual crops, optimizing water use and enhancing crop health.

Instructor(s): Heidi Noordijk, Metro Small Farms Program Coordinator at OSU Extension; Spencer Suffling, Farmer at Tanager Farm

Just Getting Started: What to Know - Doubling Down: A Deep Dive on Farmland Due Diligence

Description: Attendees will engage in a live demonstration using widely available online resources to practice skills in researching farm properties. Tools to practice with include - County Mapping and Assessor sites, Google Earth Pro, Soil Web Survey, Water Rights Mapping and more.

Instructor(s): Christina Bentrup, Navigator at Friends of Family Farmers; Silvia Cuesta, Navigator at Friends of Family Farmers

Practical Ways to Improve Soil Health on Your Farm

Description: In this session, we'll explore crucial aspects of soil health for farmers, including organic matter options, the importance of cover crops, how to optimize tillage, and a greenhouse inoculant demo. The role of microbiology for enhancing soil and plant health will be emphasized throughout.

Instructor(s): Jen Aron of Blue Raven Farm

Selling Producer-Processed, Value-Added Products under the Oregon Farm Direct Marketing Law

Description:Since 2011, farmers and producers across Oregon have been selling farm direct, value-added, low-risk products such as fruit spreads, pickles, and lacto-fermented fruit and veggies to consumers under the Oregon Farm Direct Marketing Law. In 2023, SB507 was signed into law which expanded the product list, opened new sales channels, and increased the gross sales limit. This session will explain the requirements outlined in the new law and provide some step-by-step guidance regarding its implementation.

Instructor(s): Kelly Streit, Senior Instructor at OSU Extension

Small Engine Basics, Part 1 (Double Session)

Description: Josh Anderson from Canby Rental & Equipment will cover the basics of how a 4-stroke engine operates, routine engine maintenance and small repairs you can do at home. He will also teardown an engine and go over parts and their functions, and if time permits the engine will also be reassembled.

Important: During registration, please select this class for Block A, and for Block B please select 'Not Attending'. This way you will keep your schedule clear for this two-part workshop.

Instructor(s): Josh Anderson, Service Manager at Canby Rental & Equipment

Veterinary Care Basics for Livestock

Description: Learn about basic health care for livestock from the perspective of a producer. This workshop will cover the basic care your animals need throughout the year, what to have in a medical kit, and the importance of establishing an account with a veterinarian.

Instructor(s): Avery Thompson, Livestock Manager at Tabula Rasa Farms

Block B - 10:30am - 12:00pm

The Beekeeping Calendar

Description: David will share the calendar for beekeeping activities to maintain productive and healthy colonies. Hive inspection, managing pests and diseases, nutrition, hive placement during bloom will be covered.

Instructor(s): David Matis, Backyard Beekeeper; Oregon Master Beekeeper, Journeyman; Oregon State Beekeeping Association

Building a Profitable Cut Flower Farm - Models for Success

Description: A deep dive into the nuts and bolts of running a profitable cut flower farm. We will explore seed & plug sourcing, variety selection, growing plans and options to add profitability with workshops, flower products, online sales and event/wedding work.

Instructor(s): Kristin LaMont, Witte Flower Farm Owner

Drip Irrigation 1: Choosing Your System

Description: Find out the advantages of various drip irrigation systems and if they are a good fit for your farm. Getting timely water to your crops is essential. This workshop will set you up to choose a system and components that meet your specific needs.

Instructor(s): Josh Volk, Farmer at Slow Hand Farm

Dry Farming Accelerator

Description: This workshop will provide a general overview of dry farming principles and practices, and outline resources available for farmers interested in adopting dry farming practices on their farm, highlighting the OSU Small Farms' Dry Farming Accelerator program.

Instructor(s): Lucas Nebert, OSU Dry Farm Research Associate

Farmer Insights for On-Farm Rabbit Processing

Description: Join Michelle of x̌ast sq̓it (Good Rain) Farm to learn about her experiences with on-farm rabbit processing. Michelle will share insights on processing tools and equipment, food safety, scheduling, techniques for on-farm processing. Michelle will discuss how Oregon HB2689, passed in 2023, which allows on-farm processing of up to 1000 rabbits per year has impacted her farm and rabbit processing and marketing. This session is for farmers interested in on-farm processing of rabbits.

Instructor(s): Michelle Week, Farmer at Good Rain Farm

Grazing Strategies for Soil Health, Forage Quality / Quantity, and Livestock Health

Description: Managed grazing to protect and enhance soil function and forage production. Grazing systems, forage mixes, seasonal timing and stocking rates that maximize forage and soil health. How to assess land and soil capability and avoid low productivity, weeds, parasites, and disease.

Instructor(s): Scott Eden, Conservation Specialist at Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District; Gus Liszka, Equipment Rental Program/Maintenance at Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District

Just Getting Started: What to Grow

Description:As a beginning farmer or new land owner/steward, you need to determine what CAN be grown or raised on your property and what you WANT to produce. This session will cover how to assess natural resources on a property, such as soil and water, to know what your options are. We will introduce the basic physical property and personal considerations for livestock, fruit, flower, and diverse vegetable operations. You will work with a worksheet throughout the presentation to identify the priority questions you need to answer and to track essential components of your decision making. Due to the brief time we get together, we will not be covering production methods, costs of production, or marketing strategy, however, you will leave knowing what questions to ask in order to take the first step into farming and with a resource packet to help you along the way. You will have the opportunity to ask questions throughout and at the end.

Instructor(s): Teagan Moran and Hayley White of OSU Small Farms Extension

A Permaculture Perspective on Pest and Disease Control Through Nutrient Management

Description: Permaculture is a holistic design system. We begin with analyzing the intrinsic characteristics of the site, and we then apply a design framework that encourages the best conditions for healthy plant growth. After evaluating what already exists, we move to determining the optimal crops to grow in the current situation, and how to adapt the landscape to provide nourishing conditions for crops that are exhibiting signs that they need more care. When pests or diseases appear, we thoughtfully consider the cause of this weakness and use local resources to remedy the situation. Permaculture design looks at the big picture, taking into account the long-term care of the landscape.

Instructor(s): Marisha Auerbach of Permaculture Rising

Small Engine Basics, Part 2 (Double Session)

Important: During registration, please select this class for Block A, and for Block B please select 'Not Attending'. This way you will keep your schedule clear for this two-part workshop.

Instructor(s): Josh Anderson, Service Manager at Canby Rental & Equipment

Soil Health: Practical Assessments on the Farm

Description: This workshop will review the fundamental basics of soil health and using hands-on demonstrations will illustrate how those concepts can be observed in everyday land and farm management. Join us as we link soil health to in-field observations!

Instructor(s): Nate Stacey, Small Farms Extension Specialist and Soil Scientist at OSU

Block C - 1:45pm - 3:15pm

Assessing Urban Soils for Food Production

Description: Learn about unique challenges and opportunities that urban soils present, how to test soils, and how to address common resource concerns in urban environments. We’ll discuss how urban soils can benefit from the principles of soil health.

Instructor(s): Marissa Theve, Soils Scientist, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Drip Irrigation 2: Hands-on Setup

Description: The author of 'Build Your Own Farm Tools' will present a hands-on demonstration of a drip irrigation installation. This is a chance to learn the basics of drip, as well as tips and tricks for troubleshooting the inevitable issues that come with drip irrigation.

Instructor(s): Josh Volk, Farmer at Slow Hand Farm

Establishing Native Habitat for Beneficial Insects on Farms

Description: Corin will describe the process of planning, implementing and maintaining native habitat on farms. This session will cover a step by step process of site selection, plant selection, site preparation, planting, irrigation and maintenance to help farmers avoid potential pitfalls in the process.

Instructor(s): Corin Pease, Pacific Northwest Pollinator Conservation Specialist at Xerces Society and Partner Biologist at Natural Resource Conservation Service

Farming In Spreadsheets

Description: Learn how to build your own crop tracking tools and start keeping records, cleaner and faster. This course takes you through the steps to rapidly build an application start to finish to be able to track your: planting, harvesting, and sales of crops. You will leave with your own fully functional tool kit that can be used the very moment you walk out the door. The tools used are completely free, and free forever!

Instructor(s): John Wagner, Farm Finance Instructor and Program Analyst at Farm Service Agency

Just Getting Started: Where Will My Farm Products Go?

Description: Once you have an idea of what farm products you’ll grow, your next step will be to determine which markets those products will go to. In this workshop session we'll explore the different options you have for selling farm products and identify what it takes to sell products via these different channels. You'll evaluate these different sales channels and rank them based on how good of a fit they are for you and your farm business. You’ll walk away from this session with a solid starting point for which sales channels to prioritize and what else you need to do to refine your farm’s sales plan.

Instructor(s): Tanya Murray, Oregon Community Food Systems Network, State Team Coordinator for Oregon for the Northwest and Rocky Mountain USDA Regional Food Business Center; Nicki Passarella, farmer at Storybook Farm

Natural Beekeeping: Expansive Practices For Dynamic Hives

Description: Focused on supporting the vitality and resilience of the honeybee, we explore how ecosystem, hive style, swarming, and creative beekeeping approaches can invigorate the health and ultimate happiness of your hives. This class is for both new and seasoned beekeepers.

Instructor(s): Allison Sabrie, Beekeper

Organic Certification Essentials for Small Farms

Description: This session will cover the nuts and bolts of organic certification, including standards, steps to certification, compliance, and the benefits of becoming certified organic. We will also discuss organic certification exemptions for small farms, explaining how small farms may be able to use the term "organic" without full certification. Gain practical insights into overcoming common certification challenges, maintaining necessary documentation, and leveraging the economic and environmental advantages of organic certification. This comprehensive overview will equip small farms with the knowledge, resources, and tools to succeed in the organic market.

Instructor(s): Lindsey Campbell, Senior Certification Officer at Oregon Tilth

Production and Marketing of Dry-Farmed Melons in Western Oregon

Description: This session will include an introduction to dry farming, recommendations of the best melon cultivars for dry farming and how to determine if they are ripe, production strategies to maximize yields and establishment, and marketing materials and information. Prepare your tastebuds to sample a selection of dry farmed melon varieties.

Instructor(s): Matt Davis, Faculty Research Assistant at the OSU Department of Horticulture; Heidi Noordijk, Metro Small Farms Program Coordinator, OSU Extension

Small Machinery for the Small Farm

Description: Small machinery is essential for farm operations. This session will cover examples of electric and gas equipment used on small farms, including greens cutters, weed whackers, lawnmowers, chainsaw, walk-behind tractors and more. Michelle will share her insights on the advantages and drawbacks of using small machinery on her farm. The session will be held outdoors and will include a showcase of small machinery and a demonstration of a walk-behind tractor with various implements.