2025 Workshop Schedule
Below you will find the workshop schedule for 2025, complete with workshop descriptions and their instructors.
Block A - 8:30am -10:00am
Small 2-Stroke Engine Maintenance
Indoor: Hands On: All Levels
This double session combines lecture, discussion, and hands-on lessons in basic care and maintenance for tools with 2-cycle engines. Troubleshoot common problems with chainsaws, string trimmers, and blowers. Save money and time by doing it yourself.
Instructors: Titus Baurer, Canby Rental, 2 Stroke Technician & Josh Anderson, Canby Rental, Customer Relationship Director
Imagining the Collaborative Future of Farming
Indoor: All Levels
During this session we will explore different models of collaborative farming, share what resources exist to support collaboration, and participate in an activity to identify what kinds of collaboration may assist in specific farming challenges.
Instructor: Madeline Tucker, Collaborative Farming Specialist with Rogue Farm Corps
Cover Crop Establishment on Vegetable Farms
Outdoor: Hands On/Demo: All Levels
Cover crops can serve many purposes on your farm, join us to learn how to choose cover crops that match your specific goals. Nick will bring some different small-scale seeders and share practical tips for establishing strong cover crop stands.
Instructor: Nick Andrews, OSU Extension, Organic Vegetable Specialist & Cora Bobo Shisler, OSU Extension, Organic Agriculture Outreach Coordinator
All About SOIL: What it Is, How it Works, and Seeing Soil in a New Way
Indoor/Outdoor: Hands On/Demo: Beginner
It's ALL about SOIL! Most people only have a vague idea of what soil is and how it works. You will learn more than you ever thought possible from this lecture. What soil is, how soils form, the reason you are alive, what nutrients are, how soil stores water and nutrients, how to access published on-line soils data to improve your understanding of this critical resource! The fundamentals that ALL humans on the planet Earth should know!
After having learned some of the basics of what Soil is in the classroom, we will walk out to the farm site and get some hands-on practice looking at, and touching SOIL! – using our hands and eyes we will compare Soil Color/Texture/Structure in a Landscape with published data available for free using the SoilWeb App (on your smart phone) so you can do the same on whatever land you have an interest in.
Instructor: James Cassidy, Senior Instructor, Dept. Crop and Soil Science - Oregon State University
High Value and Low Input Fruit Trees
Outdoor: Beginner
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: Tonia Lordy, Executive Director, Home Orchard Education Center
Implement Maintenance
Outdoor: Hands On/Demo: Intermediate
This workshop will provide demonstrations on implement care and maintenance. Topics covered include tractor implement safety, how to attach implements to a tractor, understanding PTO use, basic maintenance, repairs and storage during off season.
Instructor: Gus Liszka, Equipment Rental Program, Clackamas SWCD
Creative Ways to Access Land: Farmer Panel
Indoor: All Levels
Learn from the experiences of and lessons learned by three farmers who have accessed farmland through non-traditional pathways. Panelists in this session will discuss their journeys; including the role of Headwaters Incubator Farm, conservation easements, off-farm support from a partner, private donors, non-profit status, land trusts, farm business succession, and community funding. Audience participation and questions are encouraged.
Instructors: Emily Cooper, Owner and Farmer at Full Cellar Farm & Qiddist Ashe, Executive Director at Black Oregon Land Trust & Adam McKinley, Owner and Manager at Olde Moon Farm. Moderated by Silvia Cuesta, Oregon Farm Link Navigator.
On-Farm Seed Saving
Indoor: Hands On: All Levels
Saving seeds is the foundation of our 10,000 year agricultural heritage. But in the last 100 years, farmers have largely become disconnected from saving their own seeds. Learn why the production farm is the best place to grow seed and learn how to get started doing it. We'll discuss the importance of seed saving, genetics and selection, types of seed enterprises, harvest, storage, and germ testing.
Instructor: Spencer Suffling, Tanager Farm, Field Manger
Navigating the Cut Flower World in the Pacific Northwest: Farmer Perspectives
Indoor: All Levels
Join us as we explore the in’s and out’s of growing and selling specialty cut flowers. We’ll dive into crop selection, post harvest handling, sales channels, creating community; as well as touch on our journey into flowers and our growing practices.
Instructors: Lindsay Goldberg, Farmer, Fawn Lily Farm & Sarah Head, Farmer, Eda Creek Farm
Navigating the Stress and Loss of a Changing Climate While Farming
Indoor: All Levels
Are you experiencing stress and /or strong emotions related to how climate change is impacting your farm or ranch or agricultural job? Join Maud for a gathering with other producers to learn about climate stress and grief and develop strategies for coping with them.
Instructor: Maud Powell, OSU Small Farms Program
Assess and Revitalize Your Pastures
Indoor: All Levels
Are your pastures overgrazed or unproductive? Learn how to assess pasture quality and steps you can take to improve forage productivity.
Instructor: Shayan Ghajar, Assistant Professor (Practice), Extension Organic Pasture and Forages
Credit and Insurance for Farmers: an Introduction to the Financing and Insurance Options Available for Farmers
Indoor: Beginner
We understand that launching your farming dream is an exciting and nerve-wracking endeavor. This workshop will be a panel of four professionals that work in the credit and insurance industry. This session will go over the basics of what programs are available, how to access these programs, and general informational around what financing and insuring a farm looks like. AgWest FC and the USDA FSA will present loan programs that are available to primarily young and/or beginning small farmers. AgWest and Country Financial will explain insurance programs available for farmers. We will help you take the guess-work out of proper coverage and help you avoid major insurance pitfalls to ensure your operation is successful and able to withstand disaster. This will cover both crop insurance and property/casualty insurance.
Instructors: Nick Davidson, Relationship Manager II/AVP at AgWest Farm Credit & Kelly Kapple, Insurance Advisor & Farm Certified Agent with COUNTRY Financial & George Harris, Crop Insurance Specialist at AgWest Farm Credit & Kira Sabin, Farm Loan Analyst, USDA
Block B - 10:30am - 12:00pm
Farm Visioning: Prepare to Launch Your Farm!
Indoor: Hands On: All Levels
Join Rogue Farm Corps's Geoffrey Van for a workshop on identifying your farm’s core values and creating vision and mission statements, the foundations of your business plan and first steps towards running a successful business. For both aspiring and existing businesses.
Instructor: Geoffrey Van, Future Farms Program Director, Rogue Farm Corps
Farmland Leasing Fundamentals
Indoor: All Levels
This workshop will give an overview of what to look for when searching for farmland, and tools for evaluating properties. We will also dive into agreements with landholders including negotiation framework and contract building.
Instructors: Silvia Cuesta, Oregon Farmland Navigator - Friends of Family Farmers & Natalie Danielson, Co-Director of Friends of Family Farmers
Dig for Your Soil - Evaluations of Soil Health You Can Do at Home
Indoor: Hands On/Demo: Intermediate
We will start with the fundamental background on soil health. We will teach tools and practice skills to evaluate your soil's health; including water dyanmics, aggregate stability, color, pores, and smells. We will explain strategies to put results in context.
Instructor: Shannon Cappellazzi, OSU Soil Health Specialist - Organic Extension
Establishing a Small Orchard
Outdoor: Beginner
If you are thinking about installing a small orchard on your property, this session is for you. We will cover all the preliminary steps including; site selection and preparation, species and variety selection, pest and disease considerations, and the realities of managing small orchards.
Instructor: Tonia Lordy, Executive Director, Home Orchard Education Center
Tractor Maintenance
Outdoor: Hands On/Demo: Beginner
This workshop will provide an introduction to tractor maintenance. Topics covered include tractor safety, parts of the tractor, basic maintenance, doing oil filters and changes.
Instructor: Gus Liszka, Equipment Rental Program, Clackamas SWCD
Foray into Fabaceae: Growing Dry Beans on Your Small Farm
Indoor: All Levels
Interested in adding dry beans to your farming rotation? Come learn about growing practices, variety trial results, equipment, marketing options, and more from an experienced bean grower and an OSU Extension specialist.
Instructors: Brigid Meints, Organic Grains and Pulses Extension Specialist, Oregon State University & David Oberstein, Farmer, Silly Goose Farm
Mushroom Production: Beginner Basics for Gourmet Mushroom Cultivation
Indoor: Hands On/Demo: Beginner
Learn the basics of cultivating gourmet and medicinal mushrooms. This session covers introductory mushroom production principles such as substrate preparation and fruiting chamber conditions. Prepare to be fascinated by fungi.
Instructors: Anna Wilson, Farmer, Brown Bottle Farm & Christian Clarke, Producer, Myco Munity Mushrooms
Getting Started with Cut Flowers
Indoor/Outdoor: All Levels
In this session, we’ll explore considerations for starting a cut flower farm or integrating cut flowers into your farm. Learn the basics of crop selection for high tunnel and field, nutrient management, and marketing options for specialty cut flowers.
Instructor: Shannon Rauter, Small Farms and Master Gardener Program Coordinator, OSU Extension – Clatsop County
Handling and Moving Livestock
Indoor: All Levels
In this class, livestock producers will gain valuable insights into the behavior of cattle, sheep, and hogs. Understanding animal behavior is crucial for effective handling and management, leading to calmer animals, calmer handlers, and a more efficient operation.
Instructor: Hayley White, Extension Forages and Livestock Assistant Professor of Practice, OSU
Everything I've Learned About Chickens
Indoor: All Levels
Egg layers are the center of this Q&A session; covering choosing the right breeds and feed to fit your flock goals, discussing chicken health, exploring the dream vs the reality of pastured poultry, and sharing resources for continued support.
Instructor: Leslie Pierce, Livestock Lead, Foglight Farms & Owner of Flock City Pdx
Agroforestry and Food Forest Panel
Indoor: Hands On: All Levels
If you are curious about engaging in agroforestry and food forests in our bioregion, this panel discussion is for you.
Panelists will provide an introduction to agroforestry, share their experiences with agroforestry, and offer beginner-friendly recommendations.
Panelists: Rowan Steele, Headwaters Farm Program Manager, East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District & Rebeca Bonilla-Myers, Site and Programs Director, Beacon Food Forest & Dan Sloan, Executive Director, PDX Food Forest Initiative. Facilitated by Sachin Bangalore, Farm Manager at Rhythm Seed Farm
Block C - 1:45pm - 3:15pm
Pest Management for Small-Scale Vegetable Growers
Indoor: Hands On/Demo: All Levels
Join the OSU IPM Center for a field walk, presentation, and discussion of common insect pests on organic vegetable farms. Prevention, control, ID, and more covered in this session. Time Table: 1:45-2:15 Introduction, 2:15-2:30 Learning Activity, 2:30-3 Main Pests and Control Options, 3-3:15 Resources
Instructor: Paola Sotelo-Cardona, IPM Educator, Oregon IPM Center, Oregon State University
Nonprofit Farming Models: Farmer Panel
Indoor: All Levels
During this panel discussion we'll cover the experiences of and lessons learned by three farmers whose businesses are incorporated as nonprofits. Nathan has been operating their nonprofit since 2010, and Kylie just started their nonprofit two seasons ago. Amanda will discuss funding challenges as a nonprofit. Audience participation and questions are encouraged.
Instructors: Nathan McFall, Food Production Director at Food Waves & Kylie Steele, Co-Founder and Farmer at ResilientSeed Healing Farm & Amanda Martinez, Executive Director at Thimbleberry Collaborative Farm. Facilitated by Madeline Tucker, Collaborative Farming Specialist at Rogue Farm Corps
Forming a Legal Business Organization for your Farm
Indoor: Beginner
Learn the simple yet essential steps to organizing your farm as a limited liability company (LLC) for immediate tax and risk management benefits while planning for future change, along with other legal tools such as stewardship trusts, leases, and easements.
Instructor: Christy Anderson Brekken, Of Counsel, Felling, Reid, and Duxbury LLC
Demystifying Soil Tests
Indoor: Hands On/Demo: Intermediate
Soil tests provide timely information on soil properties and conditions. Farmers can use them to monitor soil nutrient levels and to better understand how their management strategies impact the soil environment. They are important tools in the overall operation of a farm, but unfortunately, interpreting a soil test report can be a frustrating and confusing task. If you’ve ever wondered what all the numbers mean and whether or not you should do something about them, join us. Together, we’ll identify the strengths and weaknesses of the tests and we’ll review and discuss soil test reports with the goal of improving their usefulness to you. Should be fun!
Instructor: Nathan Stacey, Small Farms Extension Specialist and Soil Scientist, OSU’s Center for Resilient Agriculture and Food Systems
Email Marketing - A Beginner's Guide with Keys to Building an Engaged Audience & Profitable Business in the Future
Indoor: Beginner
Marketing can get really complex, but there's a tried and true formula (that includes AI and other free tools) for building a list of engaged subscribers (on ANY platform) that will help new and beginning farmers build an on-demand list of informed prospects that can convert into a loyal, ready to buy list of advocates and customers. Join presenter Michele Thorne, Executive Director of the Good Meat Project to learn these simple and replicable strategies.
Instructor: Michele Thorne, Executive Director, Good Meat Project
Electric Fence How-Tos and Paddock Design
Outdoor: Hands On/Demo: All Levels
Electric fences are the best tool for implementing regenerative grazing, but they can be both mysterious and scary. In this hands-on workshop you will learn how to safely work with a variety of fence types and how incorporate them into a grazing plan.
Instructor: Mike Guebert, Program Director, Oregon Pasture Network
Adding a Farm Stand: Tools, Tips, and Techniques
Indoor: All Levels
Explore how to start a farm stand with insights on land use, planning, risk management, marketing, and customer service to boost your farm or ranch’s visibility and income. Learn what important things to consider before investing your time and money.
Instructors: Audrey Comerford, OSU Extension, Agritourism Coordinator & Jennifer Hughes, Clackamas County Planning Director
Tending to Land and Community: A Look into Growing Herbs and Folk Herbalism
Indoor: Beginner
Are you herb-curious? Do you rely on herbal remedies? Eager to create networks of care? Then join us! Panelists will share their experiences of being in relationship with herbs, making herbal preparations, and cultivating networks rooted in care and learning. Come ready to open up, humble down and nerd out.
Panelists: Flynne Olivarez, Mariquita Medicinals, Unity Farm & Letty Dogheart, Community Herbalist and Land Tender, Flying Dogheart Farm. Facilitated by Sachin Bangalore, Farm Manager at Rhythm Seed Farm
Greenhouse Health 101: Clean Starts, Clean Systems, Healthy Blooms
Indoor/Greenhouse: Hands On/Demo: Beginner
Learn practical strategies to reduce disease pressure in cut flower greenhouses—from managing moisture and media to using beneficial microbes and sanitation practices—all tailored to improve plant health and reduce pesticide dependence.
Instructor: Luisa Santamaria, OSU Extension, Nursery Plant Pathologist
Assessing Hay Quality
Indoor: Beginner
Are you new to livestock and feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of buying hay? Perhaps you’ve purchased hay only to find out later that your animals won’t eat it. With so many different types of hay and varying qualities, it can be intimidating to make the right choice for your animals. Join us and build confidence!
Instructor: Hayley White, Extension Forages and Livestock Assistant Professor of Practice, OSU
Creating a Basic Farm Balance Sheet
Indoor: Beginner
Balance sheets can be so useful! Learn why balance sheets are important, what they can tell you about your farm, and how they can help with decision-making and achieving your farm goals. This session will walk through a step-by-step case study that illustrates how to put together a basic farm balance sheet. Take the information and skills home to use in your farm business!
Instructor: Andrea Krahmer, Director of Ag Business Support, Oregon Agricultural Trust
Commercial Gardens on Domestic Wells - New Rules from HB 3372
Indoor: All Levels
Thanks to a new bill passed in the Oregon Legislature this year, for the first time since 1955 it's legal to irrigate limited commercial gardens from your domestic well. Come learn about new rules and how they impact your farm.
Instructors: Brittney Deming, Community Engagement Director, Friends of Family Farmers & Lakshmi Tata, Edible Stories Market Garden, impacted farmer & Amy Landvoight, Oregon Water Resources Department & Jake Constans, Oregon Water Resources Department & Eugene Dight, Oregon Water Resources Department