Produce, Organic Farming and Ranching, Small Acreage Management to be Focuses of Ag Conference

Colorado Agriculture Big and Small, a two-day conference at Island Grove Park in Greeley, will provide workshops, seminars and a trade show on a variety of agricultural topics. The conference, presented by Colorado State University Cooperative Extension and the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service, includes a focus on Colorado produce and water issues Feb. 22, and a focus on organic farming and ranching Feb. 23.

"We’re pleased to again bring all these agricultural topics together and we think there will be something new for everyone, as well as a great opportunity for groups and individuals to network and learn from each other," said Tom McBride, Colorado State Cooperative Extension director in Adams County.

The produce conference begins at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 22, with sessions on food safety, farm labor availability, managing water in Colorado, managing small fruit production, optimizing production for solanaceous (such as tomato) and cucurbit (such as squash and cucumber) crops and more, ending at 5:20 p.m. and followed by a meeting of the Colorado Organic Producers Association (COPA) at 5:45 p.m.

The organic conference begins at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 23, with sessions on developing a business plan, financing for organic growers, results of an organic marketing survey, organic dry bean production, organic meat processing, disease management for organic poultry production and greenhouse transplant production.

Cost is $35 a day or $50 for two days.  The fee includes a gourmet lunch buffet each day prepared by chefs from the University of Northern Colorado, with an emphasis on organic foods and Colorado raised meats, grains and produce. The trade show will be from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day and admission for that is free.  For more information and a registration brochure, call (303) 637-8100, or visit www.adamscountyextension.org.

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Colorado State University Cooperative Extension provides unbiased, research-based information about family and consumer issues, horticulture, natural resources, agriculture and 4-H youth development. As part of a nation-wide system, Cooperative Extension brings the research and resources of the University to the community.  For more information visit www.ext.colostate.edu or www.AnswerLink.info, where answers to everyday questions are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.