Monday, March 29, 2010

Season Extension Day at the University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center

Source: Organic Ecology

Are you interested in learning about low-input methods of growing produce earlier in the spring and later in the fall? Season Extension Day at the University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC) near Lamberton will highlight a number of topics relating to earlier and later vegetable and fruit production techniques.

Topics and speakers include:
• A review of the SWROC high tunnel’s first season with Kelley Belina and LaMoine Nickel, SWROC staff.
• Managing fertility in high tunnels with Carl Rosen, Professor and Extension Soil Scientist from the University of Minnesota.
• Information on growing raspberries in high tunnels with Steve Poppe, Horticulture Scientist from the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, MN.
• Construction of, and production in, a passive solar winter greenhouse, with Chuck Waibel and Carol Ford, owners of a winter community supported agriculture (CSA) business in Milan, MN.
• Information on a new project using a movable greenhouse and quick hoops to extend vegetable production in Mountain Lake, MN.

There will be a tour of the SWROC’s high tunnel. In addition, Robin Martinek, State Agronomist from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will explain the new Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) high tunnel cost share program, which will have made its 2009 funding decisions by this time.

Season Extension Day will take place on Thursday, May 6. Registration is at 8:45am, and the program begins at 9:00am. Cost is $15.00 and includes refreshments, lunch, and handouts. Registration forms are available on line at http://swroc.cfans.umn.edu or by calling 507-752-7372. Due to space considerations, pre-registration and payment are necessary before Wednesday, April 28.

Season Extension Day is sponsored by the U of M Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC), University of Minnesota Extension, the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA), the Minnesota North Central Region-Sustainable Agriculture and Education Program (NCR-SARE), the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), and the St. Peter Food Co-op and Deli. For more information call 507-752-7372.

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