February 14-15, Organic Seed Growers Conference. Salem, Oregon at the Salem Conference Center. Organic Seed Growers Conference is the largest meeting of seed professionals engaged in organic seed production, research, and plant breeding in the United States. (360) 385-7192; More information at www.seedalliance.org.
February 16, Small Farm Direct Marketing Conference. OSU Alumni Center, Corvallis. Critical workshops and meeting with reps and vendors to help your business. Keynote speaker Fred Kirschenmann. See http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/events.
February 17, Living Soils: Biology and Chemistry. Sunbow Farm, Corvallis. Instructor: Harry MacCormack. Workshop is essential to understanding how and why the dominant NPK paradigm and synthetic chemical practices work against a durable agricultural future. The microherd is our ally as we move away from inexpensive petroleum inputs. (541) 929-5782; .
February 21-23, 19th Annual Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference. La Crosse Center, La Crosse, WI. An extraordinary, farmer-centered event, the largest organic farming conference in the U.S. Last year, more than 2200 people attended from 41 states and seven foreign countries. The conference is celebrated as the foremost educational and networking event in the organic farming community. (715) 772-3153; More information at www.mosesorganic.org.
February 28, Small-Scale Orcharding. OSU Extension Auditorium, Central Point, OR. 5-8 PM. Nuts and bolts of designing, planting, and maintaining small-scale fruit and nut orchards. Topics include choosing cultivars, pruning for improved yields and pest control methods. $10. More information at http://extension.oregonstate.edu/sorec/about/CurrentClassesPrograms.php.
March - May, 6th Annual Willamette Valley Permaculture Design Course Tools for Self-Reliant Living through Whole Systems Design. The Cascadia Permaculture Institute invites you to join this comprehensive Certification course. Gain a clearer understanding of theory, design, and practice of ecological design through lecture, discussion, slide shows, design projects, and hands-on experience. Eugene area. See www.cascadiapermaculture.com/courses.html
March 1, 8, and 15, Organic Fertilizer Sale. First Alternative Co-Op South Store SE 3rd St, Corvallis. Stock up on a wide variety of organic amendments in bulk at discount prices. Consult with experienced gardeners. Sponsored by Corvallis Tilth Organic Gardening Club. Call Carol (541) 758-0316.
March 2, Grafting Workshop. Sunbow Farm in Corvallis. Instructor. Delbert McComb. (541) 929-5782;
www.SunbowFarm.org;
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March 4, Sustainable Integrated Pest Management. OSU Extension Auditorium, Central Point, OR. 9:30-2 p.m.. This workshop will cover reduced risk pest management strategies; preserving and enhancing predators, pollinators and parasites, and bee farming. ODA Recertification Credits available for this class. Free. More information at http://extension.oregonstate.edu/sorec/about/CurrentClassesPrograms.php.
March 5, Choosing your best market option. 2008 Farmer Training workshop Zenger Farm, 11741 SE Foster, Portland. Spanish, Hmong, Mien and Russian interpreters available. Sliding scale. (503) 282-4245; .
March 8, Organic gardening 101. Luscher Farm, West Linn. 1-4 p.m. Designed for the beginning organic gardener or the conventional gardener wanting to explore organic alternatives. Seed selection, seed starting, site selection, bed preparation, soil building, and garden planning. Residents $20, non-Residents $22. Contact Anne Eschenroeder, (503) 779-4631; .
March 9, Tao of Ducks Workshop. Sunbow Farm in Corvallis. Instructor: Carol Deppe. (541) 929-5782; www.SunbowFarm.org;
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March 12-14, GLOBE 2008 Trade Fair and Conference. Vancouver, BC. This biennial event will be a major international marketplace for innovative environmental technologies, products and services, as well as a venue to meet with international buyers coming to the Pacific Northwest. See www.globe2008.ca.
March 13, Responsible Packaging Solutions. Anaheim, CA at the Natural Products Expo West. A free educational event. Morning session will focus on challenges and solutions in produce. Afternoon session will focus on challenges and solutions in grocery, HABA, household, supplements, etc. To sign up for the morning session, email . Afternoon session email
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March 13-16, Natural Products Expo West. Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA. The largest natural and organic trade show, brings you a World of Goods – thousands of new products, cutting-edge trends, engaging speakers, informative seminars and endless networking opportunities. More than 2,800 exhibitors. See www.expowest.com.
March 15, Tree Fruits Pruning Field Seminar. Lewis Brown Horticulture Research Farm, Corvallis, Oregon. 10 a.m.-1p.m.. Practice pruning under the guidance of Ross Penhallegon, Dr. Anita Azarenko, Scott Robbins, and other orchardists. One of three in a series. $10 per seminar or $25 all. See http://calendar.oregonstate.edu/event/16563/.
March 16, Compost and Compost Tea Workshop. Sunbow Farm in Corvallis. Instructors: Harry MacCormack and Shepard Smith. (541) 929-5782;
www.SunbowFarm.org;
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March 18-19, Organic Certification with Foundation of Food Safety. American Institute of Baking (AIB). Minneapolis, MN. Protect consumers, and your brand name with this valuable information. Connie Karr and Gwendolyn Wyard of Oregon Tilth co-present one day of workshops. (800) 242-2534; www.aibonline.com.
March 19, Farm business management. 2008 Farmer Training workshop Zenger Farm, 11741 SE Foster, Portland. Spanish, Hmong, Mien and Russian interpreters available. Sliding scale. (503) 282-4245; .
March 22, Organic gardening 102. Luscher Farm, West Linn. 1-4 p.m. builds on the themes from 101 and covers: planting (companion, intensive, intercropping); fertilization (short and long term); pest management (preventive and emergency); irrigation; diversified yields and harvesting. Residents $20, non-Residents $22. Contact Anne Eschenroeder, (503) 779-4631; Email
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March 25-27, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) 20th Anniversary New American Farm Conference. Advancing the Frontier of Sustainable Agriculture. Kansas City, MO. Tap into 20 years of groundbreaking SARE funded research, experience and innovation. Learn about marketing and production, talk with innovators, meet and build partnerships. More information at www.sare.org/2008Conference/index.htm.
March 26, Plant propagation, transplanting and direct seeding. 2008 Farmer Training workshop Zenger Farm, 11741 SE Foster, Portland. Spanish, Hmong, Mien and Russian interpreters available. Sliding scale. (503) 282-4245; .
March 28-30, Energy Trust Better Living Show. Portland EXPO Center. Ed Begley Jr. Keynotes Friday night. 3-day festival that provides an entertaining setting to explore sustainable choices for your home, garden and life. Featuring eight core areas: lifestyle, food and beverage, transportation, conservation, home and garden, eco adventure, clean tech, and recycling. See www.betterlivingshow.org.
March 29 – May 25. 6th Annual Willamette Valley Permaculture Design Course. Eugene. Six weekend certification Series. Cascade Permaculture Institute. Jude Hobbs and Tobias Policha (541) 687-9699;
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March 30, Biodynamics for Beginners: Nurturing the Spirit of the Earth and Gardener. Friendly Haven Rise Farm, Battle Ground, WA. Growing methods and herbal preparations, Grow plants that have powerful natural resistance and more. (360) 687-8384;
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March 30, Cosmic Influences on Agriculture. Sunbow Farm in Corvallis. Instructor: Harry MacCormack. (541) 929-5782; www.SunbowFarm.org;
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April 1-2, 2008 Women in Agriculture Educators Conference.
Oklahoma City, OK. Conference will broaden risk management educational programming for women in agriculture. A pre-conference from 1-5 p.m on March 31st will focus on Agricultural Law Topics for the Farmer/Rancher and Educator. More information at www.agrisk.umn.edu/wia/Conferences/WIA2008/.
April 5, Soil Health and Ecology. Luscher Farm, West Linn. 1-4 p.m. Living soil is the foundation of a healthy agriculture. Effective ways for enhancing soil biology and explaination of basic soil types, how to interpret and use soil tests, and the importance of soil balance to plant health. Lake Oswego Residents $20, non-$23. Register at www.lakeoswegoparks.org/ or contact
with questions.
April 6, Small-Scale Goat Dairy Production. OSU Extension Auditorium, Central Point, OR. 9-5p.m.. Fundamentals of raising dairy goats including nutrition and health; regulations for dairy production in the state of Oregon; breeding; marketing; and other production issues. Field visit to Siskiyou Crest Dairy included. Lunch included. $25. More information at http://extension.oregonstate.edu/sorec/about/CurrentClassesPrograms.php.
April 9, Farmers market display/merch/customer service. 2008 Farmer Training workshop Zenger Farm, 11741 SE Foster, Portland. Spanish, Hmong, Mien and Russian interpreters available. Sliding scale. (503) 282-4245; .
April 13, Water: Cellular Vitality in Agriculture and Health. Sunbow Farm in Corvallis. Instructor: Harry MacCormack. (541) 929-5782; www.SunbowFarm.org;
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April 19, City Repair Annual Earth Day Celebration. Music, vendors, food and celebration. Overlook Park. Intersection of N. Interstate Ave. and N. Overlook Blvd. Portland. (503) 235-8946; www.cityrepair.org.
April 24, Making Renewable Energy Projects Happen. DoubleTree Hotel, Lloyd Center, Portland. Addresses specifics of renewable energy project development in the NW, with perspectives on what it takes to successfully design, finance, and build successful projects in both the electricity and biofuels areas. For more information, see www.nebc.org.
April 26, Introduction to Permaculture Jean’s Urban Forest Farm. SE Portland. 1-4 p.m. Join permaculturalist Toby Hemenway in the exciting world of sustainable design! Patterning, elements, functions, appropriate technology, regenerative gardens, and more! Lake Oswego Residents $30, non-$33. Register at www.lakeoswegoparks.org/ or contact
with questions.
April 27, Water: History of Agriculture and Current Local Food Transition. Sunbow Farm in Corvallis. Instructor: Harry MacCormack. (541) 929-5782; www.SunbowFarm.org;
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May 3-4, Seattle Tilth’s Edible Plant Sale. Meridian Park in the Wallingford neighborhood, Seattle.The largest selection of organically grown heirloom vegetable starts in Seattle. These plants are hand-selected by the Seattle Tilth experts to perform in our Pacific Northwest Climate. Information at www.seattletilth.org/events/edible-plant-sale/PlantSale08.
May 15-19, Introduction to Small Acreage Sustainable Farming. Quillisascut Farm. 2409 Pleasant Valley Road, Rice, WA. Learn from experienced value-added producers through a hands-on,multidisciplinary, immersion course in small scale sustainable farming. (509)738-2011, www.quillisascut.com.
May 28-June 9, Intensive Permaculture Design Course.
Portland Permaculture Institute, Portland 72-hour certificate program is a 13-day intensive design course will be taught by Geoff and Nadia Lawton and is for the person new to permaculture as well as for those who have already taken the West Coast version of the design course and are looking for a new perspective at permaculture. See www.portlandpermaculture.com/permaculture_classes.shtml.
