Organic Farming Field Day and Workshop: Oklahoma

This year, the Lane Ag Center’s annual organic field day will feature a workshop and “train-the-trainer” session, enabling both growers and those who assist them to learn more about the transition to organic farming.

The Lane Ag Center in Oklahoma will share the results of its seven-year old organic agriculture research program at a workshop and field day beginning at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 22, at the Wes Watkins Agricultural Research Center in Lane. The field day begins with a workshop focusing on insect, disease and weed pest issues.  John Damicone, Professor of Plant Pathology at OSU, will lead off with a discussion of foliar disease control for organic vegetable production. Other workshop topics include integrated pest management for vegetable and fruit production (Donn Johnson, Professor of Entomology at the University of Arkansas), and weed control issues and options for organic vegetable production (Charles Webber III, Agronomist with USDA-ARS, and Jim Shrefler, Area Horticulturist with OSU).

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A free meal will follow the afternoon workshop, with time to visit with scientists and fellow growers.  Following the meal, a tour of research and demonstration field projects will begin, with scientists briefly discussing project goals and results.  The program will wrap up around 8 PM.

The field day is free, but those planning to attend should call 580.889.7343 to enable a head count for meal planning purposes.

Professional agriculturists, including County Extension Educators, should note that a special morning session on teaching and training others about organic agriculture will take place the same day. Those interested should call Janelle Malone at 405.744.3669 for additional information.

The field day will be held rain or shine. Bring a lawn chair, and wear shoes appropriate for walking in fields.

The Lane Agriculture Center is located ten miles east of Atoka on Highway 3. For more information, call 580.889.7343.

In addition to the Kerr Center, event sponsors include Oklahoma State University, USDA Agricultural Research Service, South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory, the Oklahoma SARE program, and the Atoka County Extension Office.

For more information on the Lane Agriculture Center’s organic research program, visit www.lane-ag.org.

For information on other upcoming events related to organic farming and sustainable agriculture, visit the Kerr Center’s calendar of events at www.kerrcenter.com.