2013 Class Training Schedule
2013 Winter Class Schedule 651-433-3676
Click HERE to view/download the schedule in PDF format.
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February : Intro to Organic Farming Class Series These classes are introductory, they are meant to cover the basics of farming in this climate and farming organically. All winter classes are at Knox Presbyterian Church at 1536 Minnehaha Ave. St. Paul from 5:45-8:00. |
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Tuesday February 5th |
Intro to Organic Farming Principles Learn the basic concepts of what it means to grow sustainably and organically and the practices involved in an Organic Systems Plan. |
Katie Kubovcik Training Coordinator Aaron Blyth Farm Manager |
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Tuesday February 12th
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Crop Profiles Get a better understanding of vegetable crops by learning the different vegetable families. We will discuss direct seeding verses transplanting, growing conditions, and pests and disease for the different crop families. |
Katie Kubovcik Training Coordinator Aaron Blyth Farm Manager |
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Tuesday February 19th
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Plot Planning and Crop Mapping Learn how to map out a small plot to maximize production, taking into account things such as, crop rotation, time of planting, time of harvest, spacing, water needs and companion planting. |
Katie Kubovcik Training Coordinator Aaron Blyth Farm Manager |
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Tuesday February 26th |
Intro to Markets Start the discussion of what markets are available for local produce and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each. The most time will be spent on how to sell successfully at Farmer’s Markets in Minnesota. |
Katie Kubovcik Training Coordinator Maggie Mill City Farmers Market Manager |
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March: Improving Production Class Series These classes are designed to introduce new ideas to beginning farmers and to deepen the understanding of basic principles, in applicable ways, for returning participants. |
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Tuesday, March 5th 5:45-8:00 Knox Presbyterian Church |
Crop by Crop Learn more about crops that are popular in western diets. We will look in detail at the growing culture of 3 different crops, from ordering seed to selling.
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Laura Frerichs Loon Organics |
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Tuesday, March 12th 2:00-4:30 Tiny Planet Produce, St. Croix Falls **Meet at Knox Presbyterian Church at 1:00 |
Creating Systems in a Greenhouse Growing seedlings with confidence takes experience and practical systems. This class will offer basic instruction and advice in creating your own systems. Learn from another farm what they have found to work best for them. This class will be taught at Tiny Planet Produce in St. Croix Falls. |
Benjamin and Andrea Hopper Tiny Planet Produce St. Croix Falls |
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Tuesday, March 19th 5:45-8:00 Knox Presbyterian Church |
Organic Systems Plan Get a deeper understanding of what Organic Certification involves and how it supports sustainable agriculture. Create your own Organic Systems Plan for your farm that is you farm operating plan and also your Organic Certification application. |
Jim Riddle Organic Research
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Sunday, March 24th 2:00-4:30 Rondo Community Outreach Library |
Selling to Wholesale Markets Learn what is required to sell to wholesale markets. This class will discuss what you need to know about production practices, varieties, post-harvest, packing, delivery, food safety and communication to succeed in selling to wholesale accounts. |
Linda Halley Garden’s of Eagan Rodriogo Cala Cala Farms |
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The Growing Season: Classes and Farm Tours
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Presenter |
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Tuesday May 14th 4:00-6:30pm |
Farm Tour and Class at Riverbend Farm Planning Your Systems Tour another farm to see the systems that are set up and understand why they are as they are - from layout of fields, to greenhouse systems, to packing shed design. |
Greg Reynolds Riverbend Farm |
Riverbend Farm Delano, MN
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Tuesday May 28th 5:30-8:00pm |
Food Safety on the Farm Gaining more and more attention, food safety is something that every vegetable farmer needs to understand. Learn how you can practice food safety in your farming practice. |
Michele Schermann Annalisa Hultberg University of MN extension |
Big River Farms |
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Tuesday June 11th 10:00-12:30 |
Farm Tour and Class at Laughing Loon Farm Small Scale Equipment All farms rely on equipment of some form. Tour a farm and get ideas of equipment that would help with your farm systems. |
Dayna Burtness Laughing Loon Farm
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Laughing Loon Farm Northfield, MN
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Tuesday June 18th 5:30-8:00 |
Post-Harvest Handling Learn how to properly handle, cool, wash and store your produce after harvest and how this greatly affects your markets. |
Linda Halley Gardens of Eagan
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Big River Farms |
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Sunday June 23rd 2:00-4:30 |
Farm Tour and Class at Cala Farms Estimating Your Harvest Learn skills and tools to be able to communicate with your buyers what you have in your fields. |
Rodrigo Cala Cala Farms |
Cala Farms Turtle Lake, WI
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Tuesday August 6th 5:30-8:00 |
Pests and Disease: Identify and Prevent Walk through the fields with a disease expert. |
Disease Specialist |
Big River Farms |
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Tuesday September 10th 5:30-8:00 |
Cover Crops Learn more about the benefits of cover crops and how they are used in sustainable farming systems. |
Aaron Blyth BRF Farm Manager |
Big River Farms |
For those not enrolled in the BRF Training Program, classes are $20 per class or $60 for a series of 4. Please pre-register by calling Katie Kubovcik at 651-433-3676 or by e-mail at katie@mnfoodassociation.org.
