Season Extension: Winter Greens and Beyond

February 8, 2013


Learn about greenhouse and high tunnel production for vegetables and winter greens, with a focus on pest management. The presentations will be held at the Frank W. Bratt Agricultural Center. A tour of Busti Cider Mill and Farm Market, located at 1132 Southwestern Drive, Jamestown, will follow.

Presentations:
"Industrious Attitudes, Illustrious Tomatoes"
Consumer attitudes about food are changing. How can local farmers grow products that meet the converging
demands for local, natural, and high quality product year round? A variety of season extension techniques
such as high tunnels can help growers generate revenue 12 months of the year. Crop plans and markets are
critical to success, but holistic planning is the basis for a sustainable system.

"Not in my Tunnel! Pest Management, with a Focus on Cool Climate Greenhouse Vegetables"
More and more vegetable farmers are growing spinach, Asian greens, and root crops for winter harvest with unheated, or minimally heated, greenhouses. However, unique winter pest infestations, including aphids, cabbage worms and slugs restrict the economic potential and sustainability of these systems. Management steps in this system include examining the contribution of different summer crops to winter pest loads; the potential for introduced biological controls; and applications of OMRI approved biorational pesticides.

Farm Tour:
Busti Cider Mill and Farm Market
Busti Cider Mill is owned by Bob and Judy Schultz and has been in operation since 1983. Bob and Judy will lead us on a tour of their farm, where they grow greens and other vegetables year-round in their two greenhouses and two hoophouses. They grow their vegetable crops organically and have taken the
NOFA-NY pledge. They currently sell at the Fredonia and Jamestown Winter Farmers Markets, and during the summer they market produce at their farm stand, three Farmers Markets, and through their CSA.

Register by February 1 by emailing Ginny Carlberg or call 716-664-9502 x202.

This event is sponsored by NESARE.


Meeting Agenda & Information (PDF; 608KB)