Educational Program for New and Beginning Farmers: The Wisdom of Growing Berries, Ohio

A One-day Program of Innovative Farmers of Ohio (www.ifoh.org)

For Beginning Farmers and First-time Growers

Help Ohio Meet Market Demands for Locally-grown, Sustainably-produced Fresh Berries

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2009, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

Location: Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, OH 43210 https://www.osu.edu/map/building.php?building=191

New Growers Share Production and Business Best Practices and Hard-learned Insights

Mike Anderson, Sundog Specialty Crops, Delaware County (strawberries)

Chet Bowling, Black River Organics, Lorain County (blueberries)

Paul Detwiler, Mitchell’s Farm, Union County (raspberries)

Ann and Daniel Trudel, Ann’s Raspberry Farm, Knox County (raspberries)

New Grower Panelists Consult with Researchers

Conference Call-in from Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH

Michael Ellis, Plant Pathologist

Joe Kovach, Integrated Pest Management Coordinator

Social Networking Lunch

Talk to others who are exploring their interest to start or to expand a farm business with berries

Small Group Mentoring by Growers with 10+ Years Experience

Jon Branstrator, Branstrator Farm, Clinton County (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

Fred Finney, Moreland Fruit Farm, Wayne County (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

Daniel Fisher, D&S Farm, Geauga County (strawberries and raspberries)

Lucy and Eugene Goodman, Boulder Belt Eco-Farm, Preble County (strawberries and raspberries)

Future On-farm Skill-building Opportunities

Learn how to find and negotiate unique learning opportunities –

mentoring relationships, apprenticeships, internships, and coaching

Receive a Customized Berry-specific Resource Book

Sustainable Agriculture Berry Production Methods and Practices

Enterprise Budgets; Direct and Value-add Marketing Practices

State and Local Organizations Serving Berry Growers

FEE: $ 25.00 (includes parking, lunch, refreshments, and resource book)

For information on group rates or scholarships, email sharon@ifoh.org or call 1-800-372-6092, ext. 3

Fee due upon registration and no later than October 26, 2009

Send payment to IFO at 5555 Airport Hwy., Ste. 100, Toledo, OH 43615-7320

Funded by SARE Outreach (www.sare.org) –

advancing innovations that improve profitability, stewardship and quality of life by investing in groundbreaking research and education