YANKTON, S.D. – Atina Diffley, organic farmer-educator, will bring her depth of experience and expertise during an upcoming workshop ‘Organic Weed Control for Small Growers’ on Nov. 1 from 8 a.m.-4:30 pm MT in Rapid City, SD. This pre-conference a session is one of several offerings of the SD Local Foods Conference (SDLFC).
“Successful weed management in an organic system requires much more than good cultivation,” said Diffley.
During the session Diffley will discuss weed physiology and management using rotations, seed bed reduction, fertility, stale bedding making, cover crops, habitat for biological life, and tillage equipment, in relation to the agronomic principles of an organic farming system. Additionally, she will share post-harvest techniques for small-scale growers to maintain produce quality and safety.
Diffley serves as a national leader, consultant and educator for Organic Farming Works, LLC. She operated Gardens of Eagan farm, a 120-acre, diversified, certified organic vegetable farm near the Twin Cities for 22 years. In 2004 Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services (MOSES) awarded her “Organic Farmer of the Year.”
Since 2010, she has been a trainer and writer for FamilyFarmed’s national Wholesale Success program, providing education on food safety, post harvest handling, and marketing. In 2013 she authored the Minnesota Book Award winner, Turn Here Sweet Corn: Organic Farming Works.
There is no registration fee for this class, but participants must register by Oct 27. Lunch is included. Send your name, email address, and phone number to: sdlocalfoods@gmail.com to register. The class will be held at the Rapid City Regional Extension Center, 711 N. Creek Dr.
Those interested in additional training related to fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops are encouraged to attended the full SDLFC, held Nov 2-4 in Spearfish, SD. The conference provides educational programming and networking opportunities for producers, chefs, grocers, nutrition programs, consumers, those interested in agri-tourism opportunities, and resource providers.
The SDLFC will provide an expanded offering of in-depth learning sessions on Nov. 2 including resources and technical assistance, farm to school, SNAP at farmers markets, fruit growing, 12-month greenhouse, food safety, local foods & healthcare and a tour of Cycle Farm. A free film, ‘Seeds, an Untold Story,’ sponsored by Black Hills State University Sustainability Program, will show Thursday evening.
The full conference, Nov. 3-4, offers breakout sessions on marketing, production, health, and business tracks. Visit http://www.sdspecialtyproducers.org for a full schedule. Friday evening will offer an exciting ‘Dine & Discover,’ social event with appetizers that showcase chefs’ & producers’ food pairings, SD beverages and networking.
Registration is $100 per person ($75 for one day). A special student rate will be offered to currently enrolled college, technical institute and university students for $39.50/day. Proof of enrollment required. Registration includes general and breakout sessions, a light breakfast, snacks and lunch. Visit https://squareup.com/store/south-dakota-specialty-producers-association to register and complete your online payment.
The Local Foods Conference is sponsored by a collaboration of partners including the South Dakota Specialty Producers Association, SDSU Extension, South Dakota Department of Agriculture, Dakota Rural Action, USDA Rural Development, South Dakota Small Business Development Center, SD Value Added Ag Development Center, Xanterra, Good Earth Natural Foods, American Culinary Federation Black Hills Chapter of Professional Chefs, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, SARE,Ecotone Foundation, Best Day Farms, Black Hills Food Hub, Spearfish Local, Visit Spearfish, and Black Hills State University Sustainability Program.
Anyone with an interest in local foods is encouraged to attend. Direct any questions to conference organizers at sdlocalfoods@gmail.com or 605-681-6793. For more information visit South Dakota Local Foods at https://www.facebook.com/SouthDakotaLocalFoods or http://www.sdspecialtyproducers.org/.
— South Dakota Specialty Producers Association
For more news from South Dakota, click here.