Invitation to Minifield Day and Educational Workshop at GCREC-Protected Agriculture Information Network (PAINet) and SW Fla. Small Farmers Network

Dear friends,

 

Below you will find the invitation and agenda for the upcoming "Minifield Day and Educational Workshop" on December 6, 2010 at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, IFAS, UF. The event is organized by the Protected Agriculture Information Network (PAINet) and SW Fla. Small Farmers Network.

 

Look forward to seeing you at Balm,

 

Teresa P. Salame and Bielinski M. Santos

 

Date:     Monday, December 6, 2010                                                                                                                               

Time:     9:30 am to 3:00 pm                                                                                                                   

Hosts:    Teresa Salamé and Dr. Bielinski Santos                                                                                   

Place:    Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, IFAS/UF, 14625 CR 672, Wimauma, FL  33598                                                                                                                                

Cost:      NONE (RSVP to Teresa Salame 813-633-4127)

 

The program will provide information on agriculture under protective structures, such as high tunnels. The event will be hosted by Dr. Bielinski Santos and Teresa Salamé. For background info on their research program see their webpage at http://gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu/SantosHortProgram/index.htm.                                                                                      

This will be an opportunity for social networking with your fellow small farmers in SW Florida. Come meet your colleagues who are making our local food systems a reality! Remember to bring seeds to share for our “seed swap” activity.

Finally, there will be another spectacular pot lunch so bring your locally-grown foods prepared with you special recipes for the holiday season!

                                                                                                        

AGENDA

9:30 to 10:00 am	Registration
10:00 to 11:00 am	a) Welcome and overview of the research center and programs. Dr. Jack Rechcigl, Director, GCREC.      b) “Solutions for Small Farmers and Home Gardens: Production Practices for Vegetables and Small Fruit Crops under Protective Structures.” Dr. Bielinski M. Santos, GCREC. c) Discussion on possible future research programs for meeting the needs of small farmers.
11:00 am to 12:00 pm	Tour of research and education on protected agriculture and hydroponics peppers, tomato and strawberries: Dr. Bielinski M. Santos and Teresa Salamé.
12:00 to 1:00 pm	Pot luck lunch and seed swap
1:00 to 2:00 pm	Growers meeting - introductions and announcements.    a ) Introduction of county SWFSFN grower leaders.                        b)  Member  comments on 2010 FL Small Farm and Alternative Enterprise Conference in Kissimmee, FL (July 31-Aug 1, 2010).
2:00 to 3:00 pm	County extension agents presentations:      a) Florida Market Maker demonstration (http://fl.marketmaker.uiuc.edu/main/index) b) Upcoming education events at county extension offices. c) Open topic.

Acknowledgements: Activity supported by extension and research grants from Hort CSRP of the US-AID, Specialty Crop Block Grants of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, American Farm Systems, C&T Farms and Lands, and Syngenta Seeds.