Polk Small Farms: The Cultivator Newsletter

Connecting farmers and food system innovators across Florida

Published Monthly by the UF/IFAS Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Extension Team

Issue No. 8

May 2016

Introducing the Farm to School,

Farm to Community Team

The team works with local partners as well as state and federal agencies to improve the health of Florida citizens while benefiting farmers and the local economy. Read More

Keeping your leafy vegetables looking fresh
at the farmers' market

Do you struggle to keep your greens looking great at your farmers market display? We have plenty of tips for you! - Read More!

Quick Links

- Small Farms Program Website

- UF/IFAS Extension near you

- UF/IFAS Virtual Field Day

- The Cultivator Newsletter

Archive

- Upcoming Conference: Panhandle Fruit & Vegetable Conference

Upcoming Regional Conference

October 11, 2016
Marianna, FL
More information here

Upcoming Events

Northwest Florida

- 2016 Master Goat and Sheep Certification
Program. May 20-21, and June 3-4, Quincy
For more information and registration here

- Gulf Coast Farm to Table - Networking event
May 23 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm (CDT), Cantonment
More information and registration here

- North Florida Peach Variety Meeting
May 31 from 10:00am-12:00pm, Quincy
More information here

- FAMU Farm Fest 2016
June 11 from 10am-3:00pm, Quincy
For more information and registration here

- Panhandle Fruit & Vegetable Conference
October 11, 2016, Jackson County
More information here
Registration will be open in June

Northeast Florida

- High Tunnel Production in Northeast Florida

May 24 from 10:00am-12:00pm, Jacksonville
More information and registration here

- Florida Farmers' Network
June 27 from 9:00am-5:00pm, Gainesville
More information and free registration here

- Florida Farmers' Network
July 12 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Jacksonville
More information and free registration here

- Soil Microbiology Short Course: Applications

and Analysis of Mycorrhizal Associations.

July 11-13, 2016, Gainesville

Registration and more info here

Central Florida

- FSPCA Training - to become "Preventative

Controls Qualified Individual" for Food Safety

June 1 - 3, Orlando
More information and registration here

Send us your events to share!!!

South Central Florida

- How to Start a Food Business in Florida
May 27, 2016; Immokalee
More information and registration here

- Tampa Bay Cottage Industry Expo
July 30, from 9:00am-3:30pm, Wesley Chapel, FL
More information and registration here

- FSPCA Training - to become "Preventative
Controls Qualified Individual" for Food Safety
August 9 - 11, Wimauma
More information and registration here

- Canning Under the Cottage Law
November 4 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Bartow
More information and registration here

South Florida

- Localecopia Meet and Greet
May 25 from 1:00pm-3:00pm, Palm Beach
RSVP to info@localecopia.org

- South Florida Bee College
August 12-13, Davie, FL
For more information email honeybee@ifas.ufl.edu

- FSPCA Training - to become "Preventative
Controls Qualified Individual" for Food Safety
September 7 -9, Fort Pierce
More information and registration here

- Regional Small Farms Conference
November 1-2, Fort Pierce, FL
More information forthcoming.

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Other Events outside Florida

- Southern SARE Cover Crop Conference

July 18-19, 2016, Mt. Olive and Goldsboro,

North Carolina

More information here

News and Announcements	Relevant Publications
- Turning Florida lanws into food - Orlando. More here - UF/IFAS Extension backyard poultry seminar. More here - Loans from USDA's FSA now can support storage and post-harvest equipment for farmers who sell at local markets. More here	- UF/IFAS Publication: Leafy Greens in Hydroponics and Protected Culture for Florida. Open here - UF/IFAS Publication: Management of Cucurbit Downy Mildew in Florida. Open here - UF/IFAS Publication: School Gardens? A Growing part of Schools. Open here - Lowering soil pH to Optimize Nutrient Management and Crop Production. Open here