Idaho Organic Farmer and Extension Offer Organic Field Day
2 minute read
Veteran organic farmer Nate Jones of King’s Crown Organic Farm and the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides will host an organic field day Aug. 13. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with the tour of the organic crops at 9:30 a.m. The field day concludes with a lunch.
Nate Jones planted his first organic crop of garlic in 1987. Since then, he has developed a diversified organic rotation to include potatoes, onions, sweet corn, squash, melons, wheat, dry beans, alfalfa and other vegetables.
For farmers considering transition to organic and entering into the organic market right now, Jones advises, You have to have a market in places before you plant. You must have something contracted, regardless of the crop.”
Jones recognizes the current economic challenges for all farmers and notes “I wouldn’t farm any other way. Organic farming methods are important to me and my customers.”
Jones will provide a tour of his organic potatoes, sweet corn, winter squash, onions and dry beans. He will also show his Lely cultivator, essential to his weed control program.
Jones is also conducting a trial of a biological control for early blight in his potatoes. University of Idaho plant pathologist Oliver Neher will discuss the microbial control agent and share initial results from the trial.
Mir Seyedbagheri, University of Idaho Elmore County extension educator, will share results of numerous nutrient management studies on Jones’ and other farmers’ fields. Karen Strickler, pollinator expert with Pollinator Paradise, will discuss results from a survey of squash bee distribution and their conservation.
Registration costs $10 and includes lunch. Interested persons should RSVP by Aug. 10 to Jennifer Miller at 208-850-6504 or jmiller@pesticide.org.
King’s Crown Organic Farm is located at 2240 E Maple Dr., King Hill, Idaho. From I-84, take exit 121 and travel south. Turn east on Frontage Rd. and travel .5 miles, through railroad under pass. Turn east at stop sign onto Pasadena Valley Rd., travel almost .5 miles across Snake River. Turn south on Rosevear and travel .5 miles. Turn east on Maple Dr.”
Nate Jones planted his first organic crop of garlic in 1987. Since then, he has developed a diversified organic rotation to include potatoes, onions, sweet corn, squash, melons, wheat, dry beans, alfalfa and other vegetables.
For farmers considering transition to organic and entering into the organic market right now, Jones advises, You have to have a market in places before you plant. You must have something contracted, regardless of the crop.”
Jones recognizes the current economic challenges for all farmers and notes “I wouldn’t farm any other way. Organic farming methods are important to me and my customers.”
Jones will provide a tour of his organic potatoes, sweet corn, winter squash, onions and dry beans. He will also show his Lely cultivator, essential to his weed control program.
Jones is also conducting a trial of a biological control for early blight in his potatoes. University of Idaho plant pathologist Oliver Neher will discuss the microbial control agent and share initial results from the trial.
Mir Seyedbagheri, University of Idaho Elmore County extension educator, will share results of numerous nutrient management studies on Jones’ and other farmers’ fields. Karen Strickler, pollinator expert with Pollinator Paradise, will discuss results from a survey of squash bee distribution and their conservation.
Registration costs $10 and includes lunch. Interested persons should RSVP by Aug. 10 to Jennifer Miller at 208-850-6504 or jmiller@pesticide.org.
King’s Crown Organic Farm is located at 2240 E Maple Dr., King Hill, Idaho. From I-84, take exit 121 and travel south. Turn east on Frontage Rd. and travel .5 miles, through railroad under pass. Turn east at stop sign onto Pasadena Valley Rd., travel almost .5 miles across Snake River. Turn south on Rosevear and travel .5 miles. Turn east on Maple Dr.”