THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL
This autumn Southeastern farmers, agricultural students, and seed stewards can take their skills to the next level learning the fundamentals of organic on-farm plant breeding. Join researchers from Oregon State University, Organic Seed Alliance, Cornell University, and University of Wisconsin–Madison (partners of the Northern Organic Vegetable Improvement Collaborative – NOVIC), along with experienced seed growers from Common Wealth Seed Growers (CWSG) and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (SESE), for a two-day intensive on field-based methods for organic plant breeding.
Trainings include classroom and hands-on exercises in the field including a tour of extensive cucurbit variety trials for disease resistance led by Edmund Frost, and organic trials and seed production of a wide array of vegetable, herb, and flower species tested under Virginia summer growing conditions. The workshop will cover basic methods for breeding in cross and self pollinating species and discussion of crop specific breeding goals for organic systems.
This workshop is for farmers, seed producers, and agricultural students with basic knowledge of crop and seed biology and includes group exercises, networking opportunities, and local foods lunches. The event is being offered free of charge thanks to a Organic Research and Extension Initiative grant, part of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Award # 2014-51300-22223. Registration is limited.
Locations
The workshop will be held Monday, September 10, 2018, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday, September 11, 2018, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The field sites for the workshop will be held at Common Wealth Seed Growers and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange near Mineral, Virginia. The classroom portion of the workshop will be held at Sophia House in Louisa, Virginia.
Lodging
Hotel options are available in Zion Crossroads (approx. 20 miles away) or in Louisa (approx. 12 miles away). Limited dormitory style lodging available at Sophia House. Contact Micaela Colley at micaela@seedalliance.org to inquire about staying in dorms or camping.
