This is a 10-part monthly workshop series in starting in February and running through November.  The workshop series targets commercial producers and agriculture professionals interested in learning about organic crop production practices. 

Workshops are scheduled for one Monday afternoon a month and the 3-hour session will consist of presentations by extension specialists accompanied by discussions and hands-on activities. 

The workshop series will be broadcast using ITV technology to three locations across the state including Knoxville, Nashville and Jackson.  Workshop Locations and times include:

Knoxville

University of Tennessee, Agriculture Campus
156/157 Plant Biotech Bldg.

Directions to Knoxville Location

2:00-5:00pm Eastern Time

Nashville

Ellington Agriculture Center
Conference Rm, Central Region Extension Bldg.

Directions to Nashville Location

1:00-4:00pm Central Time

Jackson

West Tennessee Research and Education Center

Room 153 (August, September and October)

Room 127 (November)

Directions to Jackson Location

1:00-4:00pm Central Time

Workshop dates and topics include the following:

1. Introduction to Organics

Resources from workshop:

Introduction to Organic Production (PDF Format)

Organic Web Quick Reference List (PDF Format)

February 9

2. Building Soils & Managing Soil Fertility

Resources from workshop:

Soils 101: Don't treat your soil like dirt! (PDF Format)

Compost for Organic Systems (PDF Format)

Managing Soil Fertility in Organic Systems (PDF Format)

Organic and Sustainable Soil Management Web Resources

March 9

3. Crop Rotations & Cover Crops

Resources from workshop:

Cover Crops for Organic Production (PDF Format)

Crop Rotation (PDF Format)

PB378 Forage & Field Crop Seeding Guide for Tennessee

VABF Cover Crops for All Seasons

Cornell Cooperative Extension Companion Planting

Crop Rotation and Cover Crop Web Resources (PDF)

April 13

4. Planting: Seed Sources & Transplants

Resources from workshop:

Organic Fruit Production: What to Grow (PDF Format)

Organic Seed Sources and Transplant Production (PDF)

List of Organic/Untreated Seed Sources (PDF)

Resources for Organic Seed Treatments and Transplant Production (PDF)

May 11

5. Identifying & Managing Weeds

Resources from workshop:

Weed Control in Organic Systems: What would you do without herbicides? (PDF Format)

Cultivation Equipment for Organic Weed Management (PDF)

Identifying and Managing Weeds Resources (PDF)

June 8

6. Identifying & Managing Pests

Resources from workshop:

Using beneficial insects for pest management in organic systems (PDF Format)

Insect Control and Scouting for Organic Producers (PDF)

Pollination on Organic Farms in Tennessee (PDF)

Identifying & Managing Insects Resources (PDF)

July 13

7. High Tunnel Production

Resources from workshop:

UT High Tunnel Research (PDF)

High Tunnel Production Resources (PDF)

August 10

8. Identifying & Managing Diseases

Resources from workshop:

Soil Solarization for Control of Soilborne Diseases (And Weeds Too) (PDF)

Vegetable Disease Control for the Organic Farmer/Gardener (PDF)

Twelve Steps for Successful Soil Solarization (PDF)

Identifying & Managing Diseases Resources (PDF)

September 14

9. Putting It All Together: Developing an Organic Plan

Resources from workshop:

Developing an Organic Plan: An Overview (PDF)

Tips on Organic Certification (PDF)

TN Department of Ag and Opportunities for Organic Growers (PDF)

NRCS Organic and Sustainable Funding Opportunities (PDF)

Developing an Organic Plan Resources (PDF)

October 12

10. Marketing Organic

Marketing Organic (PDF)

TN Farm Fresh Program (PDF)

Marketing Organics Resources (PDF)

November 9

There is no fee for participating in the workshops, but registration is required. Please contact Mary Rogers at (865) 974-0710 or mroger30@utk.edu for more information or to register for a workshop. Additionally, contact Mary if you would like to sign-up to receive email reminders and updates about the workshop series each month.

Click here for to view the Organic Crop Production Workshop Series flier (PDF format)

This workshop series is made possible thanks to the
support of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.