The event, one of the flagship educational offerings of OSU Extension Service’s Small Farms Program, is geared toward farmers, agriculture professionals, food policy advocates, restaurant owners, students and managers of farmers markets. Over the years, participants have learned about subjects such as marketing, disease control, economics and organic certification.
Speakers will include farmers, OSU faculty and representatives of agribusiness and government agencies. The featured presenter is Ben Hartman, farmer and author of “The Lean Farm,” who will do a series of sessions on the concept of eliminating waste and introducing efficiency.
“There are two pieces to lean production,” Hartman said. “On the one hand is waste elimination. On the other hand is an intense focus on creating what customers actually want. You’re either adding value or you’re contributing to waste.”
For more information on lean farming, watch Hartman’s video or listen to his podcast.
In addition, the Oregon Small Farms Conference will feature 24 workshops, including four in Spanish, on topics that include:
- Dryland farming;
- Organic weed control;
- Specialty crops;
- Diversifying with cut flowers;
- Record-keeping;
- Agritourism;
- Field-to-market essentials;
- Parasite control in livestock;
- Insurance
For more information and registration, go to the Small Farms Conference website.