The Michigan State University Extension Beginning Farmer Webinar series is continuing following a break for the growing season. The next webinar, presented by MSU Extension senior educator Ron Goldy, is “Getting Started with Vegetable Plasticulture.” It will be held on Oct. 22, 2014, from 7-9 p.m. Registration and payment of $10 can be made online. You can also download a registration flyer and mail in your registration and check.
Goldy will present information on using plasticulture for vegetable production. Plasticulture involves the use of plastic mulch and drip irrigation for producing vegetables. This technique helps control weeds, is a more efficient use of water and nutrients and will bring crops into production earlier. It will also yield a higher quality product. Questions and discussion will take place through the webinar chat function. Supporting written materials will be available for download during and after the webinar. Participants will receive the webinar URL after their registration and payment is received. A recording of the webinar will be made available to registered participants.
The webinar series had its beginning in 2012 when MSU Extension agriculture staff in the Upper Peninsula decided to offer Beginning Farmers programs across the Upper Peninsula region. To follow up the face-to-face meetings, they delivered similar material in a set of three webinars. The response to the online programs was encouraging, so five more Upper Peninsula Beginning Farmer Program webinars were developed and delivered in 2013. In 2014, the program expanded to include many more MSU Extension educators and specialists with diverse expertise.