Vegetables, Fruit, and Specialty Crops

Workshop Session I: 9:15-10:30 a.m.

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Workshop Session II: 10:45 a.m.-Noon

The Essential Guide to Pawpaws 

Valerie Libbey, Libbey Farm

Pawpaws (Asimina triloba) are North America’s largest native fruit. Discuss its history, growing tips and tricks, and educational resources. Learn about pollination, germinating seeds, propagating plants, and other best practices, and take home ideas for efficient fruit processing, delicious recipes, and value-added market opportunities.

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Workshop Session III: 1:30-2:45 p.m. 

Marssonina Leaf Blotch in Organic Apple Production

Zachary Dobbelaer, Charlie’s Apples

Hear about Charlie’s Apple Orchard’s controlled experiment to examine what mix of pest management strategies work to eradicate or mitigate the impact of Marssonina Leaf Blotch on apple production within an organic orchard system.

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Workshop Session IV: 3-4:15 p.m

Incorporating Mushrooms into a Market Garden or Farmstead

Thomas Lodge, MidAm Mushrooms

Explore the integration of mushrooms into small farm production cycles, offering an opportunity to diversify crops, enhance soil health, and increase profitability. Gain practical skills in mushroom cultivation, including species selection, substrate preparation, and system design, as well as an understanding of some of the economics of mushroom growing. Discussion will also include strategies for using spent substrate as compost and creating value-added products.

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Workshop Session V: 10:45-Noon

Navigating Climate Impacts of Vegetable Farms

Douglas Jackson-Smith and Matthew Kleinhenz, OSU, Nick Olsen, Land Stewardship Project

Discuss emerging needs around climate mitigation and adaptation practices for diversified vegetable growers across the Midwest. Experts in the climate space will provide resources, share research, and discuss current challenges, farming practices, and ideas. Share what you’re seeing on your farm and how you’re navigating the changing climate with fellow growers, and learn techniques that can help.

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Workshop Session VI: 1:30-2:45 p.m.

Pest and Disease Scouting for Vegetable Growers

Dan Fillius, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Learn tangible practices to evaluate your organic vegetable crops for emerging pests and diseases, including schedules, tools, and techniques. Walk away feeling confident you can implement scouting practices to identify and mitigate pests and diseases that can impact your plants’ health and yield.

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Workshop Session VII: 3-4:15 p.m.

Is Organic for Me? Panel

Adam Blaney, Blaney Family Farm, Leon Atwell, O Farm, Shara Trierwieler, Agape Organic Farms, Zachary Dobbelaer, Charlie’s Apples

Learn from a variety of farmers as they speak on their farming experiences, including why or why not they chose to become certified organic.

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