Dear Friends,

Now that summer is making an appearance, I’m sure you are quite busy. While summer days are long and full of much work, I continually hear from many of you about the value of taking time to visit other farms.

I’m pleased to work with the following farmers to offer four field days this summer, so mark your calendars and set aside a morning or evening. I’ll send more details and registration information, as each tour approaches.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Miller

2010 NCAP Organic Field Day Series

Wednesday, July 28 - morning

Mike Heath . M&M Heath Farms . Buhl, ID

Mike has been farming organically for 28 years and currently runs 450 acres of certified organic production. He produces dry beans, grains, potatoes, hay, tomatoes, winter and summer squash, and a variety of other vegetables, as well as livestock. He will also discuss his cover cropping program, including these Austrian winter peas and funding through the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Monday, August 9 - evening

Jessica McAleese & Chelsey Robison . LadyBird Farms  Pocatello, ID

Jessica and Chelsey are in their third year of production on their one acre farm. Learn how this CSA farm is expanding its production with season extension, installing a new drip tape and black infrared-transmitting (IRT) plastic mulch for melon production, controlling weeds in borders with a walkable mulch, and using a bicycle-powered salad spinner.

Tuesday, August 10 - morning

Pat Lozier . Lozier Farm . Soda Springs, ID

Pat Lozier purchased his farm 20 years ago and became certified organic in 2006. He focuses on building his soil through cover cropping. He has grown a tremendous variety, including clovers, safflower, mustard, vetch, alfalfa, triticale, barley, wheat, and oats, and he is always trying something new. This summer he has test plots for sorghum and Sudan grass. Learn about his soil building practices and potato, hay, and oat production during this tour.

Late August – date and time to be determined

Chris Florence & Chance Morgan . Sweet Valley Organics . Sweet, ID

Chris and Chance are in their third year of production. They grow a variety of certified organic vegetables and process their tomatoes at the University of Idaho’s Caldwell Food Technology Center. In addition, they wild harvest and distribute morels and other mushrooms. They sell to restaurants and at farmers markets in Boise, Ketchum, and McCall.