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PROVIDING ORGANIC EDUCATION TO THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS SINCE 1993

KICK OFF THEGROWING

SEASON

WWW.ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG

SATURDAY & SUNDAYMARCH 7-8, 2015

with PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOPSFRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

UNCA CAMPUS • ASHEVILLE, NC

HOW IT WORKS: Regular Satur-day & Sunday classes (of 1.5 hours) are organized into 15 thematic “tracks” and are included in your registration. Half-day, Hands-on Workshops and Cooking Classes have limited capacity, require advanced registration, and cost an ad-ditional fee: $10 for half-day workshops and $5 for cooking classes. They will fill early. Check space availability online at organicgrowersschool.org or contact the registrar at [email protected] or (828) 761-1776.

11TH ANNUAL KID’S PROGRAM welcomes children ages 4-12 to this supervised, full-dayevent. Kids will be divided into two age groups (4-6 & 7-12) for activities. Kid’s program registration WILL NOT BEACCEPTED WITHOUT REGISTRATION OF AN ACCOMPANYING ADULT! Limited to 40 children. Check online for availabili-ty. See page 23 for more details. www.organicgrowersschool.org.

Be an EARLY BIRD!Register by 5pm on January 30, 2015for the early bird discount.Information & registration available online startingDecember 15, 2014 at www.organicgrowersschool.org

Class Descriptions

Pre-Conference WorkshopsClass ScheduleRegistration DetailsFAQDirectionsChildren’s ProgramSponsors & ExhibitorsRegistration Forms

Table of ContentsHalf-Day Workshops

1-1112-13

1416-17

18222223

19 & 2425-26

The event held every March known as The Organic Growers School Spring Conference is organized by The Organic Growers School, INC., a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization. Your registration fee goes directly to funding

this and other Organic Growers School educational activities. Please direct any correspondence to

OGS Board of Directors • PO Box 17804 • Asheville, NC 28816

Check out scholarship & volunteer opportunities at organicgrowersschool.org or call (828) 761-1776

FEATURING KEYNOTE ADDRESS

with Elaine InghamSaturday, March 7, 2015 @ 7:30pm

Lipinsky Auditorium · UNCA Campus following dinner and social hour on campus

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Persons with disabilities or persons with limited English language proficiency

may request accommodations. Contact Meredith Leigh at 828.668.2127.

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TRACK NAMES & CLASS DESCRIPTIONSCLASS SYMBOLS: § = beginners ◊ = advanced no symbol = intermediate

TRACK A: GARDENING TRACK B: MYCOLOGY

1A: Starting Your First Organic Vegetable Garden § Craig Mauney, NC Cooperative ExtensionThis session will cover things you need to know when starting your first vegetable garden. Craig will discuss site selection, soil preparation, what to plant when, and how to grow some of your favorite vegetables.

2A: Creative & Sustainable Garden Irrigation §Chip Hope, Western Piedmont Community CollegeIn this class, Chip will discuss irrigation design, rainwater catchment, and other creative methods for bringing water to the garden. We will also learn about stewarding the soil to manage water absorption and retention, and garden design to maximize water resources.

3A: Container Gardening §Debbie Wood, Sprig Lack of space does not have to prevent you from growing a veggie, flower or herb garden. Container gardening is the answer. In this session, Debbie will provide guide-lines for soil, containers, plant selection and maintenance after that let your imagination go wild.

4A: Small Scale No-Till Gardening Patryk Battle, Living Web FarmsTillage breaks up soil structure and harms dynamic soil ecology. In this session, learn strategies for crop rotation, cover cropping techniques, and other tricks to minimize or eliminate tillage in your garden.

1B: Marvelous Mushrooms Rodney Webb, Salamander Springs GardensIn this session, Rodney will share inocula-tion and harvesting techniques as well as preserving methods that can add value and shelf life to your mushroom bounty. Also, farmer’s market size commercial growing efforts will be included.

2B: Medicinal Mushrooms Tradd Cotter, Mushroom MountainThis session will cover cultivation of medic-inal mushrooms, extraction, tinctures, and other DIY products.

3B: Mycoforestry, Gardening, & Landscaping with Mushrooms Tradd Cotter, Mushroom MountainIn this class, Tradd will cover the many benefits of mushrooms, in all kinds of land management applications. We will discuss functional edging, intercropping plants and edible mushrooms, recycling, and compost-ing with fungi.

4B: Mushrooms of the Southern Appalachians §Ken Crouse, Peaceful Valley GardensThe Southern Appalachian region is the home to a huge diversity of fungi. We’ll take a look at some of them and their ecological role, edibility, and other uses.

REEMS CREEKNURSERY

Edibles, Natives, & Pollinator PlantsSustainably-Raised Veggies & Herbs

70 Monticello Road Weaverville, NC 28787 828-645-3937 www.reemscreek.com

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 22ND ANNUAL SPRING CONFERENCE?

Using your computer, tablet, or mobile, go towww.organicgrowersschool.org/annual-spring-conference

for more information & to register online!

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TRACK NAMES & CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

TRACK C: SOILS TRACK D: LIVESTOCK

1C: Feeding the Soil: Composting & Biodynamics §Nicole DelCogliano & Gaelan Corozine, Green Toe Ground FarmSoil is a vital natural resource that is rapidly being lost due to unsustainable farming practices. This workshop will focus on soil through a discussion of compost and soil fertility management practices of Biody-namic farming.

2C: Build a Home-Scale Compost Tea Brewer §Jane Weaver, Earth & Spirit DesignWith just ½ pound of great compost and a garden-sized brewer, you can make 5 gallons of great compost tea that will maxi-mize the healthful microbial component in your soil and on your plants. In this ses-sion, you will learn to set up a compost tea brewer, and discuss recipes and appropriate application.

3C: A Worm Composting System For Your Home § Keith McDade, Lenoir-Rhyne UniversityThis workshop provides an overview of the process of composting kitchen scraps with worms. We explore how to set up a vermi-composting system and offer strategies for effective maintenance.

4C: Effective Microorganisms: Snake Oil or Panacea? §Dr. Dee Eggers, UNC-AshevilleThey didn’t believe Galileo, but he was right. Effective Microorganisms can lend to healthier plants, disease resistance, increased yields and much more. Join Dr. Eggers as she separates the promising science from the hype.

1D: Fencing Everything In (and Out) with Electricity §Dale Robertson, The Farm at Gwynn Valley CampThis session will cover all the basics of elec-tric fencing for multiple species, with plenty of room for advanced questions. You’ll learn how to keep your animals safe and maxi-mize your pasture’s efficiency.

2D: Incorporating Goats into Your Farming System §Dr. Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, NC State UniversityWhen managed properly goats can be a very useful resource for farmers. This session will focus on using goats for weed control, proper goat nutrition, grazing with other animals, poisonous weeds, and much more.

3D: Homeopathy for the Whole Herd Dr. Patricia Jordan, King BioThis session will cover what is being done internationally, in the field of veterinary homeopathy, as an eco-sensitive answer to whole herd health. Special emphasis will be placed on the grower as the first responder and will provide specific application for small ruminant health management.

4D: Draft Horse Teamster Roundtable Facilitated by Ian Snider, Mountain Works Sustainable DevelopmentInterested in using animal power on your farm? This discussion with regional team-sters will go over the basics of incorporat-ing draft horses onto your farm- including costs, equipment, lessons learned and much more!

CLASS SYMBOLS: § = beginners ◊ = advanced no symbol = intermediate

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TRACK E: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

1E: Passive Solar Design §Josh Littlejohn, ABTech Community CollegeThis session will address the basics of passive solar design including orientation, material selection, thermal mass, and glaz-ing options. Participants will gain working understanding of passive design principles that guide building projects from home-steads to high-rises.

2E: Alternative Energy and You: Best Bets and Smartest Choices §Richard Freudenberger, Publisher & ConsultantWhen it comes to renewables, what makes sense on the surface may not be the best option in the long run. This “Big Picture” look at energy, transportation, and tech-nology weighs efficiency, practicality, and costs.

3E: Build Your Own Solar Panels Dan & Don Adams, EarthineerIn this session, Dan and Don will discuss the steps they took, the decisions they made, and how they trimmed thousands off the price of building their own solar panels. This presentation has been updated with their current projects, including flexible panels and DIY monitoring solutions.

4E: Backyard Biochar Abraham Cluxton, ChargrowLearn Appropriate Technology scale biochar production and applications. See a rocket stove cooker and biochar maker in action. Learn about backyard biochar production do’s and dont’s; what to use and what you won’t.

TRACK F: COMMERCIAL FARMERS I

1F: Farming in a Changing Climate ◊ Laura Lengnick, Warren Wilson CollegeHow do you manage for the increased weather variability that is challenging farm-ers now, and prepare for further challenges in coming years? This session presents adaptations by award-winning sustainable farmers to reduce climate risk on their farms.

2F: Penciling a Profit ◊ Ashley Epling, Birds Eye Business PlanningAre your crops earning their keep? In this session, we explore the factors that define profit potential for various farm products. Learn the process of determining profit-ability while considering your costs, labor, pricing, and goals.

3F: Keeper Crops Annie Louise Perkinson, Flying Cloud FarmRoot and winter storage crops can be en-joyed (and sold) well beyond the traditional growing season. Learn how to select vari-eties for winter keeping, and the optimal storage conditions for a variety of popular vegetables.

4F: Lessons from The Pocket Farm Mike Burton, Sustain FloydWhat’s the smallest piece of land a farmer can make a living on? Sustain Floyd, based in Floyd, Virginia, ground-tested the “pock-et-farm” model to answer this question. Find out what they learned.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE ON FOLLOWING PAGE

Saturday, March 7


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We buy certified organic grains.

Certified Organic, Soy-Free Feeds • Healthy Minerals • Morewww.countrysideorganics.com • 888-699-7088




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TRACK G: COMMERCIAL FARMERS II

1G: How to Train a Dragon Farmer § Walter Harrill, Imladris Farm15 years of mostly bad decisions has result-ed in one of the more successful operations in WNC sustainable agriculture. Come learn how Imladris has leveraged those bad decisions and managed to make good ones when it really matters.

2G: Flame Weeding for Farm & Garden Charles House, Way Cool ToolsLearn about chemical-free, OMRI approved weed control using flame weeding tools. In this session, we will discuss tools and techniques, from single handed torches to tractor-mounted implements, and cover applications for vegetable crops, vineyards, orchards, and more.

3G: Getting More with Interns, Volunteers and Workers ◊ Mike Odle, Cooper-Riis Healing FarmWorking with people can be tough. This session will help you get more out of your time and effort spent with volunteers, interns, and workers on your farm. 4G: Controlling Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) in Berry Crops ◊Dr. Hannah Burrack, NC State UniversityThis session will cover organic control of Spotted Wing Drosophila in berry crops. Learn an easy method of monitoring and reducing the population of this invasive fruit fly pest in all berry crops.

SUNDAY SCHEDULEON FOLLOWING PAGE

Saturday, March 7 Sunday, March 8 TRACK F: COMMERCIAL FARMERS I CONT’D

1F: Penciling a Profit ◊ Ashley Epling, Birds Eye Business PlanningAre your crops earning their keep? In this session, we explore the factors that define profit potential for various farm products. Learn the process of determining profit-ability while considering your costs, labor, pricing, and goals.

2F: Keeper Crops ◊ Annie Louise Perkinson, Flying Cloud FarmRoot and winter storage crops can be en-joyed (and sold) well beyond the traditional growing season. Learn how to select vari-eties for winter keeping, and the optimal storage conditions for a variety of popular vegetables.

3F: Farming in a Changing Climate ◊ Laura Lengnick, Warren Wilson CollegeHow do you manage for the increased weather variability that is challenging farm-ers now, and prepare for further challenges in coming years? This session presents adaptations by award-winning sustainable farmers to reduce climate risk on their farms.

4F: Lessons from The Pocket Farm Mike Burton, Sustain FloydWhat’s the smallest piece of land a farmer can make a living on? Sustain Floyd, based in Floyd, Virginia, ground-tested the “pock-et-farm” model to answer this question. Find out what they learned.





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TRACK G: COMMERCIAL FARMERS II CONT’D

1G: Controlling Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) in Berry Crops ◊Dr. Hannah Burrack, NC State UniversityThis session will cover organic control of Spotted Wing Drosophila in berry crops. Learn an easy method of monitoring and reducing the population of this invasive fruit fly pest in all berry crops.

2G: Flame Weeding for Farm & Garden Charles House, Way Cool ToolsLearn about chemical-free, OMRI approved weed control using flame weeding tools. In this session, we will discuss tools and techniques, from single handed torches to tractor-mounted implements, and cover applications for vegetable crops, vineyards, orchards, and more.

3G: Getting More with Interns, Volunteers and Workers ◊Mike Odle, Cooper-Riis Healing FarmWorking with people can be tough. This session will help you get more out of your time and effort spent with volunteers, interns, and workers on your farm.

4G: How to Train a Dragon Farmer § Walter Harrill, Imladris Farm15 years of mostly bad decisions has result-ed in one of the more successful operations in WNC sustainable agriculture. Come learn how Imladris has leveraged those bad decisions and managed to make good ones when it really matters.

TRACK H: PRIMITIVE SKILLS Sunday, March 8 1H: Intro to Bird Language §

Clint Corley & Luke CannonBack by popular demand! Join us as we ex-plore the amazing world of our avian neigh-bors. Learn to identify and interpret their many calls and behaviors, revealing secrets about the natural world and ourselves.

2H: The Gift of Invasive Species § Jeff GottliebWe will discuss the many merits and uses of some invasive plants in our area. We will also learn a number of skills and crafts using these materials.

3H: Small Animal Hunting Bill SandersonWith an emphasis on the use of traditional archery equipment, this class is an intro-duction to the art of bow hunting and will include tips on equipment, hunting tech-niques, and safety.

4H: Cordage: The Art of Rope Making(SATURDAY ONLY) Jeff GottliebLearn everything you ever wanted to know about fibers and rope making. Learn many hands on techniques and explore how cord-age shaped civilization as we know it.

4H: Invasive Plant Medicine (SUNDAY ONLY)Josh Fox, Fox Herbs & AcupuntureCome learn the medicinal uses of our local invasive species from the wisdom of Chinesemedicine.


OGS PROGRAMS & SERVICES FOR FARMERSOnline Matching Services for Farmers & Farm Workers.

OGS Apprentice Link connects folks who are serious about learning the sustainable farming trade with farmers who are willing to teach them.

In exchange for their labor, apprentices receive intensive training and gain a hands-on understanding of what it takes to farm.

www.organicgrowersschool.org

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Saturday, March 7 TRACK I: FOOD RESILIENCE

1I: Envisioning our Abundant Food Future § Dylan Ryals-Hamilton Transition AshevilleWhat would our communities look like if we could maximize the use of our urban, sub-urban, and rural land to provide plentiful fresh food for all? How would we get there? Come explore the possibilities!

2I: Waste Not: Food Gleaners to the Rescue Carol Larsen & Bill Walker, Society of St. AndrewForty to fifty percent of harvest-ready food goes to waste. Yet, 1 in 6 people need food assistance. Learn how two organizations are turning these problems into solutions for people and planet.

3I: Tree Crops for Food Production § Benjamin Portwood, Ecological Landscaping AssociationWant to grow food but not work hard? Tree crops are the way to go, for your home-stead, yard or farm, to get great return on investment, and low-maintenance, aestheti-cally pleasing food production.

4I: Co-op Businesses: Addressing Food Access, Security & Affordability § Bobby Sullivan & Clare Schwartz, French Broad Food Co-opIn this session, we will discuss the food co-op business model. Co-ops are governed by (and for) the community--from the prod-ucts they carry, to how they deal with local suppliers and manufacturers. This business model is designed to be more transparent and more socially responsible.

Sunday, March 8 TRACK I: FOOD RESILIENCE CONT’D

1I: Regional Resiliency: Food Security for Changing Times Chuck Marsh, Useful Plants NurseryRegional resiliency speaks to the strength of a region’s ability to respond to, and recover from, a significant human or natural disruption. Food security focuses on the production and availability of food. As times change, how viable is our food community? In this session we will explore this question.

2I: Managing Rainwater as a Resource Benjamin Portwood, Ecological Landscaping AssociationManaging Rainwater as a resource is the best ways to make sure your crops thrive during both drought and flood. We’ll talk about the practical applications of rainwa-ter harvesting in barrels, tanks and earth-works.

3I: Co-op Businesses: Addressing Food Access, Security & Affordability § Bobby Sullivan & Clare Schwartz, French Broad Food Co-opIn this session, we will discuss the food co-op business model. Co-ops are governed by (and for) the community--from the prod-ucts they carry, to how they deal with local suppliers and manufacturers. This business model is designed to be more transparent and more socially responsible. 4I: Envisioning our Abundant Food Future Dylan Ryals-Hamilton Transition AshevilleWhat would our communities look like if we could maximize the use of our urban, sub-urban, and rural land to provide plentiful fresh food for all? How would we get there? Come explore the possibilities!


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Saturday, March 7 TRACK J: PERMACULTURE

1J: Horticultural Strategies & Liberation Technologies Chuck Marsh, Useful Plants NurseryExplore several useful horticultural practices and liberation technologies for cultivating life’s abundance in a climate and resource challenged future, including growing living fences, keeping woody plants forever young, wicking gardens, hugelkulture, deep bed soil building and a few surprises.

2J: Permaculture: A Toolkit for Designing our Homes, Gardens & Lives §Patricia AllisonUsing the common-sense principles of Per-maculture design, we can learn to see the consequences before we act, avoiding mis-takes and saving time, energy, and money.

3J: Urban Orchards: Creating a Gar-den of Eden Andrew Goodheart Brown, Barefoot GardensWhy be slave to a delinquent landscape, when you can be growing perennial fruits organically? Well planned and established fruit trees can feed your delight, connec-tion, and taste buds for many years to come.

4J: A Milpa Lifeway ◊Zev Friedman, Living Systems DesignLearn about “Milpa”, an ancient farming lifeway that integrates annuals, tree crops, fungi and animals through the long-term management of forest succession. The results include an ecstatic cuisine, as well as fiber, medicine, and firewood for cooking and building materials. This is an intermedi-ate/advanced class.

Sunday, March 8 TRACK J: PERMACULTURE CONT’D

1J: Real Life Forest Gardening and Farming Zev Friedman, Living Systems DesignWe live in a region where the land wants to be forested. Learn practical techniques to work with rather than against nature by growing food, medicine, timber, fiber and creating income as part of management cycles that integrate all stages of forest succession while sequestering carbon.

2J: Horticultural Strategies & Liberation Technologies Chuck Marsh, Useful Plants NurseryExplore several useful horticultural practices and liberation technologies for cultivating life’s abundance in a climate and resource challenged future, including growing living fences, keeping woody plants forever young, wicking gardens, hugelkulture, deep bed soil building and a few surprises.

3J: Permaculture: A Toolkit for Designing our Homes, Gardens & Lives §Patricia AllisonUsing the common-sense principles of Per-maculture design, we can learn to see the consequences before we act, avoiding mis-takes and saving time, energy, and money.

4J: Stored Patterns, Storied Wisdom: Bone Deep Permaculture Education For All Generations §Luke Cannon, Katie Ibes, Zev Friedman, Taylor Maxson, Peter PicheHands-on permaculture can impact all age groups but especially youth, to grow the kind of next generation we need. This panel of active educators has worked with broad audiences, and works together to create a “patterns language” for teaching permaculture to youth. There will be short presentations by each instructor, followed by a substantial Q&A.


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Saturday, March 7 TRACK K: HERBS

Sunday, March 8 TRACK K: HERBS CONT’D

1K: Building a Local Herbal Medicine Community §Dawn Combs, Mockingbird MeadowsIn this workshop we will discuss the impor-tance of sourcing your medicine locally and how to build a community to make that possible. We will focus heavily on intro-ducing attendees to several easy to grow plants and do-it-yourself home healthcare techniques that are required to keep health local, inexpensive, fresh and effective.

2K: Building Vital Energy Jackie Dobrinska, Holistic Health EducatorBuild your deep vitality so you can do the things your love! Viewing vital energy through the Ayurvedic and Yogic lens, we will look at nutritive herbs, rasayanas/adaptogens and supportive lifestyle prac-tices (including a hands-on deep relaxation practice.)

3K: Outstanding Edible Wild Plants of the Southern Appalachians §Luke Cannon, Forest Floor Wilderness Pro-gramsThis workshop will showcase some of our most nutritious and delicious wild foods. From roots to fruits, nuts and greens, we will discus how to identify, harvest and prepare these trail side tastys, as well as wildcrafting strategies, ethics and more!

4K: Gettin’ Down with Appalachian Roots §Mimi Hernandez, American Herbalists GuildUncover the lore, tradition, and science behind Appalachia’s native medicinal roots, from the well known and economically ex-alted roots of the culture like Ginseng and Black Cohosh to the local secret favorites like Yellowroot and Stoneroot and many more!

1K: Making Herbal Medicine §Elise Damilatis, Moon Flower HerbalsCome learn how to make herbal tinctures, vinegars, oils, and salves, and the best way to dry your homegrown herbs. Empower yourself with herbal medicine!

2K: Classical Chinese Herbal Medicine § Alison Colberg, Asheville Point AcupunctureIn this session, Alison will discuss how to apply the classical Chinese five-element theory to determine seasonally support-ive herbs for preventative medicine and wellness.

3K: Outstanding Edible Wild Plants of the Southern Appalachians § Luke Cannon, Forest Floor Wilderness Pro-gramsThis workshop will showcase some of our most nutritious and delicious wild foods. From roots to fruits, nuts and greens, we will discus how to identify, harvest and prepare these trail side tastys, as well as wildcrafting strategies, ethics and more!

4K: Gettin’ Down with Appalachian Roots §Mimi Hernandez, American Herbalists GuildUncover the lore, tradition, and science behind Appalachia’s native medicinal roots, from the well known and economically ex-alted roots of the culture like Ginseng and Black Cohosh to the local secret favorites like Yellowroot and Stoneroot and many more!

The Xpress guide to businesses and organizations that promote a resilient and sustainable community!

Find it at 250 locations throughout WNC


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TRACK L: SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

1L: Raising Pawpaws Chris Chmiel, Integration AcresLearn all about the nuances of the pawpaw, North America’s largest native tree fruit.Explore pawpaws in the understory, in an orchard, and even in a silvopastoral system.

2L: Craft: Repurposing the Woodlot § Bill Palmer, Designer/CraftsmanThe lecture will examine the myriad of wood related products growing at our door step that can be home crafted or supplied to modern day craftsmen including carved bowls, utensils, and chairmaking.

3L: Brewing with Non-Timber Forest Products Marc Williams, Botany EverydayIn this class, we will discuss both wild non-timber forest products that are useful in various brews, and items needing culti-vation to sustainably harvest. The basics of making sodas, meads, and liqueurs will be covered with handouts.

4L: Community Scale Biochar: Systems & Best Practices ◊ Daniel Hettinger, ChargrowIn this session, Dan will discuss use of forest residue and sawmill waste in the creation of biochar. We will cover principles of system design, production and utilization on an appropriate scale for the farm, community, municipality or business.

Saturday, March 7 TRACK M: HOMESTEADING

1M: DIY Aquaponics § Dan Adams, EarthineerAquaponics combines aquaculture for raising fish and hydroponics for growing plants. Learn how to build your own starter system. If there’s time, learn about other DIY engineering gadgets for the homestead.

2M: Root Cellaring: Design, Construction & Use Rod Bowling, Mudluscious Pottery & Gardens Root cellaring was a crucial part of home-steading before refrigerators and year-round groceries. Using the earth’s naturally stable temperatures to store perishable items, it’s simple, low-tech, energy sav-ing, and self-reliant. Rod will provide an overview of styles, building materials, DIY techniques, and usage.

3M: Save True Seed 101 § Chris Smith & Angie Lavezzo, Sow True SeedA secure food system requires secure seeds. This class will give you the confidence and the knowledge to save your own. Learn practical elements of planting and isolation, pollination and pollinators, harvesting and processing, and saving and storing.

4M: DIY High Protein Animal Feed Karl Warkomski, ProtacultureBlack Solider Grubs (Hermetia illucens) transform your kitchen scraps into chicken and fish feed. Learn about attracting the species, colony setup, maximizing oper-ations, and season extension. This native insect is easy to rear, harvest, and breed for sustainable, healthy feed.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE ON FOLLOWING PAGE





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Sunday, March 8 TRACK M: HOMESTEADING CONT’D

1M: DIY Aquaponics § Dan Adams, EarthineerAquaponics combines aquaculture for raising fish and hydroponics for growing plants. Learn how to build your own starter system. If there’s time, learn about other DIY engineering gadgets for the homestead.

2M: The Well-Stocked Pantry: Food Preservation without Canning Kelley Wilkinson, Laughing Frog Farm Imagine a beautiful well-stocked pantry and learn a variety of storage methods includ-ing dehydrating, freezing, pickling ferment-ing, and vacuum-sealing as well as rotation for freshness. These methods are useful in small batch or large and create at-home food resiliency.

3M: Save True Seed 101 § Chris Smith & Angie Lavezzo, Sow True SeedA secure food system requires secure seeds. This class will give you the confidence and the knowledge to save your own. Learn practical elements of planting and isolation, pollination and pollinators, harvesting and processing, and saving and storing.

4M: DIY High Protein Animal Feed Karl Warkomski, ProtacultureBlack Solider Grubs (Hermetia illucens) transform your kitchen scraps into chicken and fish feed. Learn about attracting the species, colony setup, maximizing oper-ations, and season extension. This native insect is easy to rear, harvest, and breed for sustainable, healthy feed.

TRACK N: COOKING

NOTE: Additional Costs Apply to All Cooking Classes. Fees to be Collected at Time of Registration.

1N: Pickle It! Vegetable Fermentation ($5) § Janelle Lucido-Conate, Our Daily KrautThe brine method of fermentation can transform your veggies into tasty and highly nutritional delights that will add kick to every meal. Salt brining creates crunchy, tasty ferments, extends your harvest, and boosts the nutritional value of your food. Janelle will provide step-by-step instruction with recipe ideas, basic knowledge, and in-class demonstration.

2N: Introduction to Specialty Coffee ($5) § Marshall Hance, Mountain Air RoastingWe’ll experience the qualities that make a coffee “specialty” grade through taste and discussion. Coffees from a variety of regions and roasters will be presented. Topics will include variety/cultivar, processing, roast-ing, brew methods and triangle tasting.

3N: Herbal Cocktails ($5) § Charlie Hodge, Sovereign RemediesIn this class, Charlie will teach you how to capture the garden in a glass. He will show examples of creating an aperitif, cordial and digestive.

4N: Creative Cooking with Local Mushrooms ($5) § Diana Schmitt-McCall, Dr. John Wilson Com-munity GardenGrilled, braised, seared, breaded, or stuffed, the mushroom is a versatile food. This class will explore not only the culinary potential of this earthly delight, but also its nutrition-al and medicinal properties.


OGS PROGRAMS & SERVICES FOR FARMERSHands on Training. By farmers, for farmers

The Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) is a coordinated effort to bring established farmers, farm apprentices, and students of agriculture together for

a comprehensive training program in the art and science of sustainable agriculture, straight from the hearts, mouths, and fields of seasoned local farmers.

www.organicgrowersschool.org

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Saturday, March 7 TRACK O: ALL ABOUT POULTRY

Sunday, March 8 TRACK O: ALL ABOUT POULTRY CONT’D

1O: Basic Chick Care § Franny Tacy, Franny’s Farm Chicks, ducklings, goslings or poults need very specific care for a successful beginning. We will address these three questions: 1] What do we do before the chicks arrive or hatch? 2] What is most important in the first week of life? 3] What do we do as they grow into adult birds? This session is necessary for all those who have never raised babies before.

2O: Basic Poultry Husbandry & Management § Meagan Roberts, Western Piedmont Commu-nity College This session will cover the pro-active man-agement of poultry as part of a sustainable farming system with emphasis on produc-tion for niche markets and pasture. You will learn the essentials of pasture- based poultry management, housing, nutrition,socialization, basic veterinary care and flock bio-security.

3O: Breeding Poultry 101 § Nathan Freeman, Restoration Farm Interested in breeding your own poul-try? Then you can be sustainable and not dependent upon hatcheries and “outside resources” to provide you with chicks and poults. Come and learn about sustainable breeds of poultry; and the basics of building your own flock through breeding.

4O: Choosing the Breed for Your Farm § Jim Adkins, Sustainable Poultry NetworkThere are so many different kinds of chick-ens!! Which one is best for me and for the farm where we live? Which breed is best for my climate? What about the personalities of different breeds? Which breed will be best for my children? What about egg produc-tion and meat? These are all the questions that we will answer in this workshop.

1O: Using Poultry to Enhance the Land John Patrick, Foggy Hollow FarmIn this session you will learn about incor-porating poultry into your pasture man-agement. Your birds can be integrated with other livestock, or rotate easily, without other species. Learn how much manure is too much, details of planting after poultry have fertilized the land, and more.

2O: The Art of Incubation Brant Bullock, King Family Farm Wouldn’t it be great to no longer be depen-dent on buying your baby chicks from the large, commercial hatcheries? Come and learn about natural and artificial incubation. Learn the journey of hatching your own little babies on your very own small farm.

3O: The Secret to Cooking Heritage Poultry §Steve Pope, ChefIn this session, you will learn to cook just like your grandma did! The secrets to cook-ing these old historical, heirloom breeds of poultry are totally different than cooking the modern day, industrialized bird! Come and learn the basics of how to prepare and deliver a great product for your family and friends.

4O: Developing a Profitable Poultry Business Nathan Freeman, Restoration FarmIn the session you will learn the necessary skills to develop your customer base, so that you can sell your poultry products. What exactly are the guidelines and laws of selling your products? Can I sell to restaurants? You will discover networking strategies that we can use together to mar-ket local, sustainable poultry products.


BILTMORE.COM

Proud to support the

Organic Growers School Conference

12

SATURDAY HALF-DAY, HANDS-ON WORKSHOPSAFTERNOONWORKSHOPS

2:00 PM - 5:30 PM½ HR BREAK @ 3:30 PM

MORNING WORKSHOPS

9:00 AM - 12:30 PM½ HR BREAK @ 10:30 AM

P-AM: Can-Do, Easy Canning Nan Chase, Author

CLASS LIMIT=20 COST=$10Discover how safe, easy, and convenient it is to preserve food and beverages by canning. This reliable method allows farmers and gardeners to stock the pantry and cut waste while crafting delicious food!

P-PM: Beautiful in Your Own Skin: Crafting Herbal Skincare Products

Asia Temple, Temple Aesthetics Sacred Skin Care

CLASS LIMIT= 18 COST=$10Learn ancient ways of caring for the largest organ of the body, your skin! In this class we will discover how organic herbs and organic oils can change the health and integrity of the skin we live in. Class will cover over seven herbs ( some that grow in your back yard) and seven oils. Also ingredients that can be incorporated from animal husbandry.You will be leave this class with the confidence and knowledge to choose/make personal care products for yourself and your family.

Q-AM: The Basics of Natural Dyes

Kelly Gaskill & Lindsay Warf

CLASS LIMIT=12 COST=$10Come see the range of color you can capture just outside your door or from a walk through the woods. In this workshop we will take the process from harvest to dye pot, learning the basics of mordants and fibers. You will leave with a sample and the know how to process colors on your own!

Q-PM: The Art of Making Miso Liat Batshira, Fermentation Wizard

CLASS LIMIT= 20 COST= $10In this class, you will learn how to ferment beans & grains into miso! We will talk about the tradition, his-tory, health, & varieties of Miso. Participants will make and take home a mini batch of non-soy miso. Also, we will taste multiple homemade samples.

R-AM: Getting Started in Beekeeping Shane Gebauer, Brushy Mountain Bee Farm

CLASS LIMIT=25 COST= $10Learn about honey bees and what it takes to be a beekeeper. Understand the equipment, how to get the bees, and most important how to install them in your hive and grow the colony.

R-PM: Basket MakingLouise Langsner, Country Workshops

CLASS LIMIT= 12 COST=$10This class is an introduction to weaving with willow. Weave a simple frame basket and learn basic weaving techniques using farm grown, unpeeled willow. Wil-low cultivation, storage, harvest, and preparation will be discussed. Participants will need a sharp carving knife and good pruning shears. Cuttings for propaga-tion will be available for a nominal fee.

S-AM: Target Archery Alexandra Tait, Artemis Archery Asheville

CLASS LIMIT=20 COST=$10Learn traditional target Archery including the parts of the bow and arrow and some of the colorful his-tory. We will have a stretch warm up, learn form, and shoot arrows. Our instructor will share some of her empowerment work focusing on “Owning the healthy Predator within.” It all starts with target archery.

S-PM: Small Engine Maintenance & Repair Janson Bowman & Shawn Swartz, Warren Wilson College

CLASS LIMIT= 16 COST=$10This workshop will cover maintenance and repair of small engines. Special emphasis will be given to chain-saws, but other engine types such as lawn mowers, tillers, water pumps, and winches will be covered.

T-AM: Six Inches of Soil in Six Months with Six Hundred Thousand Bugs John Moody, Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund

CLASS LIMIT= 25 COST= $10Learn how to turn various waste streams into healthy soil with speed and how to integrate various soil building, season extending and animal tending tech-niques in your growing systems.

T-PM: Soap Making Beth Herdman, Dancing Woods Farm

CLASS LIMIT= 12 COST=$10In this hands on workshop, students will learn the basics of cold process soap making. Students will take home soap similar to the kind made in class.

U-AM: Primitive Trapping Ex Umbra, Wilderness Means

CLASS LIMIT= 15 COST=$10Students will learn to make animals traps from materi-als found in the landscape.

U-PM: Friction Fire Ex Umbra, Wilderness Means

CLASS LIMIT= 12 COST= $10In this workshop learn to make fire from start to flames, by learning fire lays, tender, and how to make and use the friction fire kit.

*** HALF DAY WORKSHOPS REQUIRE PRE-REGISTRATION AND EXTRA ENTRY FEES.***

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SUNDAY HALF-DAY, HANDS-ON WORKSHOPSAFTERNOONWORKSHOPS

2:00 PM - 5:30 PM½ HR BREAK @ 3:30 PM

MORNING WORKSHOPS

9:00 AM - 12:30 PM½ HR BREAK @ 10:30 AM

P-AM: Garden Fresh Wine Making DeNeice Guest, Author

CLASS LIMIT=20 COST=$10Learn the basics of making garden wine and mead with DeNeice Guest, co-author of the new book Drink the Harvest, as she introduces the little known world of herb wines and honey meads.

P-PM: Beautiful in Your Own Skin: Crafting Herbal Skincare Products

Asia Temple, Temple Aesthetics Sacred Skin Care

CLASS LIMIT= 18 COST=$10Learn ancient ways of caring for the largest organ of the body, your skin! In this class we will discover how organic herbs and organic oils can change the health and integrity of the skin we live in. Class will cover over seven herbs ( some that grow in your back yard) and seven oils. Also ingredients that can be incorporated from animal husbandry.You will be leave this class with the confidence and knowledge to choose/make personal care products for yourself and your family.

Q-AM: Naalbiding: Primitive Fabric Making Miranda Heidler

CLASS LIMIT=12 COST=$10Naalbinding is a Scandinavian word that means Nee-dle-binding and is an ancient form of fabric construc-tion using one needle and yarn. Come learn this craft once used all over the globe for thousands of years!

Q-PM: The Art of Making Miso Liat Batshira, Fermentation Wizard

CLASS LIMIT= 20 COST= $10In this class, you will learn how to ferment beans & grains into miso! We will talk about the tradition, his-tory, health, & varieties of Miso. Participants will make and take home a mini batch of non-soy miso. Also, we will taste multiple homemade samples.

R-AM: Getting Started in Beekeeping Shane Gebauer, Brushy Mountain Bee Farm

CLASS LIMIT=25 COST= $10Learn about honey bees and what it takes to be a beekeeper. Understand the equipment, how to get the bees, and most important how to install them in your hive and grow the colony.

R-PM: Basket MakingLouise Langsner, Country Workshops

CLASS LIMIT= 12 COST=$10This class is an introduction to weaving with willow. Weave a simple frame basket and learn basic weaving techniques using farm grown, unpeeled willow. Wil-low cultivation, storage, harvest, and preparation will be discussed. Participants will need a sharp carving knife and good pruning shears. Cuttings for propaga-tion will be available for a nominal fee.

S-AM: Target Archery Alexandra Tait, Artemis Archery Asheville

CLASS LIMIT=20 COST=$10Learn traditional target Archery including the parts of the bow and arrow and some of the colorful his-tory. We will have a stretch warm up, learn form, and shoot arrows. Our instructor will share some of her empowerment work focusing on “Owning the healthy Predator within.” It all starts with target archery.

S-PM: Small Engine Maintenance & Repair Janson Bowman & Shawn Swartz, Warren Wilson College

CLASS LIMIT= 16 COST=$10This workshop will cover maintenance and repair of small engines. Special emphasis will be given to chain-saws, but other engine types such as lawn mowers, tillers, water pumps, and winches will be covered.

T-AM: Six Inches of Soil in Six Months with Six Hundred Thousand Bugs John Moody, Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund

CLASS LIMIT= 25 COST= $10Learn how to turn various waste streams into healthy soil with speed and how to integrate various soil building, season extending and animal tending tech-niques in your growing systems.

T-PM: Soap Making Beth Herdman, Dancing Woods Farm

CLASS LIMIT= 12 COST=$10In this hands on workshop, students will learn the basics of cold process soap making. Students will take home soap similar to the kind made in class.

U-PM: Friction Fire Ex Umbra, Wilderness Means

CLASS LIMIT= 12 COST= $10In this workshop learn to make fire from start to flames, by learning fire lays, tender, and how to make and use the friction fire kit.

U-AM: Primitive Trapping Ex Umbra, Wilderness Means

CLASS LIMIT= 15 COST=$10Students will learn to make animals traps from materi-als found in the landscape.

*** HALF DAY WORKSHOPS REQUIRE PRE-REGISTRATION AND EXTRA ENTRY FEES.***

14

The Organic Growers School serves area organic farmers throughout the year

with the following programs:

CRAFT (peer-to-peer education and networking with farmers

and farm interns)Apprentice Link

Farm Dreams WorkshopsUpcoming Farm Pathways

The biggest funding challenge we face is perception that farmers don’t need education. But, in truth, their educational needs range from production training

to whole-farm business planning. The need to rebuild a path to agriculture for people of modest means takes investment in the next generation of farmers.

The success of beginning farmers and the success of the WNC region are intertwined. Please consider supporting us by donating in the space provided

on your registration form. Thank you very much for your commitment to sustainable agriculture and a thriving community!

We are Committed Partners in Carving a Path to Success for Beginning Farmers in WNC.

FRIDAY PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPSWhile core conference classes are offered on Saturday & Sunday, March 7 & 8 on UNCA Campus, Organic Growers School also offers in-depth, intensive workshops on area farms. These full-day, pre-conference workshops are offered Friday, March 6th. See workshop descriptions below for more information.

1:30 PM - 7:00 PM · Friday, March 6thLiving Web Farm, Mills River, NCCOST: with Conference Registration: $35 without Conference Registration: $50

Spend the afternoon with world-renowned soil biologist Elaine Ingham who will address salient, real-life examples of soil dynamism and instructions on how to fine tune soil nutrients for specific crops. Ingham will speak and tour Living Web Farms’ forced-air compost bins and compost tea operations in addition to the intensively cropped, no-till vegetable operation. Participants will hear stories about farmers who are suppressing weeds with proper soil biology as well as those using com-post tea and microbe-rich methods to increase yields and suppress diseases.

Better Soil Ecology for Better Farming with Elaine Ingham

Beyond the Backyard: Raising Poultry in a Sustainable Way! Jim Adkins, Steve Pope, & Nathan Freeman, Sustainable Poultry Network1:00 PM - 5:00 PM · Friday, March 6thFranny’s Farm, Leicester, NCCOST: with Conference Registration: $35 without Conference Registration: $50

Learn to raise your own poultry flock at Franny’s Farm where the entire process happens: breeding, hatching, growing, butchering and marketing! The class will cover everything you need to know including: identify the poultry breed that best suits your farm; learn how to brood, properly feed & grow poultry, basic husband-ry, disease control, and also the basics of processing & cooking. Join these sustain-able poultry specialists for the A-Z of homestead chicken farming and you’ll be off and running in no time.

Support the Ongoing Work of the Organic Growers School

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KEYNOTE ADDRESS WITH ELAINE INGHAMJoin Us Saturday Evening for a Keynote Address with

Soil Microbiologist Elaine Ingham

WHAT TO DO ABOUT SCIENCE & FARMINGSaturday, March 7, 2014 · 7:30 PM

Lipinsky Auditorium · UNCA Campus · Asheville, NCfollowing dinner & social hour on campus

Science created industrial agriculture with the hope of feed-ing the world . Yet as we review the mounting evidence, we find that this approach has had catastrophic effects. Holistic land management is proving itself to be the solution to our current environmental, social, and economic crises. As land stewards, we are faced with a dilemma: how can we reconcile science with alternative manage-ment? And how can we use science to come up with restorative solu-tions? In this address, internation-

ally-acclaimed soil biologist Dr Elaine Ingham will tackle these questions from personal experience as she reflects on her career, her current research, and her outlook for the future.

ABOUT ELAINE INGHAMDr. Elaine Ingham is a world-renowned soil microbiologist and founder and president of Soil Foodweb, Inc., an organization that helps farmers all over the world grow more resilient crops by understanding and im-proving soil life. For the last 30 years Dr. Ingham has focused on the soil and its living organisms and providing sustainable solutions for main-taining soil health. She shares her knowledge in an easy to understand way and has worked with everyone from vegetable farmers, to cattle

graziers, to nursery operators. Dr. Ingham earned her PhD from Colora-do State University in 1981.

DINNER & SOCIAL HOURGypsy Queen and Taste & See will be available on campus with a variety of dinner options from 6:00 PM -7:30 PM. We will also be hosting a social

hour with drinks and snacks for connection, networking, and fun. No need to leave before the keynote. Classes end at 5:30 PM, and Keynote

begins at 7:30 PM.

With Conference Registration $12Without Conference Registration $20

COST:

cost includes social hour; please bring cash for food trucks

REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR &ONLINE AT WWW.ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG STARTING DECEMBER 15TH

16

SATURDAY • MARCH 7 • FULL CLASS SCHEDULE7:30 AM - 8:30 AM REGISTRATION • Visit Trade Show & Seed Exchange

9 AM - 10:30 AM SESSION ONE

11 AM - 12:30 PM SESSION TWO

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM SESSION THREE

4:00 PM - 5:30 PM SESSION FOUR

TRACK AGARDENING

1A: Starting Your First... Garden

2B: Creative...Irrigation

3A: Container Gardening

4A: Small Scale No-Till Gardening

TRACK BMYCOLOGY

1A: Marvelous Mushrooms

2A: Medicinal Mushrooms

3B: Mycoforestry... with Mushrooms

4B: Mushrooms of the Southern

Appalachians

TRACK CSOILS

1C: Feeding the Soil...Biodynamics

2C: Build a...Compost Tea

Brewer

3C: A Worm Com-posting System For Your Home

4C: Effective Microbes...

TRACK DLIVESTOCK

1D: Fencing Everything... with

Electricity

2D: Incorporating Goats...

3D: Homeopathy for the Whole Herd

4D: Draft Horse Teamster

Roundtable

TRACK EALTERNATIVE

ENERGY

1E: Passive Solar Design

2E: Alternative Energy and You...

3E: Build Your Own Solar Panels

4E: Backyard Biochar

TRACK FCOMMERCIAL

FARMERS I

1F: Farming in a Changing Climate

2F: Penciling a Profit 3F: Keeper Crops 4F: Lessons from

The Pocket Farm

TRACK GCOMMERCIAL

FARMERS II

1G: How to Train a Dragon Farmer

2G: Flame Weeding...

3G: Getting More with... Workers

4G: Controlling Spotted Wing Drosophila...

TRACK HPRIMITIVE SKILLS

1H: Intro to Bird Language

2H: The Gift of Invasive Species

3H: Small Animal Hunting

4H: Cordage: The Art of Rope

Making

TRACK IFOOD

RESILIENCE

1I: Envisioning Our Abundant Food

Future

2I: Waste Not: Food Gleaners....

3I: Tree Crops for Food Production

4I: Co-op Businesses...

TRACK JPERMACULTURE

1J: Horticultural Strategies...

2J: Permaculture: A Toolkit...

3J: Urban Orchards... 4J: A Milpa Lifeway

TRACK KHERBS

1K: Building a Local Herbal Medi-

cine Community

2K: Building Vital Energy

3K: Outstand-ing Edible Wild

Plants...

4K: Gettin’ Down with Appalachian

Roots

TRACK LSUSTAINABLE

FORESTRY

1L: Raising Paw-paws

2L: Craft: Re-purposing the

Woodlot

3L: Brewing with Non-Timber

Forest Products

4L: Community Scale Biochar...

TRACK MHOMESTEADING

1M: DIY Aquaponics

2M: Root Cellaring...

3M: Save True Seed 101

4M: DIY High Protein Animal

Feed

TRACK NCOOKING

1N: Pickle It! Vegetable

Fermentation

2N: Introduction to Specialty Coffee

3N: Herbal Cocktails

4N: Creative Cooking

with... Mushrooms

TRACK OALL ABOUT

POULTRY

1O: Basic Chick Care

2O: Basic Poultry... Management

3O: Breeding Poultry 101

4O: Choosing the Breed

for Your Farm

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM MORNING BREAK • 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM AFTERNOON BREAK Visit Trade Show & Seed Exchange

Don’t Forget Half-Day Workshops • Refer to workshop descriptions on pages 12-13

17

SUNDAY • MARCH 8 • FULL CLASS SCHEDULE7:30 AM - 8:30 AM REGISTRATION • Visit Trade Show & Seed Exchange

9 AM - 10:30 AM SESSION ONE

11AM - 12:30 PM SESSION TWO

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM SESSION THREE

4:00 PM - 5:30 PM SESSION FOUR

TRACK AGARDENING

1A: Starting Your First... Garden

2B: Creative... Irrigation

3A: Container Gardening

4A: Small Scale No-Till Gardening

TRACK BMYCOLOGY

1A: Marvelous Mushrooms

2A: Medicinal Mushrooms

3B: Mycoforestry...with Mushrooms

4B: Mushrooms of the Southern

Appalachians

TRACK CSOILS

1C: Feeding the Soil... Biodynamics

2C: Build a... Compost Tea

Brewer

3C: A Worm Com-posting System For Your Home

4C: Effective Mi-crobes...

TRACK DLIVESTOCK

1D: Fencing Everything... with

Electricity

2D: Incorporating Goats...

3D: Homeopathy for the Whole Herd

4D: Draft Horse Teamster

Roundtable

TRACK EALTERNATIVE

ENERGY

1E: Passive Solar Design

2E: Alternative Energy and You...

3E: Build Your Own Solar Panels

4E: Backyard Biochar

TRACK FCOMMERCIAL

FARMERS I

1F: Penciling a Profit 2F: Keeper Crops 3F: Farming in a

Changing Climate4F: Lessons from The Pocket Farm

TRACK GCOMMERCIAL

FARMERS II

1G: Controlling Spotted Wing Drosophila...

2G: Flame Weeding...

3G: Getting More with... Workers

4G: How to Train a Dragon Farmer

TRACK HPRIMITIVE SKILLS

1H: Intro to Bird Language

2H: The Gift of Invasive Species

3H: Small Animal Hunting

4H: Invasive Plant Medicine

TRACK IFOOD

RESILIENCE

1I: Regional Resiliency...

2I: Managing Rainwater

as a Resource

3I: Co-op Businesses...

4I: Envisioning Our Abundant

Food Future

TRACK JPERMACULTURE

1J: Real Life Forest Gardening

and Farming

2J: Horticultural Strategies...

3J: Permaculture: A Toolki..

4J: Stored Pat-terns, Storied

Wisdom...

TRACK KHERBS

1K: Making Herbal Medicine

2K: Classical Chinese Herbal

Medicine

3K: Outstanding Edible Wild

Plants ...

4K: Gettin’ Down with Appalachian

Roots

TRACK LSUSTAINABLE

FORESTRY

1L: Raising Paw-paws

2L: Craft: Re-purposing the

Woodlot

3L: Brewing with Non-Timber

Forest Products

4L: Community Scale Biochar...

TRACK MHOMESTEADING

1M: DIY Aquaponics

2M: The Well-Stocked Pantry... without Canning

3M: Save True Seed 101

4M: DIY High Protein Animal

Feed

TRACK NCOOKING

1N: Pickle It! Vegetable

Fermentation

2N: Introduction to Specialty Coffee

3N: Herbal Cocktails

4N: Creative Cooking with...

Mushrooms

TRACK OALL ABOUT

POULTRY

1O: Using Poultry to Enhance the

Land

2O: The Art of Incubation

3O: The Secret to Cooking Heritage

Poultry

4O: Developing a Profitable

Poultry Business

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM MORNING BREAK • 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM AFTERNOON BREAK Visit Trade Show & Seed Exchange

Don’t Forget Half-Day Workshops • Refer to workshop descriptions on pages 12-13

18

REGISTRATION DETAILS

IMPORTANT! Please read

for information regarding your

registration.Registration Process: Some specific classes require advance sign up in addition to regular regis-tration and some do not.

Classes that DO NOT REQUIRE ADVANCE SIGN UP: • Regular 1½ hour classes that are NOT in TRACK N: COOKING TRACK

Classes that DO REQUIRE ADVANCE SIGN UP: • All classes in TRACK N: COOKING TRACK, Saturday & Sunday • All half-day, hands-on workshops, Saturday & Sunday • The Children’s Program, Saturday & Sunday • All pre-conference workshops, Friday Please note that we do ask you to indicate on your registration form which classes you are most likely to attend. This is simply to help us estimate class sizes. You will not be registered specifically for those classes. Please note that classroom space is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If a class is particularly important to you, make it a point to arrive early for that class. If you register before 5pm on January 30th, you should receive confirmation of your registration in the mail. If you regis-ter after close of business on January 30th, please contact the registrar by email (preferably) or phone to confirm your spot.

Waiting Lists: If the cooking classes, half-day workshops, pre-conference workshops, or Children’s Program are full, you may provide your name and contact info to the registrar ([email protected] or (828) 761-1776) who will maintain a 5 person waiting list for each of these sessions.

Refund Policy: Registration for the 2015 Organic Growers School Spring Conference is non-refundable. The Conference will be held rain, snow, or shine. The only exemption to the non-refund rule is if you register for a half-day workshop or the Children’s Program, are notified that they are full, and choose not to attend as a result. If you are unable to attend for any other reason, we will be happy to send you documentation so that your registration fee can be recorded as a tax-deductible contribution to the ongoing work of The Organic Growers School.

19

QUALITY and believe that adhering to high standards ensures educational success

and participant satisfaction.

INTEGRITY and believe that care and truthfulness in our words and actions are key

to advancing organic farming, gardening, and living.

ACCESSIBILITY and affordability and believe that everyone deserves access to information and resources

about how to grow organic food and live a healthy life.

PRACTICALITY and believe that OGS’s role is to put useful information in the hands of people

striving for a more sustainable life.

COMMUNITY and believe that strengthening local connections between people, food, and land builds our

individual and collective resilience.

ORGANIC FARMING AND GARDENING PRACTICES and believe that they benefit the grower, the community, the consumer, and the earth.

GROWING FOOD and believe that it empowers us to take more control of our lives

and to make our communities more resilient.

ORGANIC GROWERS SCHOOL GROWTH PARTNERSWe Would Like to Recognize These Organizations for their

Continued Support of the Work of the Organic Growers School

The Organic Growers School is pleased to thank our Growth Partners who offer the ongoing financial support that enables us to expand our

reach and impact and to increase the availability of educational opportunities for

organic farmers, gardeners, and consumers.

With the help of these partners, Organic Growers School has served to reinforce Western North Carolina’s role as a regional leader in sustain-

able food and farming. We are grateful for their support.

ASAP · Blue Ridge Community College · Brushy Mountain Bee Farm · Carolina BisonCarolina Farm Credit · Commonwealth Seed Growers · Countryside Organic Feed

Earth Tools · Earthineer · Firestorm Cafe & Books · French Broad Food Co-opLiving Web Farms · Mockingbird Meadows · Mountain Xpress · Mushroom Mountain

Natures NOG · NC Ginseng & Goldenseal Co. · Nourish & FlourishPlants & Healers International · Protaculture · Red Moon Herbs

Reems Creek Nursery & Landscaping · SeaAgri · Society of St. Andrews The Lord’s Acre · Temple Hives · Useful Plants Nursery

ORGANIC GROWERS SCHOOL VALUES

Find These Businesses and More in Our 2015 Trade Show!

Interested in being an Exhibitor or Sponsor?Contact Conference Coordinator Meredith Leigh at

[email protected] or 828-668-2127

2015 SPRING CONFERENCE EXHIBITORS

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Organic Growers School, for the 2nd year, presents the long-awaited Harvest Conference, a fall event featuring all the popularity of the Spring Conference with a focus on the fall growing season, harvesting, canning, cooking and more…all organically of course.

We pride ourselves on bringing you down-to-earth advice on growing and sustainable living, while remaining affordable and accessible.

Date: September 11&12, 2015Who: Backyard & Urban Growers, Homesteaders & Gardeners of all stripes,

and those interested in self-reliance. Friday: Pre Conference Workshops, both half day & whole day.

Saturday: Workshop classes in 6 tracks, much like the Spring Conference format.Held @ AB Tech Main Campus, Asheville.

Same great education—Another great time of year!

UPCOMING OGS EVENTS IN 2015

Register at www.organicgrowersschool.org

Featuring Peter BaneDate: Sunday, February 8, 2015

Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMLocation: Asheville, NC

Cost: $65 if registered by January 9th; $70 after January 9th

Organic Growers School is thrilled to host Peter Bane for this accessible and practical program to further our common journey of self-reliance. Whether you are just starting out, designing your eco-mansion, rehabbing your life, or just wanting to incorporate a few new ideas, this workshop will provide solid guidance for the next steps.

Date: Saturday, February 21, 2015, or Saturday, May 2, 2015

Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMLocation: Buncombe County Extension,

94 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801Cost: $55

Are you dreaming of starting your own farm? Farm Dreams? is an entry level, five-hour, ex-ploratory workshop designed to help people

who are seeking practical, common sense information on whether sustainable farming

is the next step for them, and how to move forward. This is a great workshop to attend if

you are in the exploratory stages of getting started farming.

Dates: March 31, April 7, & April 14th (last Tuesday in March

& first two Tuesdays in April)Location: Asheville, NC

Cost: $15 per class or $40 for the series

A three-part series on all aspects of organic growing:

Class 1: Why grow organically; site, size, & design; soil & nutrient basics; seasons; tools, Q&A.

Class 2: Seeds & transplants, common problems; composting & vermicomposting; edible yard; Q&A.

Class 3: Mulch; water & fertility; compost tea; cover cropping & nutrients; disease & insects; Q&A.

SECOND ANNUAL HARVEST CONFERENCE

Don’t Miss A Second Opportunity to Learn, Connect, and Grow with Us!

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Join the Organic Growers School in celebrating area chefs and restaurants! General attendees can purchase freshly prepared food using organic and local ingredients from Greenlight Cafe, Homegrown, Sweet Monkey Bakery, and more. Plan to bring some $1s and $5s to spend, as many vendors can’t accept your plastic!

If you are interested in volunteering for this year’s school please fill out an application online at www.organicgrowersschool.org. A four hour shift equals a one day registration (lunch not included).

A one-day pass for Saturday is worth $45, and a one-day pass for Sunday is worth $40. All volunteers are

required to submit a reimbursable deposit for this amount along with their registration for the day they are applying for a work exchange pass. If you have any questions about volunteering, see the volunteering page on our website: www. organicgrowersschool.org or contact Assistant Conference Coordinator, Vaidila Satvika at [email protected]

CANCELLATIONS: If you are accepted into the work exchange program and need to cancel, your deposit and registrations are 50% refundable if you notify us by Friday, February 20th. If you cancel after February 20th, you will receive no refund, however, please let us know so we can fill your shifts.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

LUNCH

The Continued Success of the Organic Growers School Depends Upon Your Help

Tea and Coffee will be for sale all day from several sources. Please remember to bring your own mug and utensils to cut

down on waste and mess. These efforts all contribute to our mission to keep this event affordable and sustainable. Thank you for your help!

Seed saving and plant exchanges are key steps in preserving genetic diversity and protecting regionally

adapted varieties. The popular Seed & Plant Exchange table will be open throughout the day. Please bring your excess seeds and small plants to share, barter, or trade. Seed saving supplies and recommended readings will be provided. Make a reminder to bring bulk or prepackaged seed. Please label each seed or plant variety name and any comments on the variety’s features, advantages, ornamental or craft uses, etc.

HOT TEA & COFFEE SEED & PLANT EXCHANGE

LODGING

Need a place to stay the night? Visit www.organicgrowersschool.org for lodging options with hotels and B&Bs who have partnered with OGS.

FOOD & COFFEE VENDORS

Greenlight Cafe · Homegrown · Sweet Monkey Bakery Firestorm Café and Books · Gypsy Queen Cuisine and more!

22

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)

More answers to FAQs can be found online atwww.organicgrowersschool.org

Q: How can I contact the Organic Growers School?A: For questions regarding registration and attendance or volunteer-ing, contact Conference Assistant Vaidila Satvika, [email protected]. For all other questionscontact Conference Coordinator, Meredith Leigh 828.668.2127 [email protected].

Q: Can I register for just a class or two and not the whole day?A: Because we try to keep things both affordable and simple, we regret that we cannot offer partial registrations.

Q: Can I register for just the Keynote Speech on Saturday night?Yes, you may purchase a stand-alone keynote registration for $20 or combine it with your regular registration for $12. If we are not sold out, registration for both the weekend and the keynote will be available at the door.

Q: What about my kids? A: This year we are excited to offer an expanded Children’s Program! We will be accepting registrations for kids 4-12. Kids 13 and older are welcome to attend the regular adult learn-ing sessions, and kids under 3 can attend with parents for free! Please note that we will not accept a child’s registration without the regular registration of an accompanying adult.

Q: Can I register online?A: Yes, at www.organicgrowersschool.org with a credit card. There is also a printable regis-tration form on the site if you would prefer to print it out and mail with a check.

Q: Can I register the day of the event? A: Potentially if not sold out ahead of time. Also, please remember the early-bird pricing ends January 30th. After that the cost goes up by $15.

Q: Why is Saturday more expensive?A: In an effort to balance burgeoning Saturday attendance, we are offering a $5 incentive for you to attend on Sunday. This is why fees are $45 on Saturday and $40 on Sunday.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

• Take the NC 251/UNC Asheville exit. • Turn left at traffic light at bottom of ramp. • Proceed approximately 1/2 mile to second traffic light; turn left onto W.T. Weaver Blvd. • Proceed approximately 1/3 mile to second left-hand turn for the main entrance road to UNCA campus.

From the North on US 19-23

• Take exit 53B for I-240.• Follow I-240 for approximately 4.5 miles. • Take exit 5A for Merrimon Avenue. • Turn right at the light at the bottom of the ramp. • Proceed approximately 1 mile to third light; turn left onto W.T. Weaver Blvd. • Proceed approximately 1/4 mile on Weaver Blvd. to right-hand turn for main entrance road to UNCA campus.

From the East on I-40

From the South or West on I-26 or I-40

• Take I-240 for Asheville. • As you cross the river, move into the left-hand lane. • Take US 19-23 north. • Proceed approximately 1 mile to UNCA exit. •Turn right at bottom of exit ramp. • Proceed approximately 1/3 mile to second traffic light; turn left onto W.T. Weaver Blvd. • Proceed approximately 1/3 mile to second left-hand turn for the main entrance road to UNCA campus.

Address for GPS Users

1 University HeightsAsheville, NC 28804

23

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM TOPICS & ACTIVITIESPollinator Awareness

with Nina Veteto, Founder of MonarchRescue.org

Write Wild!with Robin Criscuolo, Lead Instructor at Forest Floor

& The Living Earth School

Starting & Saving SeedsCrafting & Grafting

with Mateo Ryall, Owner of Herb and Roots Nursery

Dairy Goatswith Oak Moon Farms

Activities with the Greensboro Edible Schoolyard

Urban Gardening & Making Seedballs

with Aaron Birk, Author of The Pollinator’s Corridor & Instructor at Odyssey School

Farm Fibers & Felting with Wool

with Charity Cimarron, Forest Floor Wilderness Programs & Red Sky Shelters

Appalachian Storytelling

with Jon Rousseau, Master Storyteller, Journeyman Asheville

Herbs for KidsMichelle Carter-Griste, Living Web Farms

***SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

New 2015 Children’s Program

Now open to children ages 4 through 12!

Two Groups of Children: Ages 4-6 & 7-12.

Supervised, age-appropriate activities, games, and crafts!

Registration is $30 per day, per child. Available both Saturday & Sunday.

Space is limited to sixteen for ages 4-6 and twenty-four ages 7-12 per day.

Contact Conference Assistant, Vaidila Satvika, [email protected]

to check availability!

24

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORSPlease show them your patronage!

Interested in being an Exhibitor or Sponsor?Contact Conference Coordinator Meredith Leigh at

[email protected] or 828-668-2127

25

2015 ANNUAL SPRING CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORMOnline registration available @ www.organicgrowersschool.org

This registration is for Adult Child (4-6)Name Parent/Guardian Name if registering a childAddress (Street, City, ST, Zip)Phone Email

REGULAR SESSIONS: Please help us estimate classroom size by indicating the regular 1.5 hour sessions that you are most likely to attend.THIS DOES NOT REGISTER YOU SPECIFICALLY FOR THESE CLASSES. These are the classes you are most likely to attend. Please list class codes (e.g., 1A, 2C, 3H, 4J).

Saturday AM Workshop

Session One9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Session Two11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Session Three2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Session Four4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Sunday

HALF-DAY WORKSHOPS (Registration and extra materials fees required. See pages 12-13 for fee details) Check the space availability for the half-day hands-on workshops online at www.organicgrowersschool.org before registering. Please indicate workshop with letter/number code and workshop title.

Saturday PM WorkshopSunday AM WorkshopSunday PM Workshop

Class Code Class Name

COOKING CLASSES (Registration Required and a $5 fee per class).

Saturday





SundaySaturday

PAYMENTSATURDAY March 7, Regular Registration, $45SUNDAY March 8, Regular Registration, $40

SATURDAY March 7, Child 4-12, $30SUNDAY March 8, Child 4-12, $30# ½ Day Workshops _____ x $10# Cooking Classes _____ x $5FRIDAY March 6, ______________________________________ (Fill in Workshop Title)

KEYNOTE ADDRESS w/ ELAINE INGHAM: Saturday, March 7 @ 7:30 PM Lipinsky Auditorium · UNCA Campus

Add Keynote Address Registration to Regular Registration, +$12Sign me up for Keynote Address ONLY, $20

Keynote Address, adjust price based on conference attendance, $12/$20

Late Registration Fee if postmarked after January 30th, $15I have confirmed my volunteer status with Vaidila SatvikaYES! I’d like to make a donation to support the work of OGS

-Regular Registration

$____

$____$____

$____$____$____$____

$____$____

$____TOTAL $____REFUND POLICY: Registration for the 2015 Spring

Conference is non-refundable. The event will be held--rain, or snow, or shine. See page 18 for the full refund policy.

I understand & accept the terms of this registration.

Please indicate by signing below:Signature _________________________________________________ Date ___________

Checks only. Please make checks payable to Organic Growers School. Mail check & completed form to OGS Registration • PO Box 17804 • Asheville, NC 28816

adjust price based on conference attendance, $35/$50

Child (7-12)

26

2015 ANNUAL SPRING CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORMOnline registration available @ www.organicgrowersschool.org

This registration is for Adult Child (4-6)Name Parent/Guardian Name if registering a childAddress (Street, City, ST, Zip)Phone Email

REGULAR SESSIONS: Please help us estimate classroom size by indicating the regular 1.5 hour sessions that you are most likely to attend.THIS DOES NOT REGISTER YOU SPECIFICALLY FOR THESE CLASSES. These are the classes you are most likely to attend. Please list class codes (e.g., 1A, 2C, 3H, 4J).

Saturday AM Workshop





Sunday

HALF-DAY WORKSHOPS (Registration and extra materials fees required. See pages 12-13 for fee details) Check the space availability for the half-day hands-on workshops online at www.organicgrowersschool.org before registering. Please indicate workshop with letter/number code and workshop title.

Saturday PM WorkshopSunday AM WorkshopSunday PM Workshop

Class Code Class Name

COOKING CLASSES (Registration Required and a $5 fee per class).

Saturday





SundaySaturday

KEYNOTE ADDRESS w/ ELAINE INGHAM: Saturday, March 7 @ 7:30 PM Lipinsky Auditorium · UNCA Campus.

Add Keynote Address Registration to Regular Registration, +$12Sign me up for Keynote Address ONLY, $20

Checks only. Please make checks payable to Organic Growers School. Mail check & completed form to OGS Registration • PO Box 17804 • Asheville, NC 28816

PAYMENTSATURDAY March 7, Regular Registration, $45SUNDAY March 8, Regular Registration, $40

SATURDAY March 7, Child 4-12, $30SUNDAY March 8, Child 4-12, $30# ½ Day Workshops _____ x $10# Cooking Classes _____ x $5FRIDAY March 6, ______________________________________ (Fill in Workshop Title)

Keynote Address, adjust price based on conference attendance, $12/$20

Late Registration Fee if postmarked after January 30th, $15I have confirmed my volunteer status with Vaidila SatvikaYES! I’d like to make a donation to support the work of OGS

-Regular Registration

$____

$____$____

$____$____$____$____

$____$____

$____TOTAL $____REFUND POLICY: Registration for the 2015 Spring

Conference is non-refundable. The event will be held--rain, or snow, or shine. See page 18 for the full refund policy.

I understand & accept the terms of this registration.

Please indicate by signing below:Signature ______________________________________________ Date _____________

adjust price based on conference attendance, $35/$50

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PROVIDING ORGANIC EDUCATION TO THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS SINCE 1993

KICK OFF THEGROWING

SEASON

WWW.ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG

SATURDAY & SUNDAYMARCH 7-8, 2015

with PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOPSFRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

UNCA CAMPUS • ASHEVILLE, NC

HOW IT WORKS: Regular Satur-day & Sunday classes (of 1.5 hours) are organized into 15 thematic “tracks” and are included in your registration. Half-day, Hands-on Workshops and Cooking Classes have limited capacity, require advanced registration, and cost an ad-ditional fee: $10 for half-day workshops and $5 for cooking classes. They will fill early. Check space availability online at organicgrowersschool.org or contact the registrar at [email protected] or (828) 761-1776.

11TH ANNUAL KID’S PROGRAM welcomes children ages 4-12 to this supervised, full-dayevent. Kids will be divided into two age groups (4-6 & 7-12) for activities. Kid’s program registration WILL NOT BEACCEPTED WITHOUT REGISTRATION OF AN ACCOMPANYING ADULT! Limited to 40 children. Check online for availabili-ty. See page 23 for more details. www.organicgrowersschool.org.

Be an EARLY BIRD!Register by 5pm on January 30, 2015for the early bird discount.Information & registration available online startingDecember 15, 2014 at www.organicgrowersschool.org

Class Descriptions

Pre-Conference WorkshopsClass ScheduleRegistration DetailsFAQDirectionsChildren’s ProgramSponsors & ExhibitorsRegistration Forms

Table of ContentsHalf-Day Workshops

1-1112-13

1416-17

18222223

19 & 2425-26

The event held every March known as The Organic Growers School Spring Conference is organized by The Organic Growers School, INC., a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization. Your registration fee goes directly to funding

this and other Organic Growers School educational activities. Please direct any correspondence to

OGS Board of Directors • PO Box 17804 • Asheville, NC 28816

Check out scholarship & volunteer opportunities at organicgrowersschool.org or call (828) 761-1776

FEATURING KEYNOTE ADDRESS

with Elaine InghamSaturday, March 7, 2015 @ 7:30pm

Lipinsky Auditorium · UNCA Campus following dinner and social hour on campus

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Persons with disabilities or persons with limited English language proficiency

may request accommodations. Contact Meredith Leigh at 828.668.2127.

Documents

KICK OFF THE GROWING SEASON - Organic Growers …organicgrowersschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2015... · FAQ Directions. Children’s Program ... you from growing a veggie,