Establishing Habitat for Beneficial Insects: Techniques & Tools for Success

From pollination to pest management, on-farm habitat for beneficial insects is an essential component to any farm.  This workshop will cover techniques for successfully installing habitat in organic systems including design and plant selection, site preparation and maintenance, and field trials being conducted across the U.S. We’ll discuss NRCS financing & programs to support these efforts: where to access, who is eligible, and what you actually receive. A local organic farmer will also join us to discuss their experience and lessons learned.

Speakers:
Sarah Brown, Organic Conservation Specialist, Oregon Tilth & NRCS; Mace Vaughan, Pollinator Conservation Program Director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation; Rowan Steele, Farm Incubator Manager, East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, Owner and Farmer, Fiddlehead Farm; Carrie Sendak, Organic Conservation Coordinator, Oregon Tilth and NRCS - Facilitating

Organic Berry Crop Production Systems – What have we learned through research so far?

This workshop will cover: soil preparation for new planting, the best production systems for sustainability in organic blueberries, tips for fertigating with fish, and summaries of on-going research on the impact of fertilizer source and cultivar on yield and fruit quality. We will address the question of whether or not production systems impact healthful properties in blackberries. This workshop will focus on blueberry and blackberry production, but questions and input from growers on all berry crops will be encouraged and appreciated.

Speakers:
Dr. Bernadine Strik, Professor of Horticulture, Extension Berry Crops, OSU; Dr. David Bryla, Research Scientist, USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Research Unit; Javier Fernandez-Salvador, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. Horticulture, OSU; Renee Harkins, MS Graduate Student, Dept. Horticulture, OSU; George Cavender, Research Associate, Department of Food Science & Technology, OSU; Eric Pond, NW Operations Manager, AgriCare, INC

Responsible Packaging

As businesses focus on sustainability implementation throughout the supply chain, it’s becoming essential to develop and use responsible packaging alternatives. With the proliferation of “green, sustainable, degradable, and bio-based” packaging claims and the emergence of packaging scorecards and metrics schemes, the organic industry must define a vision for packaging responsibility.

The Responsible Packaging Project, a non-profit collaboration between the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association, National Cooperative Grocers Association, Organic Trade Association, Sustainable Food Trade Association, UNFI, Inc. and Whole Foods Green Mission, has developed guidelines for the organic industry that focus on three primary areas: transparency of content, extended producer responsibility, and ecological principles. 

This workshop will help define “responsible packaging” through Zero Waste, Cradle to Cradle, and the Natural Step Framework.  We will cover the FTC Green Guides, and discuss the importance of packaging claims and third party verification.  Presenters will share successes and struggles in packaging alternatives implementation, as well as thoughts on lifting the industry towards more responsible packaging choices.  This workshop will also include a 15 minute award ceremony for the 2013 Responsible Packaging Award Winners.  For more information visit: www.responsible-packaging.org

Speakers:
Nate Schlachter, Executive Director, Sustainable Food Trade Association; Tom Wright, Founder of Responsible Packaging Project & CEO Sustainable Bizness Practices; David Allaway, Senior Policy Analyst, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality; Brionee Saseen, Environmental Coordinator, Lundberg Family Farms; Julie Tilt, President, Hummingbird Wholesale

A Collaborative Approach to Strengthening Organic Seed Systems

Strong organic seed systems are crucial to the success of the broader organic community. This workshop addresses the need for buy-in from the entire organic food chain to increase the quantity and quality of organic seed. Panelists will share positive efforts within the organic community, including food companies that are pro-actively requiring organic seed contracts with farmers and organic plant breeders within the private and public sector. Participants will join a larger strategy discussion on how to replicate the positive examples shared by panelists.

Speakers:
Micaela Colley, Executive Director & Research and Education Director, OSA; Tom Lively, Senior Account Representative, Organically Grown Company; John Foster, Director of Compliance - Quality, Food Safety & Organic Integrity, Earthbound Farm; Matthew Dillon, Cultivator for Seed Matters, Clif Bar Family Foundation; Jim Myers, OSU; Elysa Hammond, Director of Environmental Stewardship, Clif Bar & Company; Laurie McKenzie, graduate student, OSU

OTA Organic Research and Promotion Program Town Hall Meeting

A proposal is moving forward to explore a research and promotion program for organic. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is holding Town Hall-style forums across the country to evaluate this opportunity and facilitate an industry wide decision. Input from the entire organic community is needed. All organic industry members are encouraged to participate in the Town Hall meeting. Visit the OTA website: www.ota.com/ORPP.html  to learn more about the initiative.

Speakers:
Laura Batcha, Executive Vice President, OTA; Marty Mesh, Executive Director, Florida Organic Growers & Quality Certification Services; Gwendolyn Wyard, Regulatory Director - Organic Standards and Food Safety, OTA