October 19, 2007

Organic farming and certification topic of video in series

The program is for anyone interested in transitioning to organic production or certifying existing organic practices. Agricultural consultants and educators with questions about organic production or the process of certification also may find the video beneficial.

"One of the goals of the program is to inform people about the current situation and potential for organic farming in this region," said Liz Maynard, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service horticulture specialist and program coordinator. "Those who attend will leave with information to help them decide if they would like to further explore the opportunity of certified organic production."

Many speakers will share their expertise and experiences. Cathy Greene of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, will speak on topics such as acreage, production value and current trends for commodities of interest. Corinne Alexander, Purdue agricultural economist, will review current information on the economics of organic farm profitability and highlight differences between organic and conventional farming. Harriet Behar of the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service will give the steps for becoming certified.

Along with these speakers, farmers will give personal accounts of the organic farming certification process. 

"Participants will appreciate hearing from farmers who have firsthand experience with organic certification," Maynard said. "They can give specific details of the process that others may not be able to get through published certification information."

The video will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcast from the following 18 Indiana sites:

* Aurora - Purdue Extension Office, Dearborn County

* Bloomington - Purdue Extension Office, Monroe County

* Brazil - Purdue Extension Office, Clay County

* Corydon - Purdue Extension Office, Harrison County

* Danville - Purdue Extension Office, Hendricks County

* Evansville - Purdue Extension Office, Vanderburgh County

* Frankfort - Purdue Extension Office, Clinton County

* Greenfield - Purdue Extension Office, Hancock County

* Greensburg - Purdue Extension Office, Decatur County

* LaGrange - Purdue Extension Office, LaGrange County

* New Castle - Purdue Extension Office, Henry County

* Plymouth - Purdue Extension Office, Marshall County

* Rockport - Purdue Extension Office, Spencer County

* Scottsburg - Purdue Extension Office, Scott County

* Vincennes - Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center

* Wanatah - Pinney Purdue Agricultural Center

* West Lafayette - Purdue campus, Pfendler Hall, Room 241

* Winamac - Purdue Extension Office, Pulaski County

Registration is $10 per person and includes workshop materials and refreshments. The deadline for registering is Nov. 12.

To sign up for a specific location in Indiana go online to http://www.cec.purdue.edu. Follow the link to "Upcoming Programs" and search for "Tri-State Organic IP Video Series/2007." To register by phone, contact Lynn Stocksick at (765) 494-2753 or (800) 359-2968. For additional information, contact Jerry Nelson at (812) 886-9582, jnelson@purdue.edu.

The video also may be viewed in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. For information in Illinois go online to http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/smallfarm/events.cfm, or contact Deborah Cavanaugh Grant at (217) 968-5512, cvnghgrn@uiuc.edu. For those in Michigan, contact Vicki Morrone at (517) 353-3542, sorrone@msu.edu. Those in Ohio should contact Alan Sundermeier (419) 354-9050, sundermeier.5@osu.edu.

Writer: Hannah Brescher, (765) 494-8402, hbresche@purdue.edu

Source: Liz Maynard, (219) 785-5673, emaynard@.purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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