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Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 05:00 PM
Statewide Horticulture Food Crops Survey
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages Iowa horticulture food crop producers to participate in a statewide industry survey aimed at capturing fresh data on the diversity, growth and economic impact of horticultural food crop production in our state. This is the first Iowa survey of its kind in nearly a decade.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is partnering with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) as well as other industry stakeholders on the effort. The goal is to capture feedback from producers of commercial horticultural food crops in Iowa that include fruits, nuts, vegetables, berries, herbs, honey, maple syrup and mushrooms.
This survey was the result of a cooperative effort by several entities. In addition to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and USDA NASS, assistance was provided by Practical Farmers of Iowa, the Iowa Specialty Crop Growers Association and the Iowa Farmers Market Association.
COMPLETING THE SURVEY
The survey, 2024 Iowa Commercial Horticulture Survey for Food Crops, was mailed to approximately 3,500 known Iowa horticulture crop producers late January 2024.
If there are Iowans who did not receive a survey in the mail but whose horticulture and specialty crop production information should be captured, they can acquire a survey by calling 515-242-6239 or by requesting one online through the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website.
DEADLINE
The deadline for participating in the survey is April 30, 2024.
Participation is voluntary, but cooperation is critical toward developing an accurate assessment of specialty food crop production and marketing in Iowa. The information provided by producers will be considered confidential and will only be reported as aggregate totals or averages.
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Wednesday, May 01, 2024 at 02:00 PM
Rodale Institute Online WebinarRodale Institute Webinar: Overcoming Common Barriers to Organic Certification
Learn strategies to manage the transition period, understand certification costs, simplify paperwork, navigate market competition, and leverage educational resources. Gain the knowledge to successfully achieve organic certification. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experts and elevate your organic farming journey.
ABOUT RODALE INSTITUTE
Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing the regenerative organic agriculture movement through rigorous research, farmer training, and education. Our groundbreaking science and direct farmer-support programs serve as a catalyst for change in farming and food production worldwide. Over our 75-year history, we have proven that organic farming is not only viable, but essential to humanity’s survival.
Since 1947, Rodale Institute has taken the lead in developing a better, natural, and more responsible way of modern farming by conducting research into the cultivation of healthy, living soils. Rodale Institute is home to the longest-running side-by-side comparison of organic vs. conventional farming practices (the Farming Systems Trial, started in 1981), and their research focus areas include developing organic solutions to pests, disease and weeds, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and growing nutrient dense foods.
HOW TO JOIN THE WEBINAR
Cost to join: Free
Webinar facilitated by: The Rodale InstituteSEE DETAILS & REGISTER
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Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 02:00 PM
Rodale Institute Online WebinarRodale Institute Webinar: Ancient Wheat -- The Old Grain with Prospects
Today’s bread is dominated by modern bread wheat that was developed during the “Green Revolution” of the mid-20th century. Ancient wheat may not be mainstream to feed billions of people in 2050, but ancient varieties have some nutritional advantages. In addition, unlike modern wheat, plant growth and biomass can be valuable agronomic characteristics to use when thinking of reduced tillage. Join Dr. Zinati in this webinar to discuss the differences between wheat varieties and nutritional variation among modern, heritage, and ancient wheat.
This project is supported in part by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR).
ABOUT RODALE INSTITUTE
Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing the regenerative organic agriculture movement through rigorous research, farmer training, and education. Our groundbreaking science and direct farmer-support programs serve as a catalyst for change in farming and food production worldwide. Over our 75-year history, we have proven that organic farming is not only viable, but essential to humanity’s survival.
Since 1947, Rodale Institute has taken the lead in developing a better, natural, and more responsible way of modern farming by conducting research into the cultivation of healthy, living soils. Rodale Institute is home to the longest-running side-by-side comparison of organic vs. conventional farming practices (the Farming Systems Trial, started in 1981), and their research focus areas include developing organic solutions to pests, disease and weeds, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and growing nutrient dense foods.
HOW TO JOIN THE WEBINAR
Cost to join: Free
Webinar facilitated by: The Rodale InstituteSEE DETAILS & REGISTER
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Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 02:00 PM
Rodale Institute Online WebinarRodale Institute Webinar: How to Establish a Full Spectrum Organic Integrated Pest Management Program
Weeds, insects, and diseases are an inevitability within a farming system. In this presentation we are going to look at how to organically manage these pests through practices and programs. We will talk about what to do to manage these concerns and make sure that we won’t have to be fighting these pests throughout the season and into future growing seasons!
ABOUT RODALE INSTITUTE
Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing the regenerative organic agriculture movement through rigorous research, farmer training, and education. Our groundbreaking science and direct farmer-support programs serve as a catalyst for change in farming and food production worldwide. Over our 75-year history, we have proven that organic farming is not only viable, but essential to humanity’s survival.
Since 1947, Rodale Institute has taken the lead in developing a better, natural, and more responsible way of modern farming by conducting research into the cultivation of healthy, living soils. Rodale Institute is home to the longest-running side-by-side comparison of organic vs. conventional farming practices (the Farming Systems Trial, started in 1981), and their research focus areas include developing organic solutions to pests, disease and weeds, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and growing nutrient dense foods.
HOW TO JOIN THE WEBINAR
Cost to join: Free
Webinar facilitated by: The Rodale InstituteSEE DETAILS & REGISTER
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Wednesday, June 05, 2024 at 02:00 PM
Rodale Institute Online WebinarRodale Institute Webinar: How Does UV Light Affect Greenhouse Organic Lettuce Yield and Nutrient Quality?
Organic greenhouse lettuce production can be challenging due to presence of powdery mildew disease in the northeast United States. Lettuce growers depend heavily on OMRI certified chemicals to spray against the pathogen that causes the disease. However, other technologies may be potentially helpful to nip the disease early in the production system. However, we don’t know whether these technologies such as UV rays affect plant growth, and most importantly, nutrient quality, compared to those sprayed with chemicals.
Join the speakers: Arash Ghalehgolabbehbahani, Gladis Zinati, and Madhav Dhakal to learn about the latest results of this research, conducted at the Rodale Institute Pocono Organic Center in Pennsylvania.
This project is supported in part by the N.E. SARE Partnership Grant.
ABOUT RODALE INSTITUTE
Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing the regenerative organic agriculture movement through rigorous research, farmer training, and education. Our groundbreaking science and direct farmer-support programs serve as a catalyst for change in farming and food production worldwide. Over our 75-year history, we have proven that organic farming is not only viable, but essential to humanity’s survival.
Since 1947, Rodale Institute has taken the lead in developing a better, natural, and more responsible way of modern farming by conducting research into the cultivation of healthy, living soils. Rodale Institute is home to the longest-running side-by-side comparison of organic vs. conventional farming practices (the Farming Systems Trial, started in 1981), and their research focus areas include developing organic solutions to pests, disease and weeds, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and growing nutrient dense foods.
HOW TO JOIN THE WEBINAR
Cost to join: Free
Webinar facilitated by: The Rodale InstituteSEE DETAILS & REGISTER
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Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 02:00 PM
Rodale Institute Online WebinarRodale Institute Webinar: What, When, and Why's of Choosing to Farm & Expanding Your Operation
Choosing to farm is a huge decision for beginning farmers and can be a very difficult one. In this presentation we are going to be looking at an overview of the type of operations a farmer can choose from. We will discuss infrastructure, timeliness for profitability, market channels, and the types of practices that define who and what a farmer is.
ABOUT RODALE INSTITUTE
Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing the regenerative organic agriculture movement through rigorous research, farmer training, and education. Our groundbreaking science and direct farmer-support programs serve as a catalyst for change in farming and food production worldwide. Over our 75-year history, we have proven that organic farming is not only viable, but essential to humanity’s survival.
Since 1947, Rodale Institute has taken the lead in developing a better, natural, and more responsible way of modern farming by conducting research into the cultivation of healthy, living soils. Rodale Institute is home to the longest-running side-by-side comparison of organic vs. conventional farming practices (the Farming Systems Trial, started in 1981), and their research focus areas include developing organic solutions to pests, disease and weeds, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and growing nutrient dense foods.
HOW TO JOIN THE WEBINAR
Cost to join: Free
Webinar facilitated by: The Rodale InstituteSEE DETAILS & REGISTER