Regardless of your orientation — conventional farmer or organic — hardly any principle of good farming practices fails to include core IPM practices. So take a look at New York’s three largest conferences planned for January, see what they offer, and make it if you can.
The 2015 New York State Agricultural Society | January 7 — 8 | Holiday Inn, Syracuse NY
The agricultural world has been diversifying for decades. Yet more than ever, finding the right niche is a constant challenge in production agriculture. Is it time to shift gears, adding or subtracting crops or products within one commodity, or should you move into another commodity or service? Is value-added vertical integration the way to go, and should it be independently or as a cooperative effort? The list goes on — and IPMers will be there.
Keynote speaker Dr. David Kohl addresses these questions and more, engaging conference-goers in a dynamic and informative program. Known for his deep knowledge of agriculture, demographics, and the national and world economy, Kohl has a gift for making any topic an edge-of-your-seat presentation.
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The 2015 Empire State Producers Expo | January 20 –22 | The Oncenter Convention Center, Syracuse, NY
Combining the major fruit, flower, vegetable, and direct marketing associations of New York, this expo is both a comprehensive trade show and educational conference for the fruit and vegetable growers of New York, nearby states, and Eastern Canada.
From invasive weeds and insecticide resistance to remerging viruses and soil health (and so much more), the Expo is made to order to growers hungry for information that positions them to grow the healthiest, most pest-resistant, and highest-value crops they can.
The 2015 Northeast Organic Farming Association: New York | Winter Conference | January 23 – 25 | City Center, Saratoga Springs, NY
Organic farmers (and serious gardeners) from New York and the Northeast flock to Saratoga Springs each year for a comprehensive program that offers best practices for a range of crops and products from the commonplace to the exotic — with a focus this year on the healthy soils that are the bedrock of every successful farm.
The conference features keynoter, researcher, and writer Wes Jackson, founder of The Land Institute in Kansas and the subject of articles and recipient of awards too numerous to mention here.
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