Organic Winter Wheat Growers Meeting, Mount Vernon WSU Northwest Research Extension Center, The Mount Vernon NWREC will be hosting a meeting with growers, and extension staff and faculty to discuss research project opportunities.
Contact: Jonathan Roozen, jfroozen@wsu.edu, (360) 848-6135,
Further Info: 2008event-OrganicWinterWheat.pdf

Annual Meeting of the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America, Napa CA.
Contact: John Stark, WSU Puyallup REC, starkj@wsu.edu, (253) 445-4519,
Further info: http://www.pbesa.prosser.wsu.edu/

Big Gun vs Boom Irrigation Systems, Mt Vernon, WA. Don McMoran, WSU Extension Skagit County, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator. This presentation will compare the typical big-gun irrigation systems with a new boom type irrigation system for uniformity, water application efficiency, and cost advantages or disadvantages. Don completed a comparison study of big-gun and new boom irrigation systems in Skagit and Whatcom Counties in the summer of 2007.
Contact: Jonathan Roozen, jfroozen@wsu.edu, (360) 848-6135,
Further info: IrrigationAndWaterWorkshopSeries.doc

Climate Change Impacts on water supply and agriculture, Mt Vernon, WA. Jeremy Little, UW Climate Impacts Group, and Chad Kruger, WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR) Interim Director. We will discuss the likely future impacts of climate change on water resources including glaciers, snow pack, rivers, aquifers, and precipitation patterns. The presentation will include hydrographs of current western Washington watershed systems with a discussion of “managed” and “unmanaged” stream flows, and likely changes in the short and long term. We will also discuss impacts on irrigated agriculture and adaptation in agricultural systems.
Contact: Jonathan Roozen, jfroozen@wsu.edu, (360) 848-6135,
Further info: IrrigationAndWaterWorkshopSeries.doc

Ag Weather Net, Mt Vernon, WA. Gary Grove, WSU Plant Pathologist, and Bob Krebs, WSU Agweathernet Program Manager, WSU Prosser IAREC. The Ag Weather Net system is available on-line and is free to registered users. This presentation will provide an overview of the information that can be obtained through the system and how this information can be used to schedule irrigation and forecast diseases.
Contact: Jonathan Roozen, jfroozen@wsu.edu, (360) 848-6135,
Further info: IrrigationAndWaterWorkshopSeries.doc

Fruit & Vegetable Processing Short Course, 238 Wiegand Hall, OSU Campus, Corvallis, Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm on May 13 & 14; 8:00 am – 3:30 pm on May 15. This 3-day short course provides attendees with concepts of basic fruit and vegetable processing technologies, quality analysis, and hands-on experience through pilot plant exercises.
Contact: Debby Yacas, Deborah.yacas@oregonstate.edu, (800) 823-2357,
Details and Mail-in Registration: 2008event-FruitAndVegProcSC.pdf

Nematode Identification Workshop with an emphasis on free-living nematodes, WSU-Prosser IAREC. Microscopes and keys for nematode identification will be used. A seminar will be included as part of the workshop: “Soil Community Structure: Effect of Different Organic Agroecosystems and Edaphic Properties” presented by Doug Collins, PhD student in the WSU Crop and Soil Sciences Department. The seminar is open to everyone; however, you must register for the workshop by e-mailing Dr. Ekaterini Riga at riga@wsu.edu. Participation is limited due to space and microscope availability.

Farm Walk: Season Extension – Capturing the Market, Willie Green’s Organic Farm, Monroe, WA. Jeff Miller will share his innovative ideas for getting a jump on early mixed vegetable production. We will tour greenhouses and propagation houses, as well as direct-seeded and transplanted row crops. Willie Green’s sells at year-round farmers markets, and offers a winter CSA share. Now farming 55 acres, he has been perfecting his production systems for over 22 years. Our discussions will include a wide range of detailed growing, season extension, harvesting, and marketing techniques, as well as equipment and facility innovations. (Organic)
Contact: nancy@tilthproducers.org, (206) 442-7620,
Further info: FarmWalkSchedule2008.doc and MailerFarmWalkSchedule2008.doc

Rust Never Sleeps: ways to deal with iron in drip irrigation water, Mt Vernon, WA. Tom Walters, WSU Small Fruit Specialist. Iron and iron bacteria are the most common irrigation water problems in western Washington. This presentation will discuss how to test your water for iron, and what to do if the test values are high. Examples will be provided of how to deal with iron in the water, and also methods for obtaining further information will be shared.
Contact: Jonathan Roozen, jfroozen@wsu.edu, (360) 848-6135,
Further info: IrrigationAndWaterWorkshopSeries.doc

OSU Grass Seed Field Day, OSU Hermiston AREC.
Contact: Phil Hamm, Philip.B.Hamm@oregonstate.edu, (541) 567-8321,
Further Info: http://oregonstate.edu/Dept/hermiston/UpcomingFieldDays.php

Treasure Valley Weed Control Tour, OSU Malheur Experiment Station, 595 Onion Ave, Ontario, OR 97914. Registration at 8:30 am. Tour at 9:00, and will conclude with an industry sponsored lunch at 12:00.
Contact: Joel Felix, Joel.Felix@oregonstate.edu, (541) 889-2174.

WSU Potato Virus Readings, WSU Othello REU, 6 miles east of Hwy 26–Hwy 17 Junction, on Booker Rd, ¼ Mile South of Hwy 26.
Contact: Mark Pavek, mjpavek@wsu.edu, (509) 335-6861.

University of Idaho Snake River Weed Research Tour, University of Idaho Kimberly R&E Center. Registration at 8:00 am. Tour at 8:30 am, and will conclude with an industry sponsored lunch at 12:00. The tour will feature weed control research in Roundup Ready sugar beets, spring wheat and barley, field corn, and potatoes.
Contact: Don Morishita, (208) 736-3600; Pamela Hutchinson, (208) 397-4181.

University of Idaho Snake River Weed Research Tour, University of Idaho Snake River Weed Research Tour, Aberdeen R&E Center. Registration at 8:00 am. Tour at 8:30 am, and will conclude with an industry sponsored lunch at 12:00. The tour will focus on weed control research in potatoes.
Contacts: Don Morishita, (208) 736-3600; Pamela Hutchinson, (208) 397-4181.

WSU Potato Virus Readings, WSU Othello REU, 6 miles east of Hwy 26–Hwy 17 Junction, on Booker Rd, ¼ Mile South of Hwy 26.
Contact: Mark Pavek, mjpavek@wsu.edu, (509) 335-6861.

OSU Potato Field Day, OSU Hermiston AREC.
Contact: Phil Hamm, Philip.B.Hamm@oregonstate.edu, (541) 567-8321,
Further Info: http://oregonstate.edu/Dept/hermiston/UpcomingFieldDays.php

WSU Potato Field Day, WSU Othello REU.
Contact: Mark Pavek, mjpavek@wsu.edu, (509) 335-6861,
Further Info: http://potatoes.wsu.edu/lots/2007/07-fieldday-info.html

Basic Wine Making: Maritime Grape Emphasis, Mt. Vernon, WA. For those interested in making wine, particularly with grapes grown in western Washington and Oregon. The class will include basic fermentation science, production of red wine and sparkling wine, chemistry and analysis of wine, and a discussion of issues particular to grapes grown in the maritime climate.
Contact: Debra Lancaster, dlancast@wsu.edu, (360) 416-7605,
Further Info: http://learningcenters.wsu.edu/skagit/wine.html

Food Safety Concerns with Irrigation Water, Mt Vernon, WA. Karen Killinger, WSU Food Safety Specialist. Human pathogens can enter the food stream through several avenues, including irrigation water and wash water. This presentation will discuss food safety concerns of agricultural water, including most common issues, good management strategies, and how and where to have water tested.
Contact: Jonathan Roozen, jfroozen@wsu.edu, (360) 848-6135,
Further info: IrrigationAndWaterWorkshopSeries.doc

Boom Irrigation Field Day, Mt Vernon, WA. Don McMoran, WSU Extension Skagit County, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator, and Darren Morrison, Morrison Farms. Meet at the WSU Mount Vernon NWREC and drive together to a grower’s field to observe the boom irrigation system in action. Observe the boom irrigation system in the field and learn about field, water and equipment management issues. Question and answer period with the grower.
Contact: Jonathan Roozen, jfroozen@wsu.edu, (360) 848-6135,
Further info: IrrigationAndWaterWorkshopSeries.doc

Drip Irrigation Systems in Vegetable Systems, Mt Vernon, WA. Troy Peters, WSU Irrigation Extension Specialist. Hands-on field demonstration of a vegetable drip irrigation system including an overview of primary components and issues. Irrigation timing and amounts will be discussed with a focus on moisture monitoring. Question and answer period including troubleshooting common problems.
Contact: Jonathan Roozen, jfroozen@wsu.edu, (360) 848-6135,
Further info: IrrigationAndWaterWorkshopSeries.doc

Drip Irrigation Systems in Vegetable Systems, Mt Vernon, WA. Troy Peters, WSU Irrigation Extension Specialist. As part of the all-station tour we will provide an overview of vegetable drip irrigation systems. Drip irrigation for vegetable production is new to the region and growers and Extension faculty/staff are not generally familiar with its operation and utility.
Contact: Jonathan Roozen, jfroozen@wsu.edu, (360) 848-6135,
Further info: IrrigationAndWaterWorkshopSeries.doc

WSU Mount Vernon NWREC/Northwest Agricultural Research Foundation (NARF) Field Day, picnic and advisory committee meetings, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536; Enjoy a tour of various vegetable, small fruit, and tree fruit field trials at the NWREC that comprise plant pathology, weed science, horticulture, and entomology research projects.
Contact: Debra Inglis, dainglis@wsu.edu, (360) 848-6134; and Lindsey du Toit, dutoit@wsu.edu, (360) 848-6140,
Map and Directions: http://mtvernon.wsu.edu/driving%20directions.htm

Society of Nematologists 47th Annual Meeting Fifth International Congress of Nematology, Brisbane, Australia
Further Info: http://www.nematologists.org/

National meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Rosen Plaza Hotel, Orlando, FL
Contact: ASHS, http://www.ashs.org/, (703) 836-4606,
Further Info: http://www.ashs.org/conferences.html

National Onion Association Summer Convention, Pasco, WA.
Further Info:http://www.onions-usa.org/membership/calendar.asp

National meeting of the American Phytopathological Society, Minneapolis, MN, The centennial meeting of the APS, which promises to be a great celebration of 100 years of plant pathology.
Further Info: http://meeting.apsnet.org/default.cfm

WSU Carrot Field Day, Southern Columbia Basin.
Contact: Tim Waters, twaters@wsu.edu, (509) 545-3511,
Details and Map: http://benton-franklin.wsu.edu/agriculture/commerveg.htm

Drip Irrigation Systems in Home Orchards, Mt Vernon, WA. Kristan Johnson, Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation and Gary Moulton, WSU Fruit Horticulturalist. Drip irrigation systems are common in commercial and home orchards throughout the region. This presentation will provide an introduction to primary orchard irrigation system components, set up, maintenance, timing, and most common problems.
Contact: Jonathan Roozen, jfroozen@wsu.edu, (360) 848-6135,
Further info: IrrigationAndWaterWorkshopSeries.doc

92nd Annual Meeting of the Potato Association of America, Adam’s Mark Buffalo-Niagara Hotel, Buffalo, NY
Further Info: http://www.hort.cornell.edu/PAA2008/index.htm

Farm Walk: Agricultural and Environmental Learning Center, 21 Acres, Woodinville, WA. The Farm at 21 Acres is used for research, experimentation and education, while producing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables for sale through local direct marketing avenues. Visitors will tour the farm and future site of the multi-purpose Agriculture Center, with a focus on urban farming, green technology, and building community support in urban areas for a traditionally rural enterprise. Participants will learn about the construction of the permanent farmers market, integration of animal husbandry into an urban setting and the community gardens on site. (Sustainable) WSU BIOAg site.
Contact: nancy@tilthproducers.org, (206) 442-7620,
Further info: FarmWalkSchedule2008.doc and MailerFarmWalkSchedule2008.doc

OSU Sweet Corn field Day, OSU Hermiston AREC.
Contact: Phil Hamm, Philip.B.Hamm@oregonstate.edu, (541) 567-8321,
Further Info: http://oregonstate.edu/Dept/hermiston/UpcomingFieldDays.php

WSU Onion Field Day, Southern Columbia Basin. The WSU Onion Field Day will begin at 9 am and will be followed by a BBQ at noon. The Field Day will occur at Carr Farms near Pasco, WA.
Contact: Tim Waters, twaters@wsu.edu, (509) 545-3511,
Details and Map: http://benton-franklin.wsu.edu/agriculture/commerveg.htm

WSU/OSU Watermelon Field Day, Hermiston, OR.
Contact: George Clough or Tim Waters, twaters@wsu.edu or (509) 545-3511,
(Date to be finalized.)

Farm Walk: Integrating Seed Into a Diversified Organic Farm, Nash’s Organic Produce, Sequim, WA. Growing seed on-farm is a viable diversification strategy that can build farm financial and environmental sustainability. Micaela Colley from Organic Seed Alliance will join Nash and the farm crew to lead a Farm Walk demonstrating the benefits of on-farm seed production. Nash Huber came to the seed business as a produce farmer recognizing the need for variety security. The farm started maintaining their signature carrot variety “Nash’s Best” 10 years ago. Since then seed has filled many niches in their diversified 400-acre produce and livestock farm. Today they produce seed for on-farm use, variety security, livestock feed, and as a contracted crop. They are also involved in several on-farm breeding projects, including WSU wheat variety trials. Following the Farm Walk, a classroom and hands-on seed saving workshop will be taught by Nash Huber and Scott Chichester of Nash’s Organic Produce, and Micaela Colley of Organic Seed Alliance. (Organic)
Contact: nancy@tilthproducers.org, (206) 442-7620,
Further info: FarmWalkSchedule2008.doc and MailerFarmWalkSchedule2008.doc

5th ISHS International Symposium on Brassicas, 17th Crucifer Genetics Workshop, Lillehammer, Norway. Abstract for Oral presentations due March 15, 2008; Abstract for Posters due March 15, 2008; ‘Earlybird’ registration deadline: May 1st 2008; final registration by July 1st 2008. Scientific sessions on Brassica Breeding and Genetic improvement; Genetic resources, diversity and domestication; Agronomy and diseases including sustainable production and organic farming; Post-harvest and quality; Human health related qualities/functional foods; Trait genetics; and Comparative & Applied Genomics. Additional satellite workshops on: Clubroot; Phylogenomics; and META-PHOR metabolomics
Contacts: Gro Helmersen, gro.helmersen@umb.no, +47 64 96 50 81; Randi S. Brunborg, randi.brunborg@umb.no, +47 64 96 59 93
Further Info and Registration: http://www.brassica2008.no/

International Symposium on Tomato in the Tropics, Villa de Leyva, Colombia. The conference will be held in the Hotel and Convention Center Casa de los Fundadores in the historic city of Villa de Leyva. You are welcome to submit papers for short oral presentations or posters on all aspects related to tomato production in the tropics, including genetics and breeding, ecophysiological aspects, production and greenhouse technology, pests and physiological disorders, post-harvest technology and product quality, processing, and also economic, market and rural development topics.
Contacts: Prof. Dr. Gerhard Fischer, gerfischer@gmail.com, 57-1-3165498; Dr. Alonso Gonzales-Mejia, soccolhort@gmail.com, 57-2-4450000,
Further Info: http://www.soccolhort.com/tomato/

2008 Tilth Producers Conference, Lakeway Inn, Bellingham, WA.
Further Info: www.tilthproducers.org/conference.htm

National meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Reno, NV
Contact: ESA, http://www.entsoc.org/annual_meeting/current_meeting/contact/
Further Info: http://www.entsoc.org/annual_meeting/

2008 Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association (PNVA) Conference & Trade Show, Three Rivers Convention, Kennewick, WA
Contact: (509) 585-5460,
Further Info: http://www.pnva.org/events/

2008 International Spinach Conference, San Antonio, Texas, Please mark the date on your calendar and make plans to attend.
Contact: Larry A. Stein, larrystein@tamu.edu, (830) 278-9151, Fax: (830) 278-4008,
Further Info: 2008event-InternationalSpinachConf.pdf

2008 National Allium Research Conference (NARC), Savannah, GA
Contact: George Boyhan, University of Georgia, gboyhan@uga.edu, (912) 681-5639, Fax: (912) 681-0376.

33rd International Carrot Conference, Embassy Suites Anaheim South, Anaheim (Garden Grove), California. The conference is hosted by the University of California Cooperative Extension and the California carrot industry. The International Carrot Conference is a biennial event that attracts people from private industry, government, and universities from throughout the world. The conference is an excellent way for people to exchange ideas and concerns in all aspects of carrot production. Topics, such as breeding, production, pest management, and new products, will be discussed in formal paper sessions, poster sessions, and a field tour.
Contact: George Boyhan, University of Georgia,
Further Info: Announcement and Registration Form