From the Ground Up: Cover Crop Solutions for Western Farmers, virtual workshop, 12:00 pm MT/11:00 pm PT – 1:30 pm MT/12:30 pm PT. Are you a producer/researcher/Ag professional curious to find out what is going on with cover crops in the Intermountain Region? The Western Cover Crops Council, in partnership with University of Idaho and Oregon State University, is hosting regional workshops to unite the network of cover crop outreach/research efforts throughout the West.
• Carbon Markets and Policy Tools, Colin Mitchell, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist, NCAT, San Antonio, TX
• Building a Regenerative Agriculture Economy through Regenerative Agriculture Validation Tools, Lew Moorman, co-founder, Soilworks, San Antonio, TX

Further info:
Registration
Facebook page
Flyer
Agenda

From the Ground Up: Cover Crop Solutions for Western Farmers, virtual workshop, 12:00 pm MT/11:00 pm PT – 1:30 pm MT/12:30 pm PT. Are you a producer/researcher/Ag professional curious to find out what is going on with cover crops in the Intermountain Region? The Western Cover Crops Council, in partnership with University of Idaho and Oregon State University, is hosting regional workshops to unite the network of cover crop outreach/research efforts throughout the West.
• Break-out groups will discuss ways to further the regenerative agriculture movement in the West.

Further info:
Registration
Facebook page
Flyer
Agenda

Biological Control Options in Vegetable Production. This webinar and the following three webinars are organized by participants in a NIFA Organic Research and Extension Initiative project who are researching biocontrol tactics for insect pests of squash and tomato in the Southeast. This presentation will introduce the audience to biological control strategies commonly employed in vegetable production against insects and mites. Topics to be discussed include biopesticides available for vegetable production and their target pests, the benefits and shortcomings of biological control agent releases, companion planting for attracting natural enemies, and careful selection of insecticides or miticides that have minimal negative impacts on biological control agents. Presenters: JC Chong, and Gunn Gill of Clemson University.

Further info: Register

Insect-vectored Viruses and their Management in Vegetable Production. Learn about how different species of thrips and whiteflies cause severe viruses in tomato and squash. These diseases cannot always be managed by using resistant cultivars--or resistant cultivars may not exist! The presenters explored the usefulness of Phytoseiulus persimilis, a specialist predator, on the management of thrips- and whitefly-transmitted viruses in tomato and squash. Field trials were conducted in spring and fall of 2019 and 2020. Results of those trials will be discussed in the webinar. Presenters: Rajagopalbabu Srinivasan, Bhabesh Dutta, and Timothy Coolong of the University of Georgia.

Further info: Register

Biological Control of Whiteflies in Squash. Learn about biological control in vegetable crops using predators and parasitoids, including predatory mites and insect predators. Lorena Lopez of the University of Florida will discuss the use of companion plants in organic vegetables, focusing on enhancing and conserving biological control, and predatory mites' behavior in organic squash planted adjacent to sweet alyssum (companion plant). Oscar Lilburd, also of the University of Florida, will talk about the effect of using pesticides labeled for organic use on these predators and how long after plots have been sprayed that they can be released back into the field.

Further info: Register

Incorporating Biological Control of Spider Mites into Tomato Pest Management Programs. Learn about how to manage spider mites in tomatoes and other vegetables using biological control, with an emphasis on the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis. We will review the various natural enemies attacking spider mites, and factors impacting their efficacy. We will also present data from experiments conducted in commercial tomato fields to illustrate how effective these predators can be and how to best incorporate them into a farming system. This includes when and where to release P. persimilis in your fields, how to conserve them with smart insecticide use, and lessons from successes and failures. We will also demonstrate how to rear these predatory mites yourself for year-round use (for either field or greenhouse operations) and potential cost savings.

Further info: Register

Annual Pacific Northwest Insect Management Conference, Northwest Berry Foundation, Hilton Portland Downtown
921 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR.

Further info: Conference website.

Western Washington Seed Workshop, WSU NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

Further info: Draft agenda. Contact Don McMoran WSU Skagit County Extension 360-428-4270, ext 225 dmcmoran@wsu.edu

Mid-Winter Mud and Manure Management, Pierce Conservation District,  Location TBA.

Further info: Conference website.

The 2020 Columbia Basin Vegetable Seed Growers Association (CBVSA) Annual Meeting, Moses Lake Event Center, at 1475 Nelson Road NE, Moses Lake. Lunch will be provided by the CBVSA. WSDA Recertification Credits (3) and CCA Credits (5) have been applied for. You do not have to pre- register for this meeting and there is no fee to attend.

Further info: CBVSA Annual Meeting Flyer (PDF)

Northwestern Vegetable & Berry Farmers Conference, North Willamette Valley Horticulture Society, Monarch Hotel & Conference Center, 12566 SE 93rd Ave., Clackamas, OR. 

Further info: Registration Details:
General Registration 1 Day: $55 per day
General Registration 2 Day: $100
Student Registration: $30

Paper Registration Forms:
Attendee Registration
Exhibit & Sponsor Registration

Please print and email completed forms to nwhsevents@gmail.com or mail to:
NWHS
c/o NWREC (North Willamette Research & Ext Ctr.)
15210 NE Miley Rd
Aurora, OR 97002

On-line registration

NWHS Conference website.

Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course, Ontario, OR. Workshop features step-by-step farm food safety planning. Small class size. Introduction to water testing, monitoring, and data keeping and free water test. Discussion on the FDA Draft Guidance for Industry. Who should attend? Produce growers, buyers, and others interested in learning about best food safety practices for growing, harvesting and packing produce.

Further info: On-line Registration.

Skagit Ag Summit, WSU NWREC, 16650 S.R. 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

Further info: Draft schedule.

Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course, Clackamas, OR. Workshopfeatures step-by-step farm food safety planning. Small class size. Introduction to water testing, monitoring, and data keeping and free water test. Discussion on the FDA Draft Guidance for Industry. Who should attend? Produce growers, buyers, and others interested in learning about best food safety practices for growing, harvesting and packing produce.

Further info: On-line Registration.

Nutrient Management for Diversified Vegetable Growers, Benton Soil and Water Conservation District, OSU Extension Service/USDA NRCS. Corvallis, OR. An opportunity to learn all about nutrient management needs on your farm, how to develop and implement a nutrient management plan, and NRCS funding opportunities for high tunnels and transitioning to Organic production.

Further info: Conference website.

Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course, Corvallis, OR. Workshop features step-by-step farm food safety planning. Small class size. Introduction to water testing, monitoring, and data keeping and free water test. Discussion on the FDA Draft Guidance for Industry. Who should attend? Produce growers, buyers, and others interested in learning about best food safety practices for growing, harvesting and packing produce.

Further info: On-line Registration.

On-line Course: Advanced Permaculture Design for Climate Resilience, Oregon State University. This advanced permaculture course focuses on building in climate change resilience as a design layer, provided you’re already experienced in permaculture and ecological design.

Further info: Course website.

Organic Seed Growers Conference, Organic Seed Alliance, Corvallis, OR. The biennial conference has been convening the organic seed community for nearly two decades and includes a packed agenda of presentations, panel discussions, networking events, and celebration. Farm tours and short courses are held prior to the full two-day conference.

Further info: Confernce website.

Western Washington Potato Workshop, WSU NWREC, 16650 S.R. 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

Further info: Draft Workshop Brochure

Bean Quarantine Meeting, City Hall, 500 E Main Street, Othello, WA. The Washington State Department of Agriculture has determined that a quarantine is needed to protect the Washington dry bean industry and to provide the bean growers of this state a source of bean seed for planting purposes that is tested for the presence of these diseases. The goal of this gathering is a productive and open discussion with seed stock producers and include growers (farmers) for resolution to a growing industry issue.

Further info: Contact: Paula M. Moore, M.Sc.in Ag., Seed Program Manager, Washington State Dept. of Agriculture. Email: PMoore@agr.wa.gov
Meeting Flyer
WAC 16-301 Bean Seed Quarantine

On-Farm Compost Short Course, Pierce Conservation District, Puyallup, WA. This two-day short course will focus on increasing your knowledge and skills around on-farm composting. Please plan to attend both sessions of this class (Feb. 27th and March 5th).

Further info: Course website.

Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course, Portland, OR. Workshop features step-by-step farm food safety planning. Small class size. Introduction to water testing, monitoring, and data keeping and free water test. Discussion on the FDA Draft Guidance for Industry. Who should attend? Produce growers, buyers, and others interested in learning about best food safety practices for growing, harvesting and packing produce.

Further info: On-line Registration.

Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course, Grants Pass, OR. Workshop features step-by-step farm food safety planning. Small class size. Introduction to water testing, monitoring, and data keeping and free water test. Discussion on the FDA Draft Guidance for Industry. Who should attend? Produce growers, buyers, and others interested in learning about best food safety practices for growing, harvesting and packing produce.

 Further info: On-line Registration.

Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course, Hermiston, OR. Workshop features step-by-step farm food safety planning. Small class size. Introduction to water testing, monitoring, and data keeping and free water test. Discussion on the FDA Draft Guidance for Industry. Who should attend? Produce growers, buyers, and others interested in learning about best food safety practices for growing, harvesting and packing produce.

 Further info: On-line Registration.

Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course, Aurora, OR (Spanish). Workshop features step-by-step farm food safety planning. Small class size. Introduction to water testing, monitoring, and data keeping and free water test. Discussion on the FDA Draft Guidance for Industry. Who should attend? Produce growers, buyers, and others interested in learning about best food safety practices for growing, harvesting and packing produce.

 Further info: Contact Tyler Manitsas, tmanitsas@oda.state.or.us, cell: 971-218-1180.

Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course, Portland, OR. Workshop features step-by-step farm food safety planning. Small class size. Introduction to water testing, monitoring, and data keeping and free water test. Discussion on the FDA Draft Guidance for Industry. Who should attend? Produce growers, buyers, and others interested in learning about best food safety practices for growing, harvesting and packing produce.

 Further info: On-line Registration.

Epidemiology and IPM of White Rot in Allium Crops, webinar. White rot is an extremely destructive and economically important disease of Allium crops, especially garlic and onion. The soil-borne fungus that causes white rot can lay dormant in soils for decades and germinates in response to the presence of Alliums. Join Dr. Jeremiah Dung, Assistant Professor in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at the Oregon State University Central Oregon Research and Extension Center, Madras, OR,  as he discusses the biology of the pathogen, the epidemiology and management of the disease, and current research efforts associated with a larger USDA-NIFA SCRI SREP project on stakeholder-prioritized pests and diseases of onion. Pesticide License Recertification Credits have been requested.

Further info: Zoom call-in information: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android: https://wsu.zoom.us/j/93539436948?pwd=dHQ4SGtUWHkxaTN3KzhkUkVSK0MyQT09 or Phone Call (long distance) +1 253 215 8782, Meeting ID: 935 3943 6948 +12532158782,,93539436948# US (One Tap Mobile Call) Please note that you will need a free Zoom account to access this seminar.
Event Flyer

2020 WSU Extension Onion Cultivar Trial Self-guided Tour, Olsen Onion, on the Pasco Kahlotus Rd. This year's WSU Onion Cultivar Trial includes 51 cultivars and lines from 8 different seed companies to compare and contrast under Columbia Basin growing conditions. Due to COVID social distancing policies, we will replace the 2020 WSU Onion Field Day with a self-guided tour. The onion cultivar trial will be open for viewing from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Aug. 25, 26, and 27. Signs, a plot map, and other information will be available on-site to help you navigate the trial. There will not be toilets or washing facilities on site, so please plan accordingly. A courtesy phone call or email to notify Tim and/or Carrie when you plan to visit the trial would be appreciated.
Directions from US 12:
Take the exit towards Kahlotus
Continue on the Pasco Kahlotus Rd. (heading east) for about 12 miles.
Turn left onto the farm road (it will be about 1 mile beyond the CSS Farms offices, and before the Pasco Kahlotus Rd. takes a sharp right).
The WSU Onion Cultivar Trial is on the north end of the center pivot (wiper). Map.

For further info contact:
Carrie H. Wohleb
WSU Grant-Adams Extension
Tel: (509) 707-3510
cwohleb@wsu.edu

Tim Waters
WSU Benton-Franklin Extension
Tel: (509) 545-3511
twaters@wsu.edu

Malheur Experiment Station Onion Variety Days, Malheur Experiment Station, 595 Onion Ave., Ontario, OR, in the north field off Onion Ave., follow the signs. This year we will have a self-guided tour, similar to past variety days with plot maps provided.
- To help maintain social distancing RSVP for the time slot(s) you would like to attend.
- Maintain social distancing.
- Face coverings are REQUIRED.
- We will provide hand sanitizer and face coverings if you do not have one available.
- Because of COVID-19, we will not be able to serve lunch or provide refreshments this year.

Further info: RSVP to janet.jones@oregonstate.edu or 541-889-2174
Event Flyer

Pesticides and Honey Bees, webinar. Speaker: Tim Lawrence. Pesticides and honey bees are both essential to ensure an adequate supply of affordable food crops. This presentation will cover: the history of pesticides and pollination services provided by honey bees; the evolution of pesticides and their impact on honey bees; issues and concerns related to neonicotinoid pesticides; and steps pesticide applicators and growers can take in mitigating the effects of pesticides on honey bees and other pollinators. Pesticide License Recertification Credits have been requested.

Further info: Seminar will be delivered over Zoom. Please contact AMS.MountVernon@wsu.edu for Zoom details.

Insecticides trials for seed crop production, webinar. Speaker: Bev Gerdeman. Root maggots are a particular problem in insect pollinated seed crops like cabbage. Soil applied insecticides for the control of root maggots in the fall have been detected in nectar 9 months later. We will look at the circuitous pathway of a soil-applied insecticide into honey bee hives and its potential effects. Pesticide License Recertification Credits have been requested.

Further info: Seminar will be delivered over Zoom. Please contact AMS.MountVernon@wsu.edu for Zoom details.

Know your herbicides: Clopyralid and aminopyralid, webinar. Speaker: Steven Seefeldt. Two related herbicides with interesting properties. Learn how and when to use them as part of an integrated management plan. Pesticide License Recertification Credits have been requested.

Further info: Seminar will be delivered over Zoom. Please contact AMS.MountVernon@wsu.edu for Zoom details.

Soil-biodegradable plastic mulch provides weed control, webinar. Speaker: Carol Miles. Soil-biodegradable plastic mulch can be an effective tool for controlling weeds. This presentation will provide an introduction to soil-biodegradable mulch, an overview of how effective weed control can be, and impact on crop yield compared to polyethylene mulch in vegetable and small fruit production systems. Pesticide License Recertification Credits have been requested.

Further info: Seminar will be delivered over Zoom. Please contact AMS.MountVernon@wsu.edu for Zoom details.

Fungicides 101 - Making the Most of Your Conventional or Organic Fungicide Programs, webinar. Speaker: Lindsey du Toit. Whether you grow crops conventionally or organically, are you getting the most out of your fungicide programs? If your crop has a root disease, will you get any benefit from applying a fungicide to the plants or to the soil? When should you make your application(s)? How often? What method of fungicide application will give you the best control of the diseases you are trying to manage? Should you use a sticker or adjuvant with your application? Does it matter what volume of water (GPA) you use to make the application? Does it matter what nozzles and pressure you use? Is the disease you’re concerned about caused by a true fungus or a water mold? Why does that even matter? Can you cure a crop of an infection after you see symptoms of the disease? What does FRAC mean, and why should you care? If a fungicide label says the product is ‘systemic’, will the fungicide move throughout the plant to provide protection against pathogens? Do fungicides really control all the diseases listed on the labels? This seminar will cover the basics of using organic and conventional fungicides, including the many factors to consider so you can get the best results from your fungicide applications, whether you use certified organic fungicides or conventional fungicides. Pesticide License Recertification Credits have been requested.

Further info: Seminar will be delivered over Zoom. Please contact AMS.MountVernon@wsu.edu for Zoom details.

Fungicide resistance and proper rotation, webinar. Speaker: Anthony Keinath. Discussion of fungicide active ingredients by FRAC Code and managing spray programs to avoid resistance. Examples will be provided for fungicides used on common diseases on some primary vegetable crops grown in NW Washington. Pesticide License Recertification Credits have been requested.

Further info: Seminar will be delivered over Zoom. Please contact AMS.MountVernon@wsu.edu for Zoom details.

The hidden world of subterranean soil arthropod pests - Identification and management of invisible pests, webinar. Speakers: Ben Diehl and Bev Gerdeman. Major soil arthropod pests include wireworms, springtails, root maggots, symphylans and bulb mites. Their subterranean habits make them some of the most difficult agricultural pests to control. This program will cover how to identify these pests, as well as recognize their damage to various crops. We will highlight their biology to identify vulnerable stages and best approaches for treatment. Efficacy between products will be compared and as well as how to finetune effective treatments. Specific trials will be discussed including: cabbage maggot and cabbage seed, collembola, symphylans and spinach seed, wireworm and organic lettuce. Pesticide License Recertification Credits have been requested.

Further info: Seminar will be delivered over Zoom. Please contact AMS.MountVernon@wsu.edu for Zoom details.

Controlling latent infections of black dot in potatoes with early fungicide applications, webinar. Speaker: Lydia Tymon. Colletotrichum coccodes causes black dot, which can lead to reduced tuber yield and quality. Although this disease has been studied for many years, black dot continues to be a challenge to manage because the fungus can infect its hosts without causing symptoms. Chemical management tactics such as fumigation and in furrow applications have been shown to be ineffective. Applications of azoxystrobin prior to infection can significantly reduce incidence of sclerotia on stems and tubers while no significant reduction of stem disease incidence has been observed when treatments are applied post-infection. However, it is not clear how early infection of potato seed or plants occurs. This seminar will discuss the timing of latent infections in potato and how earlier fungicide applications affects disease progression. Pesticide License Recertification Credits have been requested.

Further info: Seminar will be delivered over Zoom. Please contact AMS.MountVernon@wsu.edu for Zoom details.

Using all the tools in the Fusarium management toolbox, webinar.  Speaker: Jeff Miller. This presentation will discuss the disease cycle of Fusarium dry rot as it relates to seed piece decay and dry rot in storage. The importance of all management practices, including seed handling and fungicide seed treatment, will be discussed. The importance of understanding the Fusarium species causing disease and the difference in symptoms caused by the two primary Fusarium pathogens (F. sambucinum and F. coeruleum) will be addressed. A comparison of varieties and their susceptibility to Fusarium dry rot will also be covered. Fungicides referenced in this presentation include mancozeb dust, CruiserMaxx Potato Extreme, CruiserMaxx Vibrance, Emesto Silver, Quadris, Maxim, Maxim MZ, STartUP MANZ, STartUP Fludi, and Spirato. Pesticide License Recertification Credits have been requested.

Further info: Seminar will be delivered over Zoom. Please contact AMS.MountVernon@wsu.edu for Zoom details.

Epidemiology and integrated management of bacterial leaf spot caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata in table beet and Swiss chard seed production in the Pacific Northwest, webinar. Speakers: Marilen Nampijja and Stephanie Crane. Bacterial leaf spot (BLS) of beet and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) is caused by the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata (Psa). The bacterium can cause significant economic losses in Swiss chard, table beet, and sugar beet. In 2017 alone, the incidence of BLS in New York table beet crops was 75%. Given the seedborne nature of this pathogen, the genetic similarity of strains of the pathogen to non-pathogenic strains of P. syringae, the host range of the pathogen (including crops in other plant families than Chenopodiaceae), a federally-funded research project on Psa was initiated in 2019. Over the next 4 years, 18 investigators from 9 institutions in 2 countries will work together to develop an economically-sound, integrated approach to manage BLS across seed and food production systems of host plants in the Chenopodiaceae and Cucurbitaceae, to ensure high-quality seed and food crops. The research objectives of this study include developing pathogen detection and quantification methods for testing seed and other inoculum sources, identifying primary sources of inoculum of Psa in table beet and Swiss chard seed and production fields, clarifying the disease cycle of Psa in different cropping systems and regions, breeding for resistance to BLS, and developing more effective integrated management programs for BLS. The management aspects include determining the location of the pathogen on/in seed, assessing the risks of seed transmission, and evaluating diverse seed treatments as well as in-field production practices to reduce the negative impacts of Psa on our ability to produce healthy Chenopodiaceae and Cucurbitaceae crops. Marilen Nampijja and Stephanie Crane will share information on their respective graduate research projects at WSU on BLS, and how stakeholders can contribute to the overall project. Pesticide License Recertification Credits have been requested.

Further info: Seminar will be delivered over Zoom. Please contact AMS.MountVernon@wsu.edu for Zoom details.

Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Annual Conference. This year, the conference will be virtual. The Board of Directors is currently working on a program that will continue to provide attendees with its well-know educational sessions covering - Onions, Organic. Pest Management and General Vegetables - as it has in the past. The Board is working on putting together topics that will allow attendees to obtain recertification credits through the various states (WA, OR, ID and CCA).

Further info: Details forthcoming. For more information, please contact Sheri Nolan snloan@agmgt.com

From the Ground Up: Cover Crop Solutions for Western Farmers, virtual workshop, 12:00 pm MT/11:00 pm PT – 1:30 pm MT/12:30 pm PT. Are you a producer/researcher/Ag professional curious to find out what is going on with cover crops in the Intermountain Region? The Western Cover Crops Council, in partnership with University of Idaho and Oregon State University, is hosting regional workshops to unite the network of cover crop outreach/research efforts throughout the West.
• Introduction to the Western Cover Crops Council (WCCC) and the Mountain Range Regional Committee, Clare Sullivan, Agronomist, OSU Extension & Matt Yost, Assistant Professor, Agroclimate Extension Specialist, USU Extension
• Cover Crop Use in the Intermountain West and Northern Rockies: Regional Survey Results, Lauren Golden, PhD candidate, Boise State University
• Water Considerations for Cover Crop Use, Matt Yost, Assistant Professor, Agroclimate Extension Specialist, USU Extension

Further info:
Registration
Facebook page
Flyer
Agenda

From the Ground Up: Cover Crop Solutions for Western Farmers, virtual field trip, 12:00 pm MT/11:00 pm PT – 1:30 pm MT/12:30 pm PT. Are you a producer/researcher/Ag professional curious to find out what is going on with cover crops in the Intermountain Region? The Western Cover Crops Council, in partnership with University of Idaho and Oregon State University, is hosting regional workshops to unite the network of cover crop outreach/research efforts throughout the West.
• Overseeding Novel Forages in Perennial Pastures to Increase Grazing Quality and Soil Health, Fara Brummer, Faculty Research Assistant, OSU Extension
• Overview of Cover Crop Research in Idaho, Steven Hines, Jason Thomas, & Grant Loomis, Extension Educators, UI Extension
• Using Cover Crops in a Dryland System, Earl Creech, Cropping Systems Specialist, USU Extension
• Cover Crop Research & Demonstrations in Utah, Jacob Hadfield (Extension Assistant Professor) & Michael Pace (Extension Professor), USU Extension

Further info:
Registration
Facebook page
Flyer
Agenda

2019 Western Washington Seed Workshop, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273-4768. Contact: Don McMoran, WSU Skagit Co. Extension Director, (360) 428-4270 ext. 225 or dmcmoran@wsu.edu

2019 Pesticide Recertification Day for the Columbia Basin Crop Consultants’ Association, ATEC Building, Big Bend Community College, Moses Lake, WA. Contact: Carrie Wohleb, WSU Grant and Adams Counties Extension Educator, (509) 754-2011 ext. 4313 or cwohleb@wsu.edu

Further info: Agenda  |  Schedule

2019 Columbia Basin Vegetable Seed Association Annual Meeting, Moses Lake Event Center, 1475 Nelson Road NE, Moses Lake, WA. Contact: Carrie Wohleb, WSU Grant and Adams Counties Extension Educator, (509) 754-2011 ext. 4313 or cwohleb@wsu.edu.

64th Annual North Willamette Horticulture Society Conference and Trade Show, Clackamas County Event Center, 694 NE 4th Ave.
Canby, OR 97013. One-day format with concurrent sessions. Morning sessions on regulations and regulators, 'what farmers need to know,' addressing labor and food safety regulatory challenges. Afternoon concurrent sessions for Berry, Organic and Vegetable Crops. Wine, Beer, & Cheese Social afterwards.

Further info: Conference website | Registration

eOrganic Webinar: Practical Conservation Tillage for Western Region Organic Cropping Systems, 11am Pacific Time. This webinar will discuss practical approaches to reducing the adverse impacts of tillage and cultivation on soil life and soil health. Recent research into newer tillage tools and minimum-till strategies for Western Region organic vegetable, fruit, and field crop production will also be covered. Main presenter: Dr. Mark Schonbeck of the Organic Farming Research Foundation.

Further info: Go to Registration  |  eOrganic website.

37th Annual Western Washington Potato Workshop, WSU Northwestern Washington Research & Extension Center, Mount Vernon, WA.

Further info: Contact Don McMoran, Agriculture Extension Agent WSU Skagit County. Extension Phone: 428-4270, ext. 225 dmcmoran@wsu.edu | Flyer

2019 Columbia Basin Crop Consultants’ Association Short Course, ATEC Building, Room 1870, Big Bend Community College, Moses Lake, WA. Contact: Carrie Wohleb, WSU Grant and Adams Counties Extension Educator, (509) 754-2011 ext. 4313 or cwohleb@wsu.edu

Further info: View Agenda (PDF)

37th Annual Western Washington Potato Workshop, WSU Northwestern Washington Research & Extension Center, Mount Vernon, WA.

Further info: Contact Don McMoran, Agriculture Extension Agent WSU Skagit County. Extension Phone: 428-4270, ext. 225 dmcmoran@wsu.edu | Flyer with Agenda (PDF)

eOrganic Webinar: Selecting and Managing Cover Crops for Organic Crop Rotations in the Western Region, 11am Pacific Time.
This webinar will discuss best cover crops, mixes, and management methods for optimum soil health and organic cash crop production in the Western Region. The special challenges that farmers face in adding cover crops to dryland cereal grain rotations and other moisture-limited cropping systems will be explored in greater depth. Main presenter: Dr. Mark Schonbeck of the Organic Farming Research Foundation.

Further info: Go to Registration  |  eOrganic website.

eOrganic Webinar: Breeding New Cultivars for Soil-enhancing Organic Cropping Systems in the Western Region, 11am Pacific Time. This webinar will summarize plant breeding endeavors toward improved vegetable, specialty grain, and other crop cultivars for organic producers in the Western Region, and practical resources to help organic producers obtain the best available seed varieties for their needs. Emerging opportunities to develop new cultivars for nutrient and moisture use efficiency, competitiveness toward weeds, and enhanced interactions with beneficial soil biota will also be explored. Main presenter: Dr. Mark Schonbeck of the Organic Farming Research Foundation.

Further info: Go to Registration  |  eOrganic website.

Vegetable Grafting Webinar, ‘Management of Diseases on Cucurbit Rootstock and Scion Seedlings in Greenhouse Environments’ will be presented by Dr. Tony Keinath at Clemson University. For those who plan to attend the webinar, please sign up here. 

Further info: Contact Chieri Kubota for additional information: kubota.10@osu.edu.

Watermelon Grafting Hands-on Training Class at Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 2121 South 1stStreet, Hermiston OR. Learn the reason for grafting and the techniques to do it yourself. Space is limited, Please RSVP by April 1st
Scott.Lukas@oregonstate.edu or call 541-656-8090 to reserve your spot.

Further info: Event flyer (PDF)

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training, Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center, 1705 E Airport Rd., Hermiston, OR 97838. The trainers will spend approximately seven hours of instruction time covering the key requirements contained in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): Introduction to Produce Safety; Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training; Soil Amendments; Wildlife; Domesticated Animals; Land Use; Agricultural Water (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water); Postharvest Handling and Sanitation, and; How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan. In addition to learning about produce safety best practices, key parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements are outlined within each module. Even if your farm or operation isn't covered by the rule (check here!) this low-cost, up-to-the-minute training is a great opportunity for anyone growing, harvesting or handling covered produce.

Further info: Flyer  |  Tickets/Information ($35)

eOrganic Webinar: Preparing for Drought: The Role of Soil Health in Water Management in Organic Production, 11am Pacific Time. With climate change exacerbating water scarcity issues throughout the Western U.S., organic producers urgently need practical information on best irrigation and soil moisture management. This webinar will explore the role of best organic soil health management in water conservation and water quality, with emphasis on practical research outcomes for the Western Region. Main presenter: Dr. Mark Schonbeck of the Organic Farming Research Foundation.

Further info: Go to Registration  |  eOrganic website.

Producción segura de productos agrícolas - Produce Safety Alliance Curso de Capacitacion para Productores agrícolas (en Español), North Willamette Research & Extension Center, 1521 NE Miley Rd., Aurora, OR 97022. Requisitos clave para la Regla de Seguridad de productos agrícolas bajo la Ley de modernización de la seguridad alimentaria (FSMA) Los capacitadores dedicarán aproximadamente ocho horas de tiempo de instrucción para cubrir el contenido de estos siete módulos: Introducción a la seguridad de los productos agrícolas; Salud, higiene y entrenamiento de los trabajadores; Enmiendas del suelo; Animales silvestres y domesticados y uso de la tierra; Agua de uso agrícola (Parte I: Agua de producción; Parte II: Agua de postcosecha); Manejo y saneamiento postcosecha; Cómo desarrollar un plan de seguridad de alimentos en la granja.

Entradas e Información

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training and Farm Food Safety Plan Workshop, LCC Center for Learning and Meeting, 4000 E 30th St., Rm 214 (Second floor), Eugene, OR 97405. Two days, approximately 16 hours of instruction time covering: Introduction to Produce Safety; How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan; Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training; Soil Amendments; Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use; Postharvest Handling and Sanitation; On the second day, the trainers will spend approximately 7 hours of instruction time covering the content contained in these 2 modules with bonus water workshop and interactive activites:; Agricultural Water: Production Water; Agricultural Water: Postharvest Water; Water Workshop: Building water quality profiles; Supplemental activity: Discussion of FDA Draft Guidance for Industry; Supplemental activity: On- Farm Readiness Review and Sign-up.

Further info: Tickets/Information

ISHS VIth International Symposium On Tomato Diseases, Taichung, Taiwan. Scientists, technicians, teachers, students, tomato producers and others with an interest in tomato diseases are invited. Held every three years, this symposium brings together about 150 to 200 international experts from different fields to disseminate their progress and facilitate the exchange of research and ideas. Symposium theme: "Managing tomato diseases in the face of globalization and climate change." Organizers: World Vegetable Center, Taiwan Agricultural Research Insitution, National Chung Hsing University.

Further info: Website  |  Registration

eOrganic Webinar: Meeting Weather Challenges in the Western U.S.: Organic Practices to Mitigate and Prepare for Climate Change, 11am Pacific Time. This webinar will explore the capacity of sustainable organic systems to sequester soil carbon, minimize agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, and help organic cropping and livestock operations withstand the impacts of climate disruptions already underway. The presentation will include a summary of recent research findings and practical implications for the Western Region. Main presenter: Dr. Mark Schonbeck of the Organic Farming Research Foundation.

Further info: Go to Registration  |  eOrganic website.

Crops, Soils & Technology Field Day, UI Parma Research and Extension Center; 29603 U of I Lane, Parma, ID 83660. Topics: Alternative crops; Cover crops & soil health; Drone flight demo; Drones for precision ag; cereal varieties performance; nutrient and water use in cereals and sugar beets; Efficient irrigation strategies; Hop industry update; NRCS update; Nutrient use survey; Remote sensing for disease monitoring; Sugar beet industry update; Technologies for plant disease detection ; UI spring wheat varieties update.

Further info: 2019 FIELD DAY FLIER (pdf)

WA Commercial Potato Seed Lot Reading, WSU Othello Research Center, 6 miles East of Hwy. 26/17 Junction, On Booker Rd, ¼ Mile South of Hwy. 26. Seed lots are proof read for visual growth compromising issues, especially virus. Readers and trainees will only know the variety, not the seed lot source during the screening. Anyone interested in learning to read potato plants for common issues is welcome. The Day will begin at 8:30am with a brief indoor training session and then proceed to the field. Bring rain gear if it looks like rain. Lunch will be provided.

Further info: Contact Mark Pavek, WSU Associate Professor/Potato Specialist at mjpavek@wsu.edu

Onion Crop Insurance Plan Information Collection Listening Sessions for Growers, Insurance Co. Staff & Agents, WSU Extension Center, 404 West Clark Street, Pasco, WA 99301. Agralytica of Alexandria, Virginia is conducting a review of the onion insurance plan on behalf of the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). As part of the review, Agralytica staff will hold listening sessions with growers, insurance staff and other interested parties in several states. The aim is to get feedback on how the program is working and how it can be improved. This is an opportunity for producers, insurance staff and agents alike to communicate concerns and possible improvements for consideration.

Further info: Contact Andre Williamson at 240-432-0308

eOrganic Webinar: Soil Biology for the Western Region: Organic Practices to Recruit and Nurture Beneficial Biota in the Soil, 11am Pacific Time. This webinar will examine the roles of the soil food web and key components thereof in promoting soil health and fertility and sustainable organic crop production. Recent research conducted in organically managed soils in the Western Region will provide the basis for practical guidelines for best soil food web management in organic farming and ranching systems. Main presenter: Dr. Mark Schonbeck of the Organic Farming Research Foundation.

Further info: Go to Registration  |  eOrganic website.

WA Commercial Potato Seed Lot Reading, WSU Othello Research Center, 6 miles East of Hwy. 26/17 Junction, On Booker Rd, ¼ Mile South of Hwy. 26. Seed lots are proof read for visual growth compromising issues, especially virus. Readers and trainees will only know the variety, not the seed lot source during the screening. Anyone interested in learning to read potato plants for common issues is welcome. Bring rain gear if it looks like rain. Lunch will be provided.

Further info: Contact Mark Pavek, WSU Associate Professor/Potato Specialist at mjpavek@wsu.edu

Potato Field Day, Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center, 2121 South 1st Street, Hermiston, OR 97838. The Center concentrates on discovery and implementation of agricultural and horticultural opportunities and provides solutions to production restraints. Research at HAREC emphasizes identification of new crops or and production practices, plant breeding and varietal evaluation including nutritional contents, integrated pest management of insects and insect transmitted diseases, plant disease control and environmental issues.

Further info: Event Flyer
HAREC Website  | Call 541-567-8321.

Potato Field Day, WSU Othello Research Center, 6 miles East of Hwy. 26/17 Junction, On Booker Rd, ¼ Mile South of Hwy. 26.

Further info: Contact Mark Pavek, WSU Associate Professor/Potato Specialist at mjpavek@wsu.edu

VI International Symposium on Cucurbits, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. This symposium aims to address current and future challenges for a sustainable cucurbit production under the changing climatic conditions of tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. Research of both open field and protected production will be featured. Guidelines for paper preparation and submission, important dates and more information can be found on the symposium website.

WSU Mount Vernon NWREC Annual Field Day, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Free event open to the public. Beginning at 3:00 p.m. faculty and graduate students will host a walking tour of some of the nearly 150 acres of active research plots at the Center. Two tractor-driven wagons will be available for non-walkers. Hear about current research projects and learn how work at the Center impacts growers, consumers, agricultural businesses and local economies throughout the region. Featured talks this year will be on soil health, vegetable seed production and potato disease management.

Further info: Event Flyer

ISVG2019 - II International Symposium on Vegetable Grafting, Sheraton Charlotte Hotel, 555 South McDowell Street, South Tower, Charlotte, NC. Topics to be covered include abiotic/biotic stress management, genetics and breeding, scion/rootstock physiology and interactions, grafting technologies and automation, engineering grafting systems, outreach methodologies and impacts, farming systems research and ipm, use of grafted plants in various cropping systems and climate conditions, innovative technologies to graft and transport, marketing and economics, quality changes or postharvest physiology in scion fruit from grafted systems, all other topics relevant to vegetable grafting. Keynote speakers: Roni Cohen, Ph.D., Senior Researcher, Division of Cucurbit Research and Breeding, the Agriculture Research Organization (ARO), Newe Ya'ar Research Center, Israel; Ravishankar Manickam, Ph.D., Scientist and vegetable grafting specialist, the World Vegetable Center, Taiwan; Rafael Meissner, Ph.D., CEO/CTO, Rootility, Israel; Michitaka Notaguchi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Nagoya University, Japan; and Francisco Perez-Alfocea, Ph.D., Research Scientist, the Department of Plant Nutrition at CEBAS-CSIC, Murcia, Spain. Abstract Submission Deadline: February 28, 2019.

Further info: Event website  |  Submit abstract

WSU Extension Mechanical Cultivation Field Day, WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center, 2606 W Pioneer Ave, Puyallup, WA 98371. Join WSU Extension for an exciting workshop on mechanical cultivation for vegetable weed management. The event will include an array of demonstrations and speakers with contributions from local farmers, equipment representatives, and Extension specialists.

Further info: Contact Doug Collins - 253-445-4658; dpcollins@wsu.edu
Event website
Event flyer

OSU Extension Mechanical Cultivation Field Day, OSU North Willamette Research and Extension Center, 15210 NE Miley Rd, Aurora, OR 97002. Join OSU Extension for an exciting workshop on mechanical cultivation for vegetable weed management. The event will include an array of demonstrations and speakers with contributions from local farmers, equipment representatives, and Extension specialists.

Further info: Clare Sullivan - 541-516-0256; Clare.Sullivan@oregonstate.edu
Event website
Event flyer

Wireworms: Lifecycle & Management in Organic Systems/ Gusanos de alambre: Ciclo de vida y gestión orgánica, Viva Farms Ag Park in Skagit, located at 16470 State Route 20, Burlington, WA 98233. The Workshop will be bilingual in English/Spanish and is made possible through grants from the USDA Risk Management Agency & the USDA Office of Advocacy & Outreach.

Further info: Workshop Registration
Workshop Flyer
Octavilla en Español

Summer Specialty Crop Field Day: Cool beans, chill peppers, freaky squash & superfly 'shrooms, 78th St. Heritage Farm, 1919 NE 78th St., Vancouver, WA 98665. Join WSU Extension for this regional field day to learn more about multiple specialty summer crops ripe for adding a fresh edge to your farm's crop lineup. Participants will get to view, learn about, and and enjoy a tasting of a variety of specialty vegetables, dry beans, and mushroom crops being grown by WSU Extension at the 78th St. Heritage Farm in Vancouver. COST: $10.00.

Further info:
REGISTRATION
PROGRAM FLIER
PROGRAM QUESTIONS:
Contact: Justin O’Dea- (360) 524-2383; justin.odea@wsu.edu

Finding Farmland: Land Access and the Farm to Farmer Program / Encontrar terreno: Acceso y el Program de Farm to Farmer, Viva Farms Ag Park in Skagit, located at 16470 State Route 20, Burlington, WA 98233. The Workshop will be bilingual in English/Spanish and is made possible through grants from the USDA Risk Management Agency & the USDA Office of Advocacy & Outreach.

Further info: Workshop Registration
Workshop Flyer
Octavilla en Español

Cover Crops: Benefits, Selection and Seeding / Cultivos de Cobertura: Beneficios, selección y plantación, Viva Farms Ag Park in Skagit, located at 16470 State Route 20, Burlington, WA 98233. The Workshop will be bilingual in English/Spanish and is made possible through grants from the USDA Risk Management Agency & the USDA Office of Advocacy & Outreach.

Further info: Workshop Registration
Workshop Flyer
Octavilla en Español

2019 Snohomish County Focus on Farming Conference, Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Monroe, WA. Topics include: Industrial hemp production; Agritourism; starting a flower growing business; how to get started in farming, how to buy a farm; grazing strategies to increase soil health; how to sell local meats; and growing herbs in your Forests and Clearings. Dr. Michael R. Rosmann will discuss research findings suggesting what works to address stress, depression, and making difficult financial choices. Bring your own Profit and Loss Statement and Balance Sheet and learn how analyzing these documents can make a positive impact on the bottom line for a farm of any size.

Further info: Visit FocusOnFarming.org or contact Linda Neunzig, Snohomish County Agriculture Coordinator, linda.neunzig@co.snohomish.wa.us, 425-388-7170.

Brassica Crop Management: Diseases and Cabbage Maggot, North Willamette Research and Extension Center, 15210 NE Miley Rd., Aurora, OR 97002. Cindy Ocamb, Extension Plant Pathologist, Oregon State University and Kristine Buckland, Assistant Professor, Horticulture, Vegetable & Specialty Seed Crop Extension Specialist, Oregon State University will be providing an update on black leg and cabbage maggot research, management and pesticides. Two re-certification credits applied for in both OR and WA.

Fusarium Wilt of Lettuce Field Day, Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, Yuma Trial Site, Hwy 95 & Ave. 5E, Yuma, AZ 85364. Field Talks:
-Steve Koike, Director, TriCal Diagnostics - "Fusarium Wilt of Lettuce"
-Dr. Stephanie Slinski, Associate Director of Research & Development, YCEDA - "2019 Fusarium Wilt of Lettuce Trials"
-Dr. Isabelle Delannay, Lettuce Breeder, Bayer Crop Science - "Breeding Lettuce for Disease Resistance"

Further info: Contact Dr. Stephanie Slinski at sslinski@arizona.edu

Brassica Crop Management: Diseases and Cabbage Maggot, Linn County Office of the Oregon State University Extension, 33630 McFarland Road, Tangent, OR 97389. Cindy Ocamb, Extension Plant Pathologist, Oregon State University and Kristine Buckland, Assistant Professor, Horticulture, Vegetable & Specialty Seed Crop Extension Specialist, Oregon State University will be providing an update on black leg and cabbage maggot research, management and pesticides. Two re-certification credits applied for in both OR and WA.

Organic Melon Webinar. Join eOrganic for a webinar on organic melon production: best practices, microbial safety and consumer preferences, by Shirley Micallef and Kathryne Everts of the University of Maryland. Find out more and register at https://articles.extension.org/pages/74584

Organic Seed Growers Conference, Corvallis, Oregon. Registration is now open for the 9th Organic Seed Growers Conference, which is the largest organic seed event in the U.S. Cutting-edge research and policy advocacy. Trade knowledge, techniques, and ideas with other seed professionals from around the world. The conference provides a full agenda of presentations, panel discussions, and networking events. The first two days include farm tours and short courses. The theme for 2018 is Synergy that Sustains, reflecting an emphasis on developing networks for research, education, and advocacy, and supporting a diversity of approaches to advancing organic seed systems. Find out more and register.

eOrganic Webinar: Building Organic Matter for Healthy Soils: An Overview. We will discuss the attributes of healthy soil, the central role of organic matter, and how to monitor and enhance soil health in organic production. The presentation will outline key organic practices for building soil organic matter and optimizing soil functions in relation to fertility, crop yield, and resource conservation. Presenters: Author Mark Schonbeck of the Virginia Association for Biological Farming and OFRF Research Program Director Diana Jerkins.

Register HERE.

United Fresh Recall Ready Workshop, Pasco Red Lion Forest Room, 2525 N 20th Ave., Pasco, WA 99301. The Recall Ready Workshop is a one-day, hands-on training that will help you and your company understand the fundamentals of a product recall, including your rights and responsibilities, the role of FDA or state regulatory agencies, how to limit your liability and how to manage customer expectations. You’ll also get an in-depth look how to effectively communicate to the industry, customers, consumers and the media with the proper communications plan. Pre-registration is required. Visit https://foodprocessing.wsu.edu/recallreadyworkshop/ for registration details.

United Fresh Recall Ready Workshop, Des Moines Beach Park, Founder’s Lodge, 22030D Cliff Ave S., Des Moines, WA 98198. The Recall Ready Workshop is a one-day, hands-on training that will help you and your company understand the fundamentals of a product recall, including your rights and responsibilities, the role of FDA or state regulatory agencies, how to limit your liability and how to manage customer expectations. You’ll also get an in-depth look how to effectively communicate to the industry, customers, consumers and the media with the proper communications plan. Pre-registration is required. Visit https://foodprocessing.wsu.edu/recallreadyworkshop/ for registration details.

World Potato Congress 2018, Cuzco-Peru (the first time in Latin America). The 10th World Potato Congress is one of the industry’s most important scientific events worldwide. It is an excellent showcase to promote the sustainable use of potato biodiversity (with a focus on native varieties), including how to develop its differentiated commercial value and gastronomic uses, with variables related to health, nutrition, food security and business development ventures.

Seven programme areas: Climate change and potato agri-food systems, Trends in potato consumption and markets, Potato variety development & biotechnology, Potato pest and diseases, Potato crop management, Post-harvest and processing technology, Potato biodiversity and its relation to breeding, nutrition and health.

Further info: Congress website.

XV International Symposium on Processing Tomato - XIII World Processing Tomato Congress. The 15th ISHS Symposium on Processing Tomato will be held in parallel with the 13th World Processing Tomato Congress on a cruise ship sailing from Athens to several Greek Islands. This symposium is the world's premier event for the processing tomato production chain, bringing together academics, researchers, students with growers, processors and industry suppliers from around the world to share the latest knowledge and advances in this globally important industry. It is jointly organized by the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), the Greek Tomato Processors Association and the World Processing Tomato Council (WPTC). Abstract submissions for the symposium can be made HERE  until October 31st, 2017. Guidelines for the call for papers can be downloaded HERE.

Further Info: Website
Or contact:
Sophie Colvine
Secretary for the 15th ISHS Symposium on the Processing Tomato
Phone: +33 6 07 12 58 29
email: wptc2018@tomate.org
www.worldtomatocongress.com

eOrganic Webinar: Weed Management: An Ecological Approach. This webinar will focus on integrated organic weed management tools and practices that give crops the edge over weeds, build soil health, and reduce the need for soil disturbance. Presenters: Author Mark Schonbeck of the Virginia Association for Biological Farming and OFRF Research Program Director Diana Jerkins.

Register HERE.

OSU Potato Field Day, Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Oregon State University, 2121 South 1st Street, Hermiston, Oregon 97838. The center concentrates on discovery and implementation of agricultural and horticultural opportunities and provides solutions to production restraints. Research at HAREC emphasizes identification of new crops or and production practices, plant breeding and varietal evaluation including nutritional contents, integrated pest management of insects and insect transmitted diseases, plant disease control and environmental issues.

Further Info: HAREC website
Agenda (PDF)

2018 Potato Virus Detection Training Workshop, Othello, WA. For inspectors, regulators, growers and anyone interested in learning more about detection of PVY in the field. The workshop will be held at the WSU Agricultural Research & Extension Center, 1471 W. Cox Rd., Othello, WA and will be integrated into WSU Potato Field Day from 8:30am-1pm. Lunch will be provided.  Those interested can register for the workshops at https://bit.ly/2018potatovirusworkshops

Summer Farm Festival Field Day, Malheur Experiment Station, 595 Onion Ave., Ontario, OR 97914.

For additional info:
(541) 889-2174
Janet.jones@oregonstate.edu
https://www.cropinfo.net/events.php

Parma Onion Growers’ Lunch, Parma, ID 83660. At the University of Idaho Parma Research & Extension Center, 29603 U of I Ln. Contact: Dr. James Woodhall, Plant Pathologist: Tel: 208 722-6701. Email: jwoodhall@uidaho.edu

Invasive Bugs & Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Workshop, Highline Community College, Building 2, 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines, WA 98198. University scientists, state and federal officials are on the lookout for invasive high-risk bug species that may spell trouble for WA State’s home-owners and crop producers. This course and following workshop will focus on invasive bug species including the notorious brown marmorated stink bug and southern green stink bug that are expanding their distribution in Washington State. The purpose is to enlist “citizen scientists” to help recognize and monitor these pest species and provide participants with the latest control and regulatory strategies to help manage these invasive bug species in urban and crop settings.

Further info: Event Brochure (PDF)

30th International Horticultural Congress, 8th International Symposium on Seed, Transplant and Stand Establishment of Horticultural Crops, Istambul, Turkey. Main Themes for this symposium (S35) include: Seed technology including seed production, seed germination and seedling development  Seed storage and dormancy ∙ Seed vigor and vigor tests ∙ Seed ecology ∙ Seed pathology, seed and transplant health ∙ Transplant quality and stand establishment ∙ All aspects of grafting ∙ Seed economics and marketing ∙ Seed systems (production, storage, delivery, distribution, marketing etc.) ∙ Advances in mechanization for seeding and stand establishment ∙ All other aspects of research related to horticultural seeds, seedling and transplant quality.

Further info: Conference website.

WSU Clark County Extension Cover Crop & Soil Health Event Series: Buckwheat, crimson and red clover cover crops, 78th St. Heritage Farm, 1919 NE 78th St., Vancouver, WA 98665. Second in a series of demonstration and discussion events focused on cover crops and soil health topics. This event is focused on using buckwheat, crimson clover, and red clover cover crops with demonstration plots of buckwheat with clovers undersown. Justin O’Dea, WSU’s Extension Regional Agriculture Specialist for southwest WA will be the speaker for this event.

Further info: Event website, Event Flyer
Contact: Justin O’Dea (360) 524-2383; justin.odea@wsu.edu

Mechanical Cultivation Field Day, OSU Vegetable Research Farm in Corvallis, OR. Sutton Ag Enterprises, Tilmor, Solectrac and KULT-Kress will all demonstrate their cultivation tools in direct-seeded green beans and transplanted lettuce. Eric Gallandt (U Maine Professor of Weed Ecology) is the keynote speaker, and will discuss his research into stacked mechanical cultivation systems. Sam Hitchcock-Tilton (K.U.L.T. Kress) is the capnote speaker. He will provide an overview of the tools demonstrated during the day. $25 registration fee including lunch.

Further info: Event and registration information.

39th International Carrot Conference, Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison, Wisconsin. Purpose: To bring together everyone and anyone interested in carrots: growers, packers, shippers, seed producers, breeders, pathologists, sellers, marketers, University and government researchers, extension specialists, students, and anyone else interested in the carrot industry. More aptly called a workshop, the conference will include oral presentations and posters on all aspects of carrots. The conference will also include a field trial on August 24 to observe a wide range of carrot cultivars submitted by seed companies from around the world. Pre- and post-conference meetings and tours are under discussion.

Further info: Early registration ends June 15, 2018. Registration fee is $300 after this date. Hotel reservations are due July 21 or 22; or until blocks are full.

Irwin Goldman (608-262-1624, ilgoldma@wisc.edu) and Phil Simon (608-262-1248; psimon@wisc.edu) are the lead contacts.

Visit our web site at https://vcru.wisc.edu/carrotconference for more information

OSU Onion Field Day, Malheur Experiment Station, 595 Onion Ave., Ontario, OR 97914.

Further info: Call (541) 889-2174

2018 WSU Extension Onion Field Day, Hartley Farms, Prosser, WA 99350. This year’s trial includes 54 onion cultivars and lines from 8 different seed companies to compare and contrast under local growing conditions. The Field Day will begin with a short overview of the crop. Participants will then have an opportunity to examine the trial entries. WSU Onion Researchers will be on hand to discuss their research with those interested. A BBQ Luncheon will be held in a facility just a couple of miles from the trial.

Further info: Flier with contact info & and driving directions (PDF)

eOrganic Webinar: Practical Conservation Tillage. This webinar includes the impacts of tillage on soil health, including practical, soil-friendly tillage practices for organic systems. We will discuss several newer tillage tools and approaches that reduce adverse impacts on soil life and soil structure. Presenters: Author Mark Schonbeck of the Virginia Association for Biological Farming and OFRF Research Program Director Diana Jerkins.

Register HERE.

Second International Symposium on Carrot and other Apiaceae, Kraków, Poland. The conference will be organized in two parallel modules. During the scientific sessions we will discuss the issues of genetics, genomics, genetic diversity, domestication, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, as well as the nutritional value of carrots and related species.

Within technical sessions we will present the latest trends related to cultivation techniques, protection of plants in the field, logistics issues, quality of yield and processed products as well as seed production.

Participants will also have a possibility to listen plenary lectures presented by invited speakers with recognized scientific achievements, who will focus on the key issues and perspectives in: science, breeding and production of vegetables from Apiaceae family.

Further info: Visit the website.

Specialty Crop Research and Demo. Event: Exploring One-Cut Lettuce Production, 78th St. Heritage Farm, 1919 NE 78th St., Vancouver, WA 98665. Join WSU Clark County Extension at the 78th St. Heritage Farm to view a trial of one-cut type lettuce varieties.
One-cut varieties were developed as an alternative to standard baby-leaf lettuce production. The fully mature head can be harvested for baby-leaf mixes due to the small, uniform, abundant leaves they produce. They can also be alternatively marketed as a unique head lettuce. Eighteen total Eazyleaf®, Multileaf®, and Salanova® varieties will be on display, and company representatives will be present to discuss the selections with attendees.

Further info: Event flyer (PDF)

eOrganic Webinar: Cover Crops: Selection and Management. This webinar will focus on selecting the best cover crops, mixes, and management methods for soil health, including crop rotations and cropping system biodiversity. Presenters: Author Mark Schonbeck of the Virginia Association for Biological Farming and OFRF Research Program Director Diana Jerkins.

Register HERE.

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU Mt. Vernon, 16650 SR 536, Mount Vernon, WA. Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested should attend to learn about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in sec. 112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.’

Further info: Workshop website, Organizer, Cathy Blood, email: blood@wsu.edu

eOrganic Webinar: Ecological Nutrient Management for Organic Production in the Western Region, 11am Pacific Time. This webinar will explore the role of the soil food web in nutrient cycling and provisioning, and practical strategies for optimizing the availability of limiting nutrients, such as nitrogen, for soil health, organic crop production, and water quality. Recent research on nitrogen management for organic vegetable and strawberry production in maritime, Mediterranean, and semiarid climates will be summarized. Main presenter: Dr. Mark Schonbeck of the Organic Farming Research Foundation

Further info: Go to Registration  |  eOrganic website.

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (Haccp) for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Packinghouses at the Holiday Inn, 802 East Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98901. The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) workshop will help packers of fruits and vegetables learn about the HACCP principles and have an opportunity to apply this knowledge with oversight of instructors that are experts in this field. Through hands-on learning, participants will be able to practice identifying food safety hazards, developing control measures, and determining approaches for documenting and verifying their actions. Course content and examples will be geared towards fresh fruit and vegetable packers.

Further info: Workshop website. Organizer, Cathy Blood, email: blood@wsu.edu

Soil Solarization Workshop, 15210 NE Miley Rd., Aurora, OR. Soil solarization is a non-chemical method for managing weeds that
reduces labor for handweeding and reduces the need for tillage. Learn about soil solarization research at OSU
• Get practical advice on how to solarize
• See results from a demonstration trial
• Try out an online soil solarization program
• Hear from commercial growers who solarize
Free workshop but pre-registration is required.

Further info: Registration  |  Workshop flyer (PDF)
For more information contact Lloyd.Nackley@oregonstate.edu

Focus on Farming XV and Focus on Forestry IV, Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Monroe, WA. During this year’s Focus on Farming—titled “Connect, Innovate, Grow”—participants will find an exciting mix of topics, ideas, and speakers focused on helping expand the opportunities, sustainability, and economic viability of the region’s farms and forestlands. Focus on Forestry will feature workshops to help landowners manage timber lands, choose and work with loggers, get the necessary permits, as well as manage for secondary forestry products such as herbs.

Further info: Website/registration
Contact Linda Neunzig, Snohomish County Agriculture Coordinator, linda.neunzig@co.snohomish.wa.us, 425-388-7170

Tilth Conference: Diversified Landscapes & Common Ground, Davenport Grand Hotel, Spokane, WA. The Tilth Conference brings together hundreds of farmers, producers, researchers and food system professionals for a weekend of learning, building relationships and sharing best practices for growing a healthy food system. Keynote Speaker: Mai Nguyen, grower of heirloom, ethnic grains in Sonoma, CA, California Organizer for the National Young Farmers Coalition and activist for social justice and farmer racial equity. Capnote Speaker: Audra Mulkern, cook, writer and photographer and founder of “The Female Farmer Project,” a documentary project chronicling the rise of women working in agriculture around the world. Friday Farm Tour: Stops will include the LINC Foods warehouse, Lazy R Ranch and additional member farms. Friday Symposium: Speakers in the livestock, grain, vegetable and fruit sectors presenting research on the theme, "Emerging Varieties and Breeds: Selecting for Quality Traits and Capturing Niche Markets." Agricultural economists will share research on niche markets. Early bird registration saves you $50 and ends September 1.

Further info: www.tilthalliance.org | info@tilthalliance.org

eOrganic Webinar: Plant Genetics: Plant Breeding and Variety Selection. This webinar will cover plant breeding and variety selection for performance in sustainable organic systems, including nutrient and moisture use efficiency, competitiveness toward weeds, and enhanced interactions with beneficial soil biota. We will also discuss heritable traits that could directly benefit soil biology and soil health. Presenters: Author Mark Schonbeck of the Virginia Association for Biological Farming and OFRF Research Program Director Diana Jerkins.

Register HERE.

Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association 32nd Annual Conference and Trade Show, Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, WA.
Featuring more than 35 speakers, breakout sessions for onions, general vegetables, pest management and organic. 90+ Exhibitors.
Recertification Credits for WA, OR, ID will be posted as received.

Further info: Conference website.

eOrganic Webinar: Ecological Weed Management for the Western Region, 11am Pacific Time. This webinar will focus on integrated organic weed management strategies that help desired vegetation outcompete weeds, build soil health, and reduce the need for soil disturbance. Outcomes of recent research into organic management of field bindweed and other major weeds of Western Region cropland and rangeland will be summarized. Main presenter: Dr. Mark Schonbeck of the Organic Farming Research Foundation.

Further info: Go to Registration  |  eOrganic website.

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training, WSU Spokane, 412 E Spokane Falls Blvd. Spokane, WA. Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested should attend to learn about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in sec. 112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.’

Further info: Workshop website. Organizer, Cathy Blood, email: blood@wsu.edu

Hermiston Farm Fair, Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road, Hermiston, OR 97838. Farm Fair is Hermiston's annual agriculture trade show. Farm Fair brings in vendors from all over the Pacific Northwest to present innovative ag products and services both inside and outside the event venue. Ag-related seminars are offered all three days for continuing education credits.

Further info: Fair website  |  Agenda & Presentations (PDF)  |  Farm Fair Vendor Registration (fillable PDF)

2018 Building Soils for Better Potato Crops Symposium, ATEC Center, Big Bend Community College, Moses Lake, WA. These and more will be the focus of the 2018 symposium: What is research discovering about soil organic matter? What about soil health in sandy soils? How does soil health relate to the soil’s physical condition? Can disease suppressive soils be developed for potatoes? What is the relationship between soil health and nematodes? Do healthy soils reduce Verticillium effects in potatoes? What soil health projects are potato researchers working on? CCA credits: 5 Soil & Water Management. Pre-registration required.

Further info: Symposium website/registration.

American Vegetable Grower Webinar: Could Biodegradable Mulches Be A New Tool for Your Production Toolbox? Biodegradable mulches (BDMs) offer a potential alternative if they can provide similar advantages to plastic mulch without the disadvantages. Featured Speaker, Dr. Annette Wszelaki Professor, Commercial Vegetable Extension Specialist, The University of Tennessee.

Further info: Register for Webinar

American Vegetable Grower Webinar: Integrated Management of Fusarium Wilt of Watermelon. Management options include using resistant cultivars, fungicides, grafting, cover cropping, and delayed transplanting. Featured Speaker, Dr. Anthony Keinath Professor, Vegetable Pathologist Clemson University. Dr. Keinath will discuss his experiences testing these techniques over the past 15 years.

Further info: Register for webinar

2017 North Willamette Horticulture Society Meeting - Organic Crops Section. The 62nd Annual North Willamette Horticulture Society Meetings will be held at the Clackamas County Event Center in Canby, OR. Program and registration information for the 2017 North Willamette Horticulture Society Meetings are now posted here on the NWHS website.

2017 North Willamette Horticulture Society Meeting - Vegetable Section. The 62nd Annual North Willamette Horticulture Society Meetings will be held at the Clackamas County Event Center in Canby, OR. Program and registration information for the 2017 North Willamette Horticulture Society Meetings are now posted here on the NWHS website.

2017 North Willamette Horticulture Society Meeting - Berry Section. The 62nd Annual North Willamette Horticulture Society Meetings will be held at the Clackamas County Event Center in Canby, OR. Program and registration information for the 2017 North Willamette Horticulture Society Meetings are now posted here on the NWHS website.

Growing Success: Best Practices in On-farm Food Safety - Mid-scale produce farms at NWREC, Aurora, OR. The OSU Center for Small Farms has teamed up with FamilyFarmed to bring their On-Farm Food Safety Project to Oregon in February in three day-long workshops: February 16, 17, and 19. These workshops, taught by Atina Diffley, nationally known farmer & on-farm food safety expert, will cover practical food safety strategies for your farm, along with up-to-date guidance on FSMA requirements and compliance strategies.

Further info: Series website.

Growing Success: Best Practices in On-farm Food Safety - Small-scale diversified produce farms at Food Innovation Center, Portland, OR. The OSU Center for Small Farms has teamed up with FamilyFarmed to bring their On-Farm Food Safety Project to Oregon in February in three day-long workshops: February 16, 17, and 19. These workshops, taught by Atina Diffley, nationally known farmer & on-farm food safety expert, will cover practical food safety strategies for your farm, along with up-to-date guidance on FSMA requirements and compliance strategies.

Further info: Series website.

Growing Success: Best Practices in On-farm Food Safety - Small-scale diversified produce farms at Food Innovation Center, Portland, OR. The OSU Center for Small Farms has teamed up with FamilyFarmed to bring their On-Farm Food Safety Project to Oregon in February in three day-long workshops: February 16, 17, and 19. These workshops, taught by Atina Diffley, nationally known farmer & on-farm food safety expert, will cover practical food safety strategies for your farm, along with up-to-date guidance on FSMA requirements and compliance strategies.

Further info: Series website.

Organicology Conference, Portland, Oregon. Since 2009, over 3,200 participants from 23 states and four countries, representing all facets of the organic food sector -- retailers, merchandisers, wholesalers, growers, seed breeders, processors, chefs, certifiers, policymakers, producers, nonprofits and consumers -- have attended Organicology. 2017 promises new educational tracks, engaging keynotes and opportunities to network with key members of the organic food sector gathered to discuss and create a sustainable food future.

Further Info: Conference website.

Water Talks - Groundwater Day, 177 Birch Bay-Lynden Road, Lynden, WA 98264 (map). In its fourth year, WaterTalks focuses on everything from policy to practice for farmers to better understand issues surrounding irrigating their crops/animals and to walk away with practical knowledge to makes changes on their own farms. This year we will focus on groundwater covering a wide-range of topics.

Further Info: Website

35th Annual Western Washington Potato Workshop, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 Washington 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

Further info: Brochure and Agenda

 Skagit Agriculture Summit, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 Washington 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. The 2017 Skagit Agriculture Summit (SAS) highlights water, labor, land preservation and economic issues. This event allows leaders to have a public discussion on issues that are vital to Skagit County and the Washington State economy.

Further info: Website  |  Program & Agenda

38th International Carrot Conference, Doubletree Hotel in Bakersfield, California. The conference will be hosted by the University of California Cooperative Extension and the California carrot industry. The International Carrot Conference is a biennial meeting 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 including breeding, new products, production, and pest management are discussed in formal paper sessions, poster sessions and a field tour. There will also be ample opportunity to interact with others in social gatherings.

Further Info: Download newsletter;
Conference website;
Contact Joe Nunez
Cooperative Extension Kern County
1031 South Mount Vernon Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93307
(661) 868-6222
jnunez@ucdavis.edu

Meeting of the 63rd Annual Conference on Soilborne Plant Pathogens (formerly Soil Fungus Conference) and the 49th Annual California Nematology Workgroup, University of California, Davis, CA. Meet with colleagues from the western U.S. working on various aspects of soilborne fungal pathogens, nematodes and diseases- from the molecular to the applied. This meeting is very informal and loosely structured, allowing lots of time for discussions and interactions. A field trip is set for Tues. March 28, including lunch. Registration for the field trip will be $50. Tentative stops include a biocontrol company, California Department of Food and Agriculture in Sacramento and the Foundation Plant Services at UC Davis (grape and strawberry). Social/dinner on the evening of March 28 at the University of California, Davis. Keynote talks on the topic of “Genetic Solutions to Soilborne Pathogens and Diseases” will be given Weds. morning March 29.

Further Info:  Registration and hotel information can be found on https://soilfungus.wsu.edu.

Webinar: Using Biofungicides, Biostimulants and Biofertilizers to Boost Crop Productivity and Help Manage Vegetable Diseases in Organic Tomato Production. In this webinar, presenters will describe the different types of products available in the marketplace today, provide an overview of recent studies evaluating their efficacy, and discuss strategies for identifying the most effective products and application practices. Cost: Free.

Further info: Details and registration.

Cloud Mountain Farm Center’s Farmer Roundtable Series: “High-Quality Transplant Production,” workshop and discussion, 6906 Goodwin Rd., Everson, WA. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, a local non-profit agricultural education center, will host local researchers and farmers interested in sharing their experiences producing transplants in organic systems. This session is intended to spark conversation between growers with a variety of experience levels and a variety of systems. The workshop is free to attend. Please RSVP to info@cloudmountainfarmcenter.org or at 360.966.5859 ext. 1300.

Organic Seed Production Webinar Series - Introduction and Crop Planning. Which crops should I grow? Field planning, Recordkeeping. The Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA) are presenting a series of six webinars on organic seed production. Advance registration is required--registering just once will allow you to attend all the webinars.

Register for the 2017 Organic Seed Production Webinar Series HERE.

VII International Symposium on Brassicas, Pontevedra, Spain. On behalf of the International Society of Horticultural Science (ISHS), the Group of Genetics, Breeding and Biochemistry of Brassicas (MBG-CSIC) is pleased to invite scientists with an interest in brassicas to this Symposium. This Symposium will cover studies on many Brassica species, including important crops used as vegetables, edible oils, forages and raw materials, for obtaining bioactive compounds. The meeting is aimed at scientists working in a wide range of topics within the 'Brassica world', including diversity studies, resistance to stresses, or food technology.

Further info: Symposium website.

Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Field Day, Cloudview Farm, 17305 Frey Road, Ephrata, WA. Participate in machine laying of biodegradable plastic mulch. Interact with biodegradable plastic, polyethylene, and paper mulches in the field. Learn the latest about biodegradable mulch films. Free event. For more information and directions to Cloudview Farm, please contact
Katie Dentzman at (616) 566-4133 or katie.dentzman@wsu.edu.

Further info: Event flyer.

Organic Seed Production Webinar Series - Trials and Selection. Conducting on-farm variety trials is a valuable investment of time and resources to ensure you are planting the best crop, variety and stock seed source for production of your seed crop. Field selection or roguing of a seed crop throughout the production cycle can further refine and improve the quality and performance of a variety or population. This webinar will cover the basics of conducting on-farm variety trials including sourcing germplasm, field plot design, trial evaluation, and making sense of the data. Presenters will also cover basics of field selection or roguing to improve performance of open pollinated seed crops. The Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA) are presenting a series of six webinars on organic seed production. Advance registration is required--registering just once will allow you to attend all the webinars.

Register for the 2017 Organic Seed Production Webinar Series HERE.

OSU Potato Field Day, OSU Hermiston AREC 2121 S. First Street, Hermiston, OR. Complimentary lunch is provided. Contact Lora Sharkey, 541-567-8321

University of Idaho, Parma Research & Extension Center Field Day, Southwest Idaho Research & Extension Center, 29603 U of I Lane, Parma, ID 83660. Lunch provided. Pesticide Credits offered. Certified Crop Advisor Credits offered.

Further info: Event Flyer.

Webinar: Innovative Cover Crop Techniques. Join this webinar to learn about new and innovative uses of cover crops in organic vegetable and strawberry production. Speakers will cover a range of topics including the use of cover crops in beds and furrows between black plastic mulch; using cover crops to reduce tillage and for nitrogen; and interseeding cover crops.
Speakers:
Nick Andrews, Oregon State University Extension
Eric Brennan, USDA Agricultural Research Service
Register HERE.

WSU Mount Vernon NWREC Field Day, WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Contact Robin Miller, 360-848-6120

Organic Seed Production Webinar Series - Diseases and Pests. Management of disease and pests in seed crops can be even more critical than in food production. Seed crops may encounter disease and pests unique to the plant reproductive phase and avoidance of certain seed borne diseases is critical for seed quality. Seed crops are a long season crop, often growing over twice as long and twice the size of a food crop, requiring additional management practices to reduce pests and diseases. This webinar will cover basic field practices for avoiding diseases and pests in seed production and post harvest. Presenters will also provide guidance on prevention, testing and treatment for seed borne diseases in organic seed production. The Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA) are presenting a series of six webinars on organic seed production. Advance registration is required--registering just once will allow you to attend all the webinars.

Register for the 2017 Organic Seed Production Webinar Series HERE.

Organic Seed Production Webinar Series - Seed Quality, Harvesting and Equipment. Deciding when and how to harvest seed can be one of the most tenuous steps that will ultimately impact the yield and quality of your seed crop. This webinar will cover basic principles for determining the optimum timing of harvest and guidance on how to harvest either by hand or with equipment. Presenters will also cover tips and tools for preliminary threshing and drying post harvest and addressing inclement weather during the harvest process. The Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA) are presenting a series of six webinars on organic seed production. Advance registration is required--registering just once will allow you to attend all the webinars.

Register for the 2017 Organic Seed Production Webinar Series HERE.

2017 WSU Extension Onion Field Day, Weyns Farms in a field near Bruce, WA. This year’s trial includes 52 onion cultivars and lines from 8 different seed companies to compare and contrast under local growing conditions. The Field Day will begin with a short overview of the crop. Participants will then have an opportunity to examine the trial entries. WSU Onion Researchers will be on hand to discuss their research with those interested. A BBQ Luncheon will be held in a facility just a couple of miles from the trial.

Further Info: Event Flier

XIV International Asparagus Symposium, Potsdam, Germany. The Asparagus Working Group of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) and the Leibniz-Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) is inviting interested people to attend the 14th International Asparagus Symposium. Welcome are everyone engaged in research, teaching, cultivation, or public services related to asparagus cultivation and product quality. The Symposium will include oral presentations, poster sessions, exhibition, and seminar discussions. Pre- and Post-Tours are planned to visit farmers and research locations. Abstracts can be submitted from January 1st, 2017 onwards of papers for oral presentations and posters to topics covering the entire field of asparagus research including • General Topics • Genetics and Breeding • Pathology and Replant • Physiology and Biochemistry • Agronomy and Field Research • Post-Harvest, Quality and Processing.

Further Info: Website  |  Flier  |  Hashtag: #asparagus2017

North Willamette Research & Extension Center 2017 Vegetable Variety Field Day, 15210 NE Miley Rd, Aurora, OR 97002. An afternoon of field tours, tasting tables and discussions about vegetable varieties with plant breeders, Extension agents and seed companies. Featured vegetables: Basil (downy mildew resistance trials), Club Root resistant brassica varieties, Tomatoes, Peppers, Winter Squash, Napa Cabbage, Parsley, Leeks, Carrot, Summer Squash and Lettuce. Followed by drinks and appetizers.

Further Info: Website and RSVP

Organic Seed Production Webinar Series - Seed Cleaning and Recordkeeping. Cleaning seed can be either gratifying or frustrating depending on your knowledge, equipment, and space for handling seed. This workshop will cover the basics of cleaning wet and dry seed by hand or with small to large-scale equipment. Farmer participants will share their seed cleaning tricks, tools and facilities and engage in trouble shooting questions with participants. Tips and resources for record keeping will help ensure seed lots are in order at the end of the season and you can recall cleaning methods in future years. The Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA) are presenting a series of six webinars on organic seed production. Advance registration is required--registering just once will allow you to attend all the webinars.

Register for the 2017 Organic Seed Production Webinar Series HERE.

Organic Seed Production Webinar Series - Seed Contracting, Economics and Policy. Good business relations and management skills are critical to the success of all seed operations whether selling direct market or wholesale. Seed for wholesale is normally grown under contract with a retail seed company that will then pack and sell seeds to farmers and gardeners. Success in wholesale contracts requires assessing the costs of production and rate of return as well as building a good relationship with the contracting seed company. Join this webinar to hear from seed company representatives and a seed grower about when and how to plan for contract production and how to assess profitability. Presenters will also share perspectives on the details to consider in a contract including terms for pricing, over-production, field roguing, and seed cleaning. The Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA) are presenting a series of six webinars on organic seed production. Advance registration is required--registering just once will allow you to attend all the webinars.

Register for the 2017 Organic Seed Production Webinar Series HERE.

Alfalfa Mosaic Virus in Cilantro Workshop at North Willamette Research and Education Center, 15210 NE Miley Rd, Aurora, OR. A 1-hour educational program. Topics include: Identification; Impacts on yield and market quality; Seed sources; Testing options; Life cycle of the disease; Symptoms in other crops.

Further info: Email Kristine.Buckland@oregonstate.edu or call (503) 506-0955

The Tilth Conference, Vancouver, WA. The Tilth Conference brings together hundreds of farmers, producers, researchers and food system professionals to network and learn. With intensive workshops, experiential farm tours, distinguished keynote speakers, fun social events and valuable networking opportunities. Early bird registration ends September 30.

Further info: Conference website.

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Grower Training Class, Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road, Hermiston, OR. Provisions of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule are going into effect soon. The Rule establishes science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. The first compliance dates for the Produce Safety Rule requirements begin in January 2018 for farms that produce Raw Agricultural Commodities (e.g., onions, carrots, melons, blueberries) and have more $500,000 in annual produce sales. The rule requires that one representative from each covered farm receive training accredited by the FDA.

Further info: Download Flyer (PDF). Register On-line. You may also register and mail a check for $25, payable to OSU with FSMA on the memo line, to Malheur County Extension, 710 SW 5th Ave., Ontario, OR 97914 Seating is limited to 50 people.
For more information contact: Sue Davis, ODA, sdavis@oda.state.or.us 503-807-5864 or Stuart Reitz, OSU Malheur County Extension, stuart.reitz@oregonstate.edu. 541-881-1417.

31st Annual Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Conference and Trade Show, Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, WA. Join other growers, vendors, and support sponsors for talks about the industry, breakout speakers, and social events. Day 1: Onion session; General vegetable session. Day 2: Pest management session; Organic session. Pesticide Recertification Credits available are posted on the conference website. More than 80 exhibitors. Register and reserve accommodations via the conference website.

Further info: PNVA website.

Organic Vegetable Nutrient Management Workshop, North Willamette Research and Extension Center, 15210 NE Miley Rd., Aurora, OR 97002. A morning of presentations and discussion focusing on the latest research on nutrient management in organic operations in Oregon and Washington. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss their vegetable nutrient management plan with experts. Featured speakers: Dan Sullivan, Professor, Soil Science and Nutrient Management, Oregon State University, Nick Andrews, Organic Extension Agent, Oregon State University. Workshop is free. Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP to Ben: Ben@tilth.org or 503-580-4767

Further info: https://tilth.org/event/organic-nutrient-management-workshop/

Workshops in Agriculture, BMCC Precision Irrigated Agriculture Facility on the OSU HAREC Campus, 2121 S 1st, Hermiston, OR. Mon. Nov. 27 classes: Practical Welding Processess; Designing Irrigation Systems. Tue. Nov. 28 classes: Understanding Soil; Safety on the Farm. Classes are three hours each, non-credit. These workshops can count toward the 30 non-credit hours required to earn 3 of the credits for a Precision Irrigated Agriculture Certificate. All Students must pre-register. Contact Jan Keough, BMCC Office of Instruction jkeough@bluecc.edu or 541-278-5969.

Further info: View flyer.

2nd Annual Opportunities in Organic Event, hosted by Oregon Tilth, Canby and Silverton, OR. Who should attend: Mid-to large-scale wholesale fresh and processed vegetable and specialty crop farmers; Wholesale buyers and processors of organic and transitional fresh and processed vegetables, grains, feed and seed crops. MORNING SESSION: Commingling and Contamination Prevention for Split Organic/Conventional Operations. Location: Koch Family Farms – Canby, Oregon, 9:00am – 11:00am. LUNCH & AFTERNOON SESSION: Wholesale Organic Buyer/Grower Networking Event, Seven Brides Brewery – Silverton, Oregon, 12:30pm – 4:30pm. Buyers and growers will then have the opportunity to interact face to face and discuss production, pricing, and purchasing details during a facilitated “speed-dating” round. The event will conclude with an informal social hour with food and beverages available for purchase.

Further info: Website and Registration

IX International Symposium on In Vitro Culture and Horticultural Breeding, Giza, Egypt. The main purpose of this Symposium is to bring together researchers, stakeholders and students of science interested in different disciplines of plant tissue culture and horticultural breeding in order to exchange information, findings and new technologies in the field.

61st Annual Meeting of the North Willamette Horticulture Society, Clackamas County Fairgrounds in Canby, OR. The North Willamette Horticulture Society is a group of farmers, Extension agents and other agricultural professionals who are hosting a three-day annual meeting which includes an Organic Crops Section, Vegetable Section and Berry Section. The meeting also features exhibitor booths with information from leading suppliers.

Tuesday, January 12 – Organic Crops Section

Wednesday, January 13 – Vegetable Section

Thursday, January 14 – Berry Section

Those interested in being exhibitors or program sponsors are urged to contact Jan Egli at jan.egli@oregonstate.edu or 971-373-5912.

The Society has been approved for CCA credits. Oregon and Washington pesticide credits will also be available all three days. The program agenda and registration information is on their website: https://nwhortsoc.com/.

Registration Form.

Columbia Basin Vegetable Seed Association Annual Meeting, Moses Lake Event Center, Moses Lake, WA. This meeting is open to anyone who has an interest in producing seed crops in the Columbia Basin. There is no pre-registration process or fee to attend. Seed Field Representatives:  The 2016 Winter Seed Field Reps Meeting will take place immediately after the CBVSA Annual Meeting.
Further info: Please contact Carrie H. Wohleb, Ph.D., Associate Professor/Regional Vegetable Specialist, Washington State University Extension
Tel: (509) 754-2011 ext. 4367
Email: cwohleb@wsu.edu
View the Agenda.

2016 Syngenta Potato Update Meeting, Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W Grandridge Boulevard, Rooms F-H, Kennewick, WA 99336, 10:00am - 12:30pm. A lunch reception will be included.
Further info: View the flyer.
RSVP here by December 21.

2016 Washington-Oregon Potato Conference, Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W Grandridge Boulevard, Kennewick, WA 99336.
Further info: Visit the Website.

Marketing to Restaurants part of the Viva Farms Spring 2016 Workshop Series. Presented By Jerry Shackette. $10 Registration Fee Includes Resource Binder and Refreshments. All Workshops are Bi-Lingual English/Spanish and will be held at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Registration required for all workshops—Scholarships available! Register for All Workshops at https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.
General or Registration Questions? Please Email info@vivafarms.org or Call (360) 969-7191 x2

Event Flyer in English
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El Mercadeo a los Restaurantes, parte de la serie 2016 Taller Viva Granjas Primavera. Presentado por Jerry Shackette. $10 Costo de Inscripción - Incluye un Libro de Recursos y Bebidas. Todos los talleres serán bilingües Español/Ingles y se encuentren en:
WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Inscripción requerido para todos los talleres —Becas Disponibles! Inscribirse para los Talleres a https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.
¿Preguntas generales o de inscripción? Por favor escribe info@vivafarms.org o llame (360) 969-7191 x2

Folleto para el evento en español

8th Organic Seed Growers Conference, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. The largest organic seed event in the U.S. Co-hosts the Organic Seed Alliance, Oregon State University, Washington State University, and eOrganic. Expand your seed knowledge and skills, hear the latest in scientific research, and discover new resources and tools that help seed growers breed, grow, and sell more seed. The conference week includes an agenda of over 80 experts in their fields and more than two-dozen sessions, a daylong organic seed production intensive, a tour of organic seed in the Willamette Valley, and a number of social events, including a vegetable tasting from our trials.
Further Info: Conference website.

Marketing to Restaurants part of the Viva Farms Spring 2016 Workshop Series. Presented By Jerry Shackette. $10 Registration Fee Includes Resource Binder and Refreshments. All Workshops are Bi-Lingual English/Spanish and will be held at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Registration required for all workshops—Scholarships available! Register for All Workshops at https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.
General or Registration Questions? Please Email info@vivafarms.org or Call (360) 969-7191 x2

Event Flyer in English
===========

El Mercadeo a los Restaurantes, parte de la serie 2016 Taller Viva Granjas Primavera. Presentado por Jerry Shackette. $10 Costo de Inscripción - Incluye un Libro de Recursos y Bebidas. Todos los talleres serán bilingües Español/Ingles y se encuentren en:
WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Inscripción requerido para todos los talleres —Becas Disponibles! Inscribirse para los Talleres a https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.
¿Preguntas generales o de inscripción? Por favor escribe info@vivafarms.org o llame (360) 969-7191 x2

Folleto para el evento en español

Save the Date! 8th Organic Seed Growers Conference, Corvallis, Oregon. The biennial Organic Seed Growers Conference brings together hundreds of farmers, plant breeders, researchers, university extension, certifiers, food companies, seed production and distribution companies, and other organic stakeholders in two days of presentations, panel discussions, and networking events. It's a unique opportunity to trade knowledge, techniques, and ideas that strengthen the organic seed community.
Further Info: Conference Website

Oregon Farm to School Summit, at the Oregon Garden in Silverton, Oregon. A day of workshops, resource sharing, and networking focused farm to school topics including local food procurement and farm to school education programs. There will be a special workshop track for farmers and producers including workshops on Selling to Schools, Food Safety (for Farm to School), and Effective Farm Field Trips. Full scholarships and travel reimbursement are available for farmers and producers!

Deadlines: Scholarships and travel reimbursements are available but applications for both are due Sunday, 1/10/16.
Regular registration closes 1/17/16
Late registration closes 1/24/16

For registration plus information about agendas, scholarships, travel reimbursements, lodging, and more, please go to:
https://www.upstreampublichealth.org/summits-2016
For registration questions, please contact amber@upstreampublichealth.org.

Seedborne Phoma (Black leg) in Crucifers and Hot Water Treatments for Organic Growers, North Willamette Research and Extension Center. Hot water seed treatment is an important way of reducing the risk of seed-borne diseases, especially for organic brasssica growers (seed, fresh market or processed market) now that Pacific Northwest growers are dealing with black leg and potential light leaf spot epidemics. Hot water treatment can be tricky though, so come and learn how to do it right.

Further Info: Download the Registration Form.

Crop Planning for Organic Vegetable Growers, part of the Viva Farms Spring 2016 Workshop Series. Presented By Frédéric Thériault. $20 Registration Fee Includes Lunch. All Workshops are Bi-Lingual English/Spanish and will be held at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Registration required for all workshops—Scholarships available! Register for All Workshops at https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.
General or Registration Questions? Please Email info@vivafarms.org or Call (360) 969-7191 x2

Event Flyer in English
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Planeacion por Productores, parte de la serie 2016 Taller Viva Granjas Primavera. Presentado por Frédéric Thériault. $20 Costo de Inscripción - Incluye Almuerzo. Todos los talleres serán bilingües Español/Ingles y se encuentren en:
WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Inscripción requerido para todos los talleres —Becas Disponibles! Inscribirse para los Talleres a https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.
¿Preguntas generales o de inscripción? Por favor escribe info@vivafarms.org o llame (360) 969-7191 x2

Folleto para el evento en español

Seedborne Phoma (Black leg) in Crucifers and Hot Water Treatments for Organic Growers, Linn County Extension Office, Tangent OR. Hot water seed treatment is an important way of reducing the risk of seed-borne diseases, especially for organic brasssica growers (seed, fresh market or processed market) now that Pacific Northwest growers are dealing with black leg and potential light leaf spot epidemics. Hot water treatment can be tricky though, so come and learn how to do it right.

Further Info: Download the Registration Form.

Hands-On Approaches for Detecting Potato virus Y Workshop at WSU NWREC in Mount Vernon. Topics: Best Practices for Producing PVY-free Seed Potato Tubers; Tissue Culture Techniques for Creating PVY-Free Seed Stock; Detecting PVY using ELISA and Agdia Immunostrips®.
Further info: To register: Contact Don McMoran at dmcmoran@wsu.edu or (360)428-4270 x225
View the workshop flyer.

34th Annual Western Washington Potato Workshop at WSU NWREC in Mount Vernon.
For more information contact:
Don McMoran
Agriculture Extension Agent
WSU Skagit County. Extension
Phone: 428-4270, ext. 225
dmcmoran@wsu.edu
View the workshop flyer.

XIV International Symposium on Processing Tomato - XII World Processing Tomato Congress Santiago, Chile. The 14th ISHS Symposium on Processing Tomato will be held in parallel with the 12th World Processing Tomato Congress. This Symposium is the world's premier event for the processing tomato production chain. This unique forum brings together academics, researchers, students with growers, processors and industry suppliers from around the world to share the latest knowledge and advances in this globally important industry. It is jointly organized by the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), Chilealimentos and the World Processing Tomato Council (WPTC).
Abstract submissions for the symposium can now be made by following the guidelines in the call for papers which can be downloaded from the symposium website. The call for abstracts will close on 31st August 2015.
More information on the symposium can be found at:
https://www.ishs.org/symposium/558

For more information, you can contact the Symposium Secretary, Sophie Colvine, at: wptc2016@tomate.org.

Farm Financial Benchmarking, part of the Viva Farms Spring 2016 Workshop Series. Presented By Economic Development Association of Skagit County (EDASC). $10 Registration Fee Includes Refreshments. All Workshops are Bi-Lingual English/Spanish and will be held at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Registration required for all workshops—Scholarships available! Register for All Workshops at https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.
General or Registration Questions? Please Email info@vivafarms.org or Call (360) 969-7191 x2

Event Flyer in English
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Evaluación Financiera del Agro negocio, parte de la serie 2016 Taller Viva Granjas Primavera. Presentado por La Asociación del Desarrollo Económico del Condado Skagit (EDASC). $10 Costo de Inscripción - Incluye Bebidas. Todos los talleres serán bilingües Español/Ingles y se encuentren en:
WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Inscripción requerido para todos los talleres —Becas Disponibles! Inscribirse para los Talleres a https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.
¿Preguntas generales o de inscripción? Por favor escribe info@vivafarms.org o llame (360) 969-7191 x2

Folleto para el evento en español

Farm Financial Benchmarking, part of the Viva Farms Spring 2016 Workshop Series. Presented By Economic Development Association of Skagit County (EDASC). $10 Registration Fee Includes Refreshments. All Workshops are Bi-Lingual English/Spanish and will be held at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Registration required for all workshops—Scholarships available! Register for All Workshops at https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.
General or Registration Questions? Please Email info@vivafarms.org or Call (360) 969-7191 x2

Event Flyer in English
========

Evaluación Financiera del Agro negocio, parte de la serie 2016 Taller Viva Granjas Primavera. Presentado por La Asociación del Desarrollo Económico del Condado Skagit (EDASC). $10 Costo de Inscripción - Incluye Bebidas. Todos los talleres serán bilingües Español/Ingles y se encuentren en:
WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Inscripción requerido para todos los talleres —Becas Disponibles! Inscribirse para los Talleres a https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.
¿Preguntas generales o de inscripción? Por favor escribe info@vivafarms.org o llame (360) 969-7191 x2

Folleto para el evento en español

Meeting of the 62nd Annual Conference on Soilborne Plant Pathogens (formerly Soil Fungus Conference) and the 48th Annual California Nematology Workgroup, University of California, Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier, CA. A gathering of colleagues from the western U.S. working on various aspects of soilborne fungal pathogens, nematodes and diseases- from the molecular to the applied. Informal, loosely structured, time for discussions. A Nematology Extension Day in the morning of Tues. March 22, lunch, and afternoon tour of the Kearney Research Station in Parlier. CEU credits have been applied for. Social/dinner on the evening of March 22. Keynote talks by Mike Stanghellini, TriCal on The Future of Fumigation, and Mark Mazzola, USDA-ARS, Wenatchee, WA on Manipulation of the Soil Microbiome for Enhanced System Resistance to Pathogen Proliferation. A session focusing on drought and disease on Thurs. March 24 with a presentation by Richard Bostock titled Predisposing Abiotic Stress in Plant Disease. Research presentations will be on Weds, March 23 and Thurs., March 24. The California Nematology Workgroup will meet on Tues. March 22. Registration and hotel information can be found on https://soilfungus.wsu.edu. Registration includes the social/dinner on Tues. evening. Program Chair: Kelly Ivors (kivors@calpoly.edu)

Wholesale Success: Post Harvest Handling & Food Safety, part of the Viva Farms Spring 2016 Workshop Series. Presented By Atina Diffley & Family Farmed. $20 Registration Fee Includes “Wholesale Success” Book & Lunch. All Workshops are Bi-Lingual English/Spanish and will be held at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Registration required for all workshops—Scholarships available! Register for All Workshops at https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.
General or Registration Questions? Please Email info@vivafarms.org or Call (360) 969-7191 x2

Event Flyer in English
========

Mayoreo con Éxito: Manejo Post-Cosecha & Seguridad Alimentaria, parte de la serie 2016 Taller Viva Granjas Primavera. Presentado por Atina Diffley & Family Farmed. $20 Costo de Inscripción - Incluye “Mayoreo con Éxito” Libro y Almuerzo. Todos los talleres serán bilingües Español/Ingles y se encuentren en:
WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Inscripción requerido para todos los talleres —Becas Disponibles! Inscribirse para los Talleres a https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.
¿Preguntas generales o de inscripción? Por favor escribe info@vivafarms.org o llame (360) 969-7191 x2

Folleto para el evento en español

eOrganic Webinar: Impacts of the Food Safety Modernization Act on Diversified Organic Vegetable Farms. Join eOrganic for a webinar on the impacts of the Food Safety Modernization Act on Diversified Organic Vegetable Farms, by Erin Silva of the University of Wisconsin. The presentation is free and open to the public, and advance registration is required.
More information and registration on the website.

III International Symposium on Organic Greenhouse Horticulture, Izmir, Turkey. The Symposium will have scientific and technical sessions presented in parallel as well as one day field tour including a visit to ancient city Ephesus. Joint scientific and technical programs will bring together researchers, academics, growers, advisers, suppliers, policy makers and other professionals to present their works regarding strategies on organic greenhouse horticulture, to discuss key issues and to exchange information and ideas that will help to gather and disseminate all available expertise and knowledge in this area. Submit your abstract before the 15th of September, 2015.

Further Info: Symposium website.

Medicinal Herb Growing & Marketing Conference, Port Townsend, Fort Worden, Olympic Peninsula, WA. The conference will explore the current state and future of US herb production with a focus on the Pacific Northwest. Workshops, Keynote Presentations, Panels, Round-tables, Herbal Trade Show, Farmer/Buyer Meet-up, Network Building. Information on Presenters, Tracks, Schedule, etc. are on the conference website.

V International Symposium on Tomato Diseases: Perspectives and Future Directions in Tomato Protection (under the auspices of the International Society of Horticultural Science-- ISHS), Málaga, Spain.
- ABSTRACT SUBMISSION: deadline 20 December 2015.
- EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: deadline 19 February 2016.

Further Info: https://www.ishs.org/symposium/546

Potato Virus Detection Training: Field identification of PVY (strains O, N-Wi and NTN) on 40 popular cultivars, WSU Othello Agricultural Research & Extension Center, 1471 W. Cox Rd., Othello, WA. Learn about tuber symptoms of PVY, PMTV and TRV; new diagnostic assays for viruses and their vectors. Talk with experts from the USDA, UID, MTSU, WSU and UWI.  For growers, inspectors, regulators and anyone interested in learning more about detection of PVY, PMTV and TRV in field applications. Lunch will be provided. Additionally, the WSU Commercial Seed Lot Evaluation will be held on June 21st, the WSU Potato Field Day on the 23rd, both in Othello, and the OSU Potato Field Day at the OSU Research Center in Hermiston, OR will be held on June 22nd. Register for the Virus Detection Training at https://bit.ly/wsu-potatovirusworkshop.
For more information about the event, contact Mark Pavek, WSU Associate Professor/Research and Extension Horticulturist, Potato and Vegetable Crops, mjpavek@wsu.edu.
Website: https://pppmb.cals.cornell.edu/content/potato-virus-detection-training-workshop
Download the flyer.

WSU Commercial Potato Seed Lot Evaluation, Othello, WA.
For more information about the event, contact Mark Pavek, WSU Associate Professor/Research and Extension Horticulturist, Potato and Vegetable Crops, mjpavek@wsu.edu.

Organic Seed Production, eOrganic Webinar Series - Part 1: Introduction to the Organic Seed Webinar Series: Which crops should I grow? Field planning; Recordkeeping. Speakers: Micaela Colley, Organic Seed Alliance; Organic Seed Grower TBD. Offered by Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA). Appropriate for farmers, interns, students, and other agricultural professionals. Register HERE.

OSU Potato Field Day at the Oregon State University Research and Extension Center, 2121 S. 1st St. Hermiston, Oregon
Further Info: Visit the OSU Field Days website and/or contact Silvia I. Rondon silvia.rondon@oregonstate.edu.
Download the agenda.

WSU Potato Field Day, 1471 W Cox Rd., Othello, WA 99344
For more information about the event, contact Mark Pavek, WSU Associate Professor/Research and Extension Horticulturist, Potato and Vegetable Crops, mjpavek@wsu.edu.

Pacific Northwest IPM Train the Trainer Working Group 2016 IPM Workshop, Aberdeen R&E Center, 1693 S 2700 W., Aberdeen, ID 83210. A 2 1/2 day short course designed to train University Extension field faculty, agency professionals, and crop consultants on insect, disease and weed identification, management and control will take place at the University of Idaho R&E Center in Aberdeen ID. The training will include many hands-on aspects, such as collecting, mounting, and identifying pest issues in your area. Training will also include pest management strategies and creation of an educational display. This course is partially funded by WSARE. Contact Pamela Hutchinson, phutch@uidaho.edu
Phone 208-397-4181 or 208-681-1304

Pacific Division Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society, Maple Hall, 104 Commercial, La Conner, WA 98257. The first day of the meeting will feature a professional development workshop and, in the afternoon, a field trip showcasing local agriculture and food production, coordinated by the local arrangements team of Drs. Lindsey du Toit, Debbie Inglis and Tobin Peever. The next two days of the meeting, activities will showcase a special presentation from APS President-Elect Dr. Tim Murray on trends in APS and the profession of plant pathology, and an opening symposium on the impacts of climate change and drought on forest health, plant disease, and disease management. An opportunity will be given to undergraduates to present their research during a poster session.

Further Info: See the meeting website for details and to register on-line. View Flyer.

Small Farm Irrigation — Riego para Granjas Pequenas, 15366 Ovenell Rd, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 - View Map. A workshop on Irrigation for small organic production systems. The workshop will focus on irrigation systems with field demonstrations and activities. The workshop will be bilingual, offered in English and Spanish. Register for All Workshops at https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.
Inscribirse para los Talleres a https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.

Further info: Download the flier.

Organic Seed Production, eOrganic Webinar Series - Part 2: Trials and Selection. Offered by Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA). Appropriate for farmers, interns, students, and other agricultural professionals. Register HERE.

Weed Management — Manejo de Malezas, 15366 Ovenell Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 - View Map. A workshop on weed management for small organic production systems. The workshop will focus on control techniques with hands on field demonstrations and activities. Bring your hand tools for practice. The workshop will be bilingual, offered in English and Spanish. Register for All Workshops at https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.
Inscribirse para los Talleres a https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.

Further info: Download the flier.

Pest Management — Manejo de Plagas, 15366 Ovenell Rd, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 - View Map. A workshop on pest management for small organic production systems. The workshop will focus on management techniques with field demonstrations and activities. The workshop will be bilingual, offered in English and Spanish. Register for All Workshops at https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.
Inscribirse para los Talleres a https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com.

Further info: Download the flier.

National Association of Plant Breeders Annual Meeting / Plant Breeding Coordinating Committee Annual Meeting-- Improving Efficiency in Breeding Programs, Raleigh, North Carolina. The NAPB / PBCC joint meeting aims to discuss current topics in plant breeding research. Topics ranging from CRISPR-Cas9 to high-throughput phenotyping will be discussed as they apply in row, horticultural, and tree crops. Graduate student presentations are a prime focus of the meeting as well as interactions with scientists and industry sponsors. A pre-conference field tour will feature the breeding programs of crops important to North Carolina. Registration at plantbreeding.org

Further Info: Download the flier.

Organic Seed Production, eOrganic Webinar Series - Part 3: Diseases and Pests, Case Study. Offered by Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA). Appropriate for farmers, interns, students, and other agricultural professionals. Register HERE.

2016 WSU Extension Onion Field Day, The trial is ~5 miles north of Othello on the SW corner of Herman and Steele Rds. This year’s trial includes 53 onion cultivars and lines from 7 different seed companies to compare and contrast under local growing conditions. The Field Day will begin with a short overview of the crop. Participants will then have an opportunity to examine the trial entries. WSU Onion Researchers will be on hand to discuss their research with those interested. A BBQ Luncheon will be held in a facility just a couple of miles from the trial.

Further Info: Download the flier (includes map and directions).

Deadline for titles of oral presentations or posters at the 2016 National Allium Research Conference (NARC) to be held in conjunction with the National Onion Association (NOA) Winter meeting in Savannah GA Nov. 30-Dec 3, 2016. Please take note that the title and author listing deadline is AUGUST 31, 2016 and organizers need to know by that time if you are presenting an oral paper or a poster. Also organizers need to know if it is to be considered for student competition.

Full abstracts are not due until October 28, but the title, authors and poster/oral information are needed by end of August to ensure that it gets to the printers in time for inclusion in the program.

Further Info: Submission Guidelines. Contact Ron Gitaitis, Professor of Plant Pathology, University of Georgia – Tifton Campus, dronion@uga.edu

Organic Seed Production, eOrganic Webinar Series - Part 4: Seed Quality, Harvesting Techniques and Equipment. Offered by Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA). Appropriate for farmers, interns, students, and other agricultural professionals. Register HERE.

Viva Farms: Fall 2016 Workshop Series! Los Talleres del Otono 2016 !
Financial Record Keeping — Manejo de Registros Financieros
Workshops are Bi-Lingual English/Spanish and Will Be Held at Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.
Los talleres serán bilingües Español/Ingles y se encuentren en Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.
Register for All Workshops at https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com
Inscribirse para los Talleres a https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com
Download the flier.

III International Symposium on Horticulture in Europe - SHE2016, Chania, Crete (Greece). The Symposium is a joint initiative of the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, Department of Horticultural Genetics & Biotechnology, Greece and the Cyprus University of Technology, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology & Food Science. The symposium will be hosted at the Minoa Palace Resort, a 5* luxury hotel situated in the Platanias region, west of Chania city center.

The Symposium aims to bring together researchers from diverse fields of study who share a common interest in Horticultural Sciences. The conference will provide the opportunity for scientists, professionals and students to present their latest findings and discuss their current work related to basic and applied aspects on issues of horticulture. The symposium will be comprised of plenary and ordinary sessions, workshops and poster display sessions.
Further Info: Symposium website.

Organic Seed Production, eOrganic Webinar Series - Part 5: Cleaning and Recordkeeping, Case Study. Offered by Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA). Appropriate for farmers, interns, students, and other agricultural professionals. Register HERE.

Viva Farms: Fall 2016 Workshop Series! Los Talleres del Otono 2016 ! Intro to Quickbooks — Introducción a Quickbooks. Workshops are Bi-Lingual English/Spanish and Will Be Held at Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.
Los talleres serán bilingües Español/Ingles y se encuentren en Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.
Register for All Workshops at https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com
Inscribirse para los Talleres a https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com
Download the flier.

The Western Region of the International Plant Propagators' Society 2016 Annual Meeting, Tempe, Arizona. This event brings together educators, researchers, professionals and students in the field of plant propagation and related disciplines. Membership in IPPS is not required. The annual meeting is an especially good opportunity for undergraduate students to tour cutting-edge plant production facilities and to present research projects through a poster.

Further Info: Contact Larry A. Rupp, Extension Landscape Horticulture Specialist Center for Water Efficient Landscaping Utah State University, Larry.Rupp@usu.edu, 435-232-1158. IPPS website.

Viva Farms: Fall 2016 Workshop Series! Los Talleres del Otono 2016 ! Crop Insurance and Taxes — Seguro de Cultivos e Impuestos. Workshops are Bi-Lingual English/Spanish and Will Be Held at Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.
Los talleres serán bilingües Español/Ingles y se encuentren en Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.
Register for All Workshops at https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com
Inscribirse para los Talleres a https://vivafarms.eventbrite.com
Download the flier.

Organic Seed Production, eOrganic Webinar Series - Part 6: Seed Contracting, Economics and Policy. Offered by Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA). Appropriate for farmers, interns, students, and other agricultural professionals. Register HERE.

Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Annual Conference, Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, WA. The Convention center offers a trade show area large enough to accommodate small booths or the biggest equipment in comfort. State of the art meeting rooms and a host of nearby hotels and restaurants will make this a premier event. Program focuses on the issues growers are most interested in.

Member/attendee input requested. The Board of Directors would like input to help plan the upcoming conference and are asking interested persons to complete a short survey to help the Association bring valuable topics to the conference.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8ZJDJDX

Building Soils for Better Crops workshop, Big Bend Community College, Moses Lake, WA. Topics: Emerging soil amendments; Humic substances; Soil organic matter; Nutrient placement in Strip-till and No-till; Soil acidification and liming; Economics of soil building.
CCA credits: Soil & Water Management: 3, Nutrient Management: 1  In conjunction with the High Residue Farming Workshop on Nov. 30.

Further Info: Website

International Spinach Conference, El Tropicano Hotel, San Antonio, Texas.
Registration HERE.
Hotel & Additional Information HERE.
Contact: Maribel Alonzo
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Ph# 830/278-9151 ext 234
malonzo@ag.tamu.edu
Download the FLYER.

High Residue Farming Workshop, The Basics, Big Bend Community College, Moses Lake, WA. Topics: Benefits of high residue farming; Conditions for stand establishment; Residue management; Direct seeding with a planter or a drill; Challenges of high residue farming; Strip-till systems; High residue farming in the Columbia Basin. n conjunction with the Better Soils for Better Crops workshop on Nov. 29.

Further Info: Website

43rd Annual Hermiston Farm Fair - Seminars & Tradeshow, NEW LOCATION at the Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Rd, Hermiston, OR. The Farm Fair is an agricultural forum co-sponsored by OSU Extension Service, the Agriculture Committee and the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce. Local agriculture-related businesses will be displaying their wares and services, both inside and outside the Event Center. Agriculture-related seminars will be offered all three days.

Further Info: Visit the Fair Website
Final agenda (pdf)
Vendor registration form (pdf)

2016 National Allium Research Conference (NARC) to be held in conjunction with the National Onion Association (NOA) Winter meeting, Savannah GA. Titles of oral presentations or posters due by Aug. 31. Details HERE.

Further Info: Nat'l Onion Assoc. website.

3rd National Grafting Symposium: Growing New Roots for the U.S. Vegetable Industry, 8:30 am – 6:00 pm, Savannah, GA. In-depth, interactive, and grower- and educator-focused sessions on using grafted vegetable plants as sources of income and commercial production tools. Local to international leaders, including propagators and growers who sell and use grafted melon, watermelon, tomato and pepper plants coast to coast, will share their experience and outlook. Participants were highly satisfied with the two previous National Vegetable Grafting Symposia (see www.vegetablegrafting.org). Join in January 8 for this day-long program that includes educational sessions, lunch and refreshments and is capped with a social hour and industry showcase. The symposium will take place either in Westin Savannah Harbor or Savannah International Trade & Convention Center. These buildings are located next to each other.
Further Info: Project Website, Registration, Questions: Olya Rysin obsydoro@ncsu.edu

The 60th Annual North Willamette Horticulture Society Annual Meeting - Organic Crops Section, Clackamas County Event Center, 694 NE 4th Ave., Canby, Oregon. The event organizers are working on the program agenda, and they will be online soon.
Further Info: Registration (attendees and exhibitors).

The presentations made at the North Willamette Horticulture Society meeting have been posted on the Society's website for public access:
Organic Crops Section: https://nwhortsoc.com/?page_id=801

eOrganic Webinar: Systems Organic Management Suppresses Cabbageworm Outbreaks: Evidence from 4 Long-term Organic Farms. Presenters: Jake Asplund, Washington State University; Doug O'Brien, Doug O'Brien Agricultural Consulting. Free presentation open to the public. Takes place at 2PM Eastern Time, 1PM Central, 12PM Mountain, 11AM Pacific Time.
Further Info: Find out more and register HERE.

The 60th Annual North Willamette Horticulture Society Annual Meeting - Vegetable Section, Clackamas County Event Center, 694 NE 4th Ave., Canby, Oregon. The event organizers are working on the program agenda, and they will be online soon.
Further Info: Registration (attendees and exhibitors).

The presentations made at the North Willamette Horticulture Society meeting have been posted on the Society's website for public access:
Vegetable Section: https://nwhortsoc.com/?page_id=822

Western Disease Conference - Field/Vegetable/Specialty Crops/Turf Session, Hilton Hotel, Portland, OR. Intended audience: People working on vegetable, ornamental, turf and fruit pathology research, extension, and industry in the western United States. This also includes organic and specialty crops production (challenges and successes). The informal approach of these meetings encourages brief presentations with interactive and lively discourse. Presentation topics include diagnostic reports (e.g., new problems, annual reports, diseases difficult to diagnose), research trials, new developments in crop pathology, chemical registrations/efficacy trials, biological control associated with organic production, extension activities and resources (bring copies of new crop bulletins, website addresses, and other resources), etc. This meeting is held on conjunction with the Orchard Pest & Disease Management Conference each January in Portland, Oregon.
Further Info: Contact: Tamla Blunt, Ph.D., Plant Disease & ID Clinic Diagnostician, Colorado State University (Email). See the Agenda

2015 Annual Meeting of the Columbia Basin Vegetable Seed Association. The annual meeting of the Columbia Basin Vegetable Seed Association will take place on Tuesday, January 20th, in Moses Lake, WA. Presentations will be given by researchers funded by the CBVSA and other research and extension specialists on topics of interest to vegetable/seed producers in central Washington. For more information on the program, location, and WSDA pesticide license credits, contact Carrie Wohleb, WSU Grant/Adams Counties Regional Extension Specialist, at cwohleb@wsu.edu or (509) 754-2011 ext. 413
Further info: Flier

Crop Planning for Organic Vegetable Growers Workshop presented by Tilth Producers of Washington. This workshop provides a structure for determining how to operate a profitable, diversified vegetable farm. It hones in on the core issues of farm success: which crops to grow, when to plant them, and in what quantities. Then it provides a logical, linear process for completing it all on time. The workshop material is based on the book, Crop Planning for Organic Vegetable Growers, co-authored by Frédéric Thériault, who will also be presenting. Location: WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 15560 SR 536 Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Register by January 16th to avoid a $10 late fee.
Further info and registration: Event website.

eOrganic Webinar: Rotational No-till, Mulching and Conservation Tillage for Organic Vegetable Farms. Presenter: Jan-Hendrik Cropp. Free presentation open to the public. Takes place at 2PM Eastern Time, 1PM Central, 12PM Mountain, 11AM Pacific Time.
Further Info: Find out more and register HERE.

eOrganic Webinar: Managing Bad Stink Bugs Using Good Stink Bugs. Presenter: Yong-Lak Park, West Virginia University. Free presentation open to the public. Takes place at 2PM Eastern Time, 1PM Central, 12PM Mountain, 11AM Pacific Time.
Further Info: Find out more and register HERE.

Washington / Oregon Potato Conference, Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick, WA 99336.
Further info: Conference website

2015 Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission Grower Meeting, Linn County Expo Center, 100 Opal Court, Albany, OR 97322. 2 hours (1 Hour Core Credit) of Oregon and Washington pesticide recertification credit hours have been approved.
Further info: Agenda

2015 Annual Meeting of the Puget Sound Seed Growers’ Association, at the WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 15560 SR 536 Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Hear updates from the PSSGA board as well as presentations on vegetable seed crop research funded by the PSSGA, including Dr. Tim Miller, WSU Weed Scientist, Drs. Bev Gerdeman and Lynell Tanighoshi, WSU Entomologists, and Dr. Lindsey du Toit, WSU Vegetable Seed Pathologist. An application will be made for WSDA pesticide license credits for the event. For further information contact: Debbie Danielson at ddanielson@westag.org or (360) 424-7327, or Kirby Johnson, President of the PSSGA at homes@laconnerrealty.com or (360) 466-3485.

Onion School, 211 W. Highway 95 - Parma Idaho 83660. For those seeking expert advice on growing onions, join Western Laboratories, Inc. for this comprehensive and informative 2-day course on onions. Covering most aspects of onion production under drip and sprinkler irrigation in a workshop environment where questions will be answered from the floor.
Further Info: Download the Onion School Flier.

Organicology, Portland Hilton Downtown, Portland, OR. The organizers of Organicology are hard at work planning yet another not-to-be-missed Organicology. Last year over 800 people representing all facets of the organic trade attended Organicology. From farmers, activists, policy experts, educators, sustainable organizations, processors, retailers and eaters of great food—everyone finds sources of inspiration at Organicology.
Further Info: Organicology Website

Understanding Soils and Plant Nutrition. This 2-day class will be offered three times in February (Feb. 10 - 11, Feb. 17 - 18, Feb. 24 - 25) with all classes held at Western Laboratories, 211 W. Highway 95 in Parma, Idaho. The classes will cover the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. CCA credits will be available for Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Idaho. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner on first day and breakfast and lunch on second day. Class schedule and accommodations to be provided on Western Laboratories' website under Events. There will be 7 instructors: John P. Taberna, Soil Scientist, Harry Kreeft, Nematologist, John Taberna Jr., Agronomist, Mir Seyedbagheri, UI Soil Scientist, Cathy Bingham, Lab Manager, Rose Gonzales, Lab Technician and Kim Bech, Administrative Assist.
Further Info: Download the Flier.

Black Leg Field Meeting, hosted by Oregon State University Botany and Plant Pathology, at the Hyslop Farm; 3455 NE Granger Rd., Corvallis, Oregon. The meeting is for a brief update on Black Leg in crucifer crops, including:

•    Overview on current disease outbreak in research plots and commercial fields
•    ODA Permanent seed rules for black leg disease prevention in Oregon
•    Seed treatments and foliar fungicides for management of black leg
•   Sclerotinia is appearing in a number of Brassica plantings, including turnip seed fields, probably due to our warmer temperatures. Black leg will likely increase the infection levels by Sclerotinia. Growers with fields plagued by black leg should be vigilant for Sclerotinia for as long as the weather remains rainy.

The experts' presentations will be short so as to provide plenty of time for questions and/or discussions.
Further Info: Meeting announcement | Fact Sheet: Sclerotinia management in turnip seed crop .

A Presentation and Discussion of the Latest Results from Variety Tests of Wheat, Barley, Oats and Dry Beans by the Wsu Mount Vernon Plant Breeding Program, Sakuma Auditorium, WSU Mount Vernon Research Center, 16650 State Route 536, Mt. Vernon. The program has been growing variety testing nurseries at multiple locations west of the Cascades to identify varieties suited for the region, and evaluating them for their field performance and grain quality. These trials generate yield, disease resistance and quality data to help farmers and seed dealers choose varieties suited to specific end-uses, production systems or market classes. Please bring along your questions and comments. Staff and researchers will be on hand. Attendance free of charge, no registration required.
More information available from Louisa Winkler:
louisa.winkler@wsu.edu, 360-848-6129

Weed Blasting in Organic Grain and Vegetable Crops Webinar. Join eOrganic for a webinar on using air-propelled abrasive grits for weed management in organic grain and vegetable crops. This webinar will provide an introduction to the concept of weed management with air-propelled abrasive grits, or "weed blasting", in organic cropping systems. Information will be presented about the design of the first abrasive-grit applicator and initial field studies in corn, soybean, tomato, and pepper crops. Lastly, ongoing and future research objectives recently funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Organic Research and Extension Initiative will be outlined. The webinar takes place on Tuesday, February 17th, 2015 at 11AM Pacific Time, 12PM Mountain, 1PM Central and 2PM Eastern Time. The webinar is free and open to the public, and advance registration is required.

For more information and to register, visit: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/956478288

Vegetable Grafting: Hands-On Workshop, WSU Mt. Vernon NWREC
16650 State Route 536, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273. Led by Carol Miles and Patti Kreider, Vegetable Horticulture Program.
Further info: Flier, Register

2015 International Spinach Conference, Yuma, AZ. Speakers at the 2015 International Spinach conference will include leading experts in areas of global spinach production, spinach breeding, disease and pest management, and genomics from the E.U. and the U.S. In addition, there will also be a poster session providing attendees an opportunity to present and discuss research findings.
Further Info: Website and Flier.

33rd Annual Western Washington Potato Workshop, WSU Northwestern Washington Research & Extension Center, Mount Vernon, WA.
Further info: Flier.

California Hybrid Carrot Trial Display for Observation and Evaluation, UC Desert Research and Extension Center, Meloland, CA. The trials include 99 baby carrot entries, 65 cello entries, and 40 specialty entries from the USDA Cooperative Breeding Program as well as from seed companies. Attendees are urged to participate in judging this interesting collection. Those who participate at this trial will have their own score sheets returned along with a summary of all judges. The harvest and selection of released inbred lines and early-generation breeding material will begin Monday morning, March 2, and will continue after the hybrid trial. You are welcome to participate in these operations as well as the hybrid trial. The University of California Desert Research and Extension Center (UC-DREC) is off old Highway 80 (Evan Hughes Highway), 8 miles east of El Centro and 3 miles west of Holtville.
Further info: Phone (760) 356-3060; fax (760) 356-3073.

Cleaning and Sanitation: Putting Principles into Practice - A Hands-On Workshop for Sanitation Workers and Food Safety Managers. Attendees will first meet at the Washington Apple Commission offices at 2900 Euclid Avenue, Wenatchee, WA and secondly at Mcdougall & Sons, 13032 State Route 2, Wenatchee, WA 98801. This workshop is designed to provide insight on best practices related to cleaning and sanitation programs to reduce food safety risks at the packinghouse level, with specific emphasis on Listeria monocytogenes. Hands-on demonstrations will provide sanitation leads with information related to implementing effective cleaning and sanitation strategies. Communicating about food safety principles within sanitation crews as well as with food safety managers and upper management will also be addressed.

Registration is $25. Seating is limited and registration is required. Please contact Nicole Brunner, nicole@wstfa.org or 509-665-9641 for more information.

Click HERE to register. Click HERE to view flier.

Cleaning and Sanitation: Putting Principles into Practice - A Hands-On Workshop for Sanitation Workers and Food Safety Managers, Cleman's View Sports Park Clubhouse, 8894 US Highway 12 (next to Allan Bros packing warehouse), Naches, WA 98937. This workshop is designed to provide insight on best practices related to cleaning and sanitation programs to reduce food safety risks at the packinghouse level, with specific emphasis on Listeria monocytogenes. Hands-on demonstrations will provide sanitation leads with information related to implementing effective cleaning and sanitation strategies. Communicating about food safety principles within sanitation crews as well as with food safety managers and upper management will also be addressed.

Registration is $25. Seating is limited and registration is required. Please contact Nicole Brunner, nicole@wstfa.org or 509-665-9641 for more information.

Click HERE to register. Click HERE to view flier.

Cleaning and Sanitation: Putting Principles into Practice - A Hands-On Workshop for Sanitation Workers and Food Safety Managers, Hood River, OR. The time and location have yet to be determined. This workshop is designed to provide insight on best practices related to cleaning and sanitation programs to reduce food safety risks at the packinghouse level, with specific emphasis on Listeria monocytogenes. Hands-on demonstrations will provide sanitation leads with information related to implementing effective cleaning and sanitation strategies. Communicating about food safety principles within sanitation crews as well as with food safety managers and upper management will also be addressed.

Registration is $25. Seating is limited and registration is required. Please contact Nicole Brunner, nicole@wstfa.org or 509-665-9641 for more information.

Click HERE to register. Click HERE to view flier.

Pre-Harvest Water Workshop. Location: WSU-NWREC, 16650 Hwy. 536, Mt. Vernon, WA. Objective: Increase understanding of pre-harvest agricultural water risk management. The Pre-Harvest water workshop sessions will offer an overview of the proposed FSMA Produce Rule, with discussion of proposed standards for agricultural water.  Growers are encouraged to bring data related to their agricultural water sources and experiment with spreadsheets to calculate geometric means and statistical threshold values. Location: WSU-NWREC, 16650 Hwy. 536, Mt. Vernon, WA.
To view the agenda, click here.

Brassica diseases field day at the OSU Botany Farm – 34016 NE. Electric Rd., Corvallis, Oregon in the crucifer research plots. An array of crucifer crops were sown last fall (arugula, broccoli, cabbage, canola, collards, forage rape, kale, mustard greens, pak choi, radish, rutabaga, and turnip), offering an opportunity to examine symptoms of black leg, light leaf spot, and other diseases on these crucifer crops.  A fungicide trial was overlaid across the plots where fall and winter applications of protective fungicides were made. Disease management in conventional and organic production will be discussed with plenty of opportunity to ask questions and have discussion on crucifer diseases.
Further Info: Flier | Map to site

Pre-Harvest Water Workshop. Location: NWWA FAIR – Rotary Bldg., 1775 Front Street, Lynden, WA. Objective: Increase understanding of pre-harvest agricultural water risk management. The Pre-Harvest water workshop sessions will offer an overview of the proposed FSMA Produce Rule, with discussion of proposed standards for agricultural water.  Growers are encouraged to bring data related to their agricultural water sources and experiment with spreadsheets to calculate geometric means and statistical threshold values.
To view the agenda, click here.

Meeting of the 61st Annual Conference on Soilborne Plant Pathogens (formerly Soil Fungus Conference) and the 47th Annual California Nematology Workgroup, University of California, Riverside, CA. Meet with colleagues from the western U.S. working on various aspects of soilborne fungal pathogens, nematodes and diseases- from the molecular to the applied. This meeting is very informal and loosely structured, allowing lots of time for discussions and interactions: A field trip on Tues. March 24 to visit the UCR Agricultural Operations Farm, BBQ lunch, and afternoon tour of the UCR Botanical Gardens; A social/dinner on the evening of March 24 at the University of California, Riverside. Research presentations will be on Wed., March 25 and Thurs., March 26. The California Nematology Workgroup will meet on Tues. March 24. The Symposium at the beginning of the meeting will feature keynote talks by emeritus member Dr. R. James Cook and UCR nematologist Dr. Phil Roberts. Also offered are two student scholarships for $500 plus free registration.
Further Info & Registration: https://soilfungus.wsu.edu

Pre-Harvest Water Workshop. Location: Quincy Community Center, 115 F Street Southwest, Quincy, WA. Objective: Increase understanding of pre-harvest agricultural water risk management. The Pre-Harvest water workshop sessions will offer an overview of the proposed FSMA Produce Rule, with discussion of proposed standards for agricultural water.  Growers are encouraged to bring data related to their agricultural water sources and experiment with spreadsheets to calculate geometric means and statistical threshold values.
To view the agenda, click here.

Post-Harvest Water & Tree Fruit Line Design Session. Location: Quincy Community Center, 115 F Street Southwest, Quincy, WA. Objective: Increase understanding of post-harvest agricultural water and line design food safety issues. The Post-Harvest water workshop will provide an overview of the proposed FSMA preventive control rules with emphasis on verification of post-harvest water management for dump tank and flume systems.  Guest speakers will highlight line design options to strengthen food safety.  A facility tour will be provided.  Research project results will be presented for chlorine use in dump tanks and peroxyacetic acid spray bar systems.
To view the agenda, click here.

USDA Farmers Market & Local Foods Promotion Program Grants Workshop, Central WA University Student Union Building, Ellensburg, WA 98926. WSU is partnering with USDA to provide training to help applicants develop and successfully submit competitive proposals to the Farmers Market and Local Foods Promotion Programs. The workshop is FREE but requires registration. Please email Colleen Donovan [colleen.donovan@wsu.edu] to register at least one week before the workshop you would like to attend. Space may be limited.
Further Info: Flier

USDA Farmers Market & Local Foods Promotion Program Grants Workshop, Urban Grace Church, 902 Market Street, Tacoma, WA 98402. WSU is partnering with USDA to provide training to help applicants develop and successfully submit competitive proposals to the Farmers Market and Local Foods Promotion Programs. The workshop is FREE but requires registration. Please email Colleen Donovan [colleen.donovan@wsu.edu] to register at least one week before the workshop you would like to attend. Space may be limited.
Further Info: Flier

Enhancing Risk Index-Driven Decision Tools for Managing Insect Transmitted Plant Pathogens Workshop Program, Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, CA. Featured speakers and discussions focused on development and deployment of risk index-driven tools for the management of vector-borne diseases, including modelling, epidemiology, risk assessment and user interfaces. Early bird registration will begin mid-December 2014.
Further Info:Website, flier, submit abstracts for contributed posters.

Xth International Symposium on Thysanoptera and Tospoviruses, Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, CA. A unique opportunity to convene leading international scientists, extension specialists, and individuals
in the agricultural industry to share and discuss the latest findings in thrips and tospovirus biology, ecology and management. As with previous meetings, the Xth ISTT program will feature presentations of common interest to both insect and virus research areas during morning sessions and a poster session, more specific discussions, and contributed presentations (concurrent sessions) in the afternoon and evening. Early bird registration for the symposium begins mid-December 2014.
Further Info:Website, flier, submit abstracts for contributed posters.

VII International Symposium on Edible Alliaceae, Nigde, Turkey. The symposium will provide an opportunity for scientists, growers and market players from around the world to discuss and share information on genetics and breeding, cultivation, quality control and so forth in Alliums such as bulb onion, garlic, leek and etc. Several innovative ideas and research outcomes to solve problems through discussion and application of appropriate technologies will contribute to effective and sustainable production management; strengthen global food security and environmental protection. Deadline for abstract submission: 23 January 2015. Deadline for for discounted registration fee payment: 30 January 2015.
Further Info: For more information about the symposium, please go to https://www.ishs.org/symposium/410

Irrigation for Small Farms, Viva Farms 15366 Ovenell Rd. Mount Vernon, 98273. Jacob Slosberg, previous farm manager of the University of British Columbia Farm, will present efficient irrigation options for small acreage farms. He will briefly discuss principles of irrigation and the pros and cons of drip vs overhead, but he will focus on practical skills and equipment required for getting water onto crops. The talk and demonstration will be bilingual, offered in English and Spanish. Free- registration required.
Further Info: Contact Kate Selting, Kate.selting@wsu.edu, 360-399-6052.

2015 Pacific Northwest IPM Train the Trainer Workshop, Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center, Hermiston, OR. A 2 1/2 day short course designed to train University Extension field faculty, agency professionals, and crop consultants on insects, diseases and weeds identification, management and control. The training will include many hands-on aspects, such as collecting, mounting, and identifying pest issues in your area. Training will also include pest management and creation of an educational display.
If interested contact OSU Extension Service to register:
PH: 541-278-5403 Email: Shevon.hatcher@oregonstate.edu
PH 541-567-8321 Email: Annette.Teraberry@oregonstate.edu
Further Info: Flier

5th International Symposium on Cucurbits, Cartagena, Murcia, Spain. This is a unique opportunity to convene leading international scientists, extension specialists, and private companies in the agricultural industry to share and discuss the latest findings in the research field of Cucurbitaceae. Topics dealt with will cover all aspects of the crops included in the Cucurbitaceae family, from genetics and biotechnology to crop management and post-harvest, and each will have a guest speaker of international acclaim. At the moment, confirmed keynote speakers include Nurit Katzir (ARO, Israel), Zhangjun Fei (Cornell University, US), Daniel Leskovar (Texas A&M University, US), Manuel Jamilena (UAL, Spain), Antonio Monforte (IBMCP, Spain), Belén Picó (COMAV-UPC, Spain), José Blanca (COMAV-UPC, Spain), Joaquín Cañizares (COMAV-UPC, Spain), Miguel Aranda (CEBAS-CSIC, Spain), Yiqun Weng (University of Wisconsin, US) and Jordi García-Mas (CRAG, Spain).
For more information, please go to:
https://www.ishs.org/symposium/243#cucurbit2015

OSU HAREC Potato Field Day, Hermiston, OR.
Contact: Annette Teraberry
PH 541.567.8321 Email: Annette.Teraberry@oregonstate.edu
Further Info: Potato Field Day Agenda (PDF).

2015 Pacific Northwest IPM Train the Trainer Workshop, WSU, Colfax, WA. A 3 day short course designed to train University Extension field faculty, agency professionals, and crop consultants on insects, diseases and weeds identification, management and control. The training will include many hands-on aspects, such as collecting, mounting, and identifying pest issues in your area. Training will also include pest management and creation of an educational display.
If interested contact WSU Extension Service to register:
PH: 509-3976290
Contact: Steve Van Vleet Email: svanvleet@wsu.edu
Further Info: Flier

WSU Potato Field Day, Othello, WA. In addition to viewing the seed lots, attendees will be able to participate in one of two concurrent sessions. Sessions I and II will allow you to view a sample of this year’s in- field research. Both sessions will offer CCA recertification credits; however, only session II (pest management tour) will offer WA and ID pesticide recertification credits. A hosted-lunch, offered between 12:00 and 1:00 pm, will complete the field day. The agenda, seed lot information, and a map to the research center can be found on our website: www.potatoes.wsu.edu. See Potato Progress, Volume 15, Number 9, dated June 10, 2015 for an introduction to the field day.
Contact: Mark Pavek
PH: 509.335.6861 Email: mjpavek@wsu.edu

Public hearing regarding proposed amendments to the WSDA Crucifer Quarantine ruling to include eastern Washington (east of the Cascade Mountains, i.e., including central Washington), in Yakima at the WSDA building upstairs conference room.
Further Info: Please visit the Pacific Northwest Vegetable Extension Group website home page for details.

Public hearing regarding proposed amendments to the WSDA Bean Seed Quarantine ruling, in Yakima at the WSDA building upstairs conference room.
Further Info: Please visit the Pacific Northwest Vegetable Extension Group website home page for details.

Summer Farm Festival and Annual Field Day, Malheur Experiment Station, 595 Onion Ave., Ontario, OR 97914.
Further Info: Janet Jones - 541-889-2174 or janet.jones@oregonstate.edu 

WSU Mount Vernon NWREC Field Day, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.
Further Info: Contact Kim Bincewski at kim.binczewski@wsu.edu or 360-848-6153 or visit https://mtvernon.wsu.edu/.

OSU Malheur Experimental Station Summer Farm Festival
For more information visit https://cropinfo.net/events.php or call 541.889.2174
Flier: https://cropinfo.net/pdf/events/2014-FarmFestival-Flyer.pdf

WSDA informational meeting: Possible herbicide use regulation changes, WSDA Office, 21 North 1st Avenue, Yakima, WA, 2nd Floor conference room. The Washington State Department of Agriculture is considering making changes to county regulations involving use-restricted herbicides (primarily phenoxy herbicides) in Eastern Washington. The current regulations are out of date. Technology has improved, crops grown in the area have changed and product labels have changed. The meeting is to discuss the issues and the process for change and gather input from individuals and various affected stakeholder groups. An identical meeting is also scheduled for July 23 in Pasco, WA.
Further Info: WSDA Announcement.
Please RSVP to Joel Kangiser, jkangiser@agr.wa.gov or 360-902-2013.

National Onion Association Summer Convention, The Grove Hotel, Boise, ID.  Further Info: https://www.onions-usa.org

Greensys 2015 - International Symposium on New Technologies and Management for Greenhouses, Evora, Portugal.
Further Info: Website

Business Meeting for the Working Group, Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates, main cloister of the Espírito Santo College (Colégio do Espírito Santo), University of Évora, Portugal. During this Business Meeting the future of the Working Group will be discussed, particularly the name and the theme. The idea is to revitalize the activities by expanding 'mild winter' to 'temperate and tropical' which have standard definitions as climatic areas.

Further Info: Contact Juan A. Fernández, juan.fernandez@upct.es

WSDA informational meeting: Possible herbicide use regulation changes, Columbia Basin College, 2600 N. 20th Avenue, Pasco, WA, L Building/Library, Room L-102. The Washington State Department of Agriculture is considering making changes to county regulations involving use-restricted herbicides (primarily phenoxy herbicides) in Eastern Washington. The current regulations are out of date. Technology has improved, crops grown in the area have changed and product labels have changed. The meeting is to discuss the issues and the process for change and gather input from individuals and various affected stakeholder groups. An identical meeting is also scheduled for July 15 in Yakima, WA.
Further Info: WSDA Announcement.
Please RSVP to Joel Kangiser, jkangiser@agr.wa.gov or 360-902-2013.

Soil Fumigant Stewardship and Safety Update - Telone and Chloropicrin Products, Big Bend Community College ATEC, Moses Lake, WA. The 2015 program will include a review and update of chloropicrin products along with safety information concerning product transportation, handling, application, and temporary storage. Equipment operation and handler safety will also be discussed. Also a reminder of safety precautions, stewardship practices, and use procedures for Telone will be provided.

Further Info: RSVP by July 23. Ryan Roslak at rjroslak@dow.com, (509) 994-3273
Mike Conway at mconway@tridentag.com.

Soil Fumigant Stewardship and Safety Update - Telone and Chloropicrin Products, Pasco Red Lion Pasco, WA. The 2015 program will include a review and update of chloropicrin products along with safety information concerning product transportation, handling, application, and temporary storage. Equipment operation and handler safety will also be discussed. Also a reminder of safety precautions, stewardship practices, and use procedures for Telone will be provided.

Further Info: RSVP by July 23. Ryan Roslak at rjroslak@dow.com, (509) 994-3273
Mike Conway at mconway@tridentag.com.

WSU Carrot Field Day, WSU Franklin County Extension Research Farm, 2280 N. Road 80, Pasco, WA 99301. The field day will feature the results to date of the USDA Funded  project entitled "Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture With Added Grower and Consumer Value." Entries from the current trial will be on display as well. A brief discussion on carrot disease and insect control will be included. Following the discussion of carrots, a brief overview of other vegetable research projects at the site will be offered for those interested.
Further Info: Contact: Tim Waters, twaters@wsu.edu, 509 545-3511

The XVII International Plant Protection Congress, Berlin, Germany. The program of activities is being developed jointly by the three German organisations (DPG, JKI and IVA) together with the International Association for the Plant Protection Sciences (IAPPS). It is aimed to address many of the key issues faced by farmers, governments and plant protection scientists in meeting the challenge of designing and implementing appropriate and sustainable plant protection measures.
Further Info: https://www.ippc2015.de/

Onion Variety Day, Malheur Experiment Station, 595 Onion Ave., Ontario, OR 97914.
Further Info: Janet Jones - 541-889-2174 or janet.jones@oregonstate.edu

WSU Onion Field Day, Grigg & Sons Farm, Road K NW, Quincy, WA 98848. This year’s trial contains 43 onion cultivars and lines from 7 different seed companies to compare and contrast under local growing conditions. The Field Day will begin with a short overview of the crop. Participants will then have an opportunity to examine the entries in the trial. WSU and USDA Onion Researchers will be on hand to discuss their research with those interested. A BBQ luncheon will be held following the field day.
Further Info: Tim Waters, WSU Benton-Franklin Extension, 509-545-3511 or twaters@wsu.edu
Map to event location.

37th International Carrot Conference, Nottawasaga Inn Resort and Conference Centre, Alliston, Ontario, Canada. Purpose: To bring together everyone interested in carrots: growers, packers, shippers, seed producers, breeders, pathologists, marketers, equipment manufacturers, university and government researchers, extension specialists, students and others interested in carrots. A welcome reception is planned for the evening of Monday, September 14th. Registration packages will be available during the reception. A field tour will occur on September 17. Instructions for Abstracts for Oral Presentations or Posters are found HERE.
Further Info: For complete conference information, visit the conference website. You may register on-line.
For questions regarding registration please contact University of Guelph Conference Services at eventreg@uoguelph.ca or at 519-824-4120 ext. 53350

Bejo Seeds Fall Vegetable Variety Showcase, Thistledown Farm, Junction City, Oregon. A great opportunity to view new and existing Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Leeks, Cabbage (all types, all maturities, red, green, processing, storage), Kohlrabi, Chinese cabbage, Kale and Beets. After an excellent trial this season, most items should be in their prime maturity by mid-October, including over a dozen “new varieties” that are performing well and could be a great addition to your program.
RSVP: J.Christopherson@bejoseeds.com

International Conference on Fusarium wilt of lettuce, Yuma, Arizona. The Yuma Center for Excellence in Desert Agriculture (YCEDA) and the University of Arizona will be hosting an international symposium, field day, and workshop on the management of Fusarium wilt of lettuce, an emerging disease that is impacting lettuce production worldwide. The meeting has a lineup of international speakers representing those who have worked on the disease over the last 10 years. The conference is targeted to those in industry and academia who are actively engaged in management of this disease or developing improved/novel management strategies. We are also looking forward to participation by those engaged in wilt management in other cropping system. Indeed, those who work on Fusarium wilt on other crops may have novel insights into alternative management strategies that may be successfully applied to lettuce production.
Further Info: 1) Flyer promoting the conference; 2) Agenda for the two days.

Entomology 2015, Synergy in Science: Partnering for Solutions, Minneapolis, MN. The Entomological Society of America will co-locate their Annual Meeting with the American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America in Minneapolis in November. This important event offers valuable opportunities to gain exposure for research, learn what's new and exciting, and make valuable one-on-one connections with the top scientist from all four societies.
Further Info: https://entsoc.org/entomology2015

eOrganic Webinar: Biological Control of Cole Crop Pests on the California Central Coast by Diego Nieto of the University of California, Santa Cruz, 11am Pacific Time. The webinar is free and open to the public, and advance registration is required. The webinar will describe the role of predators and/or parasitoids in managing cabbage aphids, diamondback moth and cabbage root fly in organic brassica crops.
Further Info: View website.
Register here.

42nd Annual Hermiston Farm Fair - Seminars & Tradeshow, Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Hwy 395, Hermiston, OR 97838. The Farm Fair is an agricultural forum co-sponsored by OSU Extension Service, the Agriculture Committee and the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce.Agriculture-related businesses will be displaying their wares and services, both inside and outside the Conference Center. Seminars will be offered all three days.
Further Info: See the website.
View the Agenda.
View the Vendor Map.

Perfect Blend Biotic Conference, Red Lion Hotel, 802 George Washington Way, Richland, Washington 99352.
Topics to be covered:
    The Truth About Climate Change for Agriculture;
    Managing Nutrition to Control Plant Diseases;
    Soil Microbe - Plant - Pesticide Interactions;
    USDA - ARS Research Updates on Building Healthy Soils.
Further Info: Registration 7:00am - 7:45am. Continental breakfast provided 7:45am - 8:00am. Two Morning Sessions: 8:00am -12:00pm. Lunch provided. Two afternoon sessions: 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
View the flyer.

Fourth National Vegetable Grafting Symposium, Grand Rapids, MI, hosted by a university-USDA-industry vegetable grafting research team (https://www.vegetablegrafting.org/). The team will also offer a day-long Grafting Clinic on December 8 and 9 at the same location.

Register HERE.

View event flyer.

eOrganic Webinar: An Integrated Approach to Managing Yellowmargined Leaf Beetle (YMLB) in Crucifer Crops, 11am Pacific Time. The webinar is free and open to the public, and advance registration is required. A previous eOrganic webinar on the Yellowmargined Leaf Beetle described the biology and basic management approaches for this pest. This webinar will provide advanced IPM information related to trap crops, attractants, and biorational insecticides. We will conclude with a detailed discussion of organic integrated pest management strategies suitable for multiple pest problems in organic and conventional crucifer production systems.
Further Info: View website.
Register here.

Annual North Willamette Horticulture Society Meeting, Clackamas County Event Center, Canby OR. January 14th: Organic Crops Section, January 15th: Vegetable Section, January 16th: Berry Section.
Further Info: Details, Program and Registration.

2014 Columbia Basin Vegetable Seed Association Annual Meeting and 2014 Columbia Basin Seed Field Representatives Meeting, Moses Lake Event Center, Moses Lake, WA. There is no pre-registration process for this meeting, and no fee to attend. All seed company field representatives are encouraged to attend the meeting immediately following the CBVSA Annual Meeting. We will discuss the vegetable seed field isolation program and other important topics. Further Info: Details and Agenda.

7th Organic Seed Growers Conference: Innovation in the Field, Corvallis, OR. Hear from more than 70 experts on topics ranging from organic plant breeding, seed production, and business development, to enhancing policies that support the expansion and integrity of the organic seed sector. Further Info: Session Descriptions and Registration.

Irrigation Pathogens & Water Quality: How do we determine whether irrigation water is clean or contaminated? Webinar. This webinar will suggest ways that growers, clinicians, and crop consultants can sample and then test water for the plant pathogens of interest. Emphasis will be placed on Phytophothora and Pythium, the main targets of this research project, but other plant pathogens will also be mentioned. Further Info: Details.

California Garlic and Onion Symposium 2014, Agriculture Building Auditorium, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare County – 4437 S. Laspina Street, Tulare, CA. organized by the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and the California Garlic and Onion Research Advisory Board (CAGORAB).
Contacts: Michelle Le Strange, UCCE: (559) 684-3320 or Bob Ehn, CAGORAB: (559)
Further Info: Details

Soil Quality Network 2014, Washington State University NWREC, Mount Vernon, WA. Field assessment of soil quality, cover crops, compost and plant disease. Register early as seating will be limited.
Further Info: Flyer, and Agenda and Registration

18th National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health, Omaha, Nebraska. Join the conversation at one of more than 200 forums hosted nationwide. On Feb. 18, the first day of the meeting, presentations from the forum will be broadcast to over 200 local meeting sites across the country where people can come listen, learn, and share their experiences and questions on cover crops for their locale. In Washington State, there will be local meetings in Bellingham, Waterville, Walla Walla, and Spokane. View details on Western SARE forum locations.
Further Info: Forum Details and Conference Details

USDA and WSDA Specialty Crop Education and Listening Session, WSU Research and Extension Center, Mount Vernon, WA. As Federal farm policy continues to rely more on crop insurance, it is imperative to make sure our state’s specialty crop industry’s safety net needs are considered. USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency and the Washington State Department of Agriculture have joined together to reach out to specialty crop farmers in order to assess these needs and improve crop insurance and related programs for specialty crop farmers. Join the Directors of these agencies and their outreach staff for: A short educational session on climate impacts on farming and recent natural disasters by Chad Kruger, WSU Director for CSANR; Available crop insurance by State and Regional Directors; A listening session for you to tell us about what works and doesn’t with crop insurance and the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). Registration required.
Further Info: Details and Registration

2014 Oregon Small Farms Conference, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. This daylong event is geared toward farmers, agriculture professionals, food policy advocates, students and managers of farmers markets. Twenty-four sessions will be offered on a variety of topics relevant to the Oregon small farmers. This year there will be a session track in Spanish. Speakers will include farmers, OSU Extension faculty, agribusiness, and more.
Further Info: Details and Registration

USDA and WSDA Specialty Crop Education and Listening Session, Port of Chelan Confluence Technology Center, 285 Technology Center Way, Wenatchee, WA. As Federal farm policy continues to rely more on crop insurance, it is imperative to make sure our state’s specialty crop industry’s safety net needs are considered. USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency and the Washington State Department of Agriculture have joined together to reach out to specialty crop farmers in order to assess these needs and improve crop insurance and related programs for specialty crop farmers. Join the Directors of these agencies and their outreach staff for: A short educational session on climate impacts on farming and recent natural disasters by Chad Kruger, WSU Director for CSANR; Available crop insurance by State and Regional Directors; A listening session for you to tell us about what works and doesn’t with crop insurance and the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). Registration required.
Further Info: Details and Registration

California Hybrid Carrot Trial, University of California Desert Research and Extension Center– Meloland (UC-DREC). The hybrid carrot trial will be on display for your observation and evaluation. The UC-DREC is off old Highway 80 (Evan Hughes Highway), 8 miles east of El Centro and 3 miles west of Holtville; phone (760) 356-3060, fax (760) 356-3073. The trials include 99 baby carrot entries, 72 cello entries, and 40 specialty entries from the USDA Cooperative Breeding Program as well as from seed companies. You are urged to participate in judging this interesting collection. Those who participate at this trial will have their own score sheets returned along with a summary of all judges.

The harvest and selection of released inbred lines and early-generation breeding material will begin Monday morning, February 24, and will continue after the hybrid trial. You are welcome to participate in these operations as well as the hybrid trial.

Grafting Vegetables: Hands-on Workshop, WSU Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center, Mount Vernon, WA. Learn how to use the splice-graft technique to graft tomato, eggplant and watermelon successfully. Participants will use common rootstocks for each grop and will graft 6 plants of each crop which they can take home ($48 value). Two sessions to choose from, 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm. All materials will be provided. Cost: 50 per person ($55 after February 15, 2014)
Further Info: Details and Registration

32nd Annual Western Washington Potato Workshop, WSU Northwestern Washington Research & Extension Center, 16650 SR 536, Mount Vernon, WA. The workshop starts at 8 a.m. with breakfast.
Contact: Don McMoran at 360-428-4270, ext 225 or donaldm@co.skagit.wa.us
Further Info: Details

Using Contans (Coniothyrium minitans) for White Mold Management on Organic Farms Webinar, by Dr. Alex Stone at Oregon State University. Alex Stone will explain what white mold is, and how to diagnose it on the farm. She will discuss the life cycles of the biocontrol agent, Contans (Coniothyruium minitans), and the white mold pathogen (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum). Farmers will learn how to incorporate Contans into an integrated white mold management program. Open for anyone to attend. Registration required.
Further Info: Details and Registration

Meeting of the 60th Annual Conference on Soilborne Plant Pathogens (formerly Soil Fungus Conference) and the 46th Annual California Nematology Workgroup, Dominican University, San Rafael, CA. Come and meet with colleagues from the western U.S. working on various aspects of soilborne fungal pathogens, nematodes and diseases – from the molecular to the applied. This meeting is very informal and loosely structured, allowing lots of time for discussions and interactions. We will have a field trip on Tues. March 11 visit the new California Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park (including the 4-story rainforest and garden), John Muir State Park, and Mt. Tamalpais to view Sudden Oak Death. Lunch will be included. We will have a social/dinner on the evening of March 11 at the Dominican University, at EdgeHill Mansion. Research presentations will be on Weds, March 12 and Thurs., March 13. The California Nematology Workgroup and NORSDUC Steering Committee meetings are tentatively scheduled to meet on Thurs. afternoon. The Symposium at the beginning of the meeting will feature the history of the Conference over the last 60 years, with talks by emeritus members.

We are also offering two student scholarships for $500 plus free registration. Details are on the website.
Further Info: Details and Registration

Efficiency in Drip Irrigation: Principles and Practices, Lynden, WA. This half-day workshop will cover all aspects of an irrigation system including: system design, system components, irrigation efficiency in small fruit production, and irrigation system operation and maintenance.
Further Info: Details and Registration

ISHS 13th International Symposium on the Processing Tomato and 11th World Processing Tomato Congress, Sirmione, Italy. This Symposium is the world’s premier event for the processing tomato production chain. This unique forum brings together academics, researchers, students with growers, processors and industry suppliers from around the world to share the latest knowledge and advances in this globally important industry. It is jointly organized by the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), the Mediterranean International Association of the Processing Tomato (AMITOM) and the World Processing Tomato Council (WPTC).

Abstract submissions for the symposium can now be made via the Congress & Symposium website where you will find all the guidelines and information about the timetable, hotels and travel grants available. The call for papers has been extended unit the 31st of December, 2013.
Contacts: The Conveners, Adriano Battilani (CER, Bologna, Italy – battilani@consorziocer.it) and Montaña Cámara (UCM, Madrid, Spain – mcamara@farm.ucm.es) the Symposium Secretary, Sophie Colvine (WPTC, Avignon, France – wptc2014@tomate.org)
Further Info: 13th International Symposium on the Processing Tomato Details and 11th World Processing Tomato Congress Details

There is an emergency brassica black leg and leaf spot meeting in Albany, OR on Wednesday, 18th June, at 1:30 pm. Details of the meeting can be found on THIS FLIER. Oregon Dept. of Agriculture members will be present to discuss pending ODA regulations on requiring all brassica seed be tested and/or treated for black leg prior to being planted in the Willamette Valley.

Plant Disease Alert Meeting: Black Leg & Leaf Spots in Brassica, Mustard & Radish Crops

June 18th – starting at 1:30 PM, Linn County Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte RD, Albany

Program followed by Q&A session on recent plant disease epidemics in Brassicaceae

• important for growers of Brassica, Raphanus, Sinapis seed and vegetable crops
• important for producers who use brassicas as forage and cover crops

Program speakers:

Lindsey du Toit – Vegetable Seed Pathologist, Washington State University
Carol Mallory-Smith – Professor of Weed Science, Oregon State University
Cindy Ocamb – Plant Pathologist, Oregon State University Extension
Meryna Serdani – Plant Pathologist, Oregon State University Plant Clinic
Nancy Osterbauer (or other rep) – Oregon Department of Agriculture

FIELD TOUR: Using Reflex Herbicide in Cucurbits

• Butternut squash site
• Woodburn silt loam
• Reflex use patterns in cucurbits
• Weed control spectrum
• Soil types, rainfall and Reflex rates
• Appropriate tankmixes

Hosts: Ed Peachey, OSU Extension; Thomas Barnett, Producer

Wednesday, June 18, 2014 3-4 PM
11872 Arndt Rd NE Aurora, OR 97002
¼ mile W of Arndt Rd and Bents Rd 45.259239, -122.821063

OREGON VEGETABLES - Horticulture Department
HTTP://HORTICULTURE.OREGONSTATE.EDU/GROUP/OREGON-VEGETABLES

Vegetable Seed Field Day at WSU Mount Vernon,
8 am to noon.  The tour will include visits to entomology, plant pathology, and weed science plots as well as discussion of preliminary results from our 2014 vegetable seed crop experiments.
Further Info: WSU Vegetable Seed Field Day

Second International Hemipteran-Plant Interactions Symposium to be held at the University of California, Riverside, June 22-25, 2014.
The symposium is organized into five sections:

1. Phloem and Xylem Physiology and Vascular Sap-Feeding Hemipterans
2. Interactions Between Plants and Non-Vascular-Feeding Hemipterans
3. Transmission of Plant Pathogens by Hemipteran Vectors
4. Molecular Biology of Hemipteran-Plant Interactions
5. Interactions Among Hemipterans, Their Symbionts and Host Plants

University of Idaho Snake River Pest Management Research Tour, 8:30 - Noon plus lunch, Aberdeen, ID
Potato-related topics:
Common lambsquarters control in potato with tank mixtures
Linuron tank mixtures in potatoes
Glyphosate carryover in Shepody potatoes
Teton Russet tolerance to rimsulfuron
Weed management in PCN trap crop- litchi tomato
Plus:
Update on diseases and their management in cereals and potatoes
Update on insect management in cereals and potatoes
Update on weed management in sugar beets and cereals
For more information contact Pam Hutchinson (phutch@uidaho.edu)

University of Idaho Snake River Pest Management Research Tour, 8:30 - Noon plus lunch, Kimberly, ID
Potato-related topics:
Update on weed management in potato
Aphid/PLRV response to potato varieties
Hairy nightshade and green peach aphid/PVY interaction in potato
Potato varieties, plant growth regulators, and silver scurf management
Export use of CIPC
Variety response to early storage management
Update on zebra chip program
Plus:
Turf -- field bindweed management in bluegrass turf with herbicides and fertilizer
Sugar beets – various insect, disease, and weed management research projects; various herbicide research projects
Cereals -- wireworm biology and ecology in small grains and other crops; various weed and herbicide research projects
Dry beans -- row spacing, plant growth habit and herbicides for season-long weed control;
various weed and herbicide research projects
Alfalfa -- Alfalfa tolerance to Sharpen herbicide
For more information contact Don Morishita (don@uidaho.edu)

OSU Potato Field Day - Wednesday June 25, 2014, 7:30am - Noon (Lunch provided at Noon), Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center, 2121 South 1st Street, Hermiston, Oregon.
Further Info: Details in the June 12 issue of Potato Progress

Tuesday, July 1, 2014, 9:00am to 10:00am (Pacific Time).
Plant pathogens in irrigation water present significant crop health risk and this risk may be mitigated by water treatments using chlorine, chlorine dioxide, or other disinfectants, and by best substrate and irrigation management practices as presented in the last four webinars. These previous webinars stressed one common and fundamental principle in crop health management and that is to prevent plant pathogens from entering water recycling systems and production systems. This presentation will discuss how growers may apply the same principle to manage and promote their crop health even before crops are planted.
All previous webinars are posted at https://www.irrigation-pathogens.ppws.vt.edu/webinar/index.php.
Check out the project website at www.irrigation-pathogens.info for ongoing research and education activities. For more information about the webinar, or questions, contact Chuan Hong at chhong2@vt.edu
Download webinar flyer.

2014 USDA-ARS Paterson Field Research Tour on July 9, 2014. The site is sponsored by AgriNorthwest and is located 5 miles east of Paterson, WA off of Highway 14. The tour will feature current research projects on potatoes (nutrient management, psyllid management, weed control, disease control, phosphorus fertilizers from anearobic digester systems, and vine kill treatments for baby potatoes), dry bean germplasm improvement, switchgrass production for biofuel, and agrononmic assessment of a green pea/canola rotation. Two Washington State pesticide applicator recertification credits can be granted to attendees of this field research tour.
REGISTRATION at door 8:30 a.m. with coffee and donuts
TOUR will start at 9:00 a.m.
LUNCH will be served at noon.

Processed Vegetable Research Field Tour, Monday, July 21, 2014, Oregon State University Vegetable Crops Research Farm
34346 Electric Road, Corvallis, OR 97333
(North of HWY 34 and Trysting Tree Golf Course)

Field tour 4:00 to 6:00pm, Dinner 6:00 to 7:00 pm (RSVP Please)
RSVP for dinner by Wednesday, July 16, By text to 541-740-6712: your name and ‘yes for dinner on July 21,’ by email: leeann.julson@oregonstate.edu

Plant breeding
· Advanced OSU snap bean lines
· Broccoli breeding
Pest Management
· Managing club root in brassica crops
· Cucurbit wilts and storage rots
· Black leg and other diseases in Brassica crops
· Weed management in beets, snap beans, and edamame
· Using Reflex herbicide in squash
Fertility Management
· Slow release nitrogen fertilizer use in sweet corn
· Root rot effects on P uptake in snap beans
· Ammonia volatilization from urea in WV sweet corn

Seed Treatments: part of Crops and Chemicals USA, Raleigh Marriott City Center, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Further Info: Details and Registration

WSU Puyallup Organic Agriculture Research Field Day
10:00 AM -12:00 PM, 2606 W Pioneer, Puyallup, WA 98371, WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center. WSU researchers and cooperating farmers are evaluating cover crops and equipment for use in organic reduced tillage production. Come tour research plots and discuss the evolution of this production system. We are also comparing drip irrigation and water chlorination for reducing microbial contamination of produce from irrigation water. Light refreshments will be provided, but feel free to bring along a brown bag lunch. No advance registration necessary. For more information contact Doug Collins, dpcollins@wsu.edu or 253.445.4658.
Further Info: Event Flyer

Webinar Presentation: Building Pathogen Mitigation Features into Water Recycling Systems, 9:00am to 10:00am (Pacific Time). This webinar will present 15-year research data by a national consortium in collaboration with many forward-thinking farmers, and demonstrate how to build a new water recycling system or modify an existing system to allow runoff capture and reuse for irrigation without recycling and spreading destructive plant pathogens. The economics and other benefits of building such a new system or modifying an existing system for the same purposes will also be discussed. Presenter: Dr. Chuan Hong, Professor of Plant Pathology, Virginia Tech. To participate in this webinar, please go HERE and dial 1-888-619-1583 then enter pass code: 491981
Further Info: Download webinar flier.

Soil Workshop for Small Vegetable Farms, 9:30am to 3:30pm, North Willamette Research and Extension Center, 15210 NE Miley Road, Aurora, Oregon 97002. OSU Extension’s Small Farms Program is offering a 2-day hands soil workshop for small scale vegetable farmers. This is for new and experienced farmers who wish to learn more about soil management. The first day includes soil types and soil structures, and the second day covers topics in nutrient management.
Further Info: Details and Registration

2014 WSU Extension Carrot/Vegetable Field Day With a Tour of Research Projects Being Conducted, 9am - Noon, WSU Research Farm, 2280 N. Rd. 80 - Pasco, WA 99301. The field day is primarily focused on carrots. The field day will begin with a brief presentation on a national scope project aimed at evaluating the differences in cultivar performance in organic and conventional carrot fields.

Additionally, a plot tour will be conducted at 10:30 to view other research being conducted by WSU Extension at the Research Farm on Road 80. Research plots that can be viewed on the tours include: spider mite control of sweet corn, fungicide seed treatments on sweet corn, plant population studies on sweet corn, insect control on potatoes, and onion thrips control on onions.

Researchers present to discuss their research will include: Dr. Phil Simon, USDA ARS Carrot Breeder; Dr. Lindsey DuToit, WSU Plant Pathologist; Dr. Carrie Wohleb, WSU Regional Vegetable Specialist; and Dr. Tim Waters, WSU Regional Vegetable Specialist.

For more information contact:
Tim Waters, WSU Benton-Franklin Extension, 509-545-3511 or
Carrie Wohleb, WSU Grant-Adams Extension, (509) 754-2001 ext. 413

Download the Event Flier.

2014 WSU Extension Onion Field Day, 9am - 1pm, Carr Farms, Pasco, WA. 30th Anniversary of the Onion Cultivar Demonstrations with special guest Gary Pelter, Retired WSU Extension. He will say a few words about the onion industry when the cultivar evaluations were started and reflect on how things have changed over the past 30 years. Then, there will be a short overview of this year's onion cultivar trial, and WSU onion researchers will discuss current projects. Participants will have an opportunity to examine the 54 onion cultivars and lines from 8 different seed companies. A BBQ Luncheon will be served at noon in the onion shed nearby. For more information contact: Tim Waters, WSU Benton-Franklin Extension, 509-545-3511  or Carrie Wohleb, WSU Grant-Adams Extension, (509) 754-2001.

Webinar: Recycled Water Quality Dynamics and Implications for Crop Health and Production, Time: 10:am to 11:00am, Pacific Time. Presenter: Dr. Chuan Hong, Professor of Plant Pathology, Virginia Tech. Agricultural runoff capture and reuse is essential to ensure an adequate supply of water for irrigation while preventing pollution. This webinar will switch gears from waterborne pathogen mitigation and focus on containment pond water quality, another emerging issue of critical importance to water reuse. To partcipate in this webinar, please go to THIS WEBSITE and dial 1-888-619-1583 then enter pass code: 491981

Download the Webinar Flier.

Crucifer Disease Meeting, 3:00 PM, Linn County Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road, Albany, Oregon. Update on Black Leg & Leaf Spots in Crucifer Crops, Management strategies to prevent leaf spot epidemics this autumn, ODA Temporary rule: Black leg disease prevention in the Willamette Valley, Emergency fungicide registrations.

Program speakers:
Carol Mallory-Smith: Professor of Weed Science, Oregon State University
Cindy Ocamb: Plant Pathologist, Oregon State University Extension
Nancy Osterbauer (or other rep): Oregon Dept. of Agriculture – Plant Health Program
Rose Kachadoorian/David Priebe: Oregon Dept. of Agriculture – Pesticides Program

Crucifer Disease Meeting, 3:00 PM, N Willamette Res & Ext Center, 15210 NE Miley Road, Aurora, Oregon. Update on Black Leg & Leaf Spots in Crucifer Crops, Management strategies to prevent leaf spot epidemics this autumn, ODA Temporary rule: Black leg disease prevention in the Willamette Valley, Emergency fungicide registrations.

Program speakers:
Carol Mallory-Smith: Professor of Weed Science, Oregon State University
Cindy Ocamb: Plant Pathologist, Oregon State University Extension
Nancy Osterbauer (or other rep): Oregon Dept. of Agriculture – Plant Health Program
Rose Kachadoorian/David Priebe: Oregon Dept. of Agriculture – Pesticides Program

Program Management for Plant Breeders, Bowley Plant Sciences building, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA. This short course was offered for the first time last year and was extremely well-received by the plant breeding community. U.S. and international participants that represented over 30 breeding organizations attended the class that reached maximum enrollment. Attendees and their employers provided flattering feedback and testimonials. The course objective is to enhance the management skills of professional scientists who are leading and directing plant breeding and laboratory programs in modern agricultural research and development programs in agribusiness companies and in the public sector.
For questions registration, or additional information, please contact Sally Mohr at sjmohr@ucdavis.edu or at 530-752-5775, or visit the PMPB website.

The International Symposium on Carrot and other Apiaceae, Angers, France. Growers, industry and researchers will share experience and results in the areas of production practices, genetics and breeding, biology and plant protection, food technology and product quality of carrot and other Apiaceae species. A simultaneous French/English and English/French translation will be fixed for the plenary and technical sessions. Call for communication January 6th 2014. Registration to open January 13th 2014
Further Info: Details and Registration

Using Cover Crop Mixtures Webinar at 2PM Eastern Time (1PM Central, 12PM Mountain, 11AM Pacific Time). Join eOrganic for the first webinar of the fall 2014 season! In Using Cover Crop Mixtures to Achieve Multiple Goals on the Farm, a team of researchers at Penn State University will discuss the use of cover crop “cocktails” or mixtures to achieve weed suppression, nitrogen scavenging, nitrogen provisioning, and attracting beneficial insects and pollinators. Results from a study of winter cover crops in a grain and forage research project at the Penn State Rock Springs Research Farm and from several Pennsylvania farms will be shown. They will also review issues of cover crop timing, termination, and general management to aid in farmer insight and adoption of cover crop mixes. The presentation will last an hour, followed by 30 minutes for questions. Attendees will be able to type in questions for the speakers. The webinar is free and open to the public, and advance registration is required.

Further Info: Register now.

Tilth Producers 40th Annual Conference, Vancouver, WA. Raj Patel Keynote Speaker, Academic and food Activist, Friday Symposia and Information Fair: Growing and Nutrition, Holistic Management for Speciality Crop Producers. Meet the experts at the Technical Assistance Fair.
Mary Berry, Capnote Speaker, Daughter of Wendell Berry
Early Bird Registration ends Sept. 1.
Further Info: Details and Registration

2014 SCRI Zebra Chip Annual Reporting Session, Crowne Plaza Portland Downtown Convention Center, 1441 NE 2nd Avenue, Portland, OR. Join researchers, growers and industry representatives from around the world who will gather to exchange scientific information along with presenting their latest research. This is the opportunity to network with colleagues and enhance your knowledge and skills.
Further Info: Registration, Hotel Reservations, More information: 806-354-5800 – pagarrett@ag.tamu.edu

2014 AG Lime Conference, Best Western University Inn, Moscow, ID. Why do we lime soils? Learn about the basics in your region and the newest technology why liming is important for crop production.
This free conference is packed with information about agricultural lime for your region. Listen to experts from Extension, Industry, and from Europe.
For growers, the farming industry, agricultural students, and for all interested in soil fertility.
Further Info: Flier (PDF) , Registration

Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Annual Convention & Trade Show, Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, WA.
Further info, details on registration, accommodation, the trade show, sponsors, etc. at the event website, https://www.pnva.org/

2014 AG Lime Conference, Linn County Fairgrounds, 3700 Knox Butte Rd E, Albany, OR. Why do we lime soils? Learn about the basics in your region and the newest technology why liming is important for crop production.
This free conference is packed with information about agricultural lime for your region. Listen to experts from Extension, Industry, and from Europe.
For growers, the farming industry, agricultural students, and for all interested in soil fertility.

Seminar: Carrot psyllid and Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum – Do they pose a threat to Finnish potato production? The seminar will take place at 11:00 am in the USDA ARS Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory's large conference room. Dr. Anne Nissinen, Research Entomologist, MTT Agrifood Research Finland, and Dr. Joseph Munyaneza’s collaborator on psyllids in carrots in Finland, will be visiting the lab and presenting on her research.
Further Info: Contact Joe Munyaneza at munyaneza@yarl.ars.usda.gov.

Food Safety Modernization Act Proposed Rules Overview, Howard Johnson Hotel, 9 N 9th St., Yakima, WA. The program will begin at 8:00am through 5:00pm.  Boxed lunch is provided. Supplemental Versions of the Proposed Produce & Preventive Control for Human Food Rules have been released and comments are due to FDA by December 15. Attend the workshop to hear more about the changes to the proposed rules. Registration is $20 and the registration deadlines are four days prior to the start of each course.  Seating is limited and registration is required.  Check-in starts at 7:30am. 
Further Info: Flier, Agenda, Contact Cathy Blood, blood@wsu.edu or 509-335-2845. For agenda, online registration, or more information please visit this website: https://foodsafety.wsu.edu/fsma/

Food Safety Modernization Act Proposed Rules Overview, North Willamette Research & Extension Center/OSU, 15210 NE Miley Rd., Aurora, OR. The program will begin at 8:15am through 5:15pm.  Boxed lunch is provided. Supplemental Versions of the Proposed Produce & Preventive Control for Human Food Rules have been released and comments are due to FDA by December 15. Attend the workshop to hear more about the changes to the proposed rules. Registration is $20 and the registration deadlines are four days prior to the start of each course.  Seating is limited and registration is required.  Check-in starts at 7:45am. 
Further Info: Flier, Contact Cathy Blood, blood@wsu.edu or 509-335-2845. For agenda, online registration, or more information please visit this website: https://foodsafety.wsu.edu/fsma/

The 11th Annual Focus on Farming Conference "Back to the Farm," Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, WA. Robust lineup of industry workshops; This year’s Focus on Farming industry workshop lineup has something for everyone, from government contracting to mobile USDA livestock processing units to native plants and water quality. Attendees at the 11th annual conference on November 20th can attend educational workshops in one of six industry tracks:

•            The business of farming/marketing

•            Hot topics (including local grain and medicinal herbs)

•            Livestock production

•            Nursery/greenhouse

•            Regionalizing our food

•            Sustainable Agriculture Education

Industry experts from across the nation will discuss topics like the 2014 farm bill, growing Asian medicinal herbs in the Northwest, USDA grass-fed certification, new invasive pests and diseases, challenges and opportunities for strengthening the state food systems, and intercropping methods for resilient production.
Find a full list of workshops, including course presenters and detailed course descriptions, online at https://bit.ly/FOFworkshops.

41st Annual Hermiston Farm Fair - Seminars & Tradeshow, Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Hwy 395, Hermiston, OR 97838.  Local agriculture related businesses will be displaying their wares and services, both inside and outside the Conference Center. Agriculture related seminars will be offered all three days.

New this year will be a High Residue Farming workshop. This workshop will cover the benefits and challenges of high residue farming, residue management, direct seeding, strip-tillage and the components of a high residue farming system. Speaker Andy McGuire is the Irrigated Cropping Systems Agronomist with WSU Extension in the Columbia Basin of Washington. The cost is $15. Class size is limited to only 20 participants. Pre-registration is required https://irrigatedag.wsu.edu/hrfworkshops/.

All sessions are free to attendees except for the Pesticide Core credit sessions ($10 per session) and the High Residue Farming workshop ($15). No pre-registration is required except for the High Residue Farming workshop. Oregon, Washington and Idaho pesticide recertification credits will be available, in addition to CCA credits. A complete Farm Fair agenda with pesticide credit hours will be available by mid to late November. An overview at a glance agenda is available.

Further Info: Website and Flier with agenda.

2014 National Allium Research Conference, in conjunction with the National Onion Association annual meeting at Scottsdale, Arizona, followed by the W2008 Regional Research and Extension Committee meeting on December 6.
Further Info: Website

WSU Building Soils for Better Crops Conference
Dec 10, 8:00 am, ATEC - Big Bend Community College

Details will be available later in 2014.

58th Annual North Willamette Horticulture Society Meeting, Clackamas County Fairgrounds, Canby, Oregon. The Organic Crops Section will be on January 15, the Vegetable Section will be on January 16 and the Berry Section will be on January 17. The conference includes a trade show with exhibitors from the local horticulture industry. The meeting features some of the latest information on organic and conventional fresh vegetable and berry production relevant to the Willamette Valley. ODA and WSDA pesticide credits will be available each day. General registration includes breakfast (starting at 7 a.m.) and lunch. If you cannot register online or are interested in being an exhibitor or program sponsor, contact Jan Egli at (503) 678-1264 x110.
Further Info: Program Agendas and Registration

Columbia Basin Vegetable Seed Association Annual Meeting, Moses Lake Event Center, Moses Lake, Washington. The 2013 Columbia Basin Vegetable Seed Field Representatives Meeting immediately follows the CBVSA Annual Meeting.
Further Info: Agenda

Western Washington Agricultural Association & Puget Sound Seed Growers Association Annual Meetings & Luncheon, WSU Mount Vernon Northwest Research Center, Mount Vernon, WA. Lunch will be at noon. Please RSVP so we can plan for lunch accordingly.
Further Info: Call: 360-424-7327.

American Seed Trade Association’s 52nd Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference, at the Fairmont Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona.
Further Info: Details and Registration

Organicology Conference, Portland, OR. Organicology is an interactive educational format created by four organic trade organizations designed to meet the diverse needs of our rapidly expanding trade. Organicology offers curriculum designed to advance trade knowledge across a broad front. Seed producers, farmers, distributors and retailers, researchers and educators, chefs, food policy activists, and of course… eaters of great food – all find topics of interest and sources of inspiration at Organicology. The 2013 conference will continue to focus on sustainability, farming and seed issues as well as a wide range of pertinent and timely topics including the impacts of climate change on agriculture and Genetically engineered crops. Registration is now open.
Further Info: Conference Website

Grafting Watermelon and Tomato, Hands-On Workshop, WSU NW Washington Research and Extension Center, Mount Vernon, WA. Led by Dr. Carol A. Miles, Vegetable Extension Specialist, and Patti Kreider, Program Assistant, Department of Horticulture, WSU. Learn how to use the splice-graft technique to graft tomato and watermelon successfully. Demonstrations will also show how to do multiple grafts on a single tomato plant. Participants will use common rootstocks for each crop and will graft 6 plants of each crop which they can take home ($48 value).

All materials will be provided. Cost: $50 per person ($55 after 1/31/13) Space is limited! Please Choose One Session: Morning: 9am–12pm or Afternoon: 1pm–4pm
Further Info: Registration and Directions to NWREC

Seed Biology, Production & Quality Workshop, University of California, Davis CA. This course presents the scientific background for production, handling, storage and quality control procedures in the seed industry. It updates participants on new information in these topics, including seed pathology and seed enhancement. The course targets professionals in the seed industry, new employees, consultants, and seed producers to extend and update their knowledge.
Further Info: Details and Registration

31st Annual Western Washington Potato Workshop, WSU Northwestern Washington Research & Extension Center, Mount Vernon, WA.
Further Info: Workshop brochure

Meeting of the 59^th Annual Conference on Soilborne Plant Pathogens (formerly Soil Fungus Conference), Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
Further Info: Conference Website

11^th International Verticillium Symposium, Göttingen, Germany. Four years after the last symposium held on the island Corfu (Greece), there is considerable progress in international Verticillium research which has advanced this research field with fast pace. The upcoming symposium will give testimony about the advances achieved during the last years in the understanding of Verticillium diseases both on the fungus and plant side. Like previous Verticillium symposia, the conference aims at presenting contributions on all subjects of applied and basic research into Verticillium.

The international community of Verticillium researchers is cordially invited to utilize this event as a platform to exchange their research results and views and to envisage the visions and perspectives of their future research into this topic.

The symposium is planned to be a three-day meeting, including paper & poster presentations, conference dinner and excursion. Details will be posted on the symposium website opened in July 2012, where also papers may be submitted. The international steering committee will select the papers for oral and poster presentations and set up the programme, which will be posted on the website in January 2013.

Deadline for submission of title and draft abstracts is January 15, 2013. Deadline for submission of final abstracts is March 15, 2013.
Further Info: Symposium Website and Registration

Grass Seed Field Day, Oregon State University Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 2121 S first Street, Hermiston, Oregon. No cost. 8:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m. is registration.
Contact: Annette Teraberry, annette.teraberry@oregonstate.edu or 541-567-8321 x101
Further Info: Details

The X International Symposium on Thysanoptera and Tospoviruses (ISTT 10), Brasilia, Brazil. During the symposium they shall cover the main aspects of thrips as virus vectors; tospovirus molecular biology and diagnostics; thrips systematics and identification; integrated management of thrips as pests and virus vectors; epidemiology and control of tospoviruses; thrips behaviour and ecology; host plant resistance against tospoviruses; thrips-plant interactions; tospovirus-plant interactions; and thrips as vectors of other pathogens, tospovirus related viruses (Emaraviruses and Tenuiviruses).
Further Info: Flyer and Symposium Website

Zebra Chip (ZC) and Potato Psyllid Identification Workshop, Oregon State University Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 2121 S first Street, Hermiston, Oregon. The workshop will be designed to help those in potato production prepare for or review psyllid monitoring techniques and potato psyllid identification. The workshop will have plenty of opportunities for hands-on identification and demonstrations, and will be offered on one remaining date. Registration is required (Max 12 per session. Cost: $30/person).
Contact: Annette Teraberry, annette.teraberry@oregonstate.edu or 541-567-6337

Psyllid/Insect Trapping and Identification Workshop, Parma Research and Extension Center, 29603 U of I Lane, Parma, ID. The workshop will have an open format, and we ask people to come any time that fits their schedule during each session. This will allow more personal attention and access to specimens and samples as people come and go. This open format also allows us to serve more people per session, answer individual questions in one-on-one conversations, etc. If you have your own traps from the field, and would like help evaluating them as part of the workshop, please bring them.

Psyllid/Insect Trapping and Identification Workshop, Miller Research LLC, 426 East 200 North, Rupert, ID. The workshop will have an open format, and we ask people to come any time that fits their schedule during each session. This will allow more personal attention and access to specimens and samples as people come and go. This open format also allows us to serve more people per session, answer individual questions in one-on-one conversations, etc. If you have your own traps from the field, and would like help evaluating them as part of the workshop, please bring them.

Psyllid/Insect Trapping and Identification Workshop, Idaho Falls R & E Center, 1776 Science Center Dr, ID. The workshop will have an open format, and we ask people to come any time that fits their schedule during each session. This will allow more personal attention and access to specimens and samples as people come and go. This open format also allows us to serve more people per session, answer individual questions in one-on-one conversations, etc. If you have your own traps from the field, and would like help evaluating them as part of the workshop, please bring them.

Psyllid/Insect Trapping and Identification Workshop, Eltopia, Ag Development Group Research Farm, 2621 Ringold Rd, WA. The workshop will have an open format, and we ask people to come any time that fits their schedule during each session. This will allow more personal attention and access to specimens and samples as people come and go. This open format also allows us to serve more people per session, answer individual questions in one-on-one conversations, etc. If you have your own traps from the field, and would like help evaluating them as part of the workshop, please bring them. We will help with beet leafhopper and tuberworm traps also, if desired.

Leafy Greens Field Walk, Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Everson, WA. This field walk will highlight the recently initiated leafy greens variety trial occurring at both Cloud Mountain Farm Center and at WSU Mt. Vernon Research and Extension Center. Initial screening of types/varieties began in the fall of 2012 and an additional planting was initiated this spring. We will tour the planting at Cloud Mountain Farm Center and also demonstrate a bed shaper, a high density greens seeder, and a walk behind mechanical harvester.

We will also spend the first half of the walk discussing proposed changes to food safety rules with Washington State University food safety specialists and a Health Department inspector. Researchers and farmer collaborators will discuss results from evaluations of dips to reduce pathogen presence.
Further Info: Details and Directions

Psyllid/Insect Trapping and Identification Workshop, Moses Lake, Potato Commission office, 108 S Interlake Rd, WA. The workshop will have an open format, and we ask people to come any time that fits their schedule during each session. This will allow more personal attention and access to specimens and samples as people come and go. This open format also allows us to serve more people per session, answer individual questions in one-on-one conversations, etc. If you have your own traps from the field, and would like help evaluating them as part of the workshop, please bring them. We will help with beet leafhopper and tuberworm traps also, if desired.

Irrigated Wheat Field Day, Oregon State University Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 2121 S first Street, Hermiston, Oregon. No cost. 3:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. is registration.
Contact: Annette Teraberry, annette.teraberry@oregonstate.edu or 541-567-8321 x101
Further Info: Details

Potato Seed Lot Readings, WSU Othello Research Center, 6 miles East of Hwy. 26/17 Junction, On Booker Rd, ¼ Mile South of Hwy. 26, Othello, WA. We will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a brief indoor training session (JUNE 11 ONLY) and then proceed to the field. BRING RAIN GEAR if it looks like rain. Lunch will be provided.
Contact: Mark Pavek, mjpavek@wsu.edu or 509-335-6861.
Further info: Details

Potato Seed Lot Readings, WSU Othello Research Center, 6 miles East of Hwy. 26/17 Junction, On Booker Rd, ¼ Mile South of Hwy. 26, Othello, WA. BRING RAIN GEAR if it looks like rain. Lunch will be provided.
Contact: Mark Pavek, mjpavek@wsu.edu or 509-335-6861.
Further info: Details

2013 Potato Field Day, Oregon State University Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 2121 S first Street, Hermiston, OR. Lunch will be provided. No cost. 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. is registration.
Contact: Annette Teraberry, annette.teraberry@oregonstate.edu or 541-567-8321 x101
Further Info: Details

WSU Potato Field Day, Othello Research Center, Othello, WA.
Contact: Mark Pavek, mjpavek@wsu.edu or 509-335-6861.
Further info: Details

Planning and Implementing Sustainable IPM Systems, Alumni Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. This is a residential course on the planning and implementation of sustainable IPM extension programs in uncertain times. Participants will work together on a number of case studies and refine their skills in IPM planning. We will be attracting international as well as US participants and enabling continued engagement and communication for graduates from the program, once they have returned to their professional settings.
Further Info: Details and Registration

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Listening Sessions with FDA, Four Rivers Cultural Center, 676 SW 5th Ave, Ontario, Oregon 97914. The objectives of this meeting is to discuss the current proposed standards for Produce Safety, including specific aspects of the proposed rules such as agricultural water and alternatives and variances. Registration is required. There will be no registration fee for this event.

• The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) will significantly impact growers, packers and processors
• The deadline for comments to FDA is November 16, 2013 and further industry input is needed
• Mr. Michael Taylor, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine, and FDA produce safety experts will be available to further discuss specific aspects of the proposed rules- including requirements for agricultural water and alternatives and variances to certain provisions in the proposed rule
• A multi-state team including universities and regulatory agencies, in partnership with FDA, are offering these two opportunities for further stakeholder discussion
• Food growers, packers, and processors are encouraged to engage in this discussion with FDA.

Further Info: Details (HTML) or Details (PDF) and Registration

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Listening Sessions with FDA, Howard Johnson, 9 N 9th St, Yakima, WA 98901. The objectives of this meeting is to discuss the current proposed standards for Produce Safety, including specific aspects of the proposed rules such as agricultural water and alternatives and variances. Registration is required. There will be no registration fee for this event.

• The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) will significantly impact growers, packers and processors
• The deadline for comments to FDA is November 16, 2013 and further industry input is needed
• Mr. Michael Taylor, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine, and FDA produce safety experts will be available to further discuss specific aspects of the proposed rules- including requirements for agricultural water and alternatives and variances to certain provisions in the proposed rule
• A multi-state team including universities and regulatory agencies, in partnership with FDA, are offering these two opportunities for further stakeholder discussion
• Food growers, packers, and processors are encouraged to engage in this discussion with FDA.

Further Info: Details (HTML) or Details (PDF) and Registration

The 36^th International Carrot Conference, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison, Wisconsin.
Contacts: I.L. Goldman: ilgoldma@facstaff.wisc.edu or P.W. Simon: psimon@facstaff.wisc.edu.
Phone: 608-262-1490; Fax: 608-262-4743
Further Info: Conference Website

2013 WSU Extension Onion Field Day, Hartley Farms – Prosser, WA. The trial is located near the corner of Travis and Reese Roads, southeast of Prosser. This year’s trial includes 55 onion cultivars and lines from 7 different seed companies to compare and contrast under local growing conditions. The field day will begin with a short overview of the crop. Participants will then have an opportunity to examine the trial entries. WSU and USDA onion researchers will be on hand to discuss their research with those who are interested. A BBQ luncheon will be held following the field day.
Contacts: Tim Waters, WSU Benton-Franklin Extension, 509-545-3511 or Carrie Wohleb, WSU Grant–Adams Extension, 509-754-2011 x. 413
Further Info: Map and Flyer

California Carrot Trial, University of California Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier, Fresno County, CA. At 10:00 a.m. we will display for your observation an extensive collection of carrots grown under intense root-knot nematode pressure. The UC Kearney Agricultural Center is located at 9240 S. Riverbend Ave., approximately one mile east of Parlier and ½ mile south of Manning Avenue. From Highway 99, exit Manning Ave. (south of Fresno) and head east approximately 7 miles.

The trials include more than 500 entries including nematode resistant and susceptible stocks, standard California production hybrids, and a diverse collection of old open-pollinated carrots from the USDA Cooperative Breeding Program, germplasm collections, and seed companies. You are urged to participate in viewing this interesting collection, which will be of particular interest to those involved in carrot breeding. The trials are in two field plots on the station – one infested with Meloidogyne incognita and the other with M. javanica.

Parking will be available at the station headquarters (follow the signs) and you will be directed to the field sites.

The harvest and evaluation of carrots in these trials will begin Wednesday afternoon, September 18 and will continue after the field day on September 19. You are welcome to participate in these operations as well as the field day.
Contact: Phone: 559-646-6500
Further Info: Details

2013 Tilth Producers Annual Conference, Yakima Convention Center, Yakima, WA. There will be twenty-five topical workshops, including tracks for Spanish speaking farmers, beginning farmers, and experienced growers, plus focused roundtable discussions.
Further Info: Details - Workshop Schedule is Online.

2013 Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Austin, Texas. President Wiedenmann’s 2013 theme, “Science Impacting a Connected World”, highlights his vision to increase the impact of the science and ESA through public policy, develop new leaders for ESA, and strengthen connections and develop new partnerships within the membership and from around the world – all to maintain entomology as a robust science.
Further Info: Details and Registration

2013 Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association Conference & Trade Show, Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, WA.
Further Info: Details and Registration

40th Annual Hermiston Farm Fair – Seminars & Trade Show, Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Hwy 395, Hermiston, OR. Local agriculture-related businesses will be displaying their wares and services, both inside and outside the Conference Center. Agriculture-related seminars will be offered all three days. The Potato Production seminar will be held all day Wednesday. Concurrently, there will be a General Session seminar in the Altrusa Room. Thursday morning the Main Stage event will feature Cereals seminars which will cover wheat and corn crops in our area. Thursday morning the General Session will be held in the Altrusa Room and the pesticide Core Program will be offered Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Friday morning, the general Pesticide Session will be available for pesticide recertification credits on the Main Stage.
Further Info: Agenda and Details

2013 International Spinach Conference, Guangzhou, China. Speakers at the 2013 International Spinach conference will include leading experts in areas of global spinach production, spinach breeding, disease and pest management, and genomics from the E.U, the U.S., and China. The program will also include a discussion about growth opportunities in the spinach industry in China. In addition, there will also be a poster session providing attendees an opportunity to present and discuss research findings. The meeting should be of interest to anyone working in the Spinach industry, including seed companies, and breeders.
Further Info: Details and Registration