Two-day program provides training, information for market farmers

Radical Root Farm at Prairie Crossing in Grayslake hosts back-to-back MOSES Organic Field Days Saturday, June 30, and Sunday, July 1.

Beginning Market Farming runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The fee for this all-day training is $40, which includes lunch and refreshments.

Scaling Up Your Vegetable Operation runs from noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday and is free.

Alex Needham and Alison Parker of Radical Root Farm are the featured presenters.

The two field days are organized by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service.

Beginning Market Farming is aimed at beginners and intermediate growers. Topics include selecting a business structure; capital and farm financing; planning your year; soil building and equipment selection; and aspects of production and marketing.

The training is part classroom and part farm tour. Needham and Parker are part of the incubator program at Prairie Crossing Learning Center. They have a vegetable CSA and sell their produce at area farmers markets and direct-market their vegetables.

This field day is part of the Young Organic Stewards program, created to educate, inspire and empower young farmers to thrive in a sustainable, organic system of agriculture. The program is supported by the USDA's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.

Scaling Up Your Vegetable Operation focuses on how to grow your operation and your profits. The growing demand for fresh organic produce makes this a great time to increase the volume and variety of vegetables grown on your farm.

Harriet Behar, MOSES organic specialist, will talk about selling to wholesale accounts and how adding distribution points like restaurants, retail stores and CSAs improves a farm's economic stability.

Needham and Parker will take participants on a field tour, provide production tips and talk about how they are approaching the challenge of scaling up their farm.

To register for and get directions to one or both of these MOSES Organic Field Days, call (715) 778-5775, email angie@mosesorganic.org, or visit mosesorganic.org/fd.html. However, walk-in participants are welcome.

MOSES is a nonprofit organization that provides resources and education to farmers to encourage sustainable or organic agriculture. To learn more, visit mosesorganic.org.

Advance registration and payment are required for the Beginning Market Farming training. The Scaling Up Field Day is free; registration ensures there will be enough handouts and refreshments.