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Alberta Farm Fresh School 2013

January 8, 2013 – If you have ever wondered what was involved in growing fresh fruits and vegetables for you-pick, farmers’ markets, a Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) operation or some other channel for the direct market, there is a conference coming soon that will give you lots of information.

The Alberta Farm Fresh School (formerly known as Berry School or Berry and Vegetable School) provides producers of all experience levels with a chance to learn, share information, network and build their capacity for success.

This year, as in years past, there will be introductory and advanced sessions on fruit and vegetable production and marketing. There are sessions on introductory strawberry, raspberry, Saskatoon berry, blue honeysuckle and vegetable production, as well as pest management. There are also advanced sessions on specific pests (current and future), foreign labour, fruit wine, strawberry fertility, high tunnel production, encouraging beneficial insects, corn mazes, as well as current vegetable research.

On the first day, there will be a direct marketing stream, with sessions on school tours, hiring and retaining employees, marketing health and nutrition, on-farm festivals and special offers.

On the second day, a new third stream will focus on direct market livestock production and marketing.

Speakers for the sessions will come from across North America, including Pennsylvania, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. During the course of the conference, there will be many opportunities to network and create connections with fellow growers and newcomers. It is a great value for the amount of information you can gain.

The school will be held in Edmonton on February 28 to March 1, 2013 at the Best Western Westwood Inn. Interested participants can find registration information on the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association website, as well as a tentative agenda outlining the various sessions and speakers.