Let's Go Organic

Join Florida Organic Growers Southeast Transition to Organic Partnership Program staff for free “organic office hours”! This is your chance to delve into in-depth discussions about the challenges you face in your organic journey. Whether you’re a farmer, producer, or simply interested in organic practices, we welcome you to bring your questions and concerns to the table. Our team will be available to provide insights, clarify doubts, and offer guidance on navigating the organic certification process. Register for the Teams meeting through the provided link below and join us for an informative session!

Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/ee75f042-3e8c-4f71-bd2d-8ca8188d9c78@94ed8cb2-79de-4c94-9dd0-ab43c13047e4

Questions? Contact setopp@foginfo.org

These office hours are supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

Spring Cover Crop Field Tour & Seed Drill Demo
Time: 12-1 PM
Walking Distance: 1 mile
Tour best suited for adults

Join Farmer Anthony Reyes on a walk to our production fields, where you’ll discover how to implement cover crops in your own field or yard to build soil health. Explore the benefits, types, and methods of incorporating cover crops in organic systems. Anthony will provide a demonstration of the seed drill as well as seed sources for various cover crop varieties. Additionally, you’ll learn about our ongoing trials and research focused on increasing crop yields while preserving the ecosystem.

Farming for Conservation Tour
Time: 2-3 PM
Walking Distance: 1 mile
Tour best suited for adults

During this tour of our production fields, Farmer Anthony Reyes will illustrate Oxbow’s commitment to cultivating not just nutritious food, but also fostering healthy soil that supports biodiversity. Delve into discussions about buffer zones and receive practical and technical tips, along with resource guides, to integrate conservation techniques into your own outdoor spaces.

Meet Linda Hoffman, orchardist at Old Frog Pond Farm, and Laura Davis, Organic Certification Assistance Coordinator and Soil Health Advisor with NOFA/Mass, for a hands-on exploration of organic management practices for orchards and small-scale fruit production.

Join us to discuss the orchard’s perennial intercropping system and its impact on soil health and pest management. We’ll learn about Old Frog Pond’s foliar spraying methods and approach to tree nutrition. Tour the orchard and berry patch, and see Old Frog Pond’s pruning system for managing fire blight and other pathogens. We’ll also have a hands-on demonstration of whip-and-tongue grafting, and examples of topworked trees.

This is a unique opportunity to explore one of the few Certified Organic orchards in the state of Massachusetts and get a first-hand look at the how-tos of organic orchard management.

We will break down the various ways we study soil to get a complete picture of how well our soil functions as a living ecosystem. The Field Day will cover the various testing methods that evaluate the physical structure of soil, chemical composition and biological activity as well as address how these methods of testing can be incorporated into your soil management plan. Lunch will be provided.

Get your questions answered at weekly Organic Office Hours!

Curious about what it takes to transition your operation to organic? Do you have questions about the certification process? Or are you a newly certified producer with questions on how to stay in compliance? Join us at weekly virtual office hours with organic expert Sarah Townsend of Oregon Tilth. Learn about Organic Certification, Organic System Plans (OSPs), how to get certified, and more. All questions and experience levels welcome!

Join us through Teams video meeting or simply call in.