Mondays & Fridays 11:45-1:40 Meets in 132 Plant Growth Greenhouse Classroom
Have you ever wanted to grow your own food? Have you wondered what growing organic food really means? Are you interested in selling directly to eager consumers? Are you interested in field or greenhouse research growing fruits are vegetables with out synthetic pesticides and fertilizers? If the answer to any of these questions is yes?, then this “hands dirty” course that plans, grows, and markets organic produce and flowers from the Student Organic Farm is for you!

During the course students will: * Plan, grow, and market organic produce and flowers for the Student Organic Farm located on the St. Paul Campus * Review past year production and marketing successes and challenges * Explore specific organic certification production practices for soil health and fertility, pest management, composting, processing, season extension, and options for marketing * Engage in consensus building practices to make decisions and create a plan for the 2008 season * Design a research project that could be executed on the farm during the summer growing season * Learn organic seedling production, effective transplanting to minimize weed competition, insect identification with an emphasis on supporting beneficial insect populations, and disease management * Participate in all aspects of planning, growing and marketing organically grown fruits and vegetables.

View the course flyer or for more information, contact Courtney Tchida at teh MN Institute for Sustainable Agriculture at 612-625-2738.

ST. PAUL, MINN. — Natural disasters pose a significant threat to all farmers, but organic farmers affected by natural disaster have particular concerns. To address these concerns, Farmers’ Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG) has written a new article, Disaster Readiness and Recovery: Legal Considerations for Organic Farmers.

The new article focuses on aspects of federal disaster assistance that are of particular relevance for organic farmers. The first part of the article discusses steps that organic farmers may take to reduce the impact of natural disasters that may occur in the future. The second part of the article discusses federal programs that provide assistance to farmers in order to recover from natural disaster. The article concludes with information about how natural disaster and disaster recovery may affect farmers’ organic certification.

Farmers may download a free copy of the article by visiting FLAG’s website, www.flaginc.org.

ST. PAUL, MINN. Most organic farmers are aware that they may not plant genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or seeds developed through genetic engineering, if they wish to market their crops as organic. Yet they may have questions about their legal rights and responsibilities with respect to the unintended presence of GMOs. Organic farmers and farmers transitioning to organic production need information about the regulations governing organic certification. To try to meet the need for legal information, Farmers Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG) has written a new article, If Your Farm Is Organic, Must It Be GMO Free? Organic Farmers, Genetically Modified Organisms, and the Law.

Farmers may download a free copy of the 40-page article by visiting FLAGs website, www.flaginc.org. Printed copies can be obtained by calling FLAGs office at 651-223-5400. In Minnesota, the phone call is toll-free at 1-877-860-4349. Printed copies are available to financially distressed farmers in Minnesota at no charge, for all others, the cost is $ 11.00, including postage.