2024 Regional Conferences
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Bonded by Hardship
September 11
FARM TOUR
The Fresh Herb Company
4114 Oxford Road, Longmont, Colorado
NETWORKING SESSION
eTown Hall
1535 Spruce Street, Boulder, Colorado
September 12
EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
eTown Hall
1535 Spruce Street, Boulder, Colorado
The ASCFG South and Central Regional Conference will be held at The Fresh Herb Co. in Longmont, Colorado.
This two day event will feature presentations grounded in the theme of best practices for farming in a challenging climate,
dedicated time to network with fellow cut flower farmers in the region, and a tour of the host farm.
Registration Deadline: August 28, 2024.
Maximum number of attendees: 100.
Please note that Regional Conferences will not be recorded and registration will close by the deadline or when maximum capacity has been reached.
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DAY ONE: SEPTEMBER 11
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions will occur at each venue.
Farm Tour Host: Chet Anderson, The Fresh Herb Company
Helen Skiba, Artemis Flower Farm
ASCFG South and Central Regional Director
Steven Crone
ASCFG Executive Director
About Chet Anderson and The Fresh Herb Company
Farm Tour and Session Rotation
MORNING ROTATION
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Farm Tour
Chet Anderson, The Fresh Herb Company
Group A
Networking and Sessions at eTown Hall
Helen Skiba, Artemis Flower Farm
Group B
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions at eTown Hall
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Cover Crops on the Flower Farm
Helen Skiba, Artemis Flower Farm
Longmont, Colorado
Shanti Rade, Whipstone Farm
Paulden, Arizona
Clark Harshbarger, Director of Stewardship, Mad Agriculture.
Boulder, Colorado
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Networking Fun & Games
Helen Skiba and Shanti Rade
Lunch
Both Groups will be on their own for lunch. Please see restaurant suggestions below.
AFTERNOON ROTATION
2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Farm Tour
Chet Anderson, The Fresh Herb Company
Group B
Networking and Session at eTown Hall
Helen Skiba, Artemis Flower Farm
Group A
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Welcome and Introductions at eTown Hall
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Cover Crops on the Flower Farm
Helen Skiba, Artemis Flower Farm
Longmont, Colorado
Shanti Rade, Whipstone Farm
Paulden, Arizona
Clark Harshbarger, Director of Stewardship, Mad Agriculture.
Boulder, Colorado
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Networking Fun & Games
Helen Skiba and Shanti Rade
Lunch
Both Groups will be on their own for lunch. Please see restaurant suggestions below.
Cover Crops on the Flower Farm
Networking Fun & Games
About Helen Skiba
About Shanti Rade
About Clark Harshbarger
Clark Harshbarger, Director of Stewardship, Mad Agriculture
For the better part of the last three decades, Clark has worked in and around agriculture. During his 17 year career with the USDA-NRCS he mapped soils and provided and received soil education related to the management of natural resources on rangeland and cropland. The latter half of his career focused on the education of soil health, integration of cover crops and the identification of wetlands. Clark was driven to prove to himself that soil health could be achieved through the application of holistic management and took the opportunity to go from the theoretical to the practical side of the regenerative agriculture movement when he moved home to Hillsboro, OH. During his time as the farm caretaker at Grassroots Farm and Foods, he worked with plants and animals in combination with physical labor and modern technologies to raise pasture based livestock.
After nearly a three year sabbatical from CO, Clark was called back to be a part of a valued aligned organization that is focused on building a revolution in regenerative agriculture. At his current position as Director of Stewardship at Mad Agriculture, he uses his combined experience of the theoretical and practical. In his role as their director of Stewardship, he helps land stewards access resources, knowledge and opportunities to continue on their regenerative journey
Research and practical knowledge of cover cover crops have been built with over 15 years of experience, educating on species, establishment and utiliziation of cover crops as a practice within a system to build soil health. Worked with farmers to observe on-farm trials in Texas, across Great Plains and here in Boudler County. Developed techniques on the minimum disturbance techniques to terminate cover crops in Weld County. I will share and demonstrate tools and resources for growers to use in the selection of cover crops to meet management objectives. Discussion around creative ways that can ensure stewards understand the desired impact from the cover crops.
4:40 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Bonus Session brought to you by the American Floral Endowment (AFE)
Supporting the Specialty Cut Flower Industry Through Diagnostics and Sustainable Disease Management Solutions
Francesca Hand
Biocontrol for Botrytis Management in Cut Flower Production
Dr. Jim Faust
About Francesca Hand
Program Title:
Supporting the Specialty Cut Flower Industry Through Diagnostics and Sustainable Disease Management Solutions
Program Description:
Plant diseases pose a significant challenge for the cut flower industry, highlighting the pressing need for environmentally friendly, versatile, and efficient disease control measures that align with sustainable farming practices. This session offers insights into recognizing symptoms and signs of important diseases of specialty cut flowers and implementing anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD), a method already successful in high tunnel vegetable cultivation, to manage soilborne pathogens in cut flower production.
Bio:
Dr. Francesca Hand is a Professor of Plant Pathology and State Extension Specialist for Ornamental Plant Pathology at The Ohio State University. Previously, she received a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from the University of Florence, Italy and she conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California Davis. The purpose of her research and extension program at OSU is to investigate disease epidemiology, biology and ecology of fungal, oomycete and bacterial pathogens, from which she develops detection and control strategies.
About Dr. Jim Faust
Program Title:
Biocontrol for Botrytis Management in Cut Flower Production
Program description:
Increased fungicide resistance and a growing consumer preference for sustainable pest control solutions have spurred a heightened focus on biocontrol products for managing diseases in cut flower production. During this session, Dr. Faust will provide practical insights into biorational products for controlling botrytis blight. Topics covered will include different product options, application techniques, optimal timing, variables influencing the efficacy of biorational products, and strategies for integrating them into an IPM program.
Bio:
Dr. Jim Faust is a Professor at Clemson University where he does research on floriculture crops and teaches greenhouse production and hydroponics courses. His research program focuses on botrytis management and postharvest performance of cut flower crops.
Restaurant Recommendations
Area Restaurants
Walkable restaurants near eTown and not far from The Fresh Herb Company:
Dish Gourmet – sandwiches & salads
DAY TWO: SEPTEMBER 12
8:00 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions
Helen Skiba, Artemis Flower Farm
ASCFG South and Central Regional Director
8:30 a.m. – 9:20 a.m.
Growing Plugs for Local Farmers
Fawn Rueckert, Sego Lily Flower Farm
South Jordan, Utah
About Fawn Rueckert
9:30 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
Analytics for Cut Flower Farmers
Gretchen Langston, Blooms LLC
Laporte, Colorado
About Gretchen Langston
10:30 a.m. – Noon
Designing Foam-Free & Ecologically in Low-Humidity Environments
Kim Zimmerman, Rowdy Poppy
Denver, Colorado
- Sustainable design materials, manufacturing, pros and cons, and applications.
- Demonstration of preparing the mechanics and designing in them, tips and tricks, considerations for Colorado climate.
- Reusing, composting and ethical disposal of all the materials.
- Participants will have the opportunity to play with the materials and practice inserting stems to get a feel for them.
About Kim Zimmerman
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch on your own. See recommendations below.
Area Restaurants
Walkable restaurants near eTown and not farm from The Fresh Herb Company:
Nearby dinner options. Check out restaurants on Pearl Street and here are some of Helen Skiba’s favorites:
T|ACO – tacos & margs
1:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Woodies, Perennials, and Natives in South & Central
Gretchen Langston, Blooms LLC
Laporte, Colorado
About Gretchen Langston
2:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
Pests and Plant Problems in Semi-arid and Desert Environments
Nick Volesky, Utah State University
About Nick Volesky
3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.
Responding to Climate Change in Cut Flower Farming
Calvin and Julie Cook, Arrowhead Dahlias
Platteville, Colorado
About Calvin and Julie Cook
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wrap-up and Q&A
Helen Skiba and Shanti Rade
RECOMMENDED HOTELS
Recommended Hotels
Member Priority Registration – April 16 through April 30.
Please note, Regional Conferences will not be recorded and space is limited. Don’t wait to register!
Registration Information
September 11 – $175
September 12 – $200
September 11 and 12 – $325
Cancellation Policy
Due to the limited space at regional conferences, we do not offer refunds.
Contact us in case of emergency to inquire about a waiting list and your spot may be transferable. No guarantees.