Organic weed control in vegetables
An in-person workshop by OATS
Controlling weeds is the biggest challenge on many vegetable farms, especially for organic farms and those transitioning to organic. Labor time used in killing weeds can be so hard for farmers' wallets and their backs. There are a wide variety of weeding tools available for all scales that can save farmers time and money - but it can be hard to choose the right weeding implement and to know how to adjust them in the field to be effective. Farmers also use different scales of machinery - hand tools, two wheel tractors, and 4-wheel tractors - and it is helpful for ag advisors to understand machinery options for different scales.
This event brings together an experienced farmer and an organic weed control expert to guide participants into understanding the many weeding tool options and becoming familiar with how to use them. You’ll take a farm tour to see how weed management is planned into every part of Cattail Organics farm, and then spend time in the vegetable field learning about weed ecology, seeing many weeding tools, learning how to adjust them to match field conditions, and trying them yourself in a demo plot.
This event will help Ag advisors (Extension, NRCS, agronomists, non-profits) better understand and help farmers with weed management. Also farmers can learn about new tools, try new tools, and reduce the weeds on their farm.
When: September 19th, 1:45pm - 6:00pm CT
Where: Cattail Organics, 247011 Baldwin Creek Road. Athens, WI 54411
Who: CCAs, Extension, NRCS, and vegetable farmers
How Much: $15.00
Local Host Organizations: Marbleseed, Cattail Organics
AGENDA
1:45-2:00 Arrival, registration, coffee
2:00-2:30 Introductions
2:30-3:15 Farm tour
3:15-3:45 How weeds work, weed ecology
3:45-4:15 Introduction to tools and machinery types
4:15-4:45 How to adjust tools
4:45-5:30 Hands-on time to try tools
5:30-6:00 Snack, evaluations, closing
SPEAKERS