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The 9th annual Diversified Ag Conference
WED-FRI, FEBRUARY 22-24, 2012 DAVIS CONFERENCE CENTER, LAYTON, UTAH.
We are really excited about what we have planned and are currently planning. This year there will be tours on Wednesday afternoon to start the conference as we get the different stops confirmed, we will post the details on the website. There is always something for everyone, but this year we are focusing more on Urban Agriculture Issues and high tunnels.
We are also going to feature a agritourism track on Thursday afternoon culminating in a discussion at 5:00 PM about starting a Utah Agritourism Association.
The Utah Berry Growers Association winter meeting is coming up next week (Thursday, February 23rd.)
The Berry session will be in the afternoon, with a high tunnel session in the morning. Since we are meeting in conjunction with the Diversified Agriculture Conference, there will also be concurrent sessions on marketing, small business management, etc.
If you don't plan to stay all day or to attend the lunch, you can register for the half-day berry session at the door.
Featured speakers include: Ellen Thompson, Pacific Berry Breeding, Watsonville California. Novel Production Techniques and New Varieties of Raspberry and Blackberry
Dr. Teryl Roper, Professor, USU Fertility Management Strategies for Berry Crops
Dr. Ralph Whitesides, Extension Weed Specialist, USU Weed Management Strategies for Perennial Crops
Dr. Karin Allen, Extension Food Quality and Entrepreneurship Specialist, USU Opportunities for Value-Added Products and Marketing
Britney Hunter, Davis County Extension Horticulturist, USU Consumer Preference in Raspberry and Blackberry Cultivars
High tunnels
Site Selection A high tunnel is designed for intensive management of a small area. Therefore, site selection is critical. Tunnels should be located in well-drained soils that are fertile and free of serious pathogens, weeds and other problems. The site should not be shaded, particularly on the south and west sides. The tunnel needs to be located near a year-round water source. This may require a freeze-free tap connected to a culinary water system in the winter.
Access to power may also be beneficial. When constructing more than one house and the houses have an east-west orientation, separate them by about 10-feet so shading between houses is minimized.
To build a high tunnel you will need a circular saw, electric drill, drill bits, sledge hammer, a square, tin snips, and a 1¼″ drill bit.
Go to this web site for additional information. http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/HG\_High\_Tunnels\_2008-01pr.pdf
Utah State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution.
Written by: Larry A. Sagers Extension Horticulture Specialist Utah State University Thanksgiving point Office
