2011 CRAFT Program Farm Lectures/Farm Tours/Potluck Series
|
The 2011 series ran the first Tuesday of each month, from April through October. A tour of the sponsoring farm started each sesion. An intern Round Table including the sharing of current events, experiences and requests for support accompanied a potluck dinner after the farm tour and lecture.
|
April 5 Industrial vs. Sustainable Agricultural Models — What does sustainable agriculture mean? Would you know it when you see it? Why do we care? We will consider such questions while walking Mesa Winds Farm, a diversified orchard, vineyard, and sheep farm that is transitioning from an "industrial organic" model. We will discuss the opportunities and challenges of moving along the path toward sustainability. Students will be expected to offer their own experiences, ideas, and visions for farming sustainably.
Instructor: Wink Davis
Farm: Mesa Winds Farm
Directions: 31262 L Rd – Hotchkiss, www.mesawindsfarm.com
May 3 Farm Devices, Their Use and Repair -- The afternoon will commence with a walking tour of one of the first established farms on the West Slope of Colorado where host John Cooley began farming potatoes in 1976. Visitors will be able to see first hand farm equipment that was and is still being used on this 1881 farm. The tour will include alternative building techniques in cordwood construction, hoophouse management, and its problems and successes. Techniques of maintenance of both tractor operated and hand equipment will be demonstrated and discussed. The main focus will be on the skills needed to create ways to build new and innovative tools desperately needed by the small farmer to make the farms efficient, time effective, sustainable and profitable.
Instructor: John Cooley
Farm: Rivendell Farm
Directions: 21279 Highway 92, Delta
June 7 Farm Specific Solar Micro-Hydro System — This project harnesses two renewable energy sources to continuously generate 6 kw of electricity for a certified organic fruit orchard located on the Western Slope of Colorado. Annual agriculture operations in our orchard, Excelsior Orchard (EO), require about 24,000 kw-hr of electricity in order to power a fruit cooler, juice freezers, and associated lighting and heating for an onsite combined packing shed and commercial kitchen. Both a climate that averages 300 days of sunshine per year and unused irrigation water from Rocky Mountain snow-melt represent the renewable energy sources that would fuel a hybrid Photo Voltaic (PV) solar array and micro-hydro electrical generation plant.
Instructors: Paul Mauldin & Elane Flower
Farm: Excelsior Orchards
Directions: 14140 Dry Gulch Road Paonia, CO
July 12 Vertical Integration of Farm Products -- Looking at the myriad of ways to market, and sell value-added locally grown fruits and veggies. Understanding the importance of a diversified farm and marketing program! This is the bottom line key to sustainable small family farms.
Instructor: Jeff Schwartz
Farm: Delicious Orchards
Directions: 39126 Colorado 133 Hotchkiss, CO, www.freshapplecider.com
August 2 Bee Keeping For Small Farms -- Learn about bee keeping for honey and pollination, messing with the bees as little as possible while allowing them to do what they do best.
Instructor: Mark Waltermire
Farm: Thistle Whistle, Hotchkiss
Directions: 3500 10872 Rd., Hotchkiss
September 6 Organic & Biodynamic Certification / Vineyard Tour -- Review of certification requirements, process & benefits. Learn how Jack Rabbit Hill produces organic and biodynamic wines, spirits & hops, from the ground up!
Instructors: Lance & Anna Hanson
Farm: Jack Rabbit Hill Farm
Directions: 26567 North Road, Hotchkiss, www.jackrabbithill.com
October 4 Balanced Agriculture -- Lamborn Valley Farm School presents an experience of balanced agriculture using the TREE model which facilitates healthy growth of the individual, the community, and the Spirit by connecting with the land through lessons in sustainable lifestyle — growing our own food, teaching responsible relationships, expressing creativity, and supporting energy efficiency
Instructors: Addie & Greg Cranson, Lynn Ruoff
Farm: Lamborn Valley Farm
Directions: 15495 Black Bridge Road, Paonia
Instructor: Wink Davis
Farm: Mesa Winds Farm
Directions: 31262 L Rd – Hotchkiss, www.mesawindsfarm.com
May 3 Farm Devices, Their Use and Repair -- The afternoon will commence with a walking tour of one of the first established farms on the West Slope of Colorado where host John Cooley began farming potatoes in 1976. Visitors will be able to see first hand farm equipment that was and is still being used on this 1881 farm. The tour will include alternative building techniques in cordwood construction, hoophouse management, and its problems and successes. Techniques of maintenance of both tractor operated and hand equipment will be demonstrated and discussed. The main focus will be on the skills needed to create ways to build new and innovative tools desperately needed by the small farmer to make the farms efficient, time effective, sustainable and profitable.
Instructor: John Cooley
Farm: Rivendell Farm
Directions: 21279 Highway 92, Delta
June 7 Farm Specific Solar Micro-Hydro System — This project harnesses two renewable energy sources to continuously generate 6 kw of electricity for a certified organic fruit orchard located on the Western Slope of Colorado. Annual agriculture operations in our orchard, Excelsior Orchard (EO), require about 24,000 kw-hr of electricity in order to power a fruit cooler, juice freezers, and associated lighting and heating for an onsite combined packing shed and commercial kitchen. Both a climate that averages 300 days of sunshine per year and unused irrigation water from Rocky Mountain snow-melt represent the renewable energy sources that would fuel a hybrid Photo Voltaic (PV) solar array and micro-hydro electrical generation plant.
Instructors: Paul Mauldin & Elane Flower
Farm: Excelsior Orchards
Directions: 14140 Dry Gulch Road Paonia, CO
July 12 Vertical Integration of Farm Products -- Looking at the myriad of ways to market, and sell value-added locally grown fruits and veggies. Understanding the importance of a diversified farm and marketing program! This is the bottom line key to sustainable small family farms.
Instructor: Jeff Schwartz
Farm: Delicious Orchards
Directions: 39126 Colorado 133 Hotchkiss, CO, www.freshapplecider.com
August 2 Bee Keeping For Small Farms -- Learn about bee keeping for honey and pollination, messing with the bees as little as possible while allowing them to do what they do best.
Instructor: Mark Waltermire
Farm: Thistle Whistle, Hotchkiss
Directions: 3500 10872 Rd., Hotchkiss
September 6 Organic & Biodynamic Certification / Vineyard Tour -- Review of certification requirements, process & benefits. Learn how Jack Rabbit Hill produces organic and biodynamic wines, spirits & hops, from the ground up!
Instructors: Lance & Anna Hanson
Farm: Jack Rabbit Hill Farm
Directions: 26567 North Road, Hotchkiss, www.jackrabbithill.com
October 4 Balanced Agriculture -- Lamborn Valley Farm School presents an experience of balanced agriculture using the TREE model which facilitates healthy growth of the individual, the community, and the Spirit by connecting with the land through lessons in sustainable lifestyle — growing our own food, teaching responsible relationships, expressing creativity, and supporting energy efficiency
Instructors: Addie & Greg Cranson, Lynn Ruoff
Farm: Lamborn Valley Farm
Directions: 15495 Black Bridge Road, Paonia
VOGA | PO Box 614 | Hotchkiss, CO 81419 | Contact VOGA
© Valley Organic Growers Association, 2012. All rights reserved.
© Valley Organic Growers Association, 2012. All rights reserved.
