January 20–23, 2010 • Chattanooga, Tennessee

2010 Pre-conference Field Trips

Thursday, January 21, 2010 • 12:30 – 5:30 p.m.

For those who learn best by getting out in the field, we offer five excellent field trips again this year. Field trip participants will travel on comfortable motor coaches equipped with restrooms (no private vehicles permitted). All field trip motor coaches will depart from outside the front entrance of the Chattanooga Convention Center at 12:30 p.m. sharp! No refunds will be provided to those who miss their ride. There is a $55 fee for field trips, light snack included. Space is limited, so register early.

Field Trip #1 SOLD OUT
Organic Livestock, Vegetables and Row Crops

Riverview Farms

Riverview Farms, located about 60 miles from Chattanooga, is one of the largest certified organic farms in Georgia. The Swancy family has farmed this 200-acre farm for thirty years, initially raising row crops conventionally. In 2000, they switched to organics, diversified their crops and began direct marketing. Riverview Farms now specializes in diversified vegetables, soybeans, corn, farrow-to-finish Berkshire pork and grass-fed beef, all produced organically. The vegetables, value-added corn products and meats are marketed through their 350 member CSA, restaurants and a farmer’s market. Corn and soybeans are fed to the livestock and surplus is sold on the organic market. The field trip will highlight organic vegetable, beef, pork, corn and soybean production techniques, the milling process for cornmeal and grits, equipment, and how equipment has been converted for use in their new production system, labor, direct marketing strategies, what it takes to run such a large CSA, post-harvest handling and their experience transitioning to organic production.

Field Trip #2
Diversified Sustainable Livestock

Sequatchie Cove Farm

The 300-acre Sequatchie Cove Farm is a highly diversified farm producing meats, dairy products, eggs, vegetables, fruits and mushrooms. On this field trip Bill Keener and Nathan Arnold will teach about the livestock components of this farming operation — their forested pork production, pastured beef, turkeys and chickens, grass-based dairy operation and egg production, pasture management for intensive and extended season grazing (including use of biodynamic preparations), animal health concerns and solutions, and the breeds of beef cows, dairy cows, turkeys, chickens and hogs suitable for this type operation, including rare and heritage breeds. Working with a local USDA meat processor to ensure quality finished products will be discussed, as will the marketing of meats to area restaurants, a grocery, and to individuals. The integration of the livestock components with the horticulture components of the farm, and the labor will be covered too.

Field Trip #3 SOLD OUT
Diversified Sustainable Vegetables and Fruits

Sequatchie Cove Farm

The 300 acre Sequatchie Cove Farm is a highly diversified farm producing vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, meats, eggs, and dairy products. This field trip, led by Padgett Arnold, will focus on the many horticultural components of this farm where a wide variety of vegetables, shiitake mushrooms, strawberries and blueberries are produced and are marketed through their 80 family CSA, u-pick, area restaurants, and a local grocery. Topics covered will include sustainable and biodynamic strawberry, blueberry and vegetable production techniques, greenhouse and hoophouse production techniques and their use for season extension, equipment, labor, post-harvest handling, running u-pick berry operations, selling to restaurants and groceries, and all aspects of running a CSA, including crop planning and managing customer relations. The integration of the livestock components with the horticulture components of the farm and the unique working relationship between the families running this operation will also be covered.

Field Trip #4 SOLD OUT
Organic Vegetable, Fruits & Plants

Crabtree Farms

Crabtree Farms is a certified organic farm and non-profit organization operating on the edge of downtown Chattanooga since 1998. The farm specializes in vegetables, fruit, shiitake mushrooms, and greenhouse plant production on 10 cultivated acres. Crops are produced in the field and in high tunnels. It has a 60 member CSA, pick-your-own fruits, two annual plant sales, and a seasonal on-site farm stand where other producers are also invited to sell. In addition to producing commercial crops and direct marketing them, the farm also serves as a demonstration farm for the community. This field trip will focus on the food production and marketing aspects of the farm — organic vegetable production techniques in the field, greenhouse and high tunnel, producing vegetables for a CSA and their farm stand, post-harvest handling of vegetables, producing and marketing shiitake mushrooms and fruits, producing vegetable and flower plants for sale, running a u-pick operation, running a multiform farm stand and balancing demonstration farm with competitive commercial production, labor, record keeping and financial operations.

Field Trip #5
Community Food Initiatives

Crabtree Farms and Greenlife Grocery

Crabtree Farms is a non-profit organization and certified organic farm operating on 22 acres leased from the city for $1/year. This tour will focus on Crabtree’s grassroots efforts to grow Chattanooga’s local food economy and food shed awareness. Vanessa Mercer and Melanie Babb will cover their outreach initiatives and educational programs, which includes grant-supported community gardens throughout the Chattanooga area, regular on-site trainings in sustainable agriculture and food shed awareness for school children and adults, Buy Fresh Buy Local Chapter coordination, and on-farm activities such as plant sales, farm stand, tours, and local foods dinners. You will also visit Greenlife Grocery, a large locally-owned natural foods store that purchases vegetables and meats from local farms and promotes community support for local farms by offering tasting workshops, sponsoring local food events, and hosting a site for CSA drop-offs at the store. At Greenlife, you’ll gain an understanding of how and why this grocery participates in promoting a local food economy.