2023 SUMMIT SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
All presentations will be held at the Holy Cross House (406 Excel St., Petersburg, AK) on Feb. 23rd-25th, 2023
FRIDAY • February 24, 2023
*All Presentations open & FREE to the public today!*
8:15-9:15am
SEAK Farmer Snapshot Presentations: Steller Botanical Health, Gustavus + Tenakee Springs Agricultural Roundup (Available via Zoom)
Hear and see what agriculture currently looks like across our region! Local farmers offer "farm tours" via photos & videos, including details of what they grow, their production methods and marketing strategies.
10:45-11:30pm
"Shiitake Cultivation on logs" --Gabe DeGange and Allison Dunbar, Far North Fungi (Available via Zoom)
Our rainforest climate provides ideal conditions for production of shiitake mushrooms using hardwood logs. Learn about site considerations, log innoculation techniques, and other important information on how to produce commercial quantities of shiitake mushrooms.
11:30-11:40 a.m.
"SEAK Mushroom Cultivation Feasibility Study" Angie Mendbayar, Integrative Mushroom Solutions LLC
Ever considered growing & marketing mushrooms in the fungal heavens of Southeast Alaska? Hear about a 2022 study funded by the USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program that investigated the feasibility of fungi farming in our region.
1-2pm
"Slug control: current approaches & novel tools" --Casey H. Richart, Ph.D. Faculty Research Assistant Oregon State University (Available via Zoom)
Tired of slugs ruining your otherwise perfect produce? Casey Richart, a gastropod expert, will share on-going research on slug deterrents and offer up creative ideas for how to keep slugs from destroying your vegetables, including new, highly effective slug control methods that are currently being utilized in Europe.
2:10-3:10pm
"Using local amendments to improve your soil" -- Bob Van Veldhuizen, semi-retired agricultural consultant & UAF researcher (Available via Zoom)
Southeast Alaska provides a plethora of nutrient-rich amendments for farmers to use to improve their soils. We'll take a close look at many commonly available materials including seaweed, fish carcasses, crab/shrimp shells and "shell sand", and learn how to best use them to improve the health of our soils.
4:30-5:30pm
"Perennial Crops Farmer Panel: Berries and Culinary/Medicinal Herbs" -- Ed Buyarski, Ed's Edible Landscaping, Jen Landry, Steller Botanical Health (moderated by Laura Schmidt) (Available via Zoom)
Learn tips & tricks for successful production of a variety of perennial crops from experienced local farmers.
SATURDAY • February 25, 2023
*Registered Participants ONLY*
8:10-8:40am
"The Rhubarb Project" --David Love, RootSeller Farm (Available via Zoom)
Four farms across Southeast spent 3 years participating in a Rhubarb Variety Trial sponsored by a USDA Specific Crop Block Grant. David will present the study's findings which paint an interesting picture of rhubarb production in our region.
8:40-9:40am
"Growing Carrots in SEAK" --Scott Hansen, Sunnyside Farms + Bo Varsano, Farragut Farm (Available via Zoom)
Carrots are almost always the most popular veggie at market -- Scott & Bo will share the nitty gritty of carrot production on their farms, including tips on seeding, weeding and harvesting this tasty and iconic crop.
10:10-10:55 a.m.
"Reducing/Eliminating Plastic on Your Farm" Martin Dearaway, Juneau Greens + Joe Orsi, Orsi Organic Produce + Jen Landry, Steller Botanical Health (moderated by Samia Savell) (Available via Zoom)
Tired of all the single-use plastics in your life and more specifically on your farm?? Join three local farmers as they discuss their strategies for reducing and eliminating plastics on their farms.
11:05-11:50 a.m.
"Farmer to Farmer (F2F) Online Forum Launch and Trivia Game" -- Bo Varsano (Farragut Farm) & Izzy Haywood (Spruce Root) (Available via Zoom)
Learn about a brand new online forum on the SEAK Farmers Summit website that will serve as an easy and efficient way to communicate with fellow farmers across the region 365 days a year.
1-2 p.m.
"Local Slug ID workshop" --Casey H. Richart, Ph.D. Faculty Research Assistant at Oregon State University (Available via Zoom)
Knowing how to ID pests is the first step in successful pest management. Using photos submitted by local farmers, Casey will walk us through the steps for proper slug identification and provide info about the specific slug varieties found here in Southeast.
2:30-3:15pm
Perennial Flowers for the Small Scale SEAK Grower -- Sarah Wagstaff, SUOT Farm & Flowers (Available via Zoom)
Make your flower production more efficient and less labor intensive by focusing on perennials! Learn tips for which varieties work well for each type of marketplace and bump up your flower game next season.
7-8pm
"My biggest mistake & Lessons learned" Moderated Audience Sharing by Darren Snyder, UAS Cooperative Extension Service
A fun and light-hearted opportunity to learn from one another by sharing the mistakes we've made and the lessons we've learned on our farms. Bring your stories to share and be prepared to laugh and commiserate in good company.