Redland Rambles

Today is the last day to register at the regular attendee fee for the UF/IFAS Florida Small Farms Alternative Enterprises Conference in Kissimmee on August 1 and 2. You can still register after today, but you’ll pay a little more.

If you want to meet growers from Redland Organics, several of them will be presenting and/or participating on panels. On Saturday, Nick Pikarsky (Bee Heaven Farm) will give a talk on “Farm Solar Energy Applications.” On Sunday morning, Margie Pikarsky (Bee Heaven Farm) will be on the panel “Farm Enterprises to Increase Cash Flow.” Later on Sunday, Chris and Eva Worden (Worden Farm) will be on the panel “I’ll Buy from You Because…” RO members Hani Khouri of Redland Mediterranean Organics, and Gabriele Marewski of Paradise Farms will also be in attendance. Keep your eyes open for Donna Reno of Slow Food Miami, and Marty Mesh of Florida Organic Growers and Consumers Inc. (FOG).

According to the conference web site, “all Florida small farmers are faced with similar challenges of (economics: land, gas, inputs) increasing regulatory pressures, challenges of marketing, etc. so that by coming together as a diverse group, solutions can be identified.” There are six different tracks, ranging from business and marketing to horticulture to policy and regulations. If you are interested in taking your farm (or garden) to the next level, this conference will have plenty to offer.