The theme of the 2014 Sustainable Ag Expo is “Balancing Water, Soil, and Nutrient Resources for Long Term Sustainability.” The Expo will explore ways of creating conditions that grow healthy plants in balanced systems, which require fewer inputs.
The Sustainable Ag Expo was launched in 2004 by the Vineyard Team. The goal of the Sustainable Ag Expo is to share information across crop types on important topics such as energy and water conservation, holistic management, integrated pest management and soil management.
The event will include a wide assortment of practical information for growers of all crops. Attendees can learn about the latest in farming research, resource issues, and business trends related to sustainable agriculture.
Who Should Attend
Presented by The Vineyard Team, the Sustainable Ag Expo offers sustainable farming education for growers and farmers across crop types. This unique opportunity is for farmers, ag professionals, and pest control advisers representing a variety of operations.
“The Expo attracts a diverse agricultural audience representing a variety of crops,” said Kris Beal, Executive Director for The Vineyard Team. “From large to small acreage and with a variety of farming philosophies – everyone is welcome. We work hard to ensure that everyone can take home something useful to implement immediately.” To her point, annual attendees historically represent over 225,000 acres of row crops, vineyards and orchards from across the state.
Program Overview
The program will include sessions on irrigating in the drought, soil and plant nutrition management and measurement, sprayer technologies for vineyards and orchards, root/soil dynamics, and updates in pesticide laws and regulations. The event provides continuing education for pesticide advisers and applicators and certified crop advisers.
Speakers and Sessions
Speakers will highlight water-use efficiency measures, including the topic of water efficient rootstock and variety selection by Dr. Andrew Walker of UC Davis. The physiology of grapevine nutrition will be covered in detail by Dr. Markus Keller of Washington State University, author of the book The Science of Grapevines. Dr. Joan Davenport, also from Washington State University, will present her most recent work on monitoring grapevine nutrition using new leaf tissue sampling protocols developed in the Pacific Northwest. And a session will be dedicated to advancements in effective spraying, featuring techniques and technologies by Dr. Andrew Landers of Cornell University, author of the book Effective Vineyard Spraying.
Exposition and Networking
In addition to a host of educational opportunities, the Expo features a trade show highlighting sustainability-focused products and services allowing ample time for vendors to network with upper-level ag decision makers.
About the Vineyard Team
The Vineyard Team is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote sustainable vineyard practices such as water conservation, integrated pest management, habitat diversity, and protection of water quality and human resources. Established in the mid-1990s when the term “sustainable” was far less mainstream than it is today, the Vineyard Team has enjoyed an impressive track record, earning awards and recognition from a broad variety of entities including the Environmental Protection Agency and California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
For more information and to register click here.
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