Farmers or those who aspire to grow fruits and vegetables crops can attend the third University of Florida F/IFAS Regional Small Farms Conference on April 1-2 in Fort Myers, Florida. The UF/IFAS Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Extension Team will host the conference at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Fort Myers.
Starting April 1, activities include tours of four local farms. Alternatively, the conference offers four field workshops at the ECHO farm. Then on April 2, the conference moves to the Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center, for the bulk of educational sessions. Topics include urban farming systems, agroforestry-based integrated farms, financing the farm, cottage and value-added foods to food policies and local food systems.
Check out the conference program and register online at www.smallfarmsconf.eventbrite.com. Early bird registration fee is $90 until March 21, and $100 after that, $125 for full conference plus farm-to-table banquet at Buckingham Farms. Registration includes refreshments, lunch, and educational materials.