About this event

Join industry experts and local farmers to explore the possibilities for orchard production and management in Northern Nevada.

Discuss which varieties are promising in this climate and learn about site selection, irrigation, pest and disease control, pruning and soil nutrition management. If you are considering commercial orchard production, this workshop will give you a broad overview to optimize health, yield and profitability. The workshop includes classroom training, a walk through the Desert Farming Initiative's (DFI) apple orchard and finish off the day with a tasting of Nevada-grown fruit!

Speakers:

Rex Dufour, Senior Fellow at the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), specializing in organic agricultural practices, ecological pest management, and soil health. With decades of experience, he has worked with fruit and nut growers across the Western United States on sustainable farming practices. Rex has presented at Nevada agricultural workshops and conferences, and has built lasting friendships with Nevada farmers over more than a decade.

Rob Holley, Holley Family Farms, certified organic farmer

Eldon Louhela, Desert Farming Initiative, certified arborist

Neil Crowley, orchardist, skilled grafter

Bill Sharp, Tea House Gardens, orchardist

Michael Janik, hobby orchardist

Ray Johnson, Custom Gardens Farm, orchardist

Karen Nichols, Cherry Dog Orchards, orchardist

Questions? Email louhela.ann@gmail.com

We are an EEO/AA Institution: Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should contact Ann Louhela, event coordinator, at louhela.ann@gmail.com at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information.

This event is hosted through the Desert Farming Initiative's Grow Organic Nevada program.

Grow Organic Nevada is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

Additional information

• Attendance type: In person
• Cost: $25
• Event type: Training & Workshops