Practical Strategies for Climate Resilience
This year's keynote speaker, Dr. Gary Nabhan, will give a special workshop in advance of the conference on unique and creative strategies producers can adopt to help offset shifts in climate that have become increasingly severe, particularly in drier portions of the US. Dr. Nabhan is the author of the book Growing Food in a Hotter Drier Land, and has done extensive research on a number of responses to climate change in agriculture, such as adapting orchards for climate resilience, production of heat-tolerant and high-value spice crops, and incorporation of agroforestry into agri-systems - for shade, wood, etc. This workshop is sure to stimulate “outside the box” thinking applicable to a diversity of farm settings!
Location: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Cost: $25
Sustainable Pest Management
Join us as we consider three vexing Texas pests: pigs, weeds & bugs! This multifaceted workshop will begin with an overview of common insect pests in our region and ideas for their management and biocontrol by Dr. Noel Troxclair of Uvalde County AgriLife Extension. Rangeland specialist, Dr. Megan Clayton, also of Texas A&M, will provide an overview of strategies for managing common plant/brush pests in Central Texas. Finally, Derrick Banks, CEP Extension Agent of the Agriculture and Natural Resources at Prairie View A&M University, will discuss problems posed by and control strategies for wild hogs in Texas.
4 TDA CEUs (continuing education units) for pest management and 4 CEUs for certified crop advisors (CCAs) are anticipated for this workshop.
Location: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Cost: $25
Getting Into Your Books: Intro to Farm Financial Management & Strategy
In this workshop, you’ll get a high-level introduction to managing your farm’s financial records.
Phil Ross of Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers CBO will discuss the essentials of financial wellness and strategies to grow your farm business without breaking the bank.
Dr. Pratheesh Omana Sudhakaran of Texas State University Agricultural Sciences Department will teach the basics of developing two critical farm financial statements – a balance sheet and an income/P&L statement.
Evan Driscoll of Kitchen Table Consultants will demonstrate how to analyze financial statements to meet your goals and provide a quick overview of QuickBooks Online.
As an introductory workshop, all are welcome and encouraged to attend – aspiring and beginning farmers, as well as producers who are ready to refine their existing bookkeeping systems.
We expect attendees to walk away understanding how different parts of the financial management system work together to help you make solid decisions for your farm business, and to know what next steps are needed.
Location: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Cost: $25
Profiting From Pastured Animals
This workshop is designed to give farmers the marketing and business skills they need to tap into the expanding market for locally raised, pastured meats, poultry, and eggs.
The workshop is designed to particularly benefit:
Beginning farmers — or any farmer who feels like they need help with the business, marketing, and regulatory aspects.
Existing farmers who are considering diversifying their operations.
Conventional livestock farmers who might be considering direct marketing alternatives for their businesses.
The main topics we’ll cover during each two-day event include:
Market analysis to determine which products on which to focus.
Financial considerations, including how to do a cost-benefit analysis.
Marketing techniques for selling direct-to-consumer.
Options for how to handle sales and distribution.
Regulatory issues related to sales of animal products.
Location: Mesquite Field Farm, Nixon, TX
Cost: $20
Soil Health & Grazing School
Saturday, August 5th - Sunday, August 6th, 2023
We are pleased to host “Soil Health Guru” Ray Archuleta and SPI Director, Dr. Ken Mix, at this one-of-a-kind immersive workshop on soil health and regenerative agriculture! The workshop will begin in the field on a local farm (transportation from Texas State will be provided). It will cover:
Field observations and assessments
Soil health metrics such as infiltration rates, worm casting counts and soil color indicators
Understanding changes in biomass and microbial diversity
Identifying soil organisms
Afternoon classroom lectures will provide information on:
The tenets of soil health and how to achieve them
How to build resilient soils on your farm without fertilizer
Understanding the value of microbes and how to get more of them
Grazing practices, nutrient and water management & more!
This Soil Health School will be very hands-on and is packed with information to help you build a profitable operation and a robust, resilient landscape.
RAY ARCHULETA is a Certified Professional Soil Scientist with the Soil Science Society of America and has more than 30 years’ experience as a Soil Conservationist, Water Quality Specialist and Conservation Agronomist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). After retirement in 2017, Ray founded Understanding Ag, LLC and Soil Health Academy. He owns a 150-acre farm near Seymour, Missouri.
DR. KEN MIX is the Program director of The Small Producer Initiative at Texas State University and currently teaches entomology, soil health, and crop production, with active research on small producer needs, soil, and water resources. He is a former vegetable producer and currently runs SKM Homestead, a small livestock and mixed produce 50-acre farm in Fentress, Texas.
Location: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Cost: $300*
Lunch is provided
REGISTER HERE
*$250 scholarships for this workshop are available and can be applied for by accessing our scholarship page.