An exciting and valuable addition to this year’s Central Oregon Ag Show is Oregon State University Extension’s Central Oregon Small Farm School on Saturday, April 6.

It is co-produced by the Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District, High Desert Food and Farm Alliance and the School of Ranch.

The all-day farm school is April 6 at the 2024 Central Oregon Agricultural Show and the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond. While admission to the Ag Show is free, attending Small Farm School is $40, and participants are encouraged to sign up in advance at https://tinyurl.com/4n5r7cya.

“Small Farm School is an opportunity for beginning and experienced farmers and small-acreage landowners to take classes on a variety of topics that will help them be more productive on their land,” said Scott Duggan of OSU Extension’s Central Oregon Region. “In the past, folks have commented that not only are the classes helpful, the opportunity to network with other farmers has proven valuable.”

The day is arranged in four one-hour blocks beginning at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Each time slot features a choice of four sessions addressing such topics as crop and livestock production, land access, funding options and management for soil and water conservation.

Whether you’re just getting started or have decades of experience, there is always something new to learn in the multi-faceted world of agriculture.

The ability to choose from 16 different sessions and having so many of Oregon’s leading small farm experts in business, management, animal health, nutrition and operations makes Small Farm School time and money well spent, whether you’re a farmer, agricultural professional, agricultural policy advocate, student or retailer.

Schedule of classes

9:30-10:30 a.m.:

• Planning on Your Land, Todd M. Peplin, Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District (DSWCD), Lead Planner.

• Developing and Executing Your Business Plan, Westin Fowler, AgWest Farm Credit, Relationship Manager-Vice President.

• Raising Poultry, Jim Hermes, OSU Professor Emeritus

• Pasture and Grazing Management, Scott Duggan, OSU Extension

11 a.m.-Noon:

• Water rights and Laws, Jeremy Giffin, Oregon Department of Water Resources, District 11 Water Master

• Marketing for the Small Fearless Farm, Mark Gross, Founder and Executive Director, School of Ranch

• Beekeeping and Pollinators, Heike Williams, Bio Science Research Tech

• Soil Health Management, Gordon Jones, OSU Extension Agronomist

1-2 p.m.:

• Agri-Tourism 101, Audrey Comerford, OSU Agritourism Coordinator

• Funding Your Plan, Discussion panel that includes representatives from Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, WyEast Rural Conservation and Development, AgWest Farm Credit and Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District

• Animal Nutrition, Greg Roush, Purina Animal Nutrition Sales and Cattle Specialist

• Weed Identification and Management, Dan Sherwin, Vegetation Management Consultant

2:30-3:30 p.m.:

• Food Safety, Adam Miller, Oregon Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspector

• Business Owners Roundtable, Discussion panel that includes managers from livestock, organic, hay and row crop operations

• Horse Health and Pasture, Scott Duggan, OSU Extension Livestock Agent

• Irrigation Management, Todd Peplin, Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District Lead Planner

For further information on classes and to sign up, visit the Central Oregon Small Farm School website at https://tinyurl.com/4n5r7cya.