Erin McMullen of Rain Drop Farms near Philomath, Ore., said she looks forward to the Oregon Small Farms Conference every year, both for the educational seminars and social aspects.

“There’s not a lot of opportunity for us as farmers to get together with people who do what we do,” McMullen said.

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McMullen and her husband, Aaron Gaskey, grow and sell specialty cut flowers to wholesale markets in Portland and Seattle.

They’ve been in business for 23 years — and now have six year-round employees — but they’re farmers at heart, not business people.

“All of the business sessions they offer, there are tons of ‘aha’ moments,” McMullen said.

Last year’s conference helped her understand new overtime and minimum wage laws.

This year’s Oregon Small Farms Conference, the 22nd edition of the event, will be Saturday, Feb. 17, at Oregon State University in Corvallis.

Experts will lead discussions on a variety of topics relevant to Oregon small farmers, including the Legislature’s 2024 short session, selling value-added products, grant opportunities and tips on looking for agricultural land.

“It’s our way of bringing up-to-date information to our farming colleagues and talking about issues that are at the forefront,” said Chrissy Lucas, OSU Extension Service outreach program coordinator.

Lucas said the conference also will provide the first opportunity for farmers to meet Nathan Stacey, who will become the new coordinator of the OSU Extension Small Farms Program on Feb. 1.

Stacey, who has a doctorate in soil science from Washington State University, was most recently working as the farm program director at Tilth Alliance in Washington.

McMullen said the conference does an excellent job of recognizing niche farms such as hers.

This year’s conference will be an in-person only event.

Registration is $85 per person until Feb. 1, and then increases to $100 per person. At the door registration may not be available due to capacity.

The event typically attracts about 850 to 1,000 attendees in recent years.

To register, go to https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/smallfarmsconference/.

Related events

Two other events of interest to small farmers will be held in the days before at OSU.

The Oregon Farm to School & School Garden Conference is set for Thursday, Feb. 15, (focusing on farm- and garden-based education) and Friday, Feb. 16 (focused on incorporating local food into school meals.)

A purchasing connection event will provide an opportunity for producers and school food buyers to meet.

The conference is held every two years.

Those who attend the OSU Small Farms Conference can get 50% off registration to the Farm to School & School Garden Conference.

Registration before Jan. 12 costs $80 for one day and $135 for both days. Afterward, one day registration is $90 and two days costs $155.

For more information, go to https://oregonfarmtoschool.org/conference/.

On Friday, Feb. 16, a free seminar on symphylans, centipede-like pests that cause severe damage to a wide range of vegetable crops, will be held from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the LaSells Stewart Center Ag Leaders Room.

Attendees can learn how to monitor symphylans, prevent their spread and reduce populations.

For more information, go to https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/smallfarmsconference/associated-events.