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CORVALLIS - A workshop on "Emerging Soil Management Options for Oregon Vegetable Production" will be held in Salem at the Quality Inn on Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Sponsors include the Oregon State University Extension Service, Oregon Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.

"The workshop will focus on innovative, soil-building systems for vegetable production systems to enhance farm profitability, soil stewardship and environmental quality," said Mary Staben, sustainable agriculture research assistant at OSU. "Farmers and researchers from around the country will share experiences in successful conservation tillage systems of vegetable production.

"These systems, involving both no-till and strip-till, have been used to reduce labor and input expenses and increase crop yields in snap beans, sweet corn, broccoli, tomatoes and other vegetable crops," she added.

Workshop presenters include Steve Groff, Cedar Meadow Farm, Holtwood, Pa.; Ron Morse, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, Va.; Aref Abdul-Baki, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, Md.; Jeff Mitchell, University of California Cooperative Extension Service, Parlier, Calif.; John Luna and Mary Staben, OSU; Mark Dickman, Dickman Farms, Silverton; Rob Heater, Stahlbush Island Farms, Corvallis; and Peter Kenagy, Kenagy Family Farms, Albany.

The workshop is intended for growers and agricultural professionals including extension agents, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Soil and Water Conservation District field staff and agricultural supply and food processing field representatives, said Staben.

Registration fee for the workshop is $35, which includes catered lunch and proceedings booklet. Certified Crop Adviser Credits (CCA) have been applied for.

Program brochure and registration information can be obtained from Grace Reid, OSU Department of Horticulture, Corvallis, OR 97331; 541-737-3695; or [email protected]. For program content questions contact John Luna, 541-737-5430; [email protected] or Mary Staben 541-737-5437; [email protected].