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CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Oregon State University Extension Service has opened registration for its 10th annual Oregon Small Farms Conference on Feb. 27 in Corvallis.

The daylong event is geared toward farmers, agriculture professionals, food policy advocates and managers of farmers markets. Mas Masumoto, an author and organic farmer from California, will give the opening speech in which he'll talk about the challenges facing small farmers, the role they play and new relationships around food. 

Fourteen sessions will be offered on topics that will include:

•     Funding energy improvement projects;

•     Agri-tourism;

•     Farm internships;

•     Cover crops for soil fertility;

•     Small-scale grain production;

•     Alternative poultry feeds;

•     Alternative meat marketing strategies;

•     The business of farmers markets;

•     Electronic benefit transfer system for farmers markets;

•     Partnerships for access to healthy foods.

Farmers may participate in a session that will meet the mandatory face-to-face training requirement for enrollment in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) fruit and vegetable voucher program. This is one of many opportunities to begin farm enrollment for 2010.

Speakers will include farmers, OSU Extension faculty and U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader, a member of the House Committee on Agriculture.

To register for the conference, go to http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu or call 541-766-3556.

The cost, which includes lunch, is $35 per person or $60 for two people from the same farm or organization through Feb. 16. After that, the fee rises to $40 per individual and will be $45 at the door. The conference will take place at the LaSells Stewart Center on campus.