Mass Aggie Seminars

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2010 Mass Aggie Seminars
Home Garden & Small Farm

Date	Program	Location	Time	Fee
Feb. 20	Small-scale Pasture & Manure Management	Topsfield	9am-2:30pm	$75
Feb. 27	Growing & Pruning Apples in the Home Garden	Belchertown	9am-2:30pm	$75
March 6	Grafting Apple Trees, A Hands-on Workshop	Peabody	9am-2:30pm	$75
March 13	Growing & Pruning Berries in the Home Garden	Weston	9am-2:30pm	$75
March 20	An Introduction to Growing Grapes	Belchertown	9am-2:30pm	$75
March 27	Small-scale Viticulture for the Serious Grower	Belchertown	1pm-4:00pm	$50
April 10	Apple Orchard Fruiting Wall	Peabody	9am-2:30pm	$75
April 17	Growing & Pruning Berries in the Home Garden	Northboro	9am-2:30pm	$75
April 24	Managing Weeds Organically CANCELED	Topsfield	9am-12:30pm	$50

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR ANY OF THESE PROGRAMS CLICK ON THE TITLE ABOVE OR SCROLL DOWN FOR SEMINAR DESCRIPTION
Date	Program/Time/Location	Description
Feb. 20	Pasture and Manure Management for Small-scale Livestock and Horse Farms Dr. Masoud Hashemi, Dr. Stephen Herbert, and Mr. Randall Prostak 9:00am to 2:30pm Clubhouse, Topsfield Fairgrounds, Topsfield	Whether for hobby or profit, individuals that keep and care for livestock and horses continually face many serious issues and challenges. This presentation will discuss proper pasture management and handling of manures that are generated on the farm. Problems associated with weeds, poisonous plants, and poor hay quality will also be discussed. Plenty of opportunity will be provided to ask questions. Participants should feel free to bring samples of a plant from their pasture or their hay.
Feb. 27	Growing and Pruning Apples in the Home Garden Dr. Wesley Autio 9:00am to 2:30pm UMass Cold Spring Orchard, Belchertown	The visual experience of flowering fruit trees in the home landscape is surpassed only by the delicious variety of summer and fall fruits which they produce. Growing apples successfully can be a horticultural challenge, but it can be done! Wes Autio will present an in‑depth program on how to grow apples in the home landscape. Varieties, rootstocks, young‑tree care, nutrition, tree/branch training, and basic pest control will be covered. In the afternoon, the class will move outdoors for a hands-on apple pruning and training workshop. Participants will have the opportunity to conduct actual pruning and gain both experience and confidence in pruning fruit trees in order to produce a bountiful crop.*
Mar. 6	Grafting Apple Trees, A Hands-on Workshop Dr. Wesley R. Autio 9:00am to 2:30pm Brooksby Farm, Peabody	Many people do not realize that all apple varieties are reproduced by grafting – they are not grown from seed. For horticultural enthusiasts, one of the most satisfying techniques to master is grafting. Wes Autio will present a hands-on workshop on “bench grafting” and “cleft grafting” of apple trees. Other grafting techniques will be discussed. Proper tools and sharpening will be discussed. All participants in the workshop will graft several of their own apple trees to take home.*
Mar. 13	Growing and Pruning Berries in the Home Garden Ms. Sonia G. Schloemann 9:00am to 2:30pm, Land Sake Farm, Weston	Edible Landscaping has been gaining popularity in recent years. Many types of berries fit well into an edible home landscape. The pleasure of walking out to the backyard berry patch for a handful of sweet berries is matched with some surprising ornamental qualities offered by these plants. Sonia Schloemann will present an in‑depth program on how to grow various types of berries in the home landscape. Site and soil requirements, planting systems, cultural practices, and pest control will be covered in the morning. Pruning berries can be confusing. In the afternoon, participants will develop an understanding of the general principles of pruning blueberries and raspberries. Participants will have the chance for hands‑on experience in pruning some bushes after receiving instruction. OESCO, Inc. will provide a tool demonstration as part of this seminar.*
Mar. 20	An Introduction to Growing and Pruning Grapes in the Home Garden Dr. Duane W. Greene 9:00am to 2:30pm UMass Cold Spring Orchard, Belchertown	Grapes are one of the most universally enjoyed fruits available. Many of the new varieties have excellent taste, are winter hardy, and can make excellent wine. Grapes are fun to grow but present some challenges. Duane Greene will help participants through the basics and give them the tools to overcome some of the challenges. Specific topics will include selecting varieties, planting, fertilizing, controlling pests, pruning, and vine training. Participants will have the opportunity to conduct actual pruning and gain both experience and confidence in pruning and training grapes in order to produce a bountiful crop.*
Mar. 27	Small Scale Viticulture for the Serious Grower Ms. Sonia G. Schloemann 1:00pm to 4:00pm UMass Cold Spring Orchard, Belchertown, MA	A seminar for those considering small scale commercial production of table or wine grapes in New England. This seminar will cover such topics as site and soil requirements, varieties, planting and training systems, pruning, canopy management, insect/disease management and harvesting. Beginners are welcome as well as those with some experience but this seminar is designed for those who are at least considering some manner of commercial production. We will have a hands-on pruning component of the seminar to gain experience in pruning theory and practice. Tools will be provided. Co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Farm Winery & Growers Association.*
Apr. 10	The 100-Square-Foot, 25-Tree, 5-Variety Backyard Apple Orchard Fruiting Wall! Mr. Jon M. Clements 9:00am to 2:30pm Brooksby Farm, Peabody	Your fruiting wall will produce two bushels of five apple varieties each in just 3 years from planting using just over 100 square feet of backyard! We will spend some time indoors talking about site, variety, rootstock selection, planting, and annual care (including pest management) of your fruiting apple wall. Then, we will go out and actually plant the orchard from start to finish including site preparation, fertilization, pruning (minimal!), and tree support. Voila! Instant orchard.*
Apr. 17	Growing and Pruning Berries in the Home Garden Ms. Sonia G. Schloemann 9:00am to 2:30pm Tougas Family Farm, Northborough	Edible Landscaping has been gaining popularity in recent years. Many types of berries fit well into an edible home landscape. The pleasure of walking out to the backyard berry patch for a handful of sweet berries is matched with some surprising ornamental qualities offered by these plants. Sonia Schloemann will present an in‑depth program on how to grow various types of berries in the home landscape. Site and soil requirements, planting systems, cultural practices, and pest control will be covered in the morning. Pruning berries can be confusing. In the afternoon, participants will develop an understanding of the general principles of pruning blueberries and raspberries. Participants will have the chance for hands‑on experience in pruning some bushes after receiving instruction.*
Apr. 24	Managing Weeds Organically in the Home Landscape Mr. Randall G. Prostak 9:00am to 12:30pm Clubhouse, Topsfield Fairgrounds, Topsfield	Everyone who gardens battles a host of organisms whose goals include killing or maiming your favorite plants or taking their light, water, and nutrients. Randy Prostak will discuss most common weed problems in the home landscape, lawn, and garden. Participants will learn how to identify and control these troublesome weeds organically. Plenty of opportunity will be provided to ask questions, and participants should feel free to bring a weed from their garden for identification and discussion. Weather permitting, a short outside walk will be included to see weeds in their "natural habitat."

*These workshops will be out of doors, so please dress appropriately for potentially wet, cold, and muddy conditions.Some pruning tools will be available for pruning workshops, but please bring your own if possible.