Delta Farm Forum to highlight backyard farming

February 10, 2016

Marmian Grimes

Backyard farming is the theme of the annual Delta Farm Forum, which is scheduled for Feb. 20 in Delta Junction.

The forum brings growers, producers and the community together to hear about agricultural research, recommendations and farm agency news. Presentations will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Delta High School small gymnasium.

Delta residents Colin Barnard, Vanessa Heath and Denise Wilhelm will talk about different aspects of hobby farming, including hog production and raising chickens for eggs and goats for milk and meat. Researchers Bob Van Veldhuizen and Steven Seefeldt of the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Natural Resources and Extension will talk about field peas in Alaska and genetically modified organisms and choices in Alaska. Other speakers will talk about the Alaska Agriculture Pest Project, risk management and the Farm Service Agency’s Noninsured Crop Insurance Program.

A potluck lunch is planned. The forum is co-sponsored by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service and the Salcha-Delta Soil and Water Conservation District. For more information, go to www.uaf.edu/ces or contact Delta Extension at 907-895-4215 or the conservation district in Delta at 907-895-6279. View or download a poster for the event here.

ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Debbie Carter, 907-474-5406, dscarter@alaska.edu