In the past, Alabama Cooperative Extension System agents were bombarded with questions each spring from gardeners wanting to know what chemicals to use on their crops.
Now, many of the calls and emails regional extension agent Chris Becker receives from gardeners are seeking tips on how to grow crops without using harsh pesticides and other chemicals.
“A lot of gardeners want to grow their fruits and vegetables organically,” Becker said. “Some commercial farmers are also starting to grow crops organically.”
Those interested in organic gardening can find answers to many of their questions at a field day from 8-30 a.m.-2 p.m. June 20 at Jack-O-Lantern Farms in Muscle Shoals. Becker said extension system specialists and Steve Carpenter, owner of Jack-o’-lantern Farms, will offer tips for reducing the use of harsh chemicals.
The field day also includes demonstrations of growing crops in hoop houses and harvesting rainwater for use on farms and in gardens.
Lunch will provided at the free workshop. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 256-386-8571.
Becker recommends participants in the workshop register early.
“We should have a huge crowd. We are expecting farmers and gardeners from throughout north Alabama and southern Tennessee and north Mississippi,” Becker said. “There’s huge interest in organic farming and gardening throughout the Tennessee Valley.”
Denise Ryan, external relations director for the California-based Organic Farming Research Foundation, said organic farming offers money-making opportunities.
During the past year, sales of organically grown farm products in the United States have increased more than $3 billion, she said.
“It’s a good time to start farming organically,” Ryan said. “The demand for organically grown products has quadrupled during the past decade.”
Jim Gerritsen, president of the Maine-based Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, said growing crops organically is not difficult.
“When you grow organically, you work with nature rather than being adversarial and working against nature,” said Gerritsen, who began growing potatoes and other crops organically 36 years ago.
One way organic farmers and gardeners work with nature is by releasing lady bugs and other beneficial insects to help protect their crops from insect pests rather than using chemicals, Gerritsen said.
Dennis Sherer can be reached at 256-740-5746 or dennis.sherer@TimesDaily.com.
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