Apr 14, 2015

Four-season growing techniques shared

Growing fruits and vegetables in Ohio is common across the state, but what about during the harsh winter months? Yes, it is possible, and potentially very profitable through some unique techniques mastered by second-generation American organic farmer Clara Coleman.

According to a news release, Coleman will speak on season-extension techniques such as using movable greenhouses, low tunnels, cold-frames and quick hoops, Thursday, April 30, from 9 a.m.-noon at the Toledo (Ohio) Botanical Garden (Crosby Conference Center).

Workshop highlights include:

• Learning how to produce more food year-round.

• Discussing methods that are possible with little (or no) energy use.

• Gaining advantage in a competitive marketplace for customers’ desire of locally raised quality fruits and vegetables.

• An opportunity to tour mobile structure with Clara Coleman.

• Updates on local activities.

Urban growers, specialty crop producers, community/home gardeners, young farmers, established small-scale farmers, chefs, grocery produce buyers, local food consumers and followers of Eliot Coleman’s books will all benefit from attending, the release stated.

Coleman also serves as a four-season farm specialist and video blog host for a greenhouse in New Hampshire. In 2008, she created Divide Creek Farm – an organic, intensively-managed two-acre four-season vegetable farm located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and successfully operated for three years. Coleman produced year-round vegetable crops under harsh winter conditions.

She is the daughter of renowned farming pioneer Eliot Coleman.

This free event is sponsored by the Toledo-based Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT), Toledo Botanical Garden, and supported by the Ohio Department of Agriculture specialty crop block grant.

The Toledo Botanical Garden is located at 5403 Elmer Drive, Toledo, Ohio 43615. To reserve a seat for the event, guests are encouraged to reserve a seat in advance by emailing here, or 419-535-6000, ext. 140.

CIFT is a developer and provider of technical innovations and solutions for the food processing, agribusiness and agricultural sectors of the economy in the region, our state and beyond.

More information is available here.