July 17-19, 2017
It was a pleasure to be invited to attend the Extension Inservice held in Salmon, Idaho. There was lots to do and learn.
Tuesday morning we visited Swi River Farm. Jessica gave us a walking tour and discussed her sustainable vegetable production. They are building a straw bail house on their property and have a beautiful barn. They grow their tomatoes in a large hoop-house, flowers for beautifying, herbs to sell to a neighbor that uses them in salves, oils and the like. They sell their produce there at their farm as well as at local farmers markets. They also have a work in trade for vegetables program. They have solar panels and are trying to find a ways to be more productive. One thing they are trying is growing their own onion seed, but it takes a couple of years so they are unsure of the outcome. It was a nice field trip!
Tuesday also brought two lectures; one on Food Safety in Commercial Horticulture Crops: Myths, Rules & Realities by Ariel Agenbroad, the other was a presentation by Dr. Don Morishita, on Weed Control Methods and Appropriate Timing in the Home Garden. What I learned mostly was that there is a lot more for me to learn! How do I choose something to become an expert on? I was counseled to teach about what you love... so, what specifically would that be? I must find out if I am to teach about it =)
The end of the day brought a field trip to a local Sacagawea Center, a hot springs and identification of local vegetation. Some of my time also included entertaining cute little Lexi so her dad could perform some of his responsibilities. He thought it was a bother, not so!
Wednesday was a day of lectures and learning. We started with Dr. Larry Rupp, Utah State University, Presentation and Hands-on Training of Woody Plant Propagation (we got to graft our own apple trees). Dr. Edward Bechinski lectured on the Least Toxic Insecticides for Yards and Gardens. Dr. Steve Love spoke about Native Plant Landscaping Techniques and Design. Then Dr. Steve Cook enjoyed the double humor of his topic at the end of the day, Boring Insect Issues in Idaho.
I not only could learn more from these knowledgeable people, and spent more time in Salmon. I learned a lot these two day but, there is much more to see, do and learn.
