Spring in the air as garden enthusiasts gather for two-day gardening focused event
by Jennifer Kneuss
February 1, 2011
324
The ground may have been covered by ice and snow, but those gathered at the Garden Symposium and Organic Gardening Conference on January 28 and 29 at the Mc Donald Marlite Center in New Philadelphia were thinking about warmer spring and summer temperatures as they listened to speakers speak on a variety of topics.
Hosted by April Showers Greenhouse of Sugarcreek, and sponsored by the Tuscarawas Soil and Water Conservation District, the Tuscarawas Valley Family Farm Market, and Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, the symposium touched on a wide variety of topics. Additional sponsors included Breitenbach Winery, Broad Run Cheese House and Swiss Heritage Winery, Sugar Valley Meats, Weavers Furniture, and Bull Country Compost.
Participants at the two-day event learned about plant pathology, soil fertility, backyard composting, Mother Natures recipe, organic herbs and their culinary and medicinal uses, container gardening, revitalizing fresh produce, and food garnishment. The symposium kicked off on Friday evening as April Showers Greenhouse owner Ruth Ham introduced a panel of agricultural specialists who not only shared about their individual roles in agriculture, but also answered questions from their audience.
Lee Wise, of Rainbow Hills Winery, told of his foray into the winemaking business, and how grapes have risen in price due to supply and demand over the last few years. Wise noted that the number of wineries in Ohio has more than quadrupled since his winery began. He also shared his companys innovative way of harvesting grapes. Whereas Rainbow Hills once had to hire multiple workers to pick grapes for an extended period of time each fall in the past, they now host large grape picking parties where their faithful customers come and harvest the grapes in exchange for a large celebration with a meal and a complimentary bottle of wine. Wise noted that there is actually now a waiting list of those who want to volunteer to be part of the annual harvest.
George Darr, of Darr Farms, a specialty producer who sells only to the wholesale market, explained how his business had also evolved over the years in response to a changing market and consumer expectations.
Other speakers during the symposium were Charles Krause, a researcher at Ohio State Universitys OARDC Wooster campus, Chef Cameron Krahil of the McDonald Marlite Center, Chris Zoller of OSU Extension, John Sigrist of Bull Country Compost, Mark Langan, a northwest Ohio greenhouse operator, Ralph Keefe, Peter Konjoian, and staff of Sugarcreeks Park Street Pizza. Ruth Ham, event host, also spoke on the Mother Natures Recipe topic. Meals featuring locally produced foods were prepared and served by Chef Cameron Krahil.
We at the Farm Bureau enjoy being a part of this event that helps to promote the local economy while helping to bring farmers and consumers closer together, noted Michelle Specht, who leads a multi-county chapter of the Ohio Farm Bureau, including Tuscarawas County.
Konjonian Greenhouses Peter Konjonian was glad for the opportunity to be a part of the symposium.
This was the first opportunity I have had to speak with a consumer audience and the response was overwhelming to their ideas, questions and concerns, commented Konjonian.
Rural electric cooperative magazine Country Living writer Margie Webker was also present for the event.
This the time of year I get excited to join everyone at the Midwest Garden Symposium, said Webker. It is not only exciting for me, but educational as well. It is always an honor to join some of the greatest and largest growers of this state and see their passion for their industry. Every year I gain more knowledge about gardening and it takes my desire to write about gardening to a whole new level.
As an up and coming leader in promoting local foods and the relationship between farmers and consumers, Tuscarawas Valley Family Farm Markets president Mark MacKenzie was at the symposium not only to promote the mission of the Market, but also in support of local foods in general.
The symposium was a tremendous opportunity for us as a market to help promote our mission: buy local and fresh, stated MacKenzie of the Markets role as one of the symposium sponsors. Every opportunity we have to help make the public aware of our health, family, and local needs is a step in the right direction.
