Maximum Yield USA 2009 June | Page 24

MAX facts hydroponic news, tips and trivia Largest American Farming Conference Celebrates 21 Years Could Poison Soils, Study Finds." ScienceDaily 31 October 2008. 27 February Organized by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), the Organic Farming Conference (OFC) is the largest farmer-centered conference in the United States, held annually in La Crosse, WI. With over 60 informative workshops, 140+ exhibitors, locally-sourced organic food, live entertainment and inspirational keynote speakers, the OFC is celebrated as the foremost educational and networking event in the organic farming community. When the OFC was introduced over 20 years ago, only 90 people were in attendance; last year the event attracted over 2,600 farmers, advocates, educators and community members. The 21st Annual Conference will be held February 25-27, 2010. Registration costs include six workshop sessions on topics ranging from Healthy Soils, Field Crops and Small Grains, Market Farming, Livestock, Marketing and Business and Organic Certification. 2009 http://www.scienced aily.comĀ¬ /releases/2008/10/081030194236.htm) (Source: www.mosesorganic.org) Safe Dosage Tests of Organic Fertilizers Appropriate doses of organic residues, such as sewage sludge and animal waste, can benefit plants, but it has been found that excessive quantities can lead to a toxic impact on soil life. Researchers are currently establishing safe doses, in an effort to prevent these toxic impacts on soil, by utilizing controlled amounts of organic residues. The maximum safe doses of seven residues were analyzed, including two kinds of dehydrated sewage sludge, two kinds of composted mud, two kinds of heat-dried mud and one sample of heat-dried pig waste. By adhering to these levels, researchers believe 95 per cent of agroecosystem species would be protected. (Source: Plataforma SINC. "Over-use of Organic Fertilizers in Agriculture 24 MAXIMUM YIELD USA - June 2009