Know Your Roots 2020- Workshop and Seminar Schedule
Sign up for all Know Your Roots orchard workshops for just $275. The Cornell CCE and Midsummer Farm workshops not included. For more information or register go to: https://knowyouroots.com/orchard-classes1.html. Or contact Mike Biltonen at mike@knowyouroots.com

The Promise of Biodynamics 2020
Saturday, March 14, 2020 – 10am-4pm
Location – Trumansburg, NY. Specific location - TBD
Rudolf Steiner framed the need for biodynamics by saying the poor quality of food we were eating was seriously diminishing our capacity to interact on a spiritual level and achieve the things we were capable of as a species. And this was in the 1920s! The Promise of Biodynamics 2020 focuses on creating an agronomic foundation for the practical use of biodynamics in most farm and orchard settings. Revitalizing our farms and orchards so that the food we produce and eat allows us to achieve a higher energetic level in concert with nature as a clear path to healing ourselves and the planet. In this course, we will cover basic and advanced concepts of biodynamics tying them to practical farming and orcharding techniques. And since we’re on the cusp of a new spring, we’ll also discuss waking up your farm and orchard biodynamically.
Cost: $55/$45 (pre-register by March 1)
 
Transitioning Conventional Perennial Crops to Organic and Beyond!!
Monday, March 23, 2020 – 6-8pm
Location – Human Services Complex, Rm 120, Montour Falls, NY
Thinking of transitioning an apple orchard and perennial fruiting system from conventional system to an organic/holistic/biodynamic system? This workshop focuses on the practices you’ll need to consider in order to complete a successful transition. Brought to you by Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County.
Workshop fee is $30, pre-registration is required. https://www.facebook.com/events/756892041463247/
 
The Promise of Biodynamics 2020
Sunday, March 29, 2020 – 10am-4pm
Location – Midsummer Farm, Warwick, NY.
Rudolf Steiner framed the need for biodynamics by saying the poor quality of food we were eating was seriously diminishing our capacity to interact on a spiritual level and achieve the things we were capable of as a species. And this was in the 1920s! The Promise of Biodynamics 2020 focuses on creating an agronomic foundation for the practical use of biodynamics in most farm and orchard settings. Revitalizing our farms and orchards so that the food we produce and eat allows us to achieve a higher energetic level in concert with nature as a clear path to healing ourselves and the planet. In this course, we will cover basic and advanced concepts of biodynamics tying them to practical farming and orcharding techniques. And since we’re on the cusp of a new spring, we’ll also discuss waking up your farm and orchard biodynamically.
Register with Midsummer Farm at their web site.
http://www.midsummerfarm.com/pdc-guest-teachers.html
 
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Regenerative Orchardists
Saturday, April 18, 2020 – 10am-4pm
Location – Trumansburg, NY. Specific Location – TBD
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is not a static science or set of practices, it is a dynamic and practical toolkit that serves all growers equally...if they know how to use it. As we move towards a more holistic future, the power of IPM as science and practice increases our ability to manage pest pressures and ensure crop productivity without the use of toxic chemicals and fertilizers. In this workshop, we’ll discuss primary and secondary spring insect and disease pests of apples, IPM tools and strategies, use of biodynamic preps, developing a disease suppressive soil, and even create a skeleton spray program for a typical northeastern apple grower.  We'll cover basic spray application theory and practice, as well. We'll spend a good portion of the time in the field [weather pending], so come prepared.
Cost: $55/$45 (pre-register by Apr 4)
 
Radical Pomology! Orchard Ecosystem Management
Saturday, May 9, 2020 – 10am-4pm
Location – Trumansburg, NY. Specific Location – TBD
As Regenerative Agriculture becomes the rallying cry of progressive farmers everywhere, comprehensively understanding Soil Health, Plant Stress, & Understory Management is critical to stewarding your orchard ecosystem towards a balanced and vibrant state. Soil health is no longer just viewed as simple chemical and mineral inputs, but on managing the underlying soil food web (biology), as well as biochemical and mineral interactions. Good soil health drives healthy plants which in turn feed the soil food web that creates a disease suppressive soil. Managing plant stress ensures healthy plant compounds that drive its own immunity process are fully functioning. Ecosystem Management is a comprehensive, holistic approach underlying a basic understanding that the orchard is an interactive biologically-driven organism unto itself. Cabon sequestration, composting, Indigenous MicroOrganisms, compost teas, biochar, and other regenerative practices will be discussed.
Cost: $55/$45 (pre-register by Apr 25)
 
Regenerative Orcharding for the Summer Season
Saturday, June 27, 2020 – 10am-4pm
Location – Trumansburg, NY. Specific Location – TBD
We're at the midpoint of the season. The crop is set. The bulk of the insect and disease pests are out of the way, now all we have to do is guide the orchard to the finish line. Right! Now the fun really begins. Summer disease and insect pests can be as problematic as the early spring ones. Setting the orchard up for a quality productive crop, but also good return bloom are critical steps in the life cycle of any apple orchard. We'll also cover primary and secondary summer insect and disease pests of apples, IPM tools and strategies, use of biodynamic preps, and even create a summer spray program for the typical northeastern apple grower. We'll spend a good portion of the time in the field [weather pending], so come prepared.
Cost: $55/$45 (pre-register by Jun 13)
 
Fundamentals of Plant Communication
Saturday, July 18, 2020 – 10am-4pm
Location – Trumansburg, NY. Specific Location – TBD
The fact that plants do in fact communicate with each other is no longer highly controversial. They may not communicate in the way the way humans or other organisms communicate with each other, but they do send out signals in times of need or stress – or just to say hi. This communication system runs through what I call the plant's neural network. That is, a network of 'synapses' and 'neurons' maintained and enhanced by appropriate soil and plant health. As we begin to understand the physiological, biochemical and spiritual aspects of how plants communicate and how we can interact with plants [as stewards], we can use this knowledge and wisdom to encourage a holistic plant ecosystem beneficial to growing nutritious food.
Cost: $55/$45 (pre-register by Jul 4)
 
Putting the Orchard to Bed
Saturday, October 17, 2020 – 10am – 4pm
Location – Trumansburg, NY. Specific Location – TBD
The end of another long growing season is nearly upon us. Now is the time to help the orchard relax and settle into its winter slumber. The winter season is the time when the orchard and trees rest and contract, breathing in the cosmic forces as they re-energize in preparation for another growing season that's just around the corner. Practices may include the use of biodynamic tree paste, use of other biodynamic preparations, nutrient applications for bud health, lime or compost applications, tree painting, weeding, rodent control, and more. We'll discuss strategies for ensuring that your orchard goes into the winter healthy and strong, ready to get ready for the next growing season.
Cost: $55/$45 (pre-register by Oct 3)