Workshops - We've planned a whole slew of workshops for this season. You can see the full list at the bottom of the newsletter. Each workshop is designed to present an unique and exciting body of information about topics that are not easy to find elsewhere. Sure, you can head to YouTube or some expensive conference. But with Know Your Roots' workshops we can all get down and dirty together in a dynamic interactive style where we all walk away enriched and ready to grow. Today and tomorrow are the last days to register online for our The Promise of Biodynamic 2020 workshop. We will be accepting a limited number of walk-ins but prefer that everyone pre-register (or at least call ahead) so we can be prepared. You can email me at mike@knowyouroots.com or call 845-674-5124. Find out more about this and all the other workshops below.

Newsletter - As the season winds up and we approach "the beginning" of orchard activities I will be shifting to a different format for sending out newsletters. The first will be the regular newsletter you've come to know and love and have been getting all along with opinions, hot topics and general orchard info. The second is a new "client-only" version that will focus on specific issues happening in client bioregions (i.e., WNY, Finger Lakes, Catskills, Hudson Valley, western MA, central NJ). If you are a KYR client, workshop attendee, or supporting organization, then you will receive this very seasonally-focused, orchard-specific newsletter at not cost. If you are not a KYR client, workshop attendee, or supporting organization, then you can still receive this newsletter for a nominal fee of $50 per season. The grower-only newsletter will be sent on a weekly basis and includes important info including bioregional summaries, plant and pest phenologies, nutrition and fertility recommendations, and spray guidelines. The first issue will be published early next week for everyone. After that it is paid subscription only - SIGN UP AND PAY HERE. You can visit our web site to view and read past issues HERE.

Biodynamics - This is the year that biodynamics - I believe - really takes off in the hearts and minds of holistic farmers and orchardists. Having spent a significant amount of time over the winter immersing myself in its practical and nuanced aspects I feel particularly well versed in helping growers develop their own biodynamic program. In addition to workshops I am holding, there is also a burgeoning Finger Lakes Biodynamics group that is focused on making the preps and holding a discussion group. As well, if you are interested in a "pure" biodynamic program for your farm, orchard or vineyard, then please let me know so we can discuss. That said, the first of the biodynamic preps should be applied in the next few weeks. There will be details in each of the newsletters - with more detail and background in the grower version.

Coronavirus - Coronavirus is something on everyone's minds to these days. Here at Know Your Roots we are also considering the ramifications of this novel virus and impacts on travel, gatherings, and the increased need for sleep, healthy food and medicines. Coronavirus is not something we are taking lightly. However, we - meaning Debbie my amazing herbalists wife and little old me - are doing all we can improve our immune systems and keep as clean as possible. At this time we are not changing anything related to consulting or workshops. We do ask that anyone concerned to contact us about either steps we take or are taking to prevent or reduce any potential issues. For now, we are 100% go for the workshop this weekend. Please call with any questions.

 

Orchard People Podcast #52 - Developing a Spray Schedule

On New Year's Eve I spent a little over an hour with Susan Poizner of Orchard People discussing developing a spray schedule, the ins and outs of various sprays, disease and insect development, and a variety of other issues related to good orchard management. The podcast link and YouTube distillation are up and running for your listening and viewing pleasure

Full Podcast: Orchard People podcast #52
YouTube: Orchard People podcast #52

For more information about Orchard People, please go to:
LEARN ABOUT FRUIT TREES: 
COURSES: OrchardPeople.com's Online Certificate in Fruit Tree Care 
BOOK: Award-Winning Fruit Tree Care Book Growing Urban Orchards
RADIO SHOW AND PODCAST: The Urban Forestry Radio Show and Podcast
 
SOCIAL MEDIA: 
Orchard People Youtube Channel
OrchardPeople on Facebook
Susan Poizner on Twitter
 

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)

Biodynamic Orcharding for a Changing World
Saturday April 25 2020 - 10-4pm
Josephine Porter Institute, Floyd, VA

Register Here!

There is no doubt that the world around us is changing in so many ways. In order to cope with these changes and to create a better world for all, it’s imperative that humanity adopt new ways of approaching how we grow food. As regenerative agriculture becomes the rallying cry of progressive farmers everywhere, biodynamic principles and practices play a key role in your orchard as they underlie a comprehensive, holistic approach to stewarding the interactive biologically-driven organism that is your orchard.

We cover topics like pruning, grafting, thinning, and weed control. We’ll dive into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as art and science for biodynamic practitioners. Though we will cover many basic orchard management practices, this will all be encapsulated in the sphere of biodynamic principles and practices, including the use of biodynamic preps. We’ll discuss the roles that carbon sequestration, developing a disease suppressive soil, Indigenous MicroOrganisms, compost teas, biochar, and other regenerative practices can play in a successful biodynamic orchard.  We'll spend a good portion of the time in the field [weather pending], so come prepared. Register Here!

Participants will receive a grafted tree for their home orchards and gardens. Please call the office if you would like additional trees to take home additional  ($7): 540-745-7030. Water and snacks are available, please pack a lunch! 
 

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)