FIELD DAY ON
ORGANIC STRAWBERRY PLUG TRANSPLANT PRODUCTION

Rosie's Organic Farm
1717 SW 120 Terr.
Gainesville, FL 32607
(352) 331-1804

September 6, 2002
5:00-7:00 pm

Consumer awareness about the advantages of pesticide-free, organically-grown produce is increasing. Many consumers are willing to pay premium prices for organically grown strawberries. At present, organically grown strawberry plug-transplants are not available in the U.S. The only source of plug transplants available for growers who want to grow organic strawberries are the non-organic plug transplants available from North Carolina or Nova Scotia. These plug transplants are grown in non-organic plug-mixes and are gown in non-organic plug-mixes and are treated with synthetic fungicides and insecticides. In October 2002, when the USDA National Organic Standards take effect, growers will be prohibited from growing strawberries as an annual crop using non-organically grown plugs. Therefore, the main objective of this project is to develop a system to produce organic strawberry plug transplants by using organic plug-mixes, organic fertilizers, and biological pest control. This research is being conducted in a low-cost greenhouse that was constructed specifically for this project at Rosie's organic farm.

What Questions Will be Addressed?
The following questions will be addressed through demonstrations and discussions:

1) What are the different organic plug-mixes and fertilizers that can be used for producing organic strawberry plugs?

2) What are the different steps involved in plug production? (Selection of runner-tips, disinfection of runner-tips, how to cut and plant the runner-tips, shade requirements, misting, etc.)

3) What are the biological control agents that can be used for controlling insect pests and diseases?

4) How to construct a low-cost greenhouse for producing plug transplants?

5) What is the economic potential for growing organic strawberry plugs and organic strawberry production?

6) What are the requirements under the National Organic Program relating to the use of strawberry transplants?

Refreshments: Orange juice, coffee, sandwiches, and strawberry short-cake.

R.S.V.P BY SEPTEMBER 3, 2002
Call Ashwin Paranjpe at (352) 392-9905

Acknowledgements:
Southern Region SARE
Rosie Koenig
Florida Organic Growers Association
Horticultural Sciences Dept., UF