7-16 IAN Organic Tour

 Got an e-mail press release:

David,

The state of Idaho just celebrated Idaho Organic Week. According to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, organic production in Idaho generates over $50 million in sales each year. Idaho ranks in the top 10 in the nation for the production of several organic crops. 

We are offering a field day/tour at one of the pioneering organic farms in the state on Wednesday, July 17 - Purple Sage Farms near Middleton. I have attached a flyer, too, so that you have more information and driving directions.

 Thanks,

Jennifer Miller

I read the Purple Sage flyer which says Purple Sage Farms grow certified organic herbs, greens and specialty produce. The farm also

integrates livestock into the operation, with their grass-fed sheep, goats and cattle. Tim and Mike Sommer will show their greenhouses, low hoop houses, and in-field production. For weed management, they use drip irrigation, plastic mulching, hand hoeing, and cover cropping. They meet most of their fertility needs through on-farm composting and cover cropping. Presumably when you send out a press release you want the press. I called Jennifer Miller a couple of times...no return call. So, in a chat with Alexis Collins of The Natural Resources Conservation Service, she told me she knew something about all of these tours: “ I have gone in the past and they’re interesting because the farmers give the presentations.”