MU Extension workshops tailored to help Amish and Mennonite farmers

COLUMBIA, Mo. --University of Missouri Extension is teaming up with the Missouri Department of Agriculture and local soil and water conservation districts to promote best management practices to Amish and Mennonite produce growers in Missouri. MU Extension received nearly $50,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency for the outreach program.

"We want (the Amish and Mennonites) to be successful growers because they are a very important supplier of produce to northern, central and western Missouri," said James Quinn, MU Extension horticulture specialist and project coordinator.

Amish and Mennonite growers sell their produce at four wholesale auctions located around the state. Quinn estimated that 10 percent of Missouri's fresh vegetable production comes from these communities.

This production is relatively recent, he said. It started in 1994 and has grown every year. There are more Amish and Mennonite communities that also are interested in starting these produce auctions.

University of Missouri Extension is already actively involved with this group, Quinn said. Specialists involved understand that common extension outreach tools, such as information posted on the Internet, workshops located in cities and sometimes even phone calls, are ineffective.

"The way you get the information to them is to take the programming to them and tailor it to their needs," Quinn said.

Quinn plans to conduct workshops in four communities near auction sites: Jamesport, Rich Hill, Lamar and Fortuna.

These workshops will combine information on soil quality and fertilization practices, safe handling of pesticides and insecticides and integrated pest management.