FERGUSON, Mo. – University of Missouri and Lincoln University Extension will offer a workshop on holistic strategies to manage pests and disease on vegetables and fruit crops 6-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, at EarthDance Organic Teaching Farm, 233 S. Dade Ave., Ferguson.

The workshop begins with a discussion on using an integrated pest management system to reduce reliance on synthetic insecticides and fungicides, said MU Extension horticulturist Justin Keay.

“Scouting and identifying pests, and understanding their lifecycles, is the first step in developing a management plan that enables growers to reduce inputs and crop damage, and protect pollinators and beneficial insects,” Keay said.

After the classroom portion, participants will take a twilight tour of the urban farm and discuss the process of building an effective pest management plan. The 14-acre teaching farm showcases a variety of food farming techniques and urban ecosystems.

Leading the tour and discussions will be Keay, MU Extension horticulturist Eliza Pessereau, MU and Lincoln University Extension urban entomologist Emily Althoff, MU Plant Diagnostic Clinic director Peng Tian and LU Extension IPM specialist Anitha Chitturi.

“During this twilight tour, plant pathologists and entomologist will offer insights and share resources to help attendees develop resilient crop production systems,” Keay said.

Details and registration. For more information, contact Keay at justin.keay@missouri.edu or 573-324-5464.

Sponsoring partners include EarthDance Organic Teaching Farm and Lincoln University Cooperative Extension’s Innovative Small Farmers Outreach Program. The workshop is for beginning farmers and beginning veteran farmers, plus it is open to all Missourians.

This technical workshop and farm walkabout is supported in part by the Beginning Farmers and Rancher Development Program through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture under Grant ID 2023-0075343-0075343.