ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Organic Crops and Soils Field Day 2002 will be held at the farm belonging to Klaas and Mary-Howell Martens in Penn Yan, N.Y., on Wednesday, Aug. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can tour one of the Northeast region's largest organic farms.

The Martens grow 1,300 acres of organic grain along with processing vegetables on the western slope of Seneca Lake. The Martens and their neighbors will share expertise on how they grow nearly 8,000 acres worth of certified organic products. They also will explain how they began a value-added feed mill and seed-cleaning business.

In addition to marketing, the organic farmers will explain effective weed cultivation methods, while Cornell University agricultural researchers will describe how organic agricultural practices work. Also, the program will include talks on understanding soil health appraisal techniques, insect management methods and combating crop diseases.

The morning agenda will include an overview of organic farming in New York state and a trade show featuring processors, suppliers, certification organizations and Cornell programs.

For attending this tour, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation pesticide credits are available. Bring lunch. If the weather is threatening, bring rain gear, as the field day will be held rain or shine.

The field day is co-hosted by the Northeast Organic Network, New York Certified Organic, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Tour participants will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Yates County Fairgrounds, on Old Route 14A, just south of the village of Penn Yan. There is a $15 fee for the field day, and preregistration is required. To pre-register, call Maxine Welcome at (607) 255-5439. For information, visit http://www.neon.cornell.edu/ .

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