April 30. Shorter, AL. Alabama Dairy Field Day. Auburn University's E.V. Smith Dairy Unit. Aflatoxins, methane capture and conversion, lowering and managing somatic cell counts and mastitis controls in heifers and older cows will be among the topics discussed at the Alabama Dairy Field Day. The field day will also include a discussion of Alabama Department of Environmental Management and National Resources Conservation Services rules and regulations with producers receiving one continuing education unit credit. For more information, call Brady at (334) 844-1562 or (334) 321-8826.

May 2-3. Birmingham, AL. Economic Opportunities in Forest Medicinal Plants and Mushrooms at the Environmental Training Center, Shelby County Public Library. One and a half days on opportunities for landowners and farmers interested in raising medicinal plants and mushrooms in wooded areas. $50 registration before April 15. Download brochure with registration form. 

May 3. Birmingham, AL. Organic Certification Workshop. 1:30 - 5:30 pm, Environmental Training Center, North Shelby County Public Library. For farmers and ranchers interested in applying for certification or understanding the rules for organic certification. To be held following the Forest Medicinals Workshop. Contact ASAN at 256-520-2400 to register. Free.

May 6. Scottsboro, AL. Growing Backyard Tomatoes. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Registration is $10 per person, and includes lunch, free T-shirt and tomato plants. Extension experts and local growers will provide insights on growing America's most popular garden vegetable, including bed preparation, soil testing, staking and caging, transplant handling, variety selection, insect pests, disease problems, pesticide recommendations, heirloom varieties, organic production, container production, food safety and preservation, health and nutrition information and fresh-use recipes. For more information about the workshop, contact Extension Agent Stan Roark at (256) 357-2841. For registration information and the location and directions call (256) 574-2143.

May 5-7. Beef Excellence: An In-Depth Course on Beef Cattle and Carcass Evaluation. Contact 205-646-3110 for more information.

May 10. Dairy Goat Production and Value-Added Products. Tuscaloosa County Extension Office. Contact 205-349-4630 or 256-766-6223.

May 12. Carrollton, AL. Gardening 101. 1:00-4:00 p.m. Pickens County Extension Office. Topics from vegetable gardening to fruit gardening, and even home lawns will be covered. Extension staff will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. The cost to attend is $2.00. If you are interested in attending please call the Pickens County Extension Office at 205.367.8148 to reserve your spot. Contact: Regional Extension Agent Taylor Hatchett (205.688.6499) or Gary Gray (334.539.2128).

May 12-13. Florence, AL. Recipe to Market and Selling Skills for Food Entrepreneurs. Sponsored by Shoals Culinary Center. These two workshops are designed to be taken together or on a stand alone basis. Recipe to Market covers all aspects of starting or expanding a value-added or specialty food business while Selling Skills focuses on specific areas of bringing a product to market. Anyone interested in starting a specialty food business or anyone already involved in a specialty food business should take this workshop. Costs for the workshops are $10 per day and includes a box lunch.  Seating is limited and you must pre-register. Click here for registration and more information. Or call 256-764-0044.

May 13. Clayton, AL. Growing Backyard Tomatoes. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Registration is $10 per person, and includes lunch, free T-shirt and tomato plants. Extension experts and local growers will provide insights on growing America's most popular garden vegetable, including bed preparation, soil testing, staking and caging, transplant handling, variety selection, insect pests, disease problems, pesticide recommendations, heirloom varieties, organic production, container production, food safety and preservation, health and nutrition information and fresh-use recipes. For more information about the workshop, contact Extension Agent Stan Roark at (256) 357-2841. For registration information and the location and directions call (334) 775-3284.

May 13. Centerville, AL. Gardening 101. 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., Rock Building. Topics from vegetable gardening to fruit gardening, and even home lawns will be covered. Extension staff will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. The cost to attend is $2.00. If you are interested in attending please call the Bibb County Extension Office at 205.926.3117 to reserve your spot. Contact: Regional Extension Agent Taylor Hatchett (205.688.6499) or Gary Gray (334.539.2128).

May 15. Tuscaloosa, AL. Growing Backyard Tomatoes. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Registration is $10 per person, and includes lunch, free T-shirt and tomato plants. Extension experts and local growers will provide insights on growing America's most popular garden vegetable, including bed preparation, soil testing, staking and caging, transplant handling, variety selection, insect pests, disease problems, pesticide recommendations, heirloom varieties, organic production, container production, food safety and preservation, health and nutrition information and fresh-use recipes. For more information about the workshop, contact Extension Agent Stan Roark at (256) 357-2841. For registration information and the location and directions call (205) 349-4630.

May 17. Huntsville, AL. Dairy Field Day. Agribition Center. Contact 256-766-6223 for more information.

May 22. Tuscumbia, AL. Growing Backyard Tomatoes. 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Registration is $10 per person, and includes lunch, free T-shirt and tomato plants. Extension experts and local growers will provide insights on growing America's most popular garden vegetable, including bed preparation, soil testing, staking and caging, transplant handling, variety selection, insect pests, disease problems, pesticide recommendations, heirloom varieties, organic production, container production, food safety and preservation, health and nutrition information and fresh-use recipes. For more information about the workshop, contact Extension Agent Stan Roark at (256) 357-2841. For registration information and the location and directions call (256) 386-8571.

May 25. College Grove, TN. Tennessee Organic Growers Association Farm Day. Tour Delvin Certified Organic Farm. Bring a covered dish with copies of the recipe for a recipe swap. Free range chicken and veggies burgers will be served as well. Visit with other growers and tour the farm to see growing methods. 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. 6290 McDaniel Road, College Grove, TN. All TOGA members are welcome to participate. RSVP with number attending to cindy@delvinfarms.com.

May 31. Dairy Goat Production and Value-Added Products. Elmore County Extension Office. Contact 334-567-6301.

August 12. Clanton, AL. Farm, Home and Wildlife Expo. Noon to 5 pm. Chilton Area Horticulture Research and Extension Center. More information to be announced or call 205-646-3610 or email pittsja@auburn.edu.