Tilth Conference

Conference Schedule

Conference Schedule

Read Your Crops: A Step-By-Step Field Guide for Diagnosing Plant Health Problems

  • Date: Tuesday, November 17
  • Time: 10:30-11:45 a.m.
  • Speaker: Abby Beissinger, Sick Plants
  • Track: Track 1

Managing plant diseases on an organic/no spray farm can look much different than on a conventional one. In this workshop, participants will learn how to use a science-based process to diagnose their plant health problems in an organic system. We will cover the fundamentals of plant pathology, common PNW plant diseases, a step-by-step guide to diagnosing plant problems in the field, educational resources for support, and organic management recommendations to prepare for or prevent disease issues next season. The session will end with an interactive Q&A to trouble shoot plant health problems that attendees have experienced on their farms.

About the Speaker

  • Abby Beissinger

    Sick Plants

    Abby Beissinger is a Seattle-based plant pathologist and the director of Sick Plants, a plant health management service for organic farmers, home gardeners, and house plant growers. Prior to founding Sick Plants, she spent more than a decade working with farmers, municipalities, and resource conservation districts to improve their plant health issues using science-based management decisions. She received an MS in plant pathology from Washington State University, directed the Plant Diagnostic Lab at University of Connecticut, and worked with more than 30 cities throughout the west coast to better manage their urban tree populations. Abby is also a classically trained chef, and is deeply rooted in Seattle’s local food system. Abby’s strength is taking complicated scientific concepts and translating them into the education, resources, and trainings needed for growers of all types to execute a successful growing season, vibrant plantings, and measurable plant health improvements.