Visit the Northwind Natural Foods Co-op at the the Depot Farmers Market on Friday, July 22nd from 4-6pm for a rare opportunity to learn about organic farming in Oman from someone who lives there and teaches about farming!
Dr. Rhonda Janke is currently teaching organic farming and other horticultural classes at the Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman. Both men and women receive a free college education in Oman, and farming is important in Oman, though both land and water supply limit the extent of agriculture. This presentation, and follow-up conversation will cover daily life, some of Rhonda’s favorite places in Oman (historical villages, desert camping, and the coral reef), and also agricultural production, and her research on organic fruit and vegetable production, soil quality, and soil microbial diversity.
Dr. Janke grew up on a wheat and dairy farm in Kansas, did her BS in Agronomy at Kansas State University, and MS and PhD in Agronomy at Cornell University. She worked at the Rodale Institute in Pennsylvania for 8 years on organic farming systems, before returning to Kansas in 1994. After 21 years of teaching, research and extension work in Kansas, she and her husband, Raad Alani, moved to Oman, where she teaches agriculture, and he taught geology. Before moving to Oman, they also owned and operated a small organic farm in Kansas where they raised sheep, chickens, vegetables and fruits, and were regular vendors at their farmers’ market and local organic food co-op.
The Farmers Market Association and Northwind Natural Foods Co-op are honored to bring this unique educational experience to our community, which has its own very different set of farming challenges. Stop by for a little bit, or stay for the whole event to take in the whole Oman experience.
