Demand for organic grain continues to outstrip supply. Growing need combined with strong price points and ongoing environmental benefits fuels huge opportunity for farmers interested in organic production. This two-day intensive offered by the Organic Grain Resources and Information Network (OGRAIN) and the Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC) at UW-Madison will guide farmers in taking advantage of the rapidly growing market for organic grain.
Join new and experienced row crop producers exploring beginning and advanced topics at the 2018 Organic Grain Production and Marketing Conference, Friday and Saturday, January 26 and 27, 2018 on the UW-Madison campus.
Presentations, panels, and discussions led by experienced organic farmers, researchers, agency personnel and industry representatives will engage attendees. We’ll learn from experts as well as the expertise that each participant brings.
Workshop Schedule
Expanded workshop descriptions and presenter bios
Friday January 26 2018
7:30 AM Registration and light breakfast
8:00-8:15 AM Welcome Erin Silva, OGRAIN
8:15-9:30 AM Soil fertility-organic choices and solutions Jaime Patton, UW Extension
9:30-9:45 AM BREAK
9:45-11:15 AM Incorporating cover crops and using organic no-till in a cash grain rotation Erin Silva and Matt Ruark, U of WI
11:15-12:15 Marketing organic grains and rotation crops Tim Boortz, NFO
12:15-1:15 PM LUNCH and sponsor table visits
1:15-2:00 PM Keynote: Diversity Builds Resilience Klaas Martens, NY organic farmer
2:15-3:15 PM Choose one workshop
Getting started in small grains (Transitioning to organic farmer session) Bruce Roskens, Grain Millers
Unique small grains for food or feed (Experienced organic farmer session) Klaas Martens, NY organic farmer, Elia Romano, Albert Lea Seed
3:30-4:30 PM Choose one workshop
Navigating organic certification (Transitioning to organic farmer session) Harriet Behar, NOSB member
Integrating livestock into a cash grain operation (Experienced organic farmer session) Jack Erisman, IL organic farmer
4:30-6:30 PM Reception, snacks and cash bar, sponsor table visits
Saturday January 27, 2018
7:30 AM Light breakfast
8:00-9:30 AM Choose one workshop
Transitioning to organic panel (Transitioning to organic farmer session) Sandy Syburg, Bill Buss, TBD
Managing crop pests and diseases through practices not products (Experienced organic farmer session) Klaas Martens, NY organic farmer
9:45-11:00 AM Choose one workshop
Mechanical weed management (Transitioning to organic farmer session) Joel Gruver, Western IL U
Ecological weed management (Experienced organic farmer session) Matt Liebman, IA State U
11:15-12:15 Post harvest handling and storage Craig Tomera, Grain Millers
12:15-1:00 PM LUNCH
1:00-2:15 PM Farm Financials and Crop Insurance Rich Ritter, Flanagan State Bank
2:30-4:00 PM Farmer Panel-Keys to organic farm success Klaas Martens, Jack Erisman, Mark Doudlah
4:00 PM Wrap up and complete conference evaluations