2025 Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference Program

Local Food Revolution

2025 CONFERENCE GUIDE AND DIRECTORY OF SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS

Welcome to the 36th Annual Marbleeseed Organic Farming Conference!

As we convene this year, the vernal equinox is exactly 30 days from now. Part of the magic of the Marbleseed conference is the nearness of spring. For many of us, we will leave here to go start plants in greenhouses, warm basements, or light-filled porches. We may even gather seeds here that we buy from our favorite exhibitors or trade with other farmers at the seed swap.

Others are looking forward to early season babies. We take in equal measures of rest and revelry knowing what is to come with farrowing, lambing, calving, or kidding. We will go home to new life and responsibility—farm chores that are that much longer as we count noses and check on new mamas.

I love that we gather as the days lengthen and the winter shortens. For some of us, winter is a season of rest and planning. We are gearing up to try something new in our rotations or soil-building practices. And some of us are looking forward to opening the gates to fresh pastures, now green again. No longer fighting frozen waterers and worrying about the stores of hay. The work is still with us, but the worries are lessening.

In this sweet spot of in-between is a place of openness and learning. The Marbleseed team spends the year listening to farmers to find out what will be most useful for the huge variety of farm scales and types that come through the door with conference attendees. We heard that you want more production workshops and have tried to accommodate livestock, specialty crops, and field crops. We have invited other organizations to bring content from their expertise and are excited that the Organic Fruit Growers Association, FairShare CSA Coalition, Grassworks, OFARM, and policyfocused partners are joining us this year for Thursday afternoon content.

In addition to the abundance of formal and planned workshop content, we again are making space for Farmer Summits where the content is created in the moment. We know that we cannot possibly predict what will be top of mind come February as we plan the agenda in October. This year’s Summits will each kick off with a mini-keynote session! Join the Farmer Summit that calls to you and know that we will have a process that will enable you to know what is happening in all of the rooms so you can move between themes, learn from farmer-peers, and network.

This year is starting with a bit more uncertainty, not just with a changing climate, but an unfinished Farm Bill. It is good to be in community to find common purpose and shared ground.

Together we can identify what is important and worth fighting for in the coming months. Our theme, Local Food Revolution, speaks to the profound impacts on farm businesses and healthy food for communities that we have seen in the past few years with unprecedented investments in small farms and local food systems. We have successes to share in ‘going small’

and the value of replication over consolidation. In fact, 86% of U.S. farms are small farms. And as we are in community with each other, we need to also remember that only 26% of all U.S. cash crops are foods that people eat. We are feeding our communities. Yet, most of us rely heavily on off-farm jobs and the income and health insurance that come with them.

In the past few years, the Marbleseed conference has seen more next-generation farmers and farm dreamers. Despite the fact that the American farmer population is getting older, the Marbleseed community is getting younger! The realities of farm income and land prices are huge barriers to growing and raising food. Yet, there are beginning farmers here that are determined to fight for the opportunity to feed their neighbors healthy food. They are also motivated to change the course of climate change and learn to mitigate its impact along the way.

I hope we all find space in the agenda and places to connect across generations and lived experiences to find what is worth fighting for together.

There will be opportunities for this during shared meals, happy hours in the Exhibit Hall, trivia, a dance with a live band, and spots to cozy up for conversation. We are a community of communities—the Marbleseed mycelium. Check out the schedule for various affinity group meet-ups and find “your people” amongst this diverse group of farmers.

And if that is not enough of a “to do” list, while you are here, tip your bartender, visit the Exhibit Hall, and thank our sponsors. Then pop over to the Marbleseed booth and say hi to our staff and Board. If you find that you have had too much physical or social activity, the Wellness Room is a great place to refuel for those of us who are introverts and used to a bit more alone time or who need to stretch after so much sitting and walking.

On behalf of the staff and Board, welcome to the 36th annual Organic Farming Conference! We are a diverse group in so many ways, yet there is so much that brings us together. I hope that in the days we gather, before we all go back to our farms, we can learn from each other. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Rob Dunn, will talk about mutualism, or benefitting from interaction with each other. That is what I hope you bring home with you and into the promise of spring. I am so glad you are here.

Lori Stern, Executive Director

Contents About Marbleseed

4

Conference Information

6

Interpretation Services

7

Organic Meals

7

Keynotes

8

Affinity Meetup Groups

10

Farmer led. Rooted in Organic.

Facilities Map

14

Thursday Schedule-at-a-Glance

16

Wear your name badge

Thursday Schedule Descriptions

18

Please wear your name badge daily at the conference—don’t leave it at your hotel! It’s your pass to workshops, the Exhibit Hall, and meals.

Friday Schedule-at-a-Glance

20

Friday Schedule Descriptions

22-24

Saturday Schedule-at-a-Glance

28

Hang your coat

Saturday Schedule Descriptions

30-32

Coat racks are in the North Hall lobby and South Hall Upper Level. Follow the signs.

2025 Organic Farmer of the Year

34

2025 Changemaker of the Year

35

Join the conversation

Evening Entertainment

37

Health and Wellness Room

38

Farmer Summits

38

Organic Research Forum

39

Exhibit Hall Map

40

Sponsor & Exhibitor Directory

42

Use #Marbleseed2025. We’ll post photos on Facebook and Instagram @marbleseedorg!

REFRESH

Find snack stations on the map. Fill your own water bottle or get a Marbleseed Conference glass mug with lid for $5 in the Marbleseed Bookstore or at the Help Desk in North Hall. It’s a great souvenir of your Marbleseed 2025 experience!

Stash your trash

Help us reduce landfill trash by using the recycling and compost bins. Signs posted above each bin list items accepted.

Cover photo credit: Patrick Maloney Maloney Cattle Ellsworth, Wis.

Wi-Fi: Marbleseed Password: marbleseed

Take the 2025 Organic Farming Conference evaluation and tell us how we did!

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About Marbleseed Marbleseed is committed to maximizing an organic, regenerative farming ecosystem across the Midwest to provide livelihoods for human-scale farmers, food justice for eaters, and environmental protection. This is our 36th Organic Farming Conference, and while planning the conference is a big part of what we do, we are busy throughout the year with a variety of programs that facilitate peer-to-peer learning through farmer-led programs, events, and print and digital resources. Farmer-led. Rooted in Organic.

FARMER SELF-ORGANIZING

Our programs are shaped and often led by farmers who know best what they need for information and resilience.

Ag Solidarity Network (ASN) A collectively launched social network and organizing platform for production and farmer affinity groups. Check out the features and make connections with farmers across the Midwest at the Marbleseed booth or visit agsolidaritynetwork.com to learn more!

Farmer Allyship and Mental Health: Peer Support At the heart of Marbleseed’s mission is the belief that everyone deserves to feel safe, valued, and respected. Our Allyship and Mental Health trainings and online communities are steps in making that vision a reality in rural spaces.

Farmer-to-Farmer Mentoring This year-long program pairs experienced and new organic farmers to encourage successful organic farms.

TRAINING AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) Wrap-around support to farmers transitioning to organic production, including mentorship, training, and technical assistance.

Organic Conservation Partnerships Marbleseed partners with NRCS and other allied organizations to provide organic training for NRCS staff, develop regional networks, perform outreach to organic farmers and certifiers, and coordinate with the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).

Organic Field Days These on-farm events showcase what works, giving farmers ideas to put into practice on their own farms.

Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC) This project, in collaboration with Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, Renewing the Countryside, and Wisconsin Farmer’s Union acknowledges that 35% of all producers are women, many of whom have been and still are underserved by conservation funding and support agencies. This project works with women conservation coaches to change that.

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SUPPORTING LOCAL, FAMILY SCALE, ORGANIC FARMS AND ENTERPRISES Grassroots Organizing for Small to Medium-Size Farms Marbleseed is a represented member in both the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and the National Organic Coalition. We are working with these organizations to amplify the voices of organic farmers in the Midwest and support farmers in organizing in around the Farm Bill.

New Farmer U This annual educational retreat covers farm financial and business management for intermediate beginning farmers or anyone who is ready to plan for future success. Stay up to date at newfarmeru.org Wisconsin Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (WI LFPA) A partnership between Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; Marbleseed; Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative; and Wisconsin Farmers Union to strengthen local and regional food systems.

Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) Pasture, Process, Plenty: Studying a Local Meat Supply Chain This program was initiated to address the meat processing challenges, both current and anticipated, impacting farmers, processors, and consumers in northwestern Wisconsin. As current business owners age out of the industry, ongoing efforts include envisioning diverse pathways to ownership for new individuals, increasing training opportunities for workers, and ensuring equitable access to those opportunities.

USDA Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities (PCSC) Marbleseed and our partners, who include Organic Farmers’ Agency for Relationship Marketing (OFARM), Ohio Ecological Food & Farming Association (OEFFA), Michael Field Agriculture Institute, and Tennessee State University (TSU) are collaborating with farmers to ensure a commitment to organic and a recognition of organic’s inherent climate-smart nature.

ACCESS TO LAND AND CAPITAL Farmland Access Program & the Wisconsin Land Access Hub Finding quality, affordable land is challenging. Wisconsin Farmland Access Navigators are trained to guide beginning farmers through the process of finding property and securing land tenure. The Wisconsin Land Access Hub is a group of professionals that assist in land acquisition and are aware of the challenges and needs of beginning farmer land seekers.

Farmer Advancement Program With a focus on advanced beginning farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers, this program is enhancing mentorship and support, creating a holistic approach to building a more just system of agriculture and agricultural funding.

RESOURCES Website Find information about organic farming practices and organic certification at marbleseed.org. The Farming by Topic section has how-to articles and related resources.

Fearless Farm Finances This resource book is packed with instructions, tips, and tools for setting up and managing a farm’s financial system. Get it in the Marbleseed Conference Bookstore or online. The free Fearless Farm Finances course teaches you how to master your farm’s finances!

Guidebook for Organic Certification A 32-page guide to organic certification and production.

Organic Broadcaster This quarterly magazine provides practical information and news about organic farming to more than 15,000 readers.

We offer it without charge to farmers.

Organic Factsheets Easy-to-follow explanations about complex certification requirements or topics related to organic farming.

Midwest Organic Resource Directory Connect with everything you need to grow—the directory includes buyers, suppliers, certification agencies, and educational resources such as factsheets, workbooks, guidebooks, and more.

Marbleseed Programmatic Overview Visit the Marbleseed Booth to snag a copy of an exclusive publication that provides in-depth updates on our grant programming.

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Conference Information Childcare & Teen Space Childcare (ages 3-12)

Thursday, 12:30-5:30 p.m. | Friday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. | Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

We offer adult-supervised childcare that provides individualized activities for children ages 3-12.

Located through the skyway in the Radisson via North Hall Upper.

Teen Space (ages 12+)

Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. | Saturday, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The staff of Wisconsin Farmers Union’s Kamp Kenwood will again be joining us to lead educational activities and fun in our Teen Space for kids ages 12 & up. Find Teen Space in South Hall Upper.

Children in Workshops

To ensure that other conference attendees can hear the presenters, please make sure your children are quiet and supervised during workshops. If they need attention, please leave the workshop room.

Gender Neutral Restrooms

Several restrooms are designated as gender neutral. See the map on page 8.

Lost and Found & First Aid

See staff at Check-In if you need help.

Volunteers

A great crew of volunteers helps make the Marbleseed Conference run smoothly. If you need help navigating the conference center, just look for someone wearing a green “Volunteer” ribbon or yellow “Staff” ribbon—we’re happy to help you find your way!

Scholarship Funds

Giving to the Marbleseed Conference Scholarship Fund is a great way to encourage the success of organic and sustainable farmers.

In addition to the main Conference Scholarship Fund, we also manage two funds that honor our friends and organic pioneers: the David J. Engel Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Chris Blanchard Scholarship Fund. Help others attend the conference by donating to our scholarship fund at marbleseed.org/donate

Parking

The City of La Crosse has made free parking available at nearby ramps. There is free on-site parking for all attendees at the La Crosse Center Ramp (201 Jay Street) and the Riverside Parking Ramp (424 22nd Street S), making it easy to drive directly to the conference.

Hotel Shuttles

Please note that shuttle services will not be available from hotels this year.

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Green Initiatives

Compost and Recycling stations are located throughout the conference center. We contract with Organic Waste Connections to ensure our compostables stay out of the waste stream and Hilltopper for recylcing. Please help us maintain this environmental commitment by placing waste in the appropriate containers.

Reduce plastic waste by bringing your own reusable container to refill at a drinking station or pick up a conference commemorative glass mug or reusable bamboo utensils—both available for purchase in the Marbleseed x Acres Bookstore. At the end of the conference, you can also return your name badge holder in designated boxes throughout the La Crosse Center for reuse in future years.

Interpretation Services To provide a thorough and more accessible educational experience at the 36th Organic Farming Conference, we have made solid investments in on-site equipment to ensure more effective communication with our constituents’ diverse linguistic backgrounds. Interpretation services are a crucial component in fostering inclusivity and accessibility at events. This is why we have invested in more interpretation equipment that will allow attendees to attend a greater number of sessions than in previous years at the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference. Participants in need of language access services can take in the educational content of their choice while obtaining accurate, high-quality interpretation.

Language access services such as live interpretation bridges language gaps, facilitates connections between educators and attendees, and enables participants to fully engage with our educational content—whether it’s a presentation, workshop, or discussion. Our commitment to inclusivity ensures that all attendees can actively participate in our conference. The interpretation services available will not only enrich participants’ experiences at the conference but will also highlight the importance of creating a truly inclusive environment in the exchange of knowledge.

Interpretation services are offered Thursday through Saturday at this year’s conference. Languages offered include Spanish, HMoob, and other languages if requested at the time of registration. Come to the Check-In table in the South Hall Upper lobby to learn more.

Los servicios de interpretación se ofrecen de jueves a sábado en la conferencia de este año. Los idiomas que se ofrecen incluyen español, HMoob, y otros idiomas solicitados en el momento de la inscripción. Pase por la area de check-in en el vestíbulo del South Hall Upper para obtener más información.

Lub rooj sib tham xyoo no muaj neeg txhais lus hnub Thursday txog Saturday. Muaj neeg txhais ua lus Mev, lus Hmoob, thiab lwm hov lus ua thaum tib neeg cuv npe rau lub rooj sib tham no qhia rau peb ua ntej lawm. Nyob rau hauv lub tsev sib tham, mus rau qhov chaw hu ua South Hall Upper, mus ntawd lub rooj Check-In los yog lub rooj txheeb npe.

Organic Meals Lunch is included with Friday registration, and breakfast is included with Friday and Saturday registration. Refreshments will be available each day for all conference attendees. Supper tickets can be purchased at Check-In. Have dietary restrictions? Meal options are available for attendees with dietary restrictions. All items will be labeled, and ingredients will be listed to accommodate people with mild food allergies or who are vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and/or dairy free. Please note that meals are served “buffet style,” and severe food allergies cannot be accommodated.

Continental Breakfast:

Friday Lunch:

Break Food:

Friday Dinner:

Thursday Dinner:

Saturday Lunch (add-on purchase): The La Crosse Center South Hall concession stand will be open on Saturday from 12-2 p.m., offering grab-and-go lunch options for attendees seeking a quick bite after the conference concludes.

Whole fruit, granola, dairy and soy yogurt, hot oatmeal with toppings Whole fruit, blue corn chips, salsa, corn relish, cheese, snack bars Salmon burgers, vegan pulled pork, vegetable pasta salad, potato salad, baked beans, potato chips

Ham & potato soup, vegan chili, garden greens & dressings, brown rice and kale salad, ice cream treats Beef tips, vegan beef tips, mashed potatoes, green beans almondine, garden greens & dressings, warm berry cobbler

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Keynotes Keynote from Dr. Robb Dunn

Friday, 8-10 a.m. | South Hall Upper, Room E

Increasingly, farmers and ranchers will confront radically new climatic and ecological futures. In his talk, Rob Dunn explores what we already know about these futures as well as, in their light, a series of alternative futures for farms. At one extreme, we might imagine “mutualism farms,” that focus on the interdependence of species and maximize mutualisms. An alternate future is robot and AI driven. Between these extremes lurk interesting complementarities. In telling the stories of possible futures, Dunn will consider the kinds of risk that these futures entail. In doing so, he will draw on insights from the studies of crows, belly buttons, slime molds, and many other species from which we might learn. As a thought experiment, Dunn will invite participants to imagine what farms and futures that focus on heightening mutualisms look like. When we consider a more (rather than less) biologically connected future, what do we see and what can we, together, create?

Plus, a panel featuring: Marc Grignon

Marc works on hemp varieties as a farmer. He also has extensive policy and advocacy experience and works with Rural Co. Glen Philbrick

Glen is a college teacher and farmer in Turtle Lake, N.D. He has been awarded several Farmer SARE grants and is always curious and trying new things on his farm.

Karin Jokela

Karin has a strong background in pollinator conservation and agriculture. She holds a master’s degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from Iowa State University, where she studied skipper butterfly conservation and grassland restoration within agroecosystems. Karin and her husband are also organic vegetable farmers in southern Minnesota, and Karin manages a small native plant nursery on their farm, Sogn Valley Farm.

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Affinity Meetup Groups A Place to Embrace and Be HMoob

Friday, 2-4 p.m. | South Hall Upper, Orange Room; Saturday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | North Hall Upper, Orange Room

This is a place for only HMoob farmers and ag staff to rejuvenate, strengthen collaborative power, and be authentically present where informal networking, idea and knowledge sharing, and farmer support will be provided. It is also a place to relax, let go of stress, and remove overwhelming expectations.

Contact: Yimmuaj Yang, yimmuaj@groundswellconservancy. org Early Career Professionals and Farmers Meetup

Thursday, 6:30-8 p.m. | South Hall Upper, Orange Room

Are you new to organic agriculture? Do you identify as an early-career conservation or agriculture professional or a beginning farmer? Are you looking to get more involved in supporting a more resilient local food and farming future?

Bring your dinner to this open-space networking session to make new connections. Hosted by Golden Sands, The National Young Farmers Coalition, and Renewing the Countryside.

Contact: Nichole Kirk, nichole.kirk@usda.gov

Introduction to the African and Diaspora Farmers Affinity Group

The African and Diaspora Farmers Affinity Group is a newly formed collective based in the Great Lakes region of the Midwest, designed to bring together African and diaspora farmers to collaboratively address the unique challenges facing our communities. Recognizing the rich agricultural heritage and innovative practices among our members, this group aims to create a supportive network where knowledge sharing and resource exchange can thrive. Our collective history reflects the diverse backgrounds of our members, uniting various cultural approaches to farming and food production.

The primary purpose of the affinity group is to identify and overcome obstacles that hinder our farming practices and communities. By fostering a space for dialogue and collaboration, we aim to empower farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to enhance sustainable agricultural practices. We will host workshops, discussions, and networking events that emphasize resilience and innovation in food systems, ensuring our communities can adapt to changing environmental and economic conditions.

Through this alliance, we seek to build a robust and sustainable food system that not only nourishes our communities but also celebrates the cultural heritage of African and diaspora farmers.

By working together, we can create impactful solutions and advocate for policies that support equitable access to resources, ultimately fostering a thriving agricultural landscape in the Great Lakes region.

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African and Diaspora Farmers Affinity Group: Breaking Bread and Building Bonds Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m. | South Hall Lower, Room A

Join us for the “Breaking Bread and Building Bonds” session, a vibrant meet-up for Black and African immigrant farmers at the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference. This interactive gathering provides a welcoming space to share experiences, challenges, and successes in the agricultural sector. Together, we will foster connections, explore collaborative opportunities, and strengthen our network of support, all while emphasizing the importance of unity and shared experiences in building resilience within our farming communities. Come connect, learn, and grow with us!

African and Diaspora Farmers Affinity Group: Organizing for Impact Friday, 5-6:30 p.m. | South Hall Lower, Room A

Join us for the “Organizing for Impact” session, designed to empower Black and African immigrant farmers to effectively advocate for their needs and interests. This engaging workshop will facilitate discussions around common successes and challenges faced within our farming groups. Participants will brainstorm ways we can work together by discussing how to develop practical steps to meet our collective needs. Through sharing experiences and exploring successful case studies, we will create actionable plans for collaboration. Together, we will build a unified voice and foster a strong network, ensuring our community thrives and effectively addresses the unique challenges we face in agriculture.

African and Diaspora Farmers Affinity Group: Affinity Group Leadership Saturday, 7:30-8:30 a.m. | South Hall Upper, Green Room

Join us for the “Affinity Group Leadership” session, designed for those involved in leadership roles within the African and Diaspora Farmers Affinity Group. This critical meeting will provide a collaborative space to discuss our shared vision, leadership strategies, and group initiatives. Participants will explore common successes and challenges encountered in their roles, while brainstorming ways to effectively support one another. Together, we will outline actionable steps to strengthen our leadership framework and demonstrate our commitment to our farming communities. By fostering open dialogue and collaboration, we aim to empower all members and ensure the sustainability and growth of our affinity group.

Contacts: Porchea McGuire, prochea@nwifoodcouncil.org | Yves Doumen, motherland.gcp@gmail.com ¡DALE! Hora social de unidad de agricultores latinos y BIPOC ¡DALE! Latinx and BIPOC Farmer Unity Social Hour Thursday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. | South Hall Lower, Room D

Aunque tenemos un espacio limitado disponible para que los agricultores latinos y BIPOC del Medio Oeste se reúnan, nuestro trabajo tiene un impacto significativo en el sistema alimentario de todas nuestras comunidades. Únase a nosotros para construir colectivamente un espacio diseñado para

conocernos, compartir nuestras historias y experiencias, y reconocer el valor de nuestro trabajo. Al fortalecer nuestras conexiones y expandir nuestras redes, no solo nos apoyamos mutuamente, sino que también empoderamos a nuestras comunidades. Únase a esta sesión para explorar cómo juntos podemos crear conexiones sólidas que fortalezcan nuestro impacto y construyan un futuro más equitativo y sostenible para todos. ¡Este es un espacio para celebrar! ¡Traiga a sus amigos y familiares para compartir historias, y luego disfrutar del baile, la música, y las piñatas!

Although we have limited spaces available for Latinx and BIPOC farmers in the Midwest to come together, our work has a significant impact on the food system in all of our communities. Come join us to collectively build a space designed to get to know each other, share our stories and experiences, and recognize the value of our work. By strengthening our connections and expanding our networks, we not only support each other, but we also empower our communities. Join this session to explore how together we can create strong connections that strengthen our impact and build a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

This is a space to celebrate! Please bring your friends and family to share stories and enjoy dancing, music, and pinatas!

Desayuno de discusión de la unidad de agricultores latinos y BIPOC: ¿Qué apoyo necesitan nuestros agricultores?/ Latinx and BIPOC Farmers Unity Breakfast Discussion: What support do our farmers need?

Saturday, 9-10 a.m. | South Hall Lower, Room D

Únase a nosotros para un desayuno de discusión abierta relajante y colectivo para obtener más información sobre las subvenciones y préstamos disponibles para el próximo año, discutir las necesidades de apoyo técnico, y brindar comentarios directos a las organizaciones sobre el apoyo que necesitan los agricultores BIPOC y Latinx en el Medio Oeste.

Come join us for a relaxing and collective open discussion breakfast to learn more about available resources, grants, and loans for the upcoming year, discussing and surveying for technical support needs, and providing space for farmer direct feedback to organizations on what support is needed by BIPOC and Latinx farmers in the Midwest.

Rompiendo la descolonización en la agricultura: Debate sobre la unidad de agricultores latinos y BIPOC/Breaking Down Decolonization in Agriculture: Centralizing the stories of BIPOC, Latinx, and Indigenous Farmers Friday, 6-8 p.m. | South Hall Lower, Room D

¿Cómo podemos apoyarnos mutuamente y crecer en un espacio donde se valoren nuestros valores culturales y nuestras prácticas sostenibles de producción de alimentos? En esta sesión, exploraremos estrategias para organizarnos de manera efectiva y maximizar nuestro impacto colectivo. Únete a este diálogo para reflexionar sobre nuestras experiencias, compartir recursos, y co-crear soluciones que reflejen nuestra identidad y

visión compartida.

How can we support each other as emerging, BIPOC, Latinx, and Indigenous farmers and grow in a space where our cultural values and sustainable food production practices are valued? In this session, we will explore the process of decolonization and strategies to organize effectively and maximize our collective impact. Join this dialogue to reflect on our experiences, share resources and support, and co-create solutions that reflect our shared identity and vision for our communities for the next generation of farming.

Contacts: Lucia Schulz, Community Organizing Associate, lucias@cfra.org, 402-380-7006 | Yolibeth Rangel, REAP Food Group, yolibethr@reapfoodgroup.org, 608-577-8306 Participatory Learning Community for Beginning Farmers Friday, 7-8:30 p.m. | South Hall Upper, Orange Room

A gathering for beginning farmer educators, mentors, and any farmers interested in creating participatory peer-to-peer learning opportunities for beginning farmers.

Contact: Mariel Borgman, mborgm@msu.edu Northern Pear Growers

Friday, 3:30-5 p.m. | North Hall Upper, Blue Room

This group meets to discuss which quality pear varieties are productive in our region and the management practices for their successful cultivation.

Contact: David Sliwa, ddsliwa@gmail.com Regenerative Poultry Growers & Enthusiasts Affinity Group Friday, 3:30-5 p.m. | North Hall Upper, Green Room

Anyone interested in regenerative poultry and/or regenerative agroforestry systems is invited to join the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance along with Tree Range Farms poultry producers in a discussion about the regenerative poultry production model and the ecosystem of regenerative businesses we are building in the Midwest.

Contact: Louis Kemp, louis@regenagalliance.org Food Sovereignty and Agroecology Meetup

Saturday, 10:15-11:45 a.m. | South Hall Lower, Room D

Join others who are interested in learning more about La Via Campesina and how principles of food sovereignty and agroecology can build solidarity between family farmers, farm/ food workers, Indigenous communities, and across our entire food/farm system.

Contact: John Peck, familyfarmdefenders@yahoo.com Welcoming Communities: Becoming an Ally and Upstander Friday, 3-4:30 p.m. | South Hall Lower, Room B

In response to experiences of racism, discrimination, and lack of safety from farmers of color in our community, join us in engaging conversations about racism, xenophobia, homophobia, etc. in our own region and what we could do by working collectively with farmers and folks in rural places who recognize that creating a culture of welcome that embraces diversity makes communities vibrant and viable. Explore the possibility of being an upstander and ally in rural Wisconsin.

Continued on next page.

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Contact: Mia Ljung, mia.ljung@wisc.edu, 920-470-4645 | Nou Thao, nou.thao@marbleseed.org, 888-906-6737 x723

Office Hours: Ask a Lender Office Hours

Friday, 1-3 p.m. | North Hall Upper, Blue Room

Queers in the Field

Bring your lending and financing questions to Compeer staff.

LGBTQIA+ farmers and friends are invited to join us for socializing, networking, and resource sharing.

Contact: Hawthorn McCracken, mccrackencc15@gmail.com

Selling Farm-to-School Office Hours

Friday, 5-6:30 p.m. | South Hall Upper, Orange Room

WiWiC Learning Circle

Saturday, 9-10:15 a.m. | South Hall Upper, Orange Room

Join us to network and be in community with women who value and implement conservation practices on their land and the professionals who help them achieve their stewardship dreams. This year, WiWiC welcomes women from Minnesota (MNWiC) to join in to share stories and struggles, learn how to increase your network, and learn how a professionally prepared conservation plan (provided for free through WiWiC) can create both a roadmap AND opportunities for funding. Let us know what you would like to learn more about regarding conservation and soil health!

Contact: Esther S Durairaj, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, eshekinah@michaelfields.org | Jennifer Nelson, Renewing the Countryside

Friday, 1-3 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | North Hall Upper, Green Room

Representatives from the National Center for Appropriate Technology will be available to help producers learn how to start selling to schools.

NRCS Office Hours

Friday, 5:30-6:30 p.m. | North Hall Upper, Green Room

Questions on applying for funding to implement conservation practices on your farm? Find out what is available for organic farmers of all sizes by meeting one-on-one with Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) staff.

Organic Fruit Growers Association (OFGA) Annual Member Meeting Thursday, 6-7 p.m. | South Hall Lower, Room B

Meet our network of Upper Midwest organic fruit growers, learn about OFGA’s activities and plans for the upcoming year, give input, and ask questions. New and prospective members are welcome. Pick up your supper at the dining hall and bring it with you to the meeting. Stay after the formal meeting for social time and discussion with fellow fruit growers.

Contact: Chris McGuire, OFGA, ofgacoordinator@gmail.com Tribal Meet-and-Greet

Friday, 5-6 p.m. | South Hall Lower, Room B

This short session provides an opportunity for Tribal producers and key partners to connect on current efforts while discussing possible collaborations.

Contact: Dan Cornelius, daniel.cornelius@gmail.com Marbleseed Shabbat!

Friday, 6-8 p.m. | North Hall Upper, Blue Room

Join the Jewish Farmer Network team for a special Shabbat dinner with other Midwestern Jewish farmers! Together we will engage in rituals new and old, while exploring the ways our tradition elevates food and builds community. The Sabbath is an ancestral blueprint for sacred cycles of work and rest that are directly tied to the work of a farmer. Let’s honor our ancestors by breaking bread together! This space is for Jewish farmers and their friends and family. Please stop by our table in the exhibitor hall to register!

Contact: Shani Mink, shani@jewishfarmernetwork.org

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BUILD YOUR COMMUNITY, JOIN THE AG SOLIDARITY NETWORK

Connect with and learn from a diverse network of farmers, farmer-workers, homesteaders, and food system professionals. Join groups that match with your expertise & interests. Post and search for job opportunities, events, and classifieds.

Sign up at agsolidaritynetwork.com.

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Facilities Map

Research Poster Gallery

Bookstore

Free Resource Area

C

B

MAP KEY Restrooms

D

A

Gender-Neutral Restroom Mother’s Room Elevator Escalator Stairs Coat Racks Beverages ATM

Map is not to scale.

14

Snacks

Green Room

E Evening Entertainment & Keynote

Lobby

Down to A, B, D, Dining Hall Orange Room

Wellness Room

Teen Space

15

Thursday Schedule-at-a-glance South Hall Lower A B

Time 1 p.m.

D

See session details and descriptions on following pages.

South Hall Upper Orange E

Agricultural Policy 1:15 p.m. & The Future of Organics 1:30 p.m.

G

North Hall Upper H

1:45 p.m.

2 p.m.

2:15 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

2:45 p.m.

3 p.m.

3:15 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

4 p.m.

4:15 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

4:45 p.m.

5 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:45 p.m.

6 p.m.

Supper

6:15 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

OFGA Annual Member Meeting

¡DALE! Latinx and BIPOC Farmer Unity Social Hour Early Career Professionals Meetup

6:45 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

African and Diaspora

7:45 p.m. Farmers Affinity

Group: Breaking

8 p.m. Bread and Building 8:15 p.m.

Bonds

Organic Farming Trivia

8:30 p.m.

Wild Alaska seafood, traceable to the source From boat to plate

Wholesale pricing available

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I

Organic Fruit Managed Grazing Wisconsin Local Farming the Crash Course: Food Purchasing Upper Midwest Practical Skills for Assistance (with the Organic Success Program (WI LFPA) Fruit Growers Gathering Association)

North Hall Upper J K

Exhibit Hall

Strategies for Shaping The Resilient & Future of Organic Brilliant Farming Grain Marketing (with the Midwest Vegetable Growers Network)

Exhibit Hall Open

03

3 302/

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Thursday Schedule Descriptions Agricultural Policy & The Future of Organics

Half-Day Session Thursday, 1-5:30 p.m.

South Hall Lower, Room A Alice Runde, Milo Petruziello, Michelle Ramirez-White, Erin Thompson, Jean Bahn, Sylvia Burgos Toftness, Sheila Everhart Join the National Organic Coalition (NOC), the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA), Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU), and the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association (WATA) for in-depth sessions on agricultural policy. The first part of this session with NOC and OEFFA will demystify the legislative process, including how the Farm Bill works and the current state of its reauthorization, and share good practices for engaging with legislators and their staffs.

The second part of this session with WFU will examine programs that work to achieve farm-to-food access goals and discuss how federal and state funding for climate and conservation work in agriculture could be reimagined to achieve more local food systems goals in tandem. The third part of this session will describe the demand for agritourism economic development assistance and how it would be provided in an Office of Agricultural Tourism and Rural Innovation. A panel of farmers and leaders from WATA will describe steps being taken to move forward with this effort, including a biennium request.

Organic Fruit Farming the Upper Midwest (with the Organic Fruit Growers Association)

Half-Day Session Thursday, 1-5:30 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room G Chris McGuire, Madeline Wimmer, David Bohnhoff, Ben McAvoy, Rachel Henderson, Juli McGuire, Deirdre Birmingham, Andrew Zwald

Join the Organic Fruit Growers Association for an afternoon of learning about the challenges and rewards of growing organic fruit! After a welcome and introductions, we will divide the afternoon into three sub-sessions. At 1:30 p.m., an agricultural engineer and two farmers will discuss alternatives to treated wood posts on organic fruit farms. At 3 p.m., we will have a facilitated discussion on challenges faced and lessons learned during the varied weather of 2023 and 2024. At 4:15 p.m., a panel of organic fruit farmers will discuss value-added processing and how to efficiently process blemished or excess fruit into valuable foods.

Shaping The Future of Organic Grain Marketing

Half-Day Session Thursday, 1-5:30 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room K Carmen Fernholz, Oren Holle, Steve Boyda, Will Ortman, Ed Reznicek, Tom Wanquist, Paul Drake, Alexander Schultz

Managed Grazing Crash Course: Practical An Interactive Session With OFARM: How Producers Will Shape Organic Grain Skills for Success Half-Day Session Thursday, 1-5:30 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room H Jason Cavadini, Alex Steussy-Williams, Laura Paine, Adam Abel, Derrick Raspor, Ariana Abbrescia, Tom Manley

Join Grassland 2.0 Academy for an interactive, personalized workshop on managed grazing.

Learn skills and calculations that will lengthen your grazing season, reduce feed costs, and increase the resilience of your farm. In this session, you will learn how to match livestock numbers to your land and farm goals, develop a forage inventory, and customize a forage plan for your land and livestock. In this session, you will “learn by doing” through working with a group of peers on a specific farm scenario and have time to consult one-on-one with Academy team members regarding your own operation. Bring your grazing plan, soil map, and other information!

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Production and Marketing. Part 1: Maneuvering Through the State of Organic Grain, Livestock Feed Demand, and Marketing Strategies for Success. Part 2: Producer Panel on Connecting Organic Grain Production Practices with Successful Marketing Partnership. Part 3: Cooperative Organic Grain Marketing—Myths & Realities.

Strategies for Resilient & Brilliant Farming (with the Midwest Vegetable Growers Network)

Half-Day Session Thursday, 1-5:30 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room J Rue Genger, Nick Olson, Kevin Anderson, Kat Becker, Elizabeth Makarewicz, Fresh Roberson, Laura Fredrickson-Gosewisch, Trish Clarkweiss, Kelly Maynard, Sarah Janes Ugoretz

Part 1: Climate Adaptation, Resilience, & Mitigation for Vegetable Growers. Have you been wondering how to adapt your farming practices to the ever-changing climate?

In this session, we’ll cover climate data and trends in our region and then dig into farmer stories about how they’ve increased resiliency on their farms. Part 2: Balancing Farming with Family Care—A Live Podcast Roadshow! Join the MVEG Network and Land Stewardship Project for an exclusive first-listen to a forthcoming podcast series focused on caring for the land and farm families together. Hear firsthand farmer stories about their experiences and share your own in this podcast roadshow session.

Part 3: Collaborative & Cooperative Structures in Diversified Farming. Many farmers these days are engaging in shared-farm business models. We’ll discuss how alternative farming structures are on the rise, the benefits of approaching farming in this manner, and hear from a cooperative farm about their experiences.

Wisconsin Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program (WI LFPA) Gathering Half-Day Session Thursday, 1-5:45 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room I WI LFPA Partners & Producers

This session is primarily for current and past Wisconsin Local Food Purchasing Assistance (WI LFPA) program producers but is open to anyone interested. This session will cover WI LFPA outcomes and celebrate accomplishments from the program over 2023 and 2024. There will be two panel sessions, with time for group discussion, highlighting specifics of the program’s relationship-building work and how culturally relevant products were grown by farmers and delivered to communities. Learn from program producers, staff, food security partners, and community partners about the successes and next steps for farm-to-food access work and opportunities for producers to reach expanded markets in Wisconsin.

¡DALE! Latinx and BIPOC Farmer Unity Social Hour Meet-Up Thursday, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

South Hall Lower, Room D Lucia Schulz, Yolibeth Rangel

Aunque tenemos un espacio limitado disponible para que los agricultores latinos y BIPOC del Medio Oeste se reúnan, nuestro trabajo tiene un impacto significativo en el sistema alimentario de todas nuestras comunidades. Únase a nosotros para construir colectivamente un espacio diseñado para conocernos, compartir nuestras historias y experiencias, y reconocer el valor de nuestro trabajo. ¡Traiga a sus amigos y familiares para compartir historias y disfrutar del baile, la música, y las piñatas!

Although we have limited spaces available for Latinx and BIPOC farmers in the Midwest to come together, our work has a significant impact on the food system in all of our communities. Join us to collectively build a space designed to get to know each other, share our stories and experiences, and recognize the value of our work. Bring your friends and family to share stories and enjoy dancing, music, and pinatas!

Organic Fruit Growers Association (OFGA) Annual Member Meeting Meet-Up Thursday, 6-7 p.m.

South Hall Lower, Room B Chris McGuire

Meet our network of Upper Midwest organic fruit growers, learn about OFGA’s activities and plans for the upcoming year, give input, and ask questions. New and prospective members are welcome. Pick up your supper at the dining hall and bring it with you to the meeting. Stay after the formal meeting for social time and discussion with fellow fruit growers.

Early Career Professionals and Farmers Meetup Meet-Up Thursday, 6:30-8 p.m.

South Hall Upper, Orange Room Nichole Kirk

African and Diaspora Farmers Affinity Group: Breaking Bread and Building Bonds Meet-Up Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m.

South Hall Lower, Room A Porchea McGuire, Yves Doumen

Join us for the “Breaking Bread and Building Bonds” session, a vibrant meet-up for Black and African immigrant farmers at the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference. This interactive gathering provides a welcoming space to share experiences, challenges, and successes in the agricultural sector.

Together, we will foster connections, explore collaborative opportunities, and strengthen our network of support, all while emphasizing the importance of unity and shared experiences in building resilience within our farming communities. Come connect, learn, and grow with us!

Are you new to organic agriculture? Do you identify as an early-career conservation or agriculture professional or a beginning farmer? Are you looking to get more involved in supporting a more resilient local food and farming future? Bring your dinner to this open-space networking session to make new connections. Hosted by Golden Sands, The National Young Farmers Coalition, and Renewing the Countryside.

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Friday Schedule-at-a-glance Time

7 a.m.

A

Breakfast

South Hall Lower B

D

8 a.m.

See session details and descriptions on following pages.

South Hall Upper E Orange

G

North Hall Upper H

I

Keynote

8:15 a.m.

8:30 a.m.

8:45 a.m.

9 a.m.

Latinx and BIPOC Farmers Unity Breakfast Discussion

9:15 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

9:45 a.m.

10 a.m.

10:15 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

Fruit Tree Grafting Winter Storage Farming: Grow and Store 11 a.m.

Vegetables for 11:15 a.m.

Off-Season 11:30 a.m.

Sales

Unlocking Land: Innovative Lending and Business Solutions for Farmers

10:45 a.m. Workshop

Poultry-Centered Soil Health from Building Wealth Regenerative Cover Crops in a on a Small Organic Agriculture Grain Rotation Farm (PCRA) 101 Indigenous Food and Agriculture Apprenticeship Project

11:45 a.m.

12 p.m.

Lunch

12:15 p.m.

Crop Planning: Mastering the Art of Efficient Farming

12:30 p.m.

12:45 p.m.

1 p.m.

1:15 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

1:45 p.m.

2 p.m.

A Place to Right Scale for Embrace and Be Your Farm HMoob

2:15 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

2:45 p.m.

3 p.m.

Welcoming Communities: Becoming an Ally and Upstander

3:15 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

4 p.m.

4:15 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

4:45 p.m.

5 p.m.

African and

5:15 p.m. Diaspora Farmers

5:30 p.m. Affinity Group: 5:45 p.m.

6 p.m.

6:15 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Tribal Meet and Greet

Queers in the Field

Organizing for Impact

Private: Mentor Meeting

Breaking Down Decolonization in Agriculture: Centralizing the stories of BIPOC, Latinx, and Indigenous Farmers

Supper

Participatory Learning Community for Beginning Farmers

7:45 p.m.

8 p.m.

8:15 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

20

Barn Dance

Livestock Value Chains

Land Access & Capital

J

North Hall Upper K Green

Blue

Exhibit Hall Exhibit Hall Open

Building a Better Beef Herd

How to Create Habitat and Grow Your Own Native Plants

Selling Farm-to- Ask a Lender School Office Office Hours Hours

Climate Mitigation: Seeds & Breeds

Organic is Regenerative

Northern Pear Growers Regenerative Poultry Growers & Enthusiasts Affinity Group

NRCS Office Hours Happy Hour with MAD! Ag

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Friday Schedule Descriptions Keynote from Dr. Robb Dunn & Farmer Panel Friday, 8-10 a.m.

South Hall Upper, Room E

Increasingly, farmers and ranchers will confront radically new climatic and ecological futures. In his talk, Rob Dunn explores what we already know about these futures as well as, in their light, a series of alternative futures for farms. At one extreme, we might imagine “mutualism farms,” that focus on the interdependence of species and maximize mutualisms. An alternate future is robot and AI driven. Between these extremes lurk interesting complementarities. In telling the stories of possible futures, Dunn will consider the kinds of risk that these futures entail. In doing so, he will draw on insights from the studies of crows, belly buttons, slime molds, and many other species from which we might learn. As a thought experiment, Dunn will invite participants to imagine what farms and futures that focus on heightening mutualisms look like. When we consider a more (rather than less) biologically connected future, what do we see and what can we, together, create?

Plus, a panel featuring: Marc Grignon, Glen Philbrick, Karin Jokela

Building Wealth on a Small Organic Farm Workshop Friday, 10:30-11:20 a.m.

North Hall Upper, Room I Paul Dietmann

“Wealth consists not in having great possessions but in having few wants.”

-Epictetus. Most people don’t become small-scale organic farmers with the goal of becoming fabulously rich. However, many organic farmers would like to be financially independent and achieve a high quality of life. In this session we’ll discuss the steps any organic farmer can take to improve their financial well-being over the course of their farming career. You’ll leave with a few tools and strategies you can implement right away to put yourself on a path towards a life free of wants.

Building a Better Beef Herd

Workshop Friday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room J Laura Paine

Take a systems approach to developing the right genetics for your farm! You can breed animals that fit your system AND produce high quality, consistent meat that commands the best prices, however you market them.

Topics will include developing selection criteria and culling strategies as well as body condition scoring, frame scoring, and assessing finish.

22

Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop Workshop Friday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

South Hall Lower, Room A David Sliwa, Jenn Ripp

Join the Organic Fruit Growers Association (OFGA) and instructors Jenn Ripp and David Sliwa who will introduce the basic techniques and purpose of grafting fruit trees. You’ll be able to practice whip-and-tongue grafting and leave with a knowledge of how to graft and maybe even your own grafted apple tree.

Apple and pear rootstock will be for sale at $6 each. Liberty apple scionwood, tools, and supplies will be provided. OFGA members will share apple and pear scionwood for grafting at home.

How to Create Habitat and Grow Your Own Native Plants Workshop Friday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room K Karin Jokela, Micah Kloppenburg, Mat Boerson

In this session, we will share practical strategies for integrating native perennial habitat on farms with an emphasis on using transplants for establishment. We will discuss the relative efficiencies of starting habitat plantings from plugs vs. seed and explore complementarities of propagating and maintaining native plants alongside other farm enterprises. Xerces Society staff and farmer collaborators will showcase innovative habitat creation practices, time-saving site prep options, species selection strategies, cost considerations, plant procurement and propagation techniques, as well as humbling lessons and happy successes in growing diverse, on-farm habitats.

Poultry-Centered Regenerative Agriculture (PCRA) 101

Workshop Friday, 10:30-11:20 a.m.

North Hall Upper, Room G Louis Kemp, Wil Crombie, Stephanie Coffman

Join us for an activity that gets everyone out of their seats in a demonstration of how broiler chickens are regeneratively managed in a permanent paddock system filled with trees. Get an introduction on everything from how perennials are established, how the coop is prepared, and how the chickens are moved back and forth to regenerate the soil and our native Midwest ecosystem, while producing nutritionally dense protein for our communities. Also, learn about the supporting business ecosystem the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance is building to support the regenerative chicken supply chain.

Soil Health from Cover Crops in a Grain Rotation

Workshop Friday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room H Nicole Tautges, Glen Philbrick, Leon Atwell, Ben Lehman The session will present results of research conducted on six southern Wisconsin farms to identify the nitrogen (N) credit of summer cover cropping practices on corn. We will present data on cover crop biomass and N production, cover crop effects on soil N content, and corn N uptake and yields. Our data will help producers replace off-farm N inputs with on-farm legume N sources while ensuring total N meets corn requirements to maximize yields and economic returns. A farmer panel will also discuss how they have improved soil health by using cover crops.

Unlocking Land: Innovative Lending and Business Solutions for Farmers

Workshop Friday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

South Hall Upper, Room E Drew Blankenbaker, Martin Lemos, Cortney Renton, Kelly Maynard Are you a farmer trying to figure out a pathway to long-term land access? Join us for a session on alternative funding options to support your regenerative, organic, and possibly collective farming dreams. Featuring Dirt Capital Partners, Proofing Station, Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT, and UW Center for Cooperatives, this session will illuminate pathways to land access through creative and supportive financing. Hear case study examples on how alternative lenders helped young and BIPOC farmers in the Midwest and beyond, and join a small group discussion with presenters to better understand the benefits of partnering with impact-driven lenders and develop alternative approaches to secure land ownership.

Winter Storage Farming: Grow and Store Vegetables for Off-Season Sales Workshop Friday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

South Hall Lower, Room B Sam Knapp

Storing crops for winter sales is a great way to diversify crops and markets, spread workload more evenly throughout the year, and improve local food security! This workshop will help storage newbies get over the learning curve and provide some perspectives and suggestions to seasoned storage farmers.

With tips from successful storage farms across the country, this workshop will cover harvest/ processing logistics and equipment, methods for curing and storage, and functional storage infrastructure.

Crop Planning: Mastering the Art of Efficient Farming Workshop Friday, 11:40 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room I Jean-Martin Fortier

Welcome to the fundamental world of crop planning, a vital skill for any successful farmer or gardener. Crop planning is much more than just deciding what to plant; it involves understanding the harmonious interplay of seasonal cycles, crop rotations, soil health, and market demands. In this course, you will learn how to strategically plan your crop production to maximize yield, ensure a steady harvest throughout the year, and sustain the long-term health of your soil. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your existing knowledge, this course will equip you with the tools and insights needed for effective and sustainable crop management.

Indigenous Food and Agriculture Apprenticeship Project

Workshop (NCR-SARE Farmer Forum) Friday, 11:40 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room G Jen Falck

Ukwahkwa Farmstead’s mission is to help the community learn about traditional Haudenosaunee agricultural methods of planting, growing, harvesting, seedkeeping, food preparation, storage, and tool making. Kahulahele Farmstead’s mission is to demonstrate and teach community members how to operate small-scale farm activities including livestock, poultry, produce, alternative energy, Indigenous planting, and bartering. The farms have formed a partnership and collaborated on several projects for the Oneida community and beyond. In 2024, they received a NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher grant and used the funding to test a model to share an agriculture apprentice. The presenter will share how the project was designed, how it was successful, and the lessons learned.

Ask a Lender Office Hours

Organic is Regenerative

Bring your lending and financing questions to Compeer staff.

Trish Clarkweiss will begin this Farmer Summit speaking about her time as a certified organic farmer, inspector, and certification reviewer as well as her current work upholding and pushing for greater organic integrity at the Real Organic Project. Trish will share some of the history of the organic and regenerative movements with an eye towards the strengths and weaknesses that come with adopting a legal standard and what happens when we don’t. She will leave us ready to dig in to the bigger questions of why and how organic must evolve to support this next generation of farmers.

Office Hours Friday, 1-3 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Blue Room

Selling Farm-to-School Office Hours Office Hours Friday, 1-3 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Green Room

Representatives from the National Center for Appropriate Technology will be on hand to help producers learn how to start selling to schools.

Climate Mitigation: Seeds & Breeds Farmer Summit Friday, 2-6 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room J

The Climate Mitigation: Seeds and Breeds Farmer Summit will start with a presentation

by Marc Grignon about his work advocating for developing regionally-adapated, publicly available seed varieties and animals breeds as well as his work on hemp varieties as a farmer.

Land Access & Capital

Farmer Summit Friday, 2-6 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room I

Tera Johnson of Food Finance Institute will kick off this Farmer Summit on Land Access & Capital with a short presentation sharing her mission to create the next generation of environmentally and economically resilient food and farming businesses.

Livestock Value Chains

Farmer Summit Friday, 2-6 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room H

Local and regional meat supply chains have been on a rollercoaster of late. COVID shutdowns caused major disruptions for farmer, workers, processors, retailers, and eaters and then went topsy turvy as things opened up. To kick off this Farmer Summit, Sarah Lloyd will present insights from the Grassland 2.0 project work in southwest Wisconsin looking at opportunities to build grass-based beef and small ruminant supply chains, assessing ecological outputs from grazing systems, and matching capacity between farmers and processors more locally.

Farmer Summit Friday, 2-6 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room K

Right Scale for Your Farm Farmer Summit Friday, 2-6 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room G

The Right Scale for Your Farm Farmer Summit will begin with Andy Larson giving a short presentation on how he helps farmers in areas key to farm financial and organizational health through his role at Food Finance Institute. Andy is also a farmer and outside of business hours, you can find Andy washing and packing eggs, building or fixing something on the farm, or volunteering his time with one of several area non-profits working in sustainable and alternative agriculture.

A Place to Embrace and Be HMoob Meet-Up Friday, 2-4 p.m.

South Hall Upper, Orange Room Yimmuaj Yang

This is a place for only HMoob farmers and ag staff to rejuvenate, strengthen collaborative power, and be authentically present where informal networking, idea and knowledge sharing, and farmer support will be provided.

It is also a place to relax, let go of stress, and remove overwhelming expectations.

Welcoming Communities: Becoming an Ally and Upstander Meet-Up Friday, 3-4:30 p.m.

South Hall Lower, Room B Mia Ljung, Nou Thao

In response to experiences of racism, discrimination, and lack of safety from farmers of color in our community, join us in engaging conversations about racism, xenophobia, homophobia, etc. in our own region and what we could do by working collectively with farmers and folks in rural places who recognize that creating a culture of welcome that embraces diversity makes communities vibrant and viable. Explore the possibility of being an upstander and ally in rural Wisconsin.

Continued on next page.

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Friday Schedule Descriptions Northern Pear Growers

Meet-Up Friday, 3:30-5 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Blue Room David Sliwa

This group meets to discuss which quality pear varieties are productive in our region and the management practices for their successful cultivation.

Regenerative Poultry Growers & Enthusiasts Affinity Group Meet-Up Friday, 3:30-5 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Green Room Louis Kemp

Anyone interested in regenerative poultry and/or regenerative agroforestry systems is invited to join the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance along with Tree Range Farms poultry producers in a discussion about the regenerative poultry production model and the ecosystem of regenerative businesses we are building in the Midwest.

African and Diaspora Farmers Affinity Group: Organizing for Impact Meet-Up Friday, 5-6:30 p.m.

South Hall Lower, Room A

Join us for the “Organizing for Impact” session, designed to empower Black and African immigrant farmers to effectively advocate for their needs and interests. This engaging workshop will facilitate discussions around common successes and challenges faced within our farming groups. Participants will brainstorm ways we can work together by discussing how to develop practical steps to meet our collective needs. Through sharing experiences and exploring successful case studies, we will create actionable plans for collaboration. Together, we will build a unified voice and foster a strong network, ensuring our community thrives and effectively addresses the unique challenges we face in agriculture.

Queers in the Field

Meet-Up Friday, 5-6:30 p.m.

South Hall Upper, Orange Room

LGBTQIA+ farmers and friends are invited to join us for socializing, networking, and resource sharing.

Tribal Meet-and-Greet

Meet-Up Friday, 5-6 p.m.

South Hall Lower, Room B

This short session provides an opportunity for Tribal producers and key partners to connect on current efforts while discussing possible collaborations.

24

NRCS Office Hours

Office Hours Friday, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Green Room

Questions on applying for funding to implement conservation practices on your farm? Find out what is available for organic farmers of all sizes by meeting one-on-one with Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) staff.

Rompiendo la descolonización en la agricultura: Debate sobre la unidad de agricultores latinos y BIPOC | Breaking Down Decolonization in Agriculture: Centralizing the stories of BIPOC, Latinx, and Indigenous Farmers Meet-Up Friday, 6-8 p.m.

South Hall Lower, Room D

¿Cómo podemos apoyarnos mutuamente y crecer en un espacio donde se valoren nuestros valores culturales y nuestras prácticas sostenibles de producción de alimentos? En esta sesión, exploraremos estrategias para organizarnos de manera efectiva y maximizar nuestro impacto colectivo. Únete a este diálogo para reflexionar sobre nuestras experiencias, compartir recursos, y co-crear soluciones que reflejen nuestra identidad y visión compartida.

How can we support each other as emerging, BIPOC, Latinx, and Indigenous farmers and grow in a space where our cultural values and sustainable food production practices are valued? In this session, we will explore the process of decolonization and strategies to organize effectively and maximize our collective impact. Join this dialogue to reflect on our experiences, share resources and support, and co-create solutions that reflect our shared identity and vision.

PRIVATE: Mentor Meeting Meet-Up Friday, 6:30-8 p.m.

South Hall Lower, Room B

Meet with your Marbleseed mentor/mentee.

Participatory Learning Community for Beginning Farmers Meet-Up Friday, 7-8:30 p.m.

South Hall Upper, Orange Room

A gathering for beginning farmer educators, mentors, and any farmers interested in creating participatory peer-to-peer learning opportunities for beginning farmers.

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Ag & Rural Community Financing & Support Patronage allocations, redemptions and payments remain at the discretion of the Board of Directors based on a combination of factors including the risk in our portfolio, earnings, and our current capital position. No guaranty of annual allocations. Compeer does not provide legal advice or certified financial planning. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. NMLS #619731. © 2024 All rights reserved.

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Nick Nelson

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Saturday Schedule-at-a-glance A

Time

7 a.m.

Breakfast

South Hall Lower B

D

See session details and descriptions on following pages.

South Hall Upper E Orange

G

North Hall Upper H

I

7:15 a.m.

7:30 a.m.

7:45 a.m.

8 a.m.

Building

8:15 a.m. Relationships

8:30 a.m. with Schools and 8:45 a.m.

Custom Grazing 101

Farmer Panel on Extended Crop Rotations with the Diverse Corn Belt Project

Institutions

9 a.m.

WiWiC Learning Circle

9:15 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Intensive No-Till Vegetable Soil Preparation in Organic Systems

Connecting All the Dots To Improve Meat Processing Capacity in Wis.

Defense from Drift for Specialty Crop and Vegetable Growers

Hybrid Rye for Organic Pigs

Everything I Know About Starting a Farm (So Far)

Conducting Research on Your Farm

Pack Sheds for Small-Scale Farms

Is My Farm Making Money? Long-Term Farm Success Through Business Analysis and Planning

9:45 a.m.

10 a.m.

10:15 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

Legumes &

10:45 a.m. Alternative Grains 11 a.m. Panel

Ask an Organic Certifier

Food Sovereignty and Agroecology Meetup

11:15 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

Choosing Row Crop Agroforestry to Pasture Trees and Shrubs Conversion A Place to for Fruit and Nut Embrace and Be Production HMoob

Market Opportunities and Seed Production of Maize, Peppers and Garlic

11:45 a.m.

12 p.m.

12:15 p.m 12:30 p.m

Add-on: Lunch

12:45 p.m 1 p.m.

1:15 p.m 1:30 p.m

FOUNDED IN 1971 | WWW.ACRESUSA.COM

Leaders in soil health education for more than 50 years. Sign up for our free educational newsletters at www.AcresUSA.com/newsletters

THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON

SOIL HEALTH Home of the Acres U.S.A. Bookstore and World-Class Ag Events

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Closing Session/ Prize Drawing

Multi-Species Grazing

J

North Hall Upper K Green

Weed Management in Organic Grains

Wholesale Markets for Organic Fruit

African and Diaspora Farmers: Affinity Group Leadership

Exhibit Hall

Exhibit Hall Open

From Apples to Bananas: Lessons from Our Midwest Organic Apple World Before Transitioning to Tropical Permaculture

Marketing Organic Improve Your Grains in the Organic or 21st Century: Transitioning Farm Managing Risk in a with Financial Buyer's Market and Technical Assistance from NRCS

Selling Farm-toSchool Office Hours

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Saturday Schedule Descriptions African and Diaspora Farmers: Affinity Group Leadership Meet-Up Saturday, 7:30-8:30 a.m.

North Hall Upper, Green Room

Join us for the “Affinity Group Leadership” session, designed for those involved in leadership roles within the African and Diaspora Farmers Affinity Group. This critical meeting will provide a collaborative space to discuss our shared vision, leadership strategies, and group initiatives. Participants will explore common successes and challenges encountered in their roles, while brainstorming ways to effectively support one another. Together, we will outline actionable steps to strengthen our leadership framework and demonstrate our commitment to our farming communities. By fostering open dialogue and collaboration, we aim to empower all members and ensure the sustainability and growth of our affinity group.

Building Relationships with Schools and Institutions Workshop Saturday, 8-10 a.m.

South Hall Lower, Room A Allison Pfaff Harris, Cathryn Herlihey, Veronica Jalomo, Virginia Pleasant, Teresa Wiemerslage, Jayme Anderson, Carol Smathers, Brittany Zerbe , Sarah Elliott, Cheyenne Liberti, Mariel Borgman

The Local Food for Schools (LFS) program created new market opportunities for local producers by fostering direct connections with schools. With the funding concluded, how can farmers continue to connect with schools and keep local food on student plates? This session will explore the program’s impact and provide practical strategies for building lasting partnerships with school districts today. Learn from growers who have successfully navigated these relationships and discover ways to sustain and grow your farm-to-school efforts, even without dedicated funding. This session will include a facilitated discussion in which we delve into the opportunities and barriers to institutional sales as a market for farmers.

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Connecting All the Dots To Improve Meat Processing Capacity in Wisconsin Workshop Saturday, 8-8:50 a.m.

North Hall Upper, Room H Tom Manley

The pandemic quickly exposed vulnerabilities and created disruptions in food supply chains everywhere, and meat processing at every scale was immediately impacted. While we are in a better position today, much still needs to be done to ensure that processing capacity and access continue to improve, especially for small and specialty producers operating on a more local scale. Join a conversation with producers, processors, and other stakeholders as we highlight key takeaways from a study funded by the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) exploring problems, solutions, and opportunities.

Custom Grazing 101

Workshop Saturday, 8-8:50 a.m.

South Hall Lower, Room B Aaron Pape, Joe Childs

Each presenter runs custom grazing businesses on rented land. Aaron will share why a custom grazing enterprise fits his business and how it may fit yours, too. He’ll cover the customer service aspects of the custom grazing enterprise. Joe will describe how he finds landowners and cattle owners to work with, as well as the importance of good contracts to protect yourself. There will be lots of time for discussion and questions, so come curious!

Defense from Drift for Specialty Crop and Vegetable Growers Workshop Saturday, 8-8:50 a.m.

North Hall Upper, Room I Dela Ends

In over 30 years of growing organic vegetable crops, herbicide drift has been a persistent challenge on our farm. As weeds and insects develop resistance, our conventional neighbors’ chemical cocktails get stronger.

Drift can travel, and it can be impossible to prove where it came from. This problem is not going away. What can organic growers do to mitigate losses to drift? This workshop is a time for sharing hard lessons learned, recognizing damage, tactics to reduce losses, how to report drift, and what to expect when you do.

Farmer Panel on Extended Crop Rotations with the Diverse Corn Belt Project

Workshop Saturday, 8-10 a.m.

South Hall Upper, Room E Lauren Asprooth, Ashley Adair, Francis Blake, Seneca Murley, Patrick McHugh, Paul Hoffman, Michelle Cannon The Diverse Corn Belt project is a multiinstitutional and transdisciplinary project studying diversification beyond corn and soybeans in the U.S. Corn Belt. This panel will highlight the experiences of several organic grain farmers in the region, drawing on why they grow the crops they do, challenges and successes they have experienced, and a Q&A session with the audience. We will also provide an update on the DCB project including results from field trials on the agronomic impacts of diversified rotations, market opportunities, and key barriers and opportunities for diversification in row crop systems broadly.

Intensive No-Till Vegetable Soil Preparation in Organic Systems

Workshop (NCR-SARE Farmer Forum) Saturday, 8-8:50 a.m.

North Hall Upper, Room G Andrew Adamski

Learn from our SARE-funded research exploring tractor-scale solutions for intensive vegetable production based on no-till and low-till principles, including the tools and cultural practices that have worked best for our farm, why we chose this system, soil health implications, and how we hope to continue improving our practices.

Weed Management in Organic Grains Workshop Saturday, 8-10 a.m.

North Hall Upper, Room J Joel Gruver, Andrea Venturi

New to weed management in organic grains?

Effective organic weed management requires well-balanced integration of cropping system strategies and direct control practices.

Cropping system strategies, such as crop rotation, that reduce weed pressure serve as the foundation for effective direct control practices like blind cultivation, row crop cultivation, and rescue interventions like weed zapping. Presenters will discuss how to choose and fine-tune time-tested cropping systems and direct control practices and review cutting-edge organic weed control strategies.

Wholesale Markets for Organic Fruit

Conducting Research on Your Farm

Hybrid Rye for Organic Pigs

How can Upper Midwest organic fruit growers scale up to meet the burgeoning unmet demand for local, organic fruit in regional grocery stores, food processors, and institutions? Join these experienced farmers as they discuss what wholesale buyers expect in price, volume, quality standards, and food safety practices. Learn if these larger markets are a good fit for your fruit farm, how to approach wholesale buyers, and how to cultivate a successful business relationship with them.

For 37 years, farmers in Practical Farmers of Iowa’s (PFI) Cooperator’s Program have been conducting research on their farms, and you can, too! In this session, you will hear two farmer-cooperators explain why they do on-farm research and how it has shaped their growing practices. They will walk you through how they ideate, establish, and complete an experiment, highlighting one or two of their favorites. These panelists have experience with vegetable and livestock production, but this session may interest any farmers who are curious about conducting research on their farms. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number NR226114XXXXG004.

In this workshop we will share results of a three-year project that addresses reducing feed and bedding costs by growing hybrid rye for organic pigs and demonstrate how different fertility of swine manure can affect yield of organic winter hybrid rye; how feeding hybrid rye can affect pig growth and pork quality; and how much can be saved for feed and bedding by growing winter hybrid rye for organic pigs. We will discuss best practices in organic winter hybrid rye and pig production and key factors for saving production costs to help farmers improve organic small grain and pig production efficiency and make decisions on raising small grains for organic pigs.

Workshop Saturday, 8-8:50 a.m.

North Hall Upper, Room K Peter Kraus, Ryan Pesch

Desayuno de discusión de la unidad de agricultores latinos y BIPOC: ¿Qué apoyo necesitan nuestros agricultores? / Latinx and BIPOC Farmers Unity Breakfast Discussion: What support do our farmers need?

Meet-Up Saturday, 9-10 a.m.

South Hall Lower, Room D

Únase a nosotros para un desayuno de discusión abierta relajante y colectivo para obtener más información sobre las subvenciones y préstamos disponibles para el próximo año, discutir las necesidades de apoyo técnico, y brindar comentarios directos a las organizaciones sobre el apoyo que necesitan los agricultores BIPOC y Latinx en el Medio Oeste.

Come join us for a relaxing and collective open discussion breakfast to learn more about available resources, grants, and loans for the upcoming year; discussing and surveying for technical support needs; and providing space for farmer direct feedback to organizations on what support is needed by BIPOC and Latinx farmers in the Midwest.

WiWiC Learning Circle

Meet-Up Saturday, 9-10:15 a.m.

South Hall Upper, Orange Room Esther S Durairaj, Jennifer Nelson

Join us to network and be in community with women who value and implement conservation practices on their land and the professionals who help them achieve their stewardship dreams. This year, WiWiC welcomes women from Minnesota (MNWiC) to join in to share stories and struggles, learn how to increase your network, and learn how a professionally prepared conservation plan (provided for free through WiWiC) can create both a roadmap AND opportunities for funding. Let us know what you would like to learn more about regarding conservation and soil health!

Workshop Saturday, 9:10-10 a.m.

North Hall Upper, Room I Emma Link, Mark Quee, Maja Black

Everything I Know About Starting a Farm (So Far) Workshop Saturday, 9:10-10 a.m.

North Hall Upper, Room H Scott Rosenberg, Heather Toman

Embarking on a new market garden farm venture can be overwhelming, with myriad questions on staffing, crop selection, marketing strategies, and overcoming challenges like pests and weather. In this session, we offer a candid and holistic exploration of our journey managing a 15-acre vegetable farm from initial uncertainties to eventual successes.

From Apples to Bananas: Lessons from Our Midwest Organic Apple World Before Transitioning to Tropical Permaculture Workshop Saturday, 9:10-10 a.m.

North Hall Upper, Room K Harry Hoch, Jackie Hoch

Jackie and Harry Hoch will share a brief history of Hoch Orchard and Gardens, touch on reasons for leaving the business, and discuss the path they took to keep producing organic food for the community. Their transition out of temperate zone farming to tropical permaculture was not quick or simple. They were able to take the sting out of the loss of the farm by starting a smaller hands-on permaculture project in Belize. They built an off-grid house in an eco-development and are managing six acres of green space within the 100-acre community. The Hochs will wrap up their workshop describing the community and a new project.

Workshop Saturday, 9:10-10 a.m.

North Hall Upper, Room G Diane DeWitte

Selling Farm-to-School Office Hours Office Hours Saturday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Green Room

Representatives from the National Center for Appropriate Technology will be on hand to help producers learn how to start selling to schools.

Food Sovereignty and Agroecology Meetup Meet-Up Saturday, 10:15-11:45 a.m.

South Hall Lower, Room D

Join others who are interested in learning more about La Via Campesina and how principles of food sovereignty and agroecology can build solidarity between family farmers, farm/food workers, Indigenous communities, and across our entire food/farm system.

Ask an Organic Certifier

Office Hours Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

South Hall Lower, Room B

Talk shop with staff from Midwest Organic Services Association (MOSA), Nature’s International Certification Services (NICS), Real Organic Project (ROP), and others to learn more about certification or just ask about an allowable input or other questions.

Continued on next page.

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Saturday Schedule Descriptions Choosing Agroforestry Trees and Shrubs for Fruit and Nut Production

Workshop Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

South Hall Upper, Room E Matt Wilson, Tonia Andreina, Kaitie Adams, Eleanor Johnson, Carolyn Pettit How do you decide which agroforestry opportunities are right for your farm? There are lots of considerations, from adaptability to your site to labor requirements, marketing channels, harvest options, and compatibility with your existing farm activities. This session will provide a snapshot of promising tree crops for the Midwest and resources for next steps to incorporate these trees into your operation. There will also be an interactive component to learn about common issues when selecting species and cultivars for your operation. Farmers of all experience levels and farm sizes will have the chance to learn about bringing agroforestry practices onto their farms.

Improve Your Organic or Transitioning Farm with Financial and Technical Assistance from NRCS Workshop Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room K Harriet Behar, Gordon Merrick, Russell Kleinschmidt

Is My Farm Making Money? Long-Term Marketing Organic Grains in the 21st Farm Success Through Business Analysis Century: Managing Risk in a Buyer’s and Planning Market Workshop Saturday, 10:30-11:20 a.m.

North Hall Upper, Room I Aaron Pape

Many of us have farming goals related to lifestyle, wellness, family, and the environment. The achievement of all those goals is underpinned by some level of financial success. This crash course in financial resilience will briefly cover analyzing your existing business with financial statements and how to answer the following questions: Is my farm making money? What phase of the farm business am I in, and what kind of investments should I be making in that phase? The presenter will also review places where he sees farmers going wrong and planning for financial success, including gross margin analysis and cash flow planning.

Legumes & Alternative Grains Panel Workshop Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

South Hall Lower, Room A Halee Wepking, John Wepking, Mark Doudlah, Matt Leavitt

Facilitated by Halee Wepking of Meadowlark Farm and the Artisan Grain Collaborative, this dynamic panel will explore the pivotal role of legumes and alternative grains in building Conservation professionals from the Organic resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.

Farming Research Foundation, the Organic Mark Doudlah of Doudlah Organics and John Farmers Association, and the Natural Wepking of Meadowlark Farm will speak to Resources Conservation Service will describe how they have incorporated legumes and in detail how to access financial assistance alternative grains into their crop rotation, how and what to expect from the process. Learn about the Organic Transition Initiative and the they have developed markets, and lessons support it provides for transitioning producers, learned. Matt Leavitt from UMN Forever Green will discuss production and marketing as well as all of the opportunities for organic basics of new and emerging perennial and farms to benefit from conservation planning winter annual continuous living cover crops on their farms. Get excited for a deep dive being bred at UMN. on the new practice standard for Organic Management (ICPS 823) and explore how it can significantly improve your operation.

Bring all your organic conservation questions!

Workshop Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room J Carmen Fernholz, Oren Holle, Steve Boyda, Will Ortman, Ed Reznicek, Tom Wanquist, Paul Drake

The challenges to optimum organic grain marketing continue to be a moving target including weather, international trade, and import impacts. For a minimal investment of your time, you can have at your fingertips some of the most current and reliable information needed to make the best decisions in today’s high stakes organic grain industry.

Pack Sheds for Small-Scale Farms

Workshop Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room H Ariel Pressman, Annalisa Hultberg, Laura Cullip In this presentation we will look at three different pack shed designs, all of which incorporate principles of food safety and efficiency. We will look at a simple under $1,000 design great for farmers on rented land, an under $10,000 design with more permanent infrastructure, and a more complex design for advanced operations.

Row Crop to Pasture Conversion

Workshop (NCR-SARE Farmer Forum) Saturday, 10:30-11:20 a.m.

North Hall Upper, Room G Zachary Knutson

It’s a big decision to convert row crop to pasture ground. Before diving headfirst, you’ll want to know some numbers. In this session, Zach will discuss the costs and benefits of three conversion approaches. He’ll also share the hay and grazing yields that he’s experienced on fields with 60-75 and 90-95 crop productivity index to give you an idea of what you can expect post-conversion.

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION

Crops • Livestock Handling/Processing Wild Crops MINNESOTA CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION 1900 HENDON AVE, SAINT PAUL MN 55108 855-213-4461 www.mciaorganic.org

32

A Place to Embrace and Be HMoob Meet-Up Saturday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

South Hall Upper, Orange Room Yimmuaj Yang

This is a place for only HMoob farmers and ag staff to rejuvenate, strengthen collaborative power, and be authentically present where informal networking, idea and knowledge sharing, and farmer support will be provided.

It is also a place to relax, let go of stress, and remove overwhelming expectations.

Market Opportunities and Seed Production of Maize, Peppers and Garlic Workshop (NCR-SARE Farmer Forum) Saturday, 11:40 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room G Zachary Paige, Rodrigo Cala

Our Farmer/Rancher SARE project, including Zachary Paige, Rodrigo Cala, and Javier Garcia, focuses on increasing capacity of specialty crop markets for value-added foods.

We purchased necessary equipment for increasing productivity of jalapeños, serrano, chile de arbol hot peppers, white corn, and garlic as well as equipment to produce valueadded products including hot sauce, garlic salt, etc. We held seed-saving education events to breed, select, winnow, and store both the crops and seeds. Come and hear our strategies, challenges, and successes!

Multi-Species Grazing

Workshop Saturday, 11:40 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

North Hall Upper, Room I Stephanie Bowers

Join this engaging session on the principles of multispecies grazing led by Stephanie Bowers who brings years of experience in grazing cattle and small ruminants using virtual fencing. Explore how multispecies grazing can enhance land health, improve efficiency, and promote sustainable ecosystems.

Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding and learn practical strategies to implement on your own land!

Closing Session/Prize Drawing Closing Session Saturday, 12:30-1:00 p.m.

South Hall Upper, Room E

NCR-SARE Farmer Forum

The North Central Region-Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Farmer Forum is a traveling annual event giving farmers, ranchers, researchers, and others the chance to share information about sustainable agriculture practices with a national audience.

These presentations focus on research, demonstration, and education projects that promote profitable practices that are good for the environment and community. The projects highlighted by the Farmer Forum are funded by grants from NCR-SARE, a USDAfunded program that supports and promotes sustainable farming and ranching by offering competitive grants and educational opportunities.

For more information about NCR-SARE, visit: www.NorthCentral.Sare.Org or contact NCR-SARE via email: NCRSARE@umn.edu, or phone (612) 626-3113.

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2025 Organic Farmer of the Year

Hoch Orchard and Gardens Marbleseed is excited to recognize Jackie and Harry Hoch of Hoch Orchard and Gardens as the 2025 Marbleseed Farmers of the Year. Hoch Orchard and Gardens is a certified organic, vertically integrated operation that sells only fruit and products proudly grown and made on the farm.

Harry Hoch developed a passion for horticulture early, studying it at the University of Minnesota—Waseca before returning to his family farm in 1985. After marrying Jackie Mausser in 1986, the couple revitalized the Hoch family orchard while balancing careers and raising two daughters.

Challenging years for the fruit industry led them to move off the farm and to the Twin Cities, where Harry worked at the University of Minnesota’s Horticultural Research Center and Jackie pursued a medical technology career. Returning to the farm in 1997, they began diversifying crops, adding vineyards, berries, and high tunnel greenhouses to extend growing seasons. By 2009, Jackie joined Harry full time to run Hoch Orchard and Gardens, emphasizing sustainability through crop diversification and integrating animal production into the farm’s nutrient cycle. Their efforts reflect a commitment to small-scale, sustainable farming while fostering a lifestyle rooted in their local community.

In response to the award, Jackie Hoch says: Farming is about choosing the life you want to live. I have lived a full life with so many great memories and interactions. Our years at Hoch Orchard were not always easy, but they were always an adventure. We are grateful for all the people who helped and supported us.

When we made the decision to downsize our life and begin anew, it was important to consider how to transition the orchard to new stewards. We both believe that how we work with the land is essential to how we nourish ourselves and others. The land was here before us and will be there long after we are gone. It is our job to work to strengthen the soil and the environment we live in.

Join us on Friday from 8-10 a.m. to celebrate the enduring legacy of the Hoch Orchard and Gardens.

T HE RE ’ S NE VE R B E E N A B E T T E R T I ME TO

SUPPORT LOCAL Get every issue of

34

mailed right to your door!

2025 Changemaker Of the year

Families Anchored in Total Harmony (FAITH) CDC Marbleseed is honored to recognize Families Anchored in Total Harmony (FAITH) CDC as the 2025 Marbleseed Changemakers of the Year. Based in Gary, Ind., FAITH CDC is an organization dedicated to uplifting communities through initiatives in food justice, social justice, environmental sustainability, economic development, and health equity. The organization aims to elevate marginalized voices and build a resilient, inclusive community where everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources. The Changemaker recognition is presented to FAITH CDC for their impactful food and environmental justice work in northwest Indiana.

FAITH CDC CEO & President, Curtis Whitaker, shares his thoughts on receiving the recognition: The bible says, “faith without works is dead.” Our justice work is deeply rooted and grounded. It grows from the work we believe our faith calls us to. Therefore, we are growing where we have been planted, and we are doing our small part to help make our community a better place.

This recognition means that there is still hope. It means that our labor is not in vain. It means that we are on the right track and that no matter how hard it gets, we cannot quit or throw in the towel. This recognition is an additional gust of wind beneath our wings that gives us that boost to soar even higher and go even further. Each day we are amazed at what you can achieve if you say yes to the God-given plan, purpose, and passion that fills your soul. This recognition inspires us to keep fighting for justice and to continue to show those who feel they have no voice or no support what can happen if they stay committed to the plan.

Remain Committed to the Plan Remain Cemented in the Purpose Remain Charged with Passion

Join us on Friday from 8-10 a.m. to celebrate and recognize the inspirational work of the FAITH CDC team.

35

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36

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Evening Entertainment Organic Farming Trivia

Prize Drawing

We’re excited to welcome Trivia Tim as the host of Organic Farming Trivia! This isn’t your average trivia night—Trivia Tim crafts custom categories and questions designed to spark lively discussions and collaborative thinking among teammates. With 15 years of experience hosting weekly trivia and private events, he delivers a fun, engaging, and rewarding experience that’s equal parts challenging and entertaining. Be sure to arrive by 8 p.m. to grab a drink, pick up your materials, and find your seat for a night full of creativity, competition, and fun! Alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages will be available for purchase, including cocktails from La Crosse Distilling and a prebiotic soda from Gist.

Everyone loves a prize! Some of our amazing sponsors and exhibitors are offering great items for a prize drawing that will take place on Saturday at the end of the conference. Tickets for the drawing are available throughout the conference and can be purchased at the Marbleseed Booth and the Acres Bookstore in the Exhibit Hall. This year’s prizes include tickets to a Minnesota Twins game, registrations for the Market Gardener Institute’s Market Gardener Master Class, naturally tanned sheepskin hides from Driftless Tannery, a CoolBot Pro Unit, registrations for Fairshare CSA Coalition’s Bike the Barns, and more!

Thursday, 8-10 p.m.

South Hall Upper, Room E

Saturday, 12:30-1 p.m.

South Hall Upper, Room E

Happy Hour with MAD! Ag

Friday, 6-8 p.m.

North Hall Lower, Exhibit Hall

Join Mad! for a lively happy hour and learn how its family of companies—Mad Capital, Mad Markets, and Mad Agriculture— are leading a regenerative revolution in agriculture. Together with partners Meadowlark Organics and La Crosse Distillery, enjoy this opportunity to connect with fellow conference attendees—snag a La Crosse Distillery cocktail and enter a prize giveaway for a chance to win a copy of Mad Agriculture Journal Issue 12 and products from Meadowlark Organics.

Seed Swap

Friday, 7-8:30 p.m.

South Hall Upper, Lobby

Calling all seed enthusiasts: Bring your favorite openpollinated seeds for a seed swap hosted by Seed Savers Exchange with Driftless Seeds and Experimental Farm Network. It’s not required to bring anything to the seed swap, but if you have seeds that you’d like to share, please bring them! If you have extra Ziplock bags, paper packets, or other small containers for seeds, bring those as well. Engage with others about their seeds and see what you can grow!

Barn Dance

PARTNERING WITH LOCAL FARMERS SINCE 1975 SCAN THE CODES BELOW TO LEARN ABOUT:

OUR FARMER GRANT PROGRAM

CSA PARTNERSHIPS

BECOMING A VENDOR

Friday, 8-11 p.m.

South Hall Upper, Room E

Get ready to dance the night away with the Frog Slough String Band at our Barn Dance event! Sue Hulsether will be calling the dances, and the Frog Slough String Band will provide Appalachian-style music to keep you moving. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a beginner, Sue’s expert tutelage will have you dancing with your farmer friends in no time.

Alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages will be available for purchase, including cocktails from La Crosse Distilling and a prebiotic soda from Gist.

37

Health and Wellness Room Visit the Wellness Room in South Hall Upper to access farm-specific wellness resources focused on physical and mental health.

From protecting against ticks and extreme heat to managing stress and prioritizing body care, you’ll find tools and resources to support the well-being of your entire farm team (and yes, that includes YOU!). Take a break in this serene space, try a relaxing activity, stretch, and explore practical materials to care for yourself and your community. This sanctuary awaits you on Friday and Saturday, offering a unique space to connect, reflect, and recharge.

Whether you seek nutrition tips or mental health information, the Wellness Room has you covered. It is a destination for holistic well-being. Here, you can share stories, exchange ideas, and enjoy a lighthearted joke with your fellow conference attendees.

The room is designed to foster a sense of community, recognizing that farmers can benefit from collective wisdom and camaraderie.

In this haven, the emphasis is not only on agricultural practices but on the holistic wellness of the farmer—the heart and soul of the farming community. This space encapsulates the belief that a thriving, resilient agricultural sector begins with the well-being of those who nurture the land. So, take a step into the Wellness Room, embrace the sense of community, and be a catalyst for your holistic well-being—making every moment count in your pursuit of a healthier and happier life.

Brought to you by Laura at Vital Ground Farm.

Farmer Summits The Marbleseed conference has always been farmer-led. The content and agenda are shaped by the Marbleseed community of farmers through content surveys, workshop proposals, and discussions with the staff team. We also know that there is a huge value in the informal hallway and dining room conversations with folks that attend this event.

For the past two years, we have created space and structure in the agenda for these valuable conversations and connections.

This year we are demonstrating our belief in these organically generated moments by offering the Farmer Summits in the middle of the conference agenda.

Last year’s Farmer Summits offered 54 short breakout topics over five key themes. This year will again offer summits on various topics. Each topic will kick off with a short keynote to inspire curiosity and the desire to explore various aspects of that theme.

Once breakouts for each Summit topic are determined, the Summit facilitators will create an electronic schedule to enable participants to move between Summit rooms based on topics of interest across themes.

Join us in North Hall Upper on Friday from 2-6 p.m.!

Right Scale for Your Farm North Hall Upper, Room G

Land Access & Capital

North Hall Upper, Room I

Mini Keynote: Tera Johnson, Food Finance Institute Facilitators: Clare Hintz, Elsewhere Farm Climate Mitigation: Seeds & Breeds North Hall Upper, Room J

Mini Keynote: Marc Grignon, Rural Coalition Facilitators: Dylan Bruce, Circadian Organics Organic is Regenerative

North Hall Upper, Room K

Mini Keynote: Trish Clarkweiss, Real Organic Project Facilitators: Sara Mooney, Marbleseed

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Mini Keynote: Andy Larson, Food Finance Institute Facilitators: Maria Rosmann, Rosmann Family Farms Livestock Value Chains

North Hall Upper, Room H

Mini Keynote: Sarah Lloyd, Supply Chain Development Specialist, Grassland 2.0, UMN/UW Facilitators: Ryan Sullivan, Sullivan Family Farm

Organic Research Forum The Organic Research Forum is a project of Marbleseed that showcases research studies on organic farming practices and brings together researchers and farmers to discuss goals and future research needs.

Advisory Committee

Brad Heins, University of Minnesota David Hougen-Eitzman, Carleton College Dilip Nandwani, Tennessee State University Kathleen Delate, Iowa State University Nicole Tautges, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute William Tracy, University of Wisconsin—Madison Research Poster Gallery

Thursday, 4-8 p.m. | Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | Saturday, 8-10 a.m.

Poster Presenters Q&A: Thursday & Friday, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Poster Awards Announcement: Friday, 8 p.m.

Research Posters

Katelyn Bell, Northern Michigan University—Soil Temperature, Moisture, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment for Reduced Tillage Practices in Organic Vegetable Crop Production.

Ben Brockmueller, University of Wisconsin-Madison—Straight Coulters Improve Seed Placement in Organic No-Till Soybeans.

James DeDecker, Michigan State University-Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center (MSU—UPREC)—Evaluating the Efficacy of Cover Crop Termination Methods and Weed Management Outcomes for Organic Vegetables in the Midwest U.S. Rue Genger, Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison—Participatory Vegetable Breeding and Variety Selection for Regional Adaptation and Flavor–Outcomes from 2023 and 2024 Trials in the Upper Midwest.

Kristina Harms, South Dakota State University—Evaluating Three Cabbage Varieties in Organic Production with Clover Living Mulch and Reduced Tillage.

Tunsisa Hurisso, Lincoln University-Missouri— Soil Health Comparison of Living Perennial Versus Annual Cover Crops During Transition to Certified Organic Vegetable Production System.

Cheyanne Mattie, University of Wisconsin-Madison— Adaptive Management in Organic No-Till Soybeans: A Systems Comparison.

Sai Prakash Naroju, Tennessee State University—Evaluation of Zucchini Yield in Various Cover Crops and Termination Methods in Organic Management Systems in Tennessee.

Azucena Sierra Garcia, University of Minnesota—Applied Remote Sensing to Detect Spatial Variability in Sloped Terrains of Vegetable Organic Farming.

Azucena Sierra Garcia, University of Minnesota—Soil Variabilities and Topography in Organic Vegetable Farms in the Driftless Area.

Carly Strauser, Iowa State University—Evaluating the Efficacy of Organic Herbicides on Common Weed Species.

Clare Tallamy, University of Wisconsin-Madison­–An Update on Carrot Microbiomes: How Does the Soil Environment Affect Microbial Communities and Post-Harvest Root Quality?

Akshaya Thinakaran, Iowa State University—Organic Pest Management of Broccoli Using Mesotunnels in the Midwest.

Elena Tomchek, University of Wisconsin-Madison—Dry Bean Variety Effectiveness in No-Till Organic Cropping Systems.

Jessica King, University of Wisconsin-Madison—Corn Morphologies and Performance in an Organic Living Mulch System.

Matthew Van Grinsven, Northern Michigan University— Assessing Influence of Reduced Tillage Practices on Soil Health and Fertility for Organic Vegetable Crop Production.

Ashley Klauck, Loyola University Chicago—Potential of Organically Sourced Fulvic Acid to Increase Bioavailability of Nutrients in Hydroponic Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and Reduce Tip Necrosis.

Mikki Wilburn, University of Wisconsin-Madison—Exploring Barriers to Organic Transition and Retention Among Organic Grain Producers in the U.S. Upper Midwest to Guide Extension Programming.

Junjun Lu, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities—Assessing Spatial Variability of Soil Properties, Crop Growth, and Management Using Satellite Remote Sensing in an Organic Farm with Complex Landscapes.

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UP TO NORTH HALL & LOBBY

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RYAN EVANS Organic Floral Design Weddings-Events-Parties flowerman1111@yahoo.com

want help adding trees to your farm?

The Savanna Institute offers one-on-one support for farm planning. Limited space.

Apply today!

Our technical assistance providers help you plan, design, and fund trees for your land. Limited space available. Apply to join our wait list.

text tsp to 33777 rvice savannainstitute.org/technical-se savannainstitute.org/technical-service

20

19

Research Poster Gallery Booths 5-18

Up to North Hall & Lobby

41

Sponsor & Exhibitor Directory Big Data in a Box, Inc. (803) An ag technology start-up that aims to assist small and medium-sized organic farmers to obtain certification and compliance.

515-450-0669 info@bdibsolutions.com Bdibsolutions.com

Acres U.S.A. (bookstore) Connects farmers, ranchers, and growers with modern economical and ecological farming methods through magazine, books, websites, and events.

970-392-4464 support@acresusa.com acresusa.com

American Farmland Trust (102) Saving the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land.

815-748-1538 midwest@farmland.org farmland.org

Ag Resource, Inc. (123) Irrigation systems, fruit and vegetable production supplies and equipment, food safety items, Imants Spader, organic crop inputs, and oil press.

218-847-9351 dgbari@tekstar.com agresourceincmn.com

Asmus Egg Farms, Inc. (101) Creator of high-quality organic fertilizer.

Family owned and operated. Based in southern Minnesota.

507-614-7060 info@highislandorganics.com highislandorganics.com

Blue Farm Chips Locally owned, organically grown tortilla chips produced and distributed by Randy and Judy Hughes.

907-317-6426 nico@bluefarmchips.com bluefarmchips.com

BASS Hybrids (407) Dedicated to helping farmers build resilience, not reliance, and maximize profitability per acre. Go Unconventional with BASS Hybrids.

320-522-3461 marsha@basshybrids.com basshybrids.com

Cashton Farm Supply Ltd. (701 & 714) An organic feed mill located in Cashton, Wis. also offering fertilizers and farm seed for organic production.

608-654-5123 organic@cfspecial.com cfspecial.com

Agri Life LLC (305) Committed to promoting eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural practices.

855-527-7508 karthik@agrilifeusa.com agrilifeusa.com Albert Lea Seed House (126) Committed to providing the strongest organic and conventional, non-GMO seed to make it a little easier to reach your goals.

800-352-5247 seedhouse@alseed.com alseed.com All Energy Solar (AES) (713) Provides a full-service solar solution experience for agricultural, commercial, and residential customers seeking to switch to renewable energy.

800-620-3370 info@allenergysolar.com allenergysolar.com

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BCS Two-Wheel Tractors (802) Designed and built in Italy, BCS TwoWheel Tractors power dozens of front and rear-mount PTO-driven attachments. Handlebars rotate 180º in seconds.

800-543-1040 info@bcsamerica.com bcsamerica.com

Center for Rural Affairs (212) Unapologetically rural. We stand up for rural America—the small family farmer and rancher, new business owner, and rural communities.

402-687-2100 caitc@cfra.org cfra.org Ciranda, Inc. The leading global supplier and innovator of certified organic, non-GMO, and fairtrade ingredients.

888-329-3577 connections@ciranda.com Ciranda.com

CobraHead LLC (805) Crafting heirloom-quality hand tools for gardeners and growers for over 20 years. All CobraHead tools are made in Wisconsin!

608-423-9119 info@cobrahead.com cobrahead.com Compeer (109 & 110) Member-owned farm credit cooperative serving rural communities with loans, leases, and other financial services in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

844-426-6733 paul.dietmann@compeer.com compeer.com Contree Sprayer & Equipment (138) Building custom spray equipment for all applications and provides parts and service for all sprayers.

920-356-0121 davev@contree.com contree.com Co-Op Partners Warehouse Wholesale distributor of organic produce, dairy, and grocery for retail stores and restaurants in the Upper Midwest.

651-644-7000 orders@cpw.coop cpw.coop Cowsmo, Inc. (810) The preferred supplier of the best organic compost and potting soil in the Midwest for the last 20 years.

608-626-2571 jrosenow@mwt.net cowsmocompost.com

CT Greenhouse (903) Innovative farmer owned and run high tunnel and greenhouse manufacturer.

860-341-8707 Toby@ctgreenhouse.com CTGreenhouse.com Cultivating Change: A Farmer Oral History Project (20) Share your farm’s origin story to contribute to a collection of oral histories that will reflect the diversity of our region’s agricultural community.

218-464-8078 jhatcher@d.umn.edu archive.storycorps.org/communities/ cultivating-change-farmers-share-theirstories/ Cutler Fence LLC (806) Supplies and installs livestock fence and water systems.

715-305-5670 rcutler@tznet.com designCraft Advertising Full-service advertising agency focused on small to mid-sized businesses and non-profits. We work to restore the good name of advertising through effective ad materials and strong returns on investments.

608-251-1809 conscience@designcraftadvertising.com designcraftadvertising.com Dr. Bronner’s Socially & environmentally responsible products of the highest quality, with profits dedicated to help make a better world place.

844-937-2551 info@drbronner.com drbronner.com

Dr. Paul’s Lab LLC (811) Offers a complete line of herbal and botanical remedies for livestock. We use the best ingredients that are permitted in organics.

608-370-7638 Drpaulslabllc@gmail.com drpaulslab.com Dramm Corporation (202) Family-run company focused on producing high quality tools and fertilizers to aid in growers’ success for over 80 years.

920-684-0227 information@dramm.com dramm.com Driftless Tannery (402) Offers a clean alternative to hide tanning for sheep and goat farmers, bringing them beautiful, healthy, quality valueadded items.

608-630-2960 driftlesstannery@gmail.com driftlesstannery.com Edible Madison (205) Dedicated to celebrating the local food and agriculture of southern Wisconsin.

Edible Madison is published quarterly with the seasons.

608-347-9300 hello@ediblemadison.com ediblemadison.com EnSoil Algae (812) A live-cell algae biostimulant proven to rapidly improve soil biodiversity to increase nutrient cycling, plant health, and production.

617-901-4621 Camille@ensoilalgae.com ensoilalgae.com Experimental Farm Network (EFN) (2)

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Offers a wide variety of seeds from over 50 different small-scale seed growers, with a focus on genetic diversity and regional adaptation.

612-834-7502 dusty.hinz@alumni.augsburg.edu EFNseeds.com FairShare CSA Coalition (120) Thriving farms, vibrant communities, and fresh food for all. We build resilient food communities by investing in farmers and empowering eaters.

608-226-0300 info@csacoalition.org csacoalition.org Family Farm Defenders (FFD) (404) Seeks to establish a fair, just, and resilient agricultural system, rooted in food sovereignty, agroecology, peace, and international solidarity.

608-260-0900 familyfarmdefenders@yahoo.com familyfarmers.org Farm Aid (131) Supporting and advocating for farmers since 1985.

800-327-6243 caitlin@farmaid.org farmaid.org/resources Farmer Veteran Coalition (809) Helps veterans nationally pursue careers in agriculture and cultivates a new generation of farmers and food leaders.

608-960-8291 daxbeamer@hotmail.com farmvetco.org

Farm-to-Power (712) A non-profit, non-partisan organization existing to share information and advance opportunities in renewable energy for rural America. steve@farmtopower.org farmtopower.org Fedco Seeds, Inc. (23) Member-owned cooperative since 1978 specializing in farm, garden, and orchard products for northern growers.

207-426-9900 questions@fedcoseeds.com fedcoseeds.com Flame Engineering, Inc. (711) The best solution for killing weeds, insects, weed seed, and sanitizing the natural way, without the harmful chemicals.

785-222-2783 darren@flameengineering.com flameengineering.com Focus on Energy (139) Wisconsin’s statewide program promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy for residents and businesses.

800-762-7077 business@focusonenergy.com focusonenerergy.com General Mills Partners with Rodale Institute and Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to provide eligible farmers with free technical assistance.

800-248-7310 rodaleinstitute.org/general-mills

Farmers for Soil Health (804) A cover crop incentive payment program.

262-325-6637 Glacier Valley Enterprises (911) duffy@ctic.org Providing fruit and vegetable packaging, farmersforsoilhealth.com tools, and signage to produce growers across country.

Farmer’s Organic Gin (127) 608-356-2244 An award-winning, gluten-free gin made sales@glacierv.com with ROC & USDA organic wheat from a glacierv.com US family-owned farm.

212-473-1100 Golden Sands Resource Conservation & info@chathamimports.com Development Council (710) farmersgin.com A conservation nonprofit that addresses large-scale environmental issues across 13 counties in central Wisconsin.

715-343-6215 info@goldensandsrcd.org goldensandsrcd.org

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Good Agriculture (808) Handling the paperwork for our farmers— from your monthly bookkeeping and financials to finding and applying to a loan or grant.

404-981-3981 reba@goodagriculture.com goodagriculture.com/info Grain Millers, Inc. (409 & 410) For over 38 years, offering production contracts for organic oats and small grains, corn, and soybeans.

800-318-5188 info@grainmillers.com grainmillers.com GrassWorks, Inc. (100) Provides leadership and education to farmers and consumers for the advancement of managed grass-based agriculture.

224-875-0049 info@grassworks.org grassworks.org High Mowing Organic Seeds (133) Started with a vision still held today: It is our goal to leverage the power of seed to transform our world.

866-735-4454 pfeenan@highmowingseeds.com highmowingseeds.com Honor Native Land Fund (HNLF) (210) An opportunity for non-Native people living in the Midwest to contribute to Native efforts to restore land and water to Indigenous stewardship.

608-568-3630 honornativelandfund@gmail.com honornativelandfund.org Intertribal Ag Council (1) Improving Indian agriculture by promoting the Indian use of Indian resources and federal agency contracts to maximize resources for tribal members.

406-259-3525 indianag.org Iowa Organic Association (IOA) (213) Statewide, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to organic education, advocacy, and cooperation.

515-608-8622 info@iowaorganic.org iowaorganic.org

Jewish Farmer Network (3) Cultivates the social, cultural, and spiritual well-being of Jewish farmers.

973-885-5391 shani@jewishfarmernetwork.org Jewishfarmernetwork.org Johnny’s Selected Seeds (118 & 119) Helping growers succeed with superior seeds, tools, and service since 1973.

207-660-4337 djokela@johnnyseeds.com johnnyseeds.com Kollath CPA Professional services firm, providing accounting, tax, and payroll services to businesses, individuals, and nonprofits.

608-824-3002 cradtke@kollathcpa.com kollathcpa.com Koppert Biologicals (807) Pollination and biological pest and disease management company, with sustainability in mind.

517-428-0211 olake@koppert.com koppert.com Kreher Family Farms (108) Producers of organic fertilizers.

716-512-3857 Duwayneg@krehereggs.net krehereggs.com/compost-fertilizer La Crosse Distilling Co. (413) La Crosse Wisconsin’s first distillery, producing handcrafted spirits using topquality ingredients from family farmers.

608-881-8800 lacrossedistilling.co Lakewinds Food Co-Op (125) A community-owned grocery store with a passion for local, sustainably grown food.

952-473-0292 marketing@lakewinds.com Lakewinds.coop Lasco Lightning Weeder (906) Electric discharge weed eliminator.

218-791-6536 Lasco@arvig.net Lightningweeder.com

Local Food Marketplace (907) Comprehensive sales and distribution software for farms, food hubs, markets, and CSA! 541-579-3195 info@localfoodmarketplace.com home.localfoodmarketplace.com

Minnesota Farmers Union (115) Working to protect and enhance the quality of life of family farmers and rural communities.

651-639-1223 info@mfu.org mfu.org

MAD! (411 & 412) Creating a regenerative revolution in agriculture across three companies: Mad Capital, Mad Markets, and Mad Agriculture.

707-529-4412 elizabeth@madagriculture.org madagriculture.org

MOSA Certified Organic (702 & 703) A non-profit, USDA-accredited organic certification agency. We certify farms, processors, handlers, and retail establishments.

844-637-2526 mosa@mosaorganic.org mosaorganic.org

Mandaamin Institute (909) Organic seed research company.

262-248-1533 wgoldstein@mandaamin.org mandaamin.org

National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) (406) Building resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources.

800-275-6228 Marbleseed (4) ncat@ncat.org Education, resources, and practical advice ncat.org to help farmers grow; specialists to answer questions about organic practices National Children’s Center for Rural and and certification.

Agricultural Health and Safety (103) 888-906-6737 Led the development and dissemination info@marbleseed.org of knowledge products and intervention marbleseed.org strategies for childhood agricultural health and safety.

715-389-4999 Michael Fields Agricultural Institute nccrahs@marshfieldresearch.org (128) cultivatesafety.org A 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing regenerative agriculture through research, National Sustainable Agriculture policy, and education.

Coalition (NSAC) (129) 262-642-3303 An alliance of grassroots organizations web@michaelfields.org that advocates for federal policy michaelfields.org reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture and food systems.

Midwest Laboratories (121) 312-687-6484 A full-scale analytical laboratory sfunk@sustainableagriculture.net that offers analysis to a wide array of sustainableagriculture.net industries.

402-334-7770 contactus@midwestlabs.com Nature’s International Certification midwestlabs.com Services (NICS) (124) An accredited certifier by the National Organic Program since 2007 offering a Minnesota Crop Improvement full range of certification services for farm Association (22) Providing organic certification services to and food.

608-637-7080 the Midwest. nics.inbox@ecocert.com 612-625-7766 naturesinternational.com mncia@mncia.org mncia.org

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NCR-SARE (308) Offering competitive grants and educational opportunities for a wide range of folks exploring sustainable agriculture in America’s Midwest.

612-626-3113 ncrsare@umn.edu northcentral.sare.org New Country Organics (901 & 914) Soy-free certified organic poultry and livestock feeds, free-choice minerals, animal health supplements, and horticulture products.

888-699-7088 customercare@newcountryorganics.com newcountryorganics.com Nifty Hoops (104 & 105) High tunnel manufacturing and installation.

734-845-0079 info@niftyhoops.com niftyhoops.com North Circle Seeds (307) Seed supplier committed to creating an ecologically diverse, equitable, and inclusive food system.

218-850-0412 zachary@northcircleseeds.com northcircleseeds.com OCIA International (709) Organic Certification 402-477-2323 marketing@ocia.org ocia.org Ohio Earth Food (910) Delivering all organic-approved products since 1972 to balance soil, start seeds, fertilize beds or fields, and fight pests.

608-489-3600 info@ohioearthfood.com ohioearthfood.com Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) Certification (312) Organic certification, technical assistance, and education on organic farming practices and profitability since 1981.

614-421-2022 oeffa@oeffa.org grow.oeffa.org

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Olson Solar Energy LLC (708) Solar installation throughout Wisconsin, eastern Minnesota, and northern Iowa.

608-780-2347 info@olsonsolarenergy.com olsonsolarenergy.com Organic Farmers Agency for Relationship Marking (OFARM) (401 & 414) Empowering organic grain farmers through cooperative marketing.

785-562-7500 marketing@ofarm.org ofarm.org Organic Farmers Association (130) Providing a strong and unified national voice for domestic certified organic producers.

202-643-5363 info@organicfarmersassociation.org organicfarmersassociation.org Organic Grain Resource and Information Network (OGRAIN) (301) Led by Dr. Erin Silva, supports organic grain farmers in the Upper Midwest.

608-262-4592 kelly.debbink@wisc.edu ograin.cals.wisc.edu Organic Valley—CROPP Cooperative (704 & 705) Farmer-owned organic cooperative offering certified organic dairy, egg, and produce products.

888-444-6455 contact.us@organicvalley.coop organicvalley.coop Organic Waste Connections (137) Helps businesses and individuals that are responsible for large animals with removal after the animals have passed on.

715-773-0713 schroedertodd16@gmail.com organicwasteconnections.com Participatory Beginning Farmer Training (135) An action-learning curriculum designed to offer a solid foundation for beginning farmers through an interactive training program.

989-506-3922 mborgm@msu.edu bit.ly/beginning-farmer

People’s Food Co-Op Community-owned natural food store in La Crosse, Wiss. and Rochester, Minn. promoting local farmers and producers and fresh, healthy, sustainable food.

608-784-5798 pfclacrosse@pfc.coop pfc.coop Plant Products (134) Delivering value-added, focused tech support, and consumable goods to specialty horticulture industries.

248-661-4378 info@plantproducts.com plantproducts.com Practical Farmers of Iowa (405) Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities. Our network and activities reach far beyond Iowa.

515-232-5661 info@practicalfarmers.org practicalfarmers.org PurEarth Worm Farm (913) Sales of quality worm castings, worms, and bio-char.

715-820-2384 wormer50@yahoo.com REAP Food Group (310) A non-profit community service organization that works to create a more just and sustainable food system.

608-310-7836 info@reapfoodgroup.org reapfoodgroup.org Regenerative Agriculture Alliance (203) A regenerative industry alliance for thriving businesses, people, and planet.

507-664-1088 info@regenagalliance.org regenagalliance.org Renewing the Countryside (208 & 209) Provides inspiration, ideas, and assistance to farmers, individuals, and communities throughout the Upper Midwest.

507-291-3663 info@rtcinfo.org renewingthecountryside.org

Return (19) Return commercial and agricultural growing supplies. Producers of quality organic ‘inputs’. And sustainable, hardworking midwestern farmers.

507-201-9248 sales@returnco.com returnorganics.com Rodale Institute (21) Growing the organic movement through research, farmer training, and consumer education.

610-683-1416 consulting@rodaleinstitute.org rodaleinstitute.org Savanna Institute (117) A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry adoption in the Midwest.

608-448-6432 info@savannainstitute.org savannainstitute.org Sea-90 Ocean Minerals (801 & 814) The first step in regenerative agriculture, Sea-90 Ocean Minerals offers nutrientrich ocean minerals for soil, plant, and animal health!

770-361-6092 hello@sea-90.com sea-90.com Seed Savers Exchange (311) A non-profit organization dedicated to stewarding Americaʼs culturally diverse and endangered garden and food crop legacy.

563-382-5990 marketing@seedsavers.org seedsavers.org SGS North America, Inc. (813) Our global experts use cutting-edge technology to deliver accurate results and support sustainable, profitable agriculture.

605-692-7611 analytical.brookings@sgs.com sgs.com/en/our-services/naturalresources/crop-science

Shining Hills Farm and Gardens, Ryan Evans (6) Organic flower farming for 28 years, selling to Twin Cities florists and designers. Master Floral Designer creating stunning organic installations.

608-632-0750 flowerman1111@yahoo.com ryanevansastrology.com Sitka Seafood Market (122) Alaskan, wild-caught, traceable seafood delivered to your door.

309-342-3474 support@sitkaseafoodmarket.com sitkaseafoodmarket.com

Superior Poultry Products LLC (SPP) (902) Provides simple, effective and innovative poultry products to make your life easier while keeping your animals happy, healthy, and safe.

651-207-9512 beskarpaul@gmail.com bigriverridgefarm.com SureSource Commodities (904) Provides a better experience–built on trust, high standards, and fairness–for growers and buyers of organic food and feed ingredients.

866-697-5960 colin@suresourceorganics.com suresourcecommodities.com

Small Farm Works (132) Paper chain pot transplanting system and SustainableHR other tools for small farms.

The Professional Employer Organization 608-620-5804 is built for you. A comprehensive solution paperchainpots@gmail.com to employee management: payroll, HR, smallfarmworks.com and benefits – all in one.

608-740-4201 kallard@sustainablehrpeo.com Sno Pac Foods (204) http://www.sustainablehrpeo.com/ Growers and processors of organic vegetables and fruits since 1943.

507-725-5281 Sustane Natural Fertilizer, Inc. (106 & snopac@snopac.com 107 ) snopac.com Suståne organic and all-natural fertilizers and soil builders are based Soil Smiles (313) on high quality for all-crop fertility, Healthy Soil = Healthy Food = Healthy establishment, and maintenance.

You! Nourish your garden naturally with 507-263-3003 our OMRI-listed chicken manure pellets. help@sustane.com 612-309-7522 sustane.com support@soilsmiles.com soilsmiles.com Tellus LLC (302 & 303) Organic Fertilizers and feed ingredients, Stepwell Strategies retail, commercial and agriculture.

Provides grant writing, project Sourcing of materials in numerous development, and project management segments. services for food and farm organizations.

219-742-2758 410-409-3737 brett58@comcast.net info@stepwellstrategies.com stepwellstrategies.com Tend (706 & 707) Simplify every aspect of your farm Sunrise Foods International (408) management—crop planning, task Sourcing high-quality organic feed and management, sales, accounting, and food-grade grains with fast, reliable, and inventory—all powered by AI in one efficient transportation of grain across platform. the U.S. and Canada.

831-854-7502 833-657-5790 hello@tend.com info@sunrisefoods.com tend.com sunrisefoods.com

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The Land Connection (306) Working to grow the local food economy from soil to supper plate!

217-840-2128 crystal@thelandconnection.org thelandconnection.org

rsomn@usda.gov rma.usda.gov

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (111) Works one-on-one with farmers to provide technical expertise and financial assistance to make conservation work on The Market Gardener Institute (206 & private lands.

207) 608-662-4422 Empowering growers with knowledge askusda@usda.gov and tools to create efficient and nrcs.usda.gov/wi profitable organic farming, fostering harmony with nature.

UW–Madison Center for Integrated 873-664-5532 Agricultural Systems (CIAS) (314) info@themarketgardener.com Faculty, staff, and partners committed themarketgardener.com/about-us to increasing the health and resilience of the organic industry through research, The Organic & Non-GMO Report (17) academics, and outreach.

608-890-1503 Publications on health & environmental emsilva@wisc.edu risks of GMO foods and The Non-GMO cias.wisc.edu Sourcebook, the world’s only “farm to fork” directory of non-GMO products.

Valmetal (908) 641-209-3426 Manufacturer of farm equipment to non-gmoreport.com mechanize and automate the chore of feeding dairy animals.

Thoreau College/Driftless Folk School 819-395-4282 (136) info@valmetal.com Thoreau College is an innovative valmetal.com microcollege located in Viroqua, Wis. offering accredited gap semester and summer programs for young adults.

Vermont Compost Company 608-632-3829 Makers of living soil—composts and admin@thoreaucollege.org compost-based potting soil and soil thoreaucollege.org amendments for organic use.

802-223-6049 USDA Farm Service Agency (113) vermontcompost.com Provides farmers with a strong safety net through farm commodity, loss coverage, Wetterfrosch Farm Tools (905) conservation, disaster, and farm load Innovative tools for farm resilience. programs.

Portable irrigation with multi-season 608-662-4422 durability and no-till implements for katie.detra@usda.gov two-wheel tractors. fsa.usda.gov 269-370-2046 Wetterfroschfarmtools@gmail.com USDA National Organic Program (114) wetterfrosch.farm Develops and enforces uniform national standards for organically produced agricultural products sold in the U.S. Wilson Organic Solutions (304) 202-720-3252 Phinite’s OMRI-listed granular fertilizer NOP.Guidance@usda.gov provides an attractive source of soil ams.usda.gov/about-ams/programsfertility for all crops and gardens. offices/national-organic-program 815-471-7904 jacob.heeren@wilsonorganicsolutions.

USDA Risk Management Agency (112) com The federal agency that administers the wilsonorganicsolutions.com federal crop insurance program, a vital safety net for farmers. Visit us to learn more.

651-290-3304

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Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (201 & 214) Safe Wisconsin Produce encourages safe production of fruits and vegetables and promotes the understanding and implementation of FDA’s Produce Safety Rule.

608-224-4511 datcpproducesafety@wisconsin.gov safeproduce.wi.gov Wisconsin Farmers Union (116) Enhances the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities, and all people through education, cooperative endeavors, and civic engagement.

715-723-5561 info@wisconsinfarmersunion.com wisconsinfarmersunion.com Women Food & Agriculture Network (403) Networking, information, and leadership development for women engaged in all aspects of healthy food and farming.

515-635-3276 info@wfan.org wfan.org Wonderstate Coffee Our passion for exceptional coffee is matched by our passion and and unwavering dedication to our community of farmers and farmer cooperatives. hello@wonderstate.com http://wonderstate.com/ Woollets LLC (211) Turning waste wool from Midwest producers into 100% wool pellets, an organic, sustainable alternative to peat and synthetic fertilizers.

608-228-3603 Woolletsllc@gmail.com woollets.net Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (309) A non-profit environmental organization that focuses on the conservation of invertebrate life and the habitats they call home. pollinators@xerces.org xerces.org

Thank you to our generous SPONSORS for supporting Marbleseed 2025!

Blazing Star

Sunflower

Geranium

Daisy American Farmland Trust Dr. Bronner’s Edible Madison FairShare CSA Coalition Farm-to-Power Fedco Seeds, Inc. Kollath CPA Kreher Family Farms

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute Minnesota Crop Improvement Association People’s Food Co-op Return Savanna Institute Shining Hills Farm and Gardens

Sitka Seafood Market Stepwell Strategies SustainableHR Tellus LLC The Organic & Non-GMO Report Vermont Compost Company Wilson Organic Solutions

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WITH JM FORTIER

LISTEN NOW! themarketgardener.com/podcast

Come and say Hello! to booth 206 & 207

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THE WEATHER IS UNPREDICTABLE BUT WE’RE NOT

SIGNING UP NEW MEMBERS NOW! ORGANIC VALLEY PROVIDES: Stable pay | Open & honest communication National co-op with a regional presence Contact our Farmer Hotline to learn more about joining our cooperative.

888-809-9297 | www.farmers.coop