

A bout us
w H o we A re
Marbleseed is a nonprofit committed to supporting the Midwest’s organic and sustainable farmers through farmer-led events and educational resources that help your farm grow.

and empowers farmers to thrive in a
system of agriculture.
Abund A nce grows in solid A rity
w elco M e!
This event has always relied on the wisdom in these rooms. We learn from farmers who have made mistakes, innovated, and found new ways toward viable farms. Our February gathering sprung from the desire of farmers to help each other out and access a new national certification for organic agriculture that was the direct result of a national farmer movement.
This year’s theme, “Abundance Grows in Solidarity,” speaks to both our beginnings as well as the current moment. We recognize that together we have everything we need for thriving farms and healthy communities. The generosity of spirit that defines the culture of centering people, animals, and the planet in our farming systems permeates this annual gathering.
It is often said that our food and farming system is not actually broken. It is functioning exactly as it was intended by benefiting large, industrial monocrop operations and consolidated corporate supply chains. During these three days, we have the opportunity to imagine the system we want – one that benefits those of us growing the healthy food and regenerative fiber and fuel that sustain our communities.
This year’s conference includes some changes. We are convening in a smaller space, providing an opportunity for more connections and less walking in between. We have sessions dedicated to handson learning in which participants will leave with knowledge as well as tangible items to make and take.
Farmers are leading panels, roundtables, and workshops on a variety of production types addressing relevant content from their perspectives and farm systems. They’ll provide insights relevant to the diversity of farm types and sizes that are here.
We hope you’ll find time in the schedule to connect with other farmers and have conversations with those who are examining the barriers to a more just food and farming system. The featured speakers in our upper ballroom are thought leaders who are articulating system-level problems and solutions on a range of food and farming issues.
Marbleseed board and staff have long been committed to organic as a movement, not just a market. What does this mean in the current moment? How can we move forward together to enact the change we want to be? One of our speakers – Dr. Stephanie Luce, co-author of the book Practical Radicals –will help us understand what actions are needed to re-build organic as a movement.
As always, visit the exhibit hall, linger over break tables, enjoy both evening content (new this year), as well as evening social gatherings. Be sure to come for the opening session on Thursday evening when we recognize two farms for their outstanding work and hear remarks and a meditation from Reginaldo Haslett-Maroquin. This will be bookended by Saturday’s closing session, led by Chef Luke Zahm, whose inspirational words will take us to “food church” with a rousing send off.
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 who are determined to fight for the opportunity to feed their neighbors. They are also motivated to change the course of the climate crisis and learn to mitigate its impact. I hope this year’s agenda, from production knowledge to thought leadership, will connect across generations and lived experiences so that we can all visualize a more mutually thriving future together. May we find abundance in our solidarity!
Ever onward,

Lori Stern, M.A. Ed
A bout MA rbleseed
F a R m ER l ED . R OOTED IN ORG a NIC
Marbleseed’s roots began in 1989 when a group of farmers came together to organize the Organic Farming Conference. Now in its 37 th year, this is the longest-running and among the largest organic agriculture conferences in the U.S.
Out of this event grew our nonprofit, which provides opportunities for farmers to learn together, whether in the field, through mentoring relationships, at business-oriented workshops, or on the pages of our quarterly magazine, Organic Broadcaster, and monthly newsletter. More recently, we’ve sought to connect with and support farmers who face greater obstacles to success, including immigrants, BIPOC, and LGBTQA+ farmers. Everyone who wants to farm, who has a longing to connect to the land and provide food for their community, has a place at our table.
our P rogr AM s
Farmer-to-Farmer Learning – The cornerstone of Marbleseed. We offer opportunities at multiple scales for farmers to share knowledge with each other and find the information and support they need.
• Ag Solidarity Network – An online networking platform for farmers and ag professionals to share knowledge, ask questions, and find support. Visit the Marbleseed booth to sign up.
• Mentorship & Coaching – We pair experienced farmers with early-career growers to encourage successful organic farms across the region.
• Organic Field Days – During growing season, we invite you to attend one of our on-farm learning opportunities in diverse production types.
• Organic University – Daylong trainings by and for farmers seeking to transition to organic or improve their organic practices.
Conservation – Resources, funding, and shared learning to increase conservation planning on farms.
Expanding Markets for Organic – Working with granting sources to support transition to organic practices and expansion of markets for organic produce. We are currently a partner in the multi-state AMP program focused on organic grain farming.
Farmer Well-Being – Supporting the physical, mental, and emotional health of farmers through in-person and digital workshops like our Climate Circles, articles in the Organic Broadcaster, and programs like Honoring Our Elders.
Organic is Regenerative – A toolkit for organic farmers who want to promote the organic label and educate their community about the often-confusing terminology in the food sector.
tH e b usiness o F FA r M ing
New Farmer U — Marbleseed’s signature weekend retreat designed to help beginning and intermediate farmers strengthen the business side of their farms.
Finance Column — A new column in the Organic Broadcaster by the University of Wisconsin’s Food Finance Institute will address your questions about all things finance.
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.
le A rn M ore & F ollow A long
Marbleseed 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. www.marbleseed.org
Follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin: @marbleseedorg
Good food is a human right... there is an abundance of food, but we need to do better at getting it to people who need it most.
—
Malik Salsberry, Grow: Johnson County
on t H e co V er
mal IK S al SBERRY • GROW: JOHNSON COUNTY

growing A F uture F ood syste M
This year’s winning cover photograph comes from Iowa Valley RC&D (IVRCD) and their farm, Grow: Johnson County.
IVRCD trains and supports farmers, builds local food infrastructure, generates new innovative markets, improves access to locally grown foods, and models and communicates the positive impact of a future food system that nourishes people and place.
Grow is a five-acre vegetable farm located on the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm in Iowa City, Iowa. The program was created to fill the need for access to fresh and local fruits and vegetables, particularly in food pantries.
All the produce grown on the farm is distributed to local food pantries. Grow annually provides more than 40,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables to its partners.
Pictured on the cover is Malik Salsberry, Grow’s Farm Operations Manager. Originally from Davenport, Iowa, Malik grew up gardening with his grandmothers. He worked with Grow in 2018 as an on-farm apprentice – most memorably helping with 40 thousand onion starts. He then served as an AmeriCorps volunteer at a farm in Colorado.
Malik’s farming philosophy is rooted in community and the belief that “good food is a human right.” He says there is an abundance of food, but we need to do better at getting it to people who need it most. “Solidarity,” he says, “comes from the abundance that farms produce” – whether through gleaning, or answering the call when a farmer needs help getting a crop out of the field before a storm comes, or turning 50 pounds of Grade C tomatoes into sauce.
con F erence essenti A ls T IPS TO HE l P YOU N av IG a TE THE CONFERENCE
P
A r K ing
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), making it easy to drive directly to the conference.
w e A r your n AM e b A dge
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.
H A ng your co At
Coat racks are in the South Hall Upper Level. Follow the signs.
M e A ls
Lunch is included with Friday and Saturday registration. Refreshments will be available each day for all conference attendees. Dinner tickets can be purchased at Check-In. Thank you to our food donors for their generous contributions to our meals at the conference.
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.
Note, breakfast will not be served at this year’s conference. Coffee, tea, and light refreshments will be available when Check-In opens each morning.
Break Food: Whole fruit, blue corn chips, salsa, corn relish, cheese, snack bars. Find snack stations on the map.
Thursday Dinner (add-on): Pizza buffet with assorted meat, veggie, and vegan options, Caesar salad, and assorted cookies.
Friday Lunch: Taco buffet with cilantro lime rice, refried beans, skillet street corn, ground pork tacos, vegan tacos, assorted toppings, and ice cream treats.
Friday Dinner (add-on): Penne pasta buffet with alfredo, marinara sauce, roasted veggies and chicken, leafy green salad, and lemon cake.
Saturday Lunch: Hungarian mushroom soup and roasted pepper & tomato bisque, crunchy pea salad, hearty breads with butter, garden greens & dressings, and chocolate cake (vegan brownies).
g reen i niti Ati V e s
Compost and recycling stations are located throughout the conference center. Please help us maintain this environmental commitment by placing waste in the appropriate containers. Help us reduce landfill trash by using the recycling and compost bins. Signs posted above each bin list items accepted.
Reduce plastic waste by bringing your own reusable water bottle to refill at a drinking station or pick up a conference commemorative glass mug or reusable bamboo utensils –available for purchase in the ACRES x Marbleseed Bookstore. At the end of the conference, you can also return your name badge holder to designated boxes near Check-In.
l ost A nd Found & First Aid
See staff at Check-In if you need assistance locating an item or have a first aid need.
wellness A re A
Visit the Wellness Area, Brought to you by Laura at Vital Ground Farm, located in the South Hall Upper Level by the windows overlooking the Mississippi. Here, you can access farm-specific wellness resources focused on physical and mental health. The emphasis is not only on agricultural practices but on the holistic wellness of the farmer. 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. Take a break in this serene space, try a relaxing activity, and explore practical materials to care for yourself and your community. The wellness area offers a unique space to connect, reflect, and recharge.
g ender n eutr A l r estroo M s
Several restrooms are designated as gender neutral. See the map on page 16.
Volunteers
A great crew of volunteers helps make the Marbleseed Conference run smoothly. If you need assistance 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!
Friday, 8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. | Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 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 at WFU’s booth in the Exhibit Hall and make sure to grab an agenda from their booth or at Check-In! See the exhibit hall map on page 38.
nursing
For parents looking for a quiet place to feed an infant, there is a quiet area in the hallway between North and South Hall. See the map on page 16.
c H ildren in wor K s H o P s
To ensure that other conference attendees can hear presentations, please make sure your children are quiet and supervised during workshops. We appreciate you leaving a presentation room if they need attention.
i nter P ret Ation & t r A nsl Ation
Marbleseed believes interpretation services are a crucial component to fostering inclusivity and accessibility at events. Language access services bridge language gaps, facilitate connections between educators and attendees, and support meaningful engagement with conference content.
HMoob and Spanish Interpretation services were offered at the time of registration. For questions about interpretation, please stop by the Marbleseed booth.
s c H ol A rs H i P 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 at: marbleseed.org/donate
ic e res P onse P l A n
There is no place for ICE in our food system or at our conference. Marbleseed stands in solidarity with immigrant communities today and every day. Our team is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all conference attendees.

sc H edule A t A gl A nce le A rn M ore: conference.marbleseed.org
t H ursd Ay 12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. Registration Opens
1:00–5:00 p.m. Half-Day Sessions
4:00–6:00 p.m. Happy Hour, Exhibit Hall Open, Supper (4:30; add-on)
6:00–8:00 p.m. Kick-Off: Farmer Recognition & Opening Meditation
F rid Ay 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
8:00 a.m. Registration Open, Exhibit Hall Open
9:00–10:15 a.m. Session 1
10:30–11:45 a.m. Session 2A (Featured Speaker, Panel, Workshop)
11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Session 2B (Hands-On Workshop, Round Tables)
11:45 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Lunch
2:00–4:00 p.m. Affinity Group Meetings & Meet Ups
4:15–5:30 p.m. Session 3
5:30–7:00 p.m. Happy Hour in Exhibit Hall, Supper (add-on)
6:30–10:00 p.m. Evening Activities
s Aturd Ay 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
8:00 a.m. Registration Open, Exhibit Hall Open
9:00–10:15 a.m. Session 4
10:30–11:45 a.m. Session 5A (Featured Speaker, Panel, Workshop) 11:00–12:15 p.m. Session 5B (Hands-On Workshop, Round Tables)
11:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30–3:00 p.m. Closing Session, Featured Speaker, Prize Drawing
MA rbleseed Pl A nning e FF orts
Our staff has been working closely with partners, the venue, and local organizers to update and strengthen our response plan. Staff are trained and prepared to respond if needed. If you need assistance or see something concerning, please look for staff wearing a yellow “Staff” ribbon or volunteers wearing a green “Volunteer” ribbon — volunteers can quickly connect you with staff. “Know Your Rights” Red Cards (provided by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center to help people understand and assert their constitutional rights when approached by immigration or law enforcement) are also available at registration and at the Marbleseed booth.
con F erence o V er V iew
mORE W a YS TO l E a RN
“ ”
We’ve built in lots of ways for you to make the most of your time in La Crosse... conversations over coffee, practical skill building in workshops, and hearing from fellow farmers in various settings.

For 37 years, the Organic Farming Conference has provided a venue for sharing organic farming knowledge with our community, and each year the structure looks a little different. We know everyone learns a little differently, so we’ve built in lots of ways for you to make the most of your time in La Crosse, including informal conversations over coffee, practical skill building in workshops, and hearing from fellow farmers in various settings.
Here is a primer of what to expect this year: On Thursday afternoon, half-day sessions offer a chance to immerse yourself in topics like managed grazing, labor management on diversified farms, pest management on organic fruit farms, and dry bean production. Friday and Saturday feature five

concurrent sessions from which to choose, each of which includes a workshop, panel, roundtable discussion, featured speaker presentation, and hands-on interactive session.
FA r M er- l ed c ontent
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 there is enormous value in the informal conversations that occur between attendees in the hallways and dining area. This year we are demonstrating our belief in the importance of these organically generated moments by offering more round table discussions, meet-ups, and affinity group meetings as seen on page 26.

Find detailed session information beginning on page 20.
Abbre V i Ations
c HA rt your custo M
EXP l ORE CONFERENCE TR a CKS BY FOCUS a RE a
(W) – Workshop – presentation format (HW) – Hands-on workshop – prepare to get dirty!
(FS) – Featured speaker
(P) – Panel of multiple presenters
(RT) – Roundtable conversation
(OH) – Office hours – 1:1 consultation (M) — Meetups & Affinity Groups
Veget A bles & Herbs
(W) — Midwest Vegetable Growers half-day workshop, Part I - Shared Labor on The Farm
(W) — Midwest Vegetable Growers half-day workshop, Part II - Marketing for Large Sales
(P) — Diversifying Your Farm Income panel with two vegetable farmers
(RT) — Roundtable: Reduced Tillage in Vegetables
(W) — Organic Vegetable Growers Virtual Toolkit for Pest & Disease Management
(RT) — Reduced Tillage in Vegetables RT
Fruit & Perenni A ls
(W) — Organic Fruit Intensive half-day with the Organic Fruit Growers Association
(W) — Elderberry and Black Currant Deep Dive (HW) — Tree-Fruit Grafting Workshop (OH) — Managing Fruit Pests
(RT) — Organic Fruit Varieties (HW) — Tree-Fruit Pruning
l i V estoc K , g r A zin G , & Poultry
(W) — Managed Grazing Crash Course half-day workshop
(HW) — Maintaining Fence for Livestock
(W) — Cover Crops and Winter Grazing
(HW) — Farm-made Compost
(RT) — Marketing Strategies for Livestock Producers (OH) — Ask a Veterinarian
(W) — Poultry-Centered Regenerative Agroforestry
(W) — Running Your Pasture Pigs Like a Stocker Enterprise

Field c ro P s & g r A in
(W) — Growing Dry Beans at Any Scale half-day workshop (P) — Conservation on the Farm - featuring an organic hay and niche grains farmer (W) — Fiber & Textile Potential for Flax (HW) — Small Grain Equipment Showcase
tH e He A lt H A nd w ellbeing o F FA r M er , s oil , Food s yste M
(FS) — Abundance, Solidarity, Organizing (FS) — Building a World for People and the Planet (P) — Reclaiming the Farmer Identify (W) — Grow Your Own Fertility & Reduce Reliance on Inputs (HW) — From Soil to Strategy – Soil sampling workshop (RT) — Farmers Have Policy Power (FS) — Navigating Stress, Challenges, and Uncertainty (M) — Food Sovereignty and Agroecology Meetup (FS) — Solutions to Consolidation (HW) — Songbirds for Pest Control (HW) — Food Is Medicine
b usiness / Fin A nces (FS) — Investing in Organic (OH) — Ask a Lending Officer (OH) — Ask an Organic Certifier (OH) — Navigating Crop Insurance (OH) — Profit & Sales Strategy Consultations (RT) — Farm to School and Institutions (P) — Diversifying Your Farm Income
F e A tured s P e AK ers
INSPIRING v OICES FRO m THE FIE l D
F rid A y s P e AK ers
Rooted in Resilience: Building Strength, Courage, and Solidarity in Uncertain Times

r egin A ldo
H A slett-M A rro Q uin Opening Meditation
t H ursd Ay , 6:00-8:00 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room D
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, founder of the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance and CEO of Tree-Range Farms, grew up in extreme poverty in Guatemala during the brutal decades-long civil war. He dedicates his entrepreneurial spirit and regenerative vision to restructure the food system. In 2018, he was awarded a lifetime Ashoka Fellowship. He will provide an opening meditation at the Conference Kick-Off on Thursday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in South Hall Upper, Room D.
le A ding wit H cour A ge
Friday’s featured speakers explore what it takes to build a world where people, land, and livelihoods can thrive together. From reimagining economic systems that serve communities and the planet to navigating stress and uncertainty with steadiness and purpose, these sessions ground us in resilience. In a time when division and volatility feel close at hand, we gather to strengthen our inner resolve and our shared commitment to change — because abundance grows when we organize, support one another, and lead with courage.

ste PHA nie luce
Building a World for People and the Planet
F rid Ay , 10:30-11:45 a.m.
South Hall Upper, Room C
Stephanie Luce is Professor of Labor Studies at the School of Labor and Urban Studies, City University of New York (CUNY). She received her BA in economics at the University of California, Davis and her PhD in sociology and MA in industrial relations from the University of WisconsinMadison. Her books include Fighting for a Living Wage (2004) and Practical Radicals: Seven Strategies to Change the World (2023). She will be speaking on Friday from 10:30-11:45 a.m. in South Hall Upper, Room C for her session “Building a World for People and the Planet.”

ry A n eris MA n
Navigating Stress, Challenges, and Uncertainty
F rid Ay , 4:15-5:30 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room C
Ryan Erisman grew up on an innovative Illinois grain and livestock farm that transitioned to organic in the early 1990s, but he left agriculture for the challenges of the Marine Corps. A decade into his four-year plan, Ryan commanded a rifle company in combat and counterinsurgency operations in Iraq. Today, Ryan raises pastured pork, grass-fed beef, and feed crops in Sun Prairie, WI, using regenerative practices. He founded Odyssey Collaborations to help sustainability leaders navigate complex challenges, cultivate highimpact change, and create wellbeing for themselves, their organizations, and their communities. Ryan’s session, “Navigating Stress, Challenges, and Uncertainty,” will be in South Hall Upper, Room C on Friday from 4:155:30 p.m.
ry A n eris MA n
r egin A ldo H A slett-M A rro Q uin
ste PHA nie luce
s A turd A y s P e AK ers
Shaping What Comes Next: Policy, Investment, and The Collective Power to Reclaim
Our Food System

A ustin F reric K Solutions to Consolidation
s Aturd Ay , 10:30-11:45 a.m.
South Hall Upper, Room C
Austin Frerick is an expert on agricultural and antitrust policy. In 2024, he published his debut book, Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry, which profiles a series of powerful magnates to illustrate the concentration of power in the global food system. Frerick previously worked at the Open Markets Institute, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the Congressional Research Service before becoming a Fellow at Yale University. He is a 7th generation Iowan and 1st generation college graduate, with degrees from Grinnell College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He will be speaking on Saturday from 10:30-11:45 a.m. in South Hall Upper, Room C for the session “Solutions to Consolidation.”
A ligning P olicy , cAP it A l , A nd co MM unity
Saturday’s featured speakers turn toward the structural forces shaping agriculture — and the opportunities to transform them. From confronting corporate consolidation to investing in organic and Indigenous-led food systems, and ultimately reimagining how we feed ourselves, these voices invite us to think bigger. Together, they challenge us to move beyond critique toward bold, practical solutions rooted in solidarity. When we align policy, capital, and community with shared values, we create the conditions for lasting abundance — on our farms and far beyond them.

zA c H d uc H ene A ux
Investing in Organic
sAturd Ay , 9:00-10:15 a.m.
South Hall Upper, Room C
Zach Ducheneaux lives and works on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. There, with his brothers and his kids, he operates DX Ranch. He recently served as Administrator for USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), providing leadership and direction on agricultural policy, including the administration of FSA’s farm loan, conservation, commodity, disaster, and farm marketing programs, through a national network of offices. Previously, Ducheneaux was the Executive Director of the Intertribal Agriculture Council and served as tribal council representative for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. He has spent his career educating people about the critical role of improved food systems and value-added agriculture, all through the lens of finding ways to address enduring economic and social challenges facing Native Americans and reservations. His session, “Investing in Organic” is on Saturday in South Hall Upper, Room C from 9:00-10:15 a.m.

lu K e z AHM
Everybody Eats — This Is How We Feed Ourselves
sAturd Ay , 1:30-3:00 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Rooms C & D
Luke Zahm is the owner and James Beard-nominated chef of the Driftless Café in Viroqua, WI, a restaurant that spends 85% of its food budget on ingredients that are sourced within a 100-mile radius of the restaurant. He is the host of the Emmy-winning television program Wisconsin Foodie and an activist for local, sustainable agriculture. Luke will be providing closing commentary in his talk “Everybody Eats — This Is How We Feed Ourselves” during our closing session at 1:30 p.m in South Hall Upper, Rooms C & D.
zA c H d uc H ene A ux
lu K e z AHM
A ustin F reric K
FA r M er recognition
Marbleseed recognizes one farm (organic stewards), and one (shared vision) agriculture organization each year. The Farmer of the Year Award and the Changemaker of the Year recognition ceremony will be held during the evening kick-off on Thursday, February 26. The recipients will make short presentations about their work and host Marbleseed field days during the growing season.
our FA r M ers o F t H e ye A r
B
ETH
a ND S TE v E a l BERT

Beth and Steve Albert of Prairie Bluff Farm near Mount Horeb, WI, are Marbleseed’s 2026 Organic Farmers of the Year. The Alberts sell pastured certified organic eggs throughout the greater Madison area under the brand name Pasture Patterns Eggs. They are the first pastured egg operation to receive the award.
co MM itted to org A nic stew A rds H i P
Marbleseed’s Farmer of the Year Award honors certified organic producers in the Midwest who have contributed to the organic farm¬ing movement through significant experience. They are leaders who provide mentorship to less practiced farmers, helping the organic movement continue to evolve. The couple entered farming through a small dairy operation they purchased near Mount Horeb in 1992. Forced to sell that business due to lack of financial viability, they returned to jobs outside of agriculture – carpentry and healthcare, respectively.
In 2007, they tried again, this time with a focus on eggs. Today, Pasture Patterns Eggs has approximately 1,500 hens that spend most of their time in mobile coops designed by Steve. Their eggs are sold throughout the greater Madison area.
Pat and Sarah of Squashington Farm are among many young farmers who have benefited from the Alberts’ guidance.
“Steve and Beth came into our lives seemingly out of nowhere and gave us land to farm, work to help pay bills, mentorship and knowledge to work on construction, plumbing, and electric projects, childcare/love for our children, and above all else friendship,” says Pat.
Speaking of the Alberts’ farming career, Lori Stern, Marbleseed’s Executive Director, says, “So often we think of success in farming as a linear trajectory. Steve and Beth show us the reality of a meandering journey, guided by a commitment to organic stewardship, animal welfare, and the love for community connections and what can be built together.”

c HA nge MAK ers o F t H e ye A r SH a RING OUR ROOTS


Located outside of Northfield, Minn., Sharing Our Roots (SOR) provides long-term land access for immigrant, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and emerging farmers. Marbleseed recognizes the organization – which is a farm, a model for biodiversity, and a community of autonomous growers – as its 2026 Changemaker of the Year.
c A ring F or l A nd A nd co MM unity
The Changemaker recognition celebrates emerging leaders in the organic farming and food movement who creatively overcome systemic challenges to nurture a thriving agricultural future for all. Marbleseed seeks to recognize communities of regenerative agriculture, food sovereignty, and/or local food systems that have been historically discriminated against. An honoree organization or community does not have to be a producer but needs to directly support farmers through their work.

Now in its ninth year, SOR is a land-based organization, rooted in 163-acres of previously depleted, monocropped farmland. It was created thanks to the generosity of two neighboring farm families who worked with SOR toward a vision for common ownership and sustainable agricultural practices. Today, 10 farms lease the land, including growers from Kenya, Sudan, and Mexico. Additionally, SOR offers growing space to more than 125 gardeners via its seven community gardens.
Unlike incubator farms that usually have a three- to five-year agreement, SOR leases land indefinitely to farmers who agree to farming within guidelines of soil health, animal biosecurity, and organic certification. Outside these community norms, farmers can make their own decisions about their land while benefiting from shared resources.
“Land Access is hard,” says farm manager Alissa Jacobsen. “We’re on the precipice of one of the most important land transfers in our history. Will land get bought by large scale corporations, data centers, foreign investors, or by families and small farmers? Our model is a shared vision of caring for the land and community.”
org
A nic rese A rc H
FORU m , G a THERING, a ND l ISTENING SESSIONS

o rg A nic r ese A rc H Foru M
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. All events events described here will take place in the Research Poster Gallery in South Hall Upper.
r ese A rc H er & e xtension gAt H erin g
Facilitated by Rebecca Champagne, Conservation Scientist (OFRF)
tH ursd Ay , 1:00–5:00 p.m.
Poster Gallery in South Hall Upper, Room F
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is partnering with Marbleseed to host a special Researcher and Extension Meetup on Thursday afternoon. This informal gathering provides researchers, extension agents, and technical service providers with an opportunity to connect, share research updates, learn about USDA funding opportunities, and explore potential collaboration across the region.
o F r F o rg A nic Producer l istening s essions
Facilitated by Thelma Velez, Research and Education Program Director (OFRF) and Mary Hathaway, Research and Education Manager (OFRF)
Frid Ay , 2:00-2:55 p.m. and 3:05-4:00 p.m.
South Hall Lower, Room A
Join either or both of two interactive listening sessions to identify and prioritize the most pressing research needs for organic farmers and ranchers. Your invaluable insights will directly inform researchers, helping them focus on the issues that matter most to you. The conversation will center around research and informational needs, changing environmental and economic conditions, and evolving challenges for organic producers.
Topics will include seed and plant breeding, soil health, livestock welfare, and economic barriers to organic production. Information from this listening session will be incorporated into OFRF’s next Regional and National Organic Needs Agenda, to be used by organic advocates, researchers, and policy makers to support organic initiatives across the US.




don ’ t M iss t H e ....
r ese A rc H er & e xtension gAt H ering
T HURSD aY , 1:00 PM - 5:00 p.m. South Hall Upper, Room F
rese A rc H P oster g A llery o P en H ours
T HURSD aY , 4:00-8:00 p.m
F RID aY , 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
SaTURD aY , 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Q & A wit H Poster Presenters
T HURSD aY & F RID aY , 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Poster Gallery in South Hall Upper
Poster Aw A rds Announce M ent
The ORF awards will be announced at the end of the “How We Survive and Thrive in These Times” conversation with Stephanie Luce and Austin Frerick on F RID aY , 6:30-7:30 p.m. in South Hall Upper, Room D


con F erence MAP
la CROSSE CENTER F a CI l ITY





Restrooms

Nursing

Elevator
Escalator
Stairs


Beverages
Genderneutral restroom, nursingroom, andATMlocated inhallway.

A M ore inti MAte con F erence l Ayout
We will not be using North Hall for the conference this year. We are looking forward to a more intimate and still bustling conference experience condensed to South Hall.


to Check-In and
Booth




See session details and descriptions on following pages. roo
con F erence K ic K o FF

o P ening session
Conference Kick-Off, Farmer Recognition, and Opening Meditation
t H ursd A Y , 6:00-8:00 p.m. South Hall Upper, Room D
Let’s get this gathering started! We’ll open the conference with reflections, recognition, and celebration of the people shaping the future of organic agriculture. The evening will include welcoming remarks from Marbleseed’s Executive Director Lori Stern, an opening meditation from Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, founder of Regenerative Agriculture Alliance, and presentations by our Farmers of the Year and Changemakers of the Year. Together, let’s recall the meaningful work and change produced by our community, while strengthening our collective resilience.
A Deep Dive into Labor Management & Marketing for Large Sales: CSAs Whole Animals & More Beans, Beans, Good For Your Farm: Growing Dry Beans at Any Scale
Organic Fruit Intensive
Researcher & Extension Gathering
Conference Kickoff: Farmer Recognition, and Opening Meditation with Featured Speaker: Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin
t H ursd A y — sc H edule descri P tions

HA l F -d Ay sessions
Managed Grazing Crash Course
With the Wisconsin Schools of Grazing and Jason Cavadini, Laura Paine, Adam Abel, and Beth Heinze
T HURSD aY , 1:00-5:00 p.m.
South Hall Lower, Room A
The Wisconsin Schools of Grazing leads an interactive, personalized workshop on managed grazing. Learn to implement skills and calculations to lengthen your grazing season, reduce feed costs, and increase farm resilience.
In this session, you will learn how to:
• Assess the financial benefits of maximum grazing acres and days
• Match livestock numbers and acres to your farm goals to maximize grazing
• Manage your forage inventory
• Customize a forage and soil fertility plan for your land and livestock.
The Grazing School team offers depth of experience and diversity of perspectives based on years of work with farmers to implement successful grazing systems. In this interactive session you will get hands-on experience calculating stocking rate and forage inventory to maximize the value of managed grazing on your acres. Bring your grazing plan, soil map, and other information to begin applying these concepts to your farm!


Organic Fruit Intensive
With the Organic Fruit Growers Association and Madeline Wimmer, Aaron Wills, Nate Watters, Rami Aburomia, Ben McAvoy, Chris McGuire, Paul Wymar, Natalie McAvoy, Clare Hintz, and Ana Skemp
T HURSD aY , 1:00-5:00 p.m.
South Hall Lower, Room B
Join the Organic Fruit Growers Association for an afternoon of learning about the challenges and rewards of growing organic fruit. We’ll focus on farmers’ practical experience and encourage open discussion. The afternoon will be divided into several sub-sessions:
- 1:20 p.m. — a farmer panel discusses the benefits and challenges of incorporating organic fruits on diverse farms that also raise other crops and livestock
- 2:30 p.m. — four organic fruit growers present how they’ve implemented climate resilience strategies
- 3:20 p.m. — a brief discussion about research and knowledge sharing among/for organic fruit growers in the Upper Midwest
- 4:00 p.m. — a farmer panel speaks about whole-farm strategies for pest management on organic fruit farms.
Beans, Beans, Good for Your Farm: Growing Dry Beans at Any Scale With the Organic Grain Resource and Information Network (OGRAIN) and Ben Brockmueller, Sarah Pethybridge, John Wepking, and Jane Marynik
T HURSD aY , 1:00-5:00 p.m.
South Hall Lower, Room C
Curious about adding dry beans to your farm? Spend the afternoon learning the ins and outs of dry bean production. Join us as we discuss variety selection, production practices, common diseases, equipment for any size operation, and no-till production. We’ll learn from a diverse farmer panel and university researchers. Whether you’re looking to grow a small plot or 100 acres, you’ll learn useful information for your scale. This session is hosted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s OGRAIN (Organic Grain Resource & Information Network) Program.


A Deep Dive Into Labor Management & Marketing for Large Sales: CSAs Whole Animals & More
With the Midwest Vegetable Growers Network and Erika Tebbens, Sadie Willis, Patty Grimmer, Caroline Wright, Fresh Roberson, Sarah Janes Ugoretz, and Sam Hsieh
T HURSD aY , 1:00-5:00 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room D
Session 1: A Deep Dive into Labor Management on Diversified Farms
We’ll consider how to create a culture of communication and shared labor on the farm. Hear from farmers, land stewards, and earthworkers about their experiences, tools, and practices in this interactive session. Walk away with new resources and wisdom that will enhance how you farm.
Session 2: Marketing for Large Sales: CSAs, Whole Animals, & More
Making a sale isn’t always easy — especially if it’s a large commitment, like an entire season’s CSA share, whole or half-animal cuts, specialty item subscriptions, or bundled products. In this session, you’ll learn tried and true marketing tactics that will turn potential buyers into loyal customers.
Researcher & Extension Gathering
With Rebecca Champagne, Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF
T HURSD aY , 1:00-5:00 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room F
Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is partnering with Marbleseed to host a special Researcher & Extension Meetup on Thursday, Feb. 26, to give those working in organic research, education, and extension a chance to connect and explore collaboration across the region. This informal gathering provides researchers, extension agents, and technical service providers with an opportunity to connect, share research updates, and learn about USDA funding opportunities.
In partnership with OFRF, we are thrilled to offer free Thursday admission for researchers and extension professionals attending OFRF’s Thursday gathering at the conference.
con F erence K ic K o FF
t H ursd Ay e V ening
Farmer Recognition & Opening Meditation
With Marbleseed’s Executive Director, Lori Stern; Farmers of the Year, Steve and Beth Albert; Changemakers of the Year, Sharing Our Roots; and Featured Speaker, Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin
t H ursd A Y , 6:00-8:00 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room D
Kick off the conference with remarks from Lori Stern, Marbleseed’s Executive Director. We will present the award and recognition for our Farmers of the Year and Changemaker of the Year, both of whom will give short presentations.
The evening culminates with an opening presentation by Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, founder of the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance, “Abundance, Solidarity, Organizing: A Time-Tested Foundation of Land-based Cultures.” In this presentation, we will walk through a way of thinking, organizing, building, sharing, and working in solidarity as a way of seeding, tending, and protecting the infrastructure that serves as the foundation of our land-based culture.
We will explore knowledge and wisdom we inherited from our ancestors. This will be a time for exploring currently relevant, practical, and critical stories for those of us who seek the connection to our food, to the land, each other so we may advance the cause of healthy food, fair systems, and community-based ownership, control, and governance all central tenets of our land-based agri-culture.
F rid A y — sc H edule A t A gl A
i M e c H ec K- in
8:00 a.m. Registration Open (8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
8:15 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
8:45 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
9:15 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
9:45 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
11:15 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
& ex H ibit HA ll
Exhibit Hall Open (8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
sout H HA ll lower
sout H HA ll lower
11:45 a.m. Lunch (11:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)
12:00 p.m.
12:15 p.m.
12:30 p.m.
12:45 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
1:15 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
1:45 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
2:15 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
2:45 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
3:15 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
3:45 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
4:15 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
4:45 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
5:15 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
5:45 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
6:15 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
6:45 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Lunch Listening Session with Marbleseed’s Communications Team (12:00-1:30 p.m.)
Hands-on Workshop: Maintaining Fence for Livestock
Hands-on Workshop: Small Grain & Equipment Showcase
Workshop: Elderberry and Black Currant Deep Dive: From Lab to Field
Featured Speaker: Kristen McEnroe — Food is Medicine Panel
Exhibit Hall Open (8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
Hands-on Workshop: Tree-Fruit Grafting
Hands-On Workshop: Farm-Made Compost Workshop
Workshop: Fiber & Textile potential in agriculture: flax for linen (and more!) in the Midwest
Featured Speaker: Stephanie Luce — Building a World for People and the Planet with
Happy Hour in Exhibit Hall — Bar Open (5:30-7:00 p.m.)
Supper — ticketed add-on (5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
Meetup: Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) Organic Producer Listening Session
Affinity Group: HMoob Farmers Meetup
Meetup: Black Farmer Meetup
Meetup: Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) Organic Producer Listening Session (Repeated)
Workshop: PoultryCentered Regenerative Agroforestry: How the System Works
Meetup: Urban Farmer Meet-Up: Growing Food & Community in City Spaces
Meetup: Allyship
Office Hours: — Ask a Lender with Compeer — NRCS Office Hours — Ask an Organic Certifier — Navigating Crop Insurance — Ask a Veterinarian — Profit & Sales Strategy Consultations with Good Roots — Managing Fruit Pests
Seed Swap
Workshop: Cover Crops & Winter Grazing: Research and Reality
Featured Speaker: Ryan Erisman — Navigating Stress, Challenges, and Uncertainty
How We Survive and Thrive in These Times Stephanie Luce & Austin Frerick Conversation
Roundtable: Farmers Have Policy Power Panel: Grow Your Own Fertility & Reduce Reliance on Inputs
Panel: Conservation on the Farm
Roundtable: Marketing Strategies for Livestock Producers
Affinity Group: Indigenous Farmers Meetup
Affinity Group: ¡DALE! Hora social de unidad de agricultores latinos y BIPOC ¡DALE! Latinx and BIPOC Farmer Unity Social Hour
Meetup: LGBTQ+ Meetup Meetup: Agritourism Meetup facilitated by John Beaton of Fairhaven Pizza Farm
Meetup: Veteran Farmer Meetup
e V ening A cti V ities
F rid Ay eV ening
How We Survive and Thrive in These Times –A Conversation with Stephanie Luce and Austin Frerick
F RID aY , 6:30-7:30 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room D
Join Stephanie Luce, author of Practical Radicals: Seven Strategies to Change the World, and Austin Frerick, author of Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry, to explore our possible paths forward toward a stronger, more inclusive future. Drawing on their work examining power, policy, and people, the conversation will highlight our conference theme, “Abundance Grows in Solidarity”. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions at registration; the evening will begin with a moderated discussion, followed by Q & A and book signing.
Beginning Farmer Mixer
Frid Ay , 7:00-8:00 p.m.
La Crosse Distilling Co. 129 Vine Street
Renewing the Countryside sponsors this casual evening mixer for beginning farmers (less than ten years in the field) at La Crosse Distilling! Kick back and make new connections. Drinks and food available for purchase.
After-Hours Social
Frid Ay , 8:00-10:00 p.m.
La Crosse Distilling Co. 129 Vine Street
Roundtable: Farm to School and Institutions Panel: Diversifying Your Farm Income
Meetup: Food Sovereignty and Agroecology Meetup
Meetup: Ag Professionals Meetup
After evening events wrap up at the Conference Center, head to La Crosse Distilling Co. and join fellow conference attendees for a relaxed after-hours social. Drinks and food available for purchase.
Thanks to our long-time partner — La Crosse Distilling Co.
Marbleseed is excited to once again partner with La Crosse Distilling Co. as the official conference After-Hours spot! La Crosse Distilling is a family-owned, certified organic distillery committed to crafting smallbatch spirits from grain to glass, using organically grown ingredients and sourcing locally whenever possible. We’re grateful to gather in a space that reflects the values of quality, community, and care for the land. Be sure to check them out – whether for a quick drink, a meal, or a post-conference happy hour – their spirits and locally inspired offerings are well worth the visit.
F
session 1
Hands-on Workshop:
Maintaining Fence for Livestock
With Randy Cutler of Cutler Fence
F rid Ay , 9-10:15 a.m.
South Hall Lower, Room A
Sometimes we inherit fence, sometimes we have to start from scratch — fencing for livestock can be done in a lot of different ways. Once it is established, maintenance is ongoing. If you are willing to do some of that work, this workshop is for you.
Randy will cover:
• making high tensile wire connections and splicing wire
• handling portable polywire, step-in posts, and reels
• purchasing solar chargers, gates, cutout switches, and testers
• designing physical barriers such as corrals and handling facilities.
You will leave with tips on maintaining a fence that’s right for you. Come with questions!
Hands-on Workshop: Small Grain Equipment Showcase
With Sam Bibby
F rid Ay , 9-10:15 a.m.
South Hall Lower, Room B
Harvest and post-harvest processing of small grains is labor intensive. The right tools can make production more efficient, profitable, and accessible for farms of any size.
Presenter Sam Bibby will review various pieces of equipment used in small grain production, from combines and fanning mills to grain screeners and bagging equipment. We’ll work hands-on with several pieces of equipment and discuss when and why you might use each one. Sam will share practical insights on setup, maintenance, and matching equipment to your scale of production.
Workshop: Elderberry and Black Currant Deep Dive: From Lab to Field
With Lily Hislop and Mark Villers
F rid Ay , 9-10:15 a.m.
South Hall Lower, Room C
Let’s talk all things elderberry and black currant! Lily Hislop, the Savanna Institute’s elderberry and black currant researcher, shares her work with these two up-and-coming crops, including the participatory breeding research she brings to working farms. Then Mark Villers of Homestead 36 in Sturgeon Bay, WI, talks about his experiences farming these two crops, including plant sourcing, planting, maintenance, harvesting, and marketing.
This presentation is for anyone thinking about growing elderberries or currants, or who has an interest in plant breeding research. Expect to come out of this session with both academic and practical knowledge of these plants.
Featured Speakers: Food is Medicine
With Kristen McEnroe, April Yancer, Gary Besaw, Geeta Wadhwani, Jake Larkin, Jen Falck, Beth Heller and Jackie Anderson
FRID aY , 9-10:15 a.m.
South Hall Lower, Room D
The idea isn’t new. Farmers have always known that Organic food grown sustainably on well stewarded land supports ecological, human, and community health. The Food Is Medicine (FIM) movement is gaining momentum across the country! Programs rooted in this knowledge have emerged and are expanding. This session will provide a background to the movement, what FIM programs look like and how they work, new funding, and supporting policies, as well as bring together thought-leaders, innovators, and implementors for a discussion on needs and opportunities to engage the movement, build markets and provide food for healthy outcomes.
Roundtable: Farmers Have Policy Power
With Harriet Behar
F rid Ay , 9-10:15 a.m.
South Hall Upper, Room E
Are you frustrated that the government seems out of touch with your needs? Your elected officials need to hear your voice. They can be educated, and they’re truly interested in hearing from individual farmers!
Join this roundtable to learn talking points and strategies to help you write effective letters and emails. Become more comfortable making direct calls. Consider hosting policy-related events at your farm. Once you are known to them, you can become a resource to your legislators when they are considering programs and funding.
Panel: Grow Your Own Fertility & Reduce Reliance on Inputs
Facilitated by Erin Silva with panelists Patrick McHugh, Ryan Sullivan, and Brian Dougherty
F rid Ay , 9-10:15 a.m.
South Hall Upper, Room F
Building healthy, resilient soils starts on the farm! In this panel, experienced growers will share practical strategies for generating on-farm fertility and reducing purchased inputs without sacrificing productivity. From integrating cover crops and green manures to managing livestock, composting systems, and nutrient cycling, panelists will highlight approaches that strengthen soil health, lower costs, and increase longterm self-reliance.
session 2A
Workshop: Fiber & Textile Potential in Agriculture: Flax for Linen (and more!) in the Midwest
With Leslie Schroeder and John Hendrickson
F rid Ay , 10:30-11:45 a.m.
South Hall Lower, Room C
Word is out that our synthetic-heavy global fashion industry has profoundly negative impacts across the board-from water usage, PFAS, and labor practices. The Midwest has the unique potential to be part of the solution by growing flax for textile linen and a wide range of other uses.
This session will highlight the benefits of flax as a crop that can diversify rotations and open new markets for farmers. Learn about past, current, and future efforts to scale up production, harvest, and processing for this emerging crop. The product potential for flax is robust and wide-ranging, making this crop a promising part of a sustainable and climate smart bioregional economy.
Featured Speaker: Building a World for People and the Planet
With Stephanie Luce
F rid Ay , 10:30-11:45 a.m.
South Hall Upper, Room D
How can we move beyond our current polarization and develop a vision and strategy for an alternative that works for the majority? Can we build a world grounded in solidarity, community, and sustainability rather than competition, individualism, and waste? In this session, Stephanie Luce will speak about the ways our system is not working to serve the needs of people or the planet and draws from her book Practical Radicals: Seven Strategies to Change the World to suggest ways forward.
Panel: Conservation on the Farm
Facilitated by Kriss Marion with panelists Megan Ayers, Rebecca Champagne, Thoman Manley and Noreen Thomas
F rid Ay , 10:30-11:45 a.m.
South Hall Upper, Room F
Hear directly from a panel of farmers and ag professionals who have implemented conservation practices on their own operations and are seeing real-world results. This panel will explore how producers are integrating practices such as cover cropping, managed grazing, nutrient management, and habitat enhancements to protect soil, water, and biodiversity while supporting farm viability. Panelists will share what motivated them to get started, the challenges they faced, lessons learned along the way, and how conservation fits into their overall farm goals.
session 2 b
Hands-On Workshop: Tree-Fruit Grafting
With David Sliwa, Jenn Ripp, and Jamie Hanson
F rid Ay , 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
South Hall Lower, Room A
Join the Organic Fruit Growers Association (OFGA) and instructors Jenn Ripp, David Sliwa, and Jamie Hanson for an introduction to the basic techniques and purpose of grafting fruit trees. You’ll have a chance to practice whip-andtongue grafting and gain knowledge of how to graft. Apple and pear rootstocks 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.
Hands-On Workshop: Farm-Made Compost Workshop
With Patrick McHugh and John Rosenow F rid Ay , 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
South Hall Lower, Room B
This workshop offers a practical, farmerfocused look at producing high-quality compost. Guided by farmers Patrick McHugh and John Rosenow, who have successfully integrated compost production into their respective operations, participants will learn about the on-farm benefits of compost. Patrick and John compare their distinct production methods—from feedstock selection and equipment choices to monitoring techniques—and how they troubleshoot common challenges. Attendees can expect to examine raw materials and finished compost, explore compost teas and potting mixes, and walk away with actionable insights they can bring back to their own farms.
Roundtable: Marketing Strategies for Livestock Producers
With Erika Tebbens F rid Ay , 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room E
Join fellow producers for a practical, farmer-to-farmer discussion on marketing meat and livestock products. Leave with strategies you can implement next season to reach more of the people who will become raving fans and find ways to make your sales process more successful for both them and you.
MA rbleseed lunc H listening session
we w A nt to H e A r F ro M you!
Marbleseed’s Communication Team Listening Session F rid Ay , 12:00-1:30 p.m. | South Hall Lower, Dining & Exhibit Hall
Telling the story of the organic farming movement is central to Marbleseed’s work. We want to hear from you. What information do you need? What stories aren’t getting told? What formats do you want to see us use, Our communications team will be taking notes and look forward to meeting you!
F rid A y AFF inity g rou P s & Meetu P s
AFF inity grou P s
These dedicated spaces at large conferences provide attendees with the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in safe, brave spaces where they can be unapologetically themselves.
NOTE: All affinity groups meet on Friday, February 27. Note times and rooms.
b eginning At 2:00 P . M .
Black Farmers Meetup
F rid Ay , 2:00 – 2:55 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room C
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
¡DALE! Hora Social de Unidad de Agricultores Latinos y BIPOC ¡DALE! Latinx and BIPOC Farmer Unity Social Hour
F rid Ay , 2:00-2:55 p.m., South Hall Upper, Room F
En nuestras vivencias esta la fuerza.... Juntemosnos! para conocernos y compartir ideas y experiencias.
El trabajo agrícola nos deja muy pocas horas para relajarnos y socializar. Muchas veces, sin querer nos alejamos de nuestra comunidad y llegamos a sentirnos aislados. Pero la fuerza de una comunidad reside en sus experiencias compartidas, sus historias de esperanza, de resiliencia y de transformación. Aprovechemos este momento lejos de casa para pasar un rato alegre mientras nos conectamos, compartimos historias e intercambiamos ideas que nos ayuden a recargar nuestras baterías física, emocional y mental.¡Este es un espacio para celebrar! ¡Traiga a sus amigos y familiares!
In our shared experiences lies our strength… Let’s get together! to get to know each other and share ideas and experiences.
As agricultural workers, we are left with very few hours to relax and socialize. Often, unintentionally, we become distanced from our community and end up feeling isolated. But the strength of a community lies in the shared experiences and the stories of hope,

resilience, and transformation. Let’s take advantage of this time away from home to have a good time while we connect, share stories, and exchange ideas that help us recharge our physical, mental, and emotional batteries. This is a space to celebrate! Please bring your friends and family to share stories!
HMoob Farmers Meetup
Facilitated by Ying Lo, GreenGold Gardens (Yinglo2020@gmail.com)
F rid Ay , 2:00-2:55 p.m.
South Hall Lower, Room B
This is a place for HMoob farmers and ag staff to rejuvenate, strengthen collaborative power, and be authentically present for informal networking, idea and knowledge sharing, and farmer support. It is also a place to relax, let go of stress, and remove overwhelming expectations.
Indigenous Farmers Meetup
Facilitated by Dan Cornelius (Daniel.cornelius@gmail.com)
F rid Ay , 2:00-2:55 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room E
This short session provides an opportunity for Tribal producers and key partners to connect on current efforts while discussing possible collaborations.

OFRF Listening Session
Facilitated by Mary Hathaway, Research and Education Program Manager, OFRF (Mary@ofrf.org)
F rid Ay , 2:00-4:00 p.m.
South Hall Lower, Room A
Join the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) for an interactive listening session to identify and prioritize the most pressing research needs for organic farmers and ranchers. Your invaluable insights will directly inform researchers, helping them focus on the issues that matter most to you. The conversation will center around research and informational needs, changing environmental and economic conditions, and evolving challenges for organic producers. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss several research topics, such as seed and plant breeding, soil health, livestock welfare, and economic barriers to organic production. Information from this listening session will be incorporated into OFRF’s next Regional and National Organic Needs Agenda, to be used by organic advocates, researchers, and policy makers to support organic initiatives across the U.S.
Veteran Farmer Meetup
F rid Ay , 2:00-2:55 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room G
Join veteran farmers to connect, share experiences, and build community. This gathering offers space to exchange resources, discuss challenges, and opportunities in farming, while strengthening veteran-to-veteran support networks.
b eginning At 3:05 P M
Ag Professionals Meetup
Facilitated by Jesse Schaffer, Urban and Innovative Agriculture, Illinois Extension (Jschaff@illinois.edu), and Allison Crook (acrook@wisconsinfarmersunion.com)
F rid Ay , 3:05-4:00 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room G
Come gather with other Ag Professionals from across the Midwest to discuss your successes and challenges in the field. The goal of the session is to connect around shared issues we face as providers and how we are tackling these themes. We plan to gather as a group and potentially split off into breakout groups based on themes like geographies (urban, peri-urban, and rural) or topics (e.g. integrated pest management, federal programs, specific industries, etc.). Attendees will have the opportunity to network with other ag professionals in their region and collaboratively engage with critical issues in their communities.
Agritourism Meetup
Facilitated by John Beaton, Fairvhaven Farm (Hello@fairhaven.farm), and Sheila Everhart, Executive Director Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association (director@wiagtourism.com)
F rid Ay , 3:05-4:00 p.m.,
South Hall Upper, Room F
Do you have an agritourism enterprise on your farm? Or are you considering starting one? Agritourism is growing in popularity and can provide meaningful opportunities to connect directly with customers and add income to your operation. John Beaton of Fairhaven Farm and Sheila Everhart, Executive Director Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association will facilitate a discussion about the topic and welcome you to join!
Allyship Share-Out
Facilitated by Sofia Caracci, Marbleseed (Sofia.caracci@marbleseed.org)
F rid Ay , 3:05-4:00 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room C
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.
LGBTQ+ Meetup
Facilitated by Elena Bird (Elena.bird167@gmail.com)
F rid Ay , 3:05-4:00 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room E
LGBTQIA+ farmers and friends are invited to join us for socializing, networking, and resource sharing.
Urban Farmer Meet-Up: Growing Food and Community in City Spaces
Facilitated by Brittney Hutcherson (Themelaninurbangardener1@gmail.com)
F rid Ay , 3:05-4:00 p.m., Room B
This facilitated meet-up brings together urban farmers to share experiences, challenges, and practical strategies for growing food in city environments. Participants will engage in open discussion around land access, infrastructure, markets, and community impact, with a focus on connection-building, shared learning, and strengthening the urban farming network within and beyond the region.
b eginning At 5:45 P M
Agroecology & Food Sovereignty Meetup
Facilitated by John Peck, Family Farm Defenders (familyfarmdefenders@yahoo.com)
F rid Ay , 5:45-7:00 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room F
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.
F rid A y o FF ice H ours
o FF ice H ours
We’ve assembled experts in a range of farm and ag-related areas, from certification and insurance to livestock health and fruit pests. Drop by any of these experts’ Office Hours for 1:1 consultation.
NOTE: All Office Hours are on Friday, 2:00-3:45 p.m., South Hall Lower, Room D
Ask an Organic Certifier Office Hours With organic certifiers from across the Midwest
Talk shop with staff from organic certifiers across the Midwest to learn more about certification, ask about an allowable input, or other questions.
Ask a Lender Office Hours With Compeer Bring your lending and financing questions to Compeer staff.
USDA Natural Resourses Conservation Service (NRCS) Office Hours With NRCS Staff
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.
Ask Good Agriculture Office Hours With Good Agriculture
Have questions about your books, cash flow, or tracking farm expenses? Sit down one-on-one to talk through next steps and get an idea of what reports matter for your operation.

OF JUGGLING BINDERS, PDFS, AND SPREADSHEETS?


WWW.QUICKORGANICS.COM
Navigating Crop Insurance
Office Hours
With Harriet Behar
With extreme weather events and market unpredictability now the norm, crop insurance is one risk management tool that all sizes and types of farms should consider. Learn existing options for organic and regenerative farmers, and which ones might be best for your operation.
Managing Fruit Pests Office Hours
With Josie Dillon; UW Madison Division of Extension Statewide Fruit Outreach Specialist
Join growers and Josie Dillon, UWExtension Fruit Outreach Specialist, for an open Q/A session regarding fruit pests you’ve dealt with or want to learn more about.

Ask a Veterinarian Office Hours
With Dr. Sarah Slaby
Dr. Sarah has 23 years of experience as a vet specializing in livestock and dairy and also operates an organic farm with her husband, Noah, and family. Due to her broad knowledge of both organic and conventional methods for use in prevention and treatment, she proudly blends knowing when to treat naturally — what’s going to work and not going to work — and when to use conventional medicine.
Profit & Sales Strategy Consultations Office Hours
With Good Roots
Need a spark to grow your farm or food business? Drop in during office hours for practical advice from Good Roots’ seasoned business and marketing consultants. Get support with sales strategy, marketing, cash flow, and raising capital. Bring your questions and leave with clear next steps.
t H e dAte
session 3
Poultry-Centered Regenerative Agroforestry: How the System Works
With Arnulfo Perrera, Diane Christofore, Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin
FRID aY , 4:15-5:30 p.m.
South Hall Lower, Room A
This session introduces the core components of the Poultry-Centered Regenerative Agroforestry (PCRA) system—including flocks, perennial design, processing infrastructure, farmer cohorts, and community markets. Participants will learn how farmers, processors, service providers, and partners are working together to build a regenerative poultry ecosystem across the Midwest.
Seed Swap
With Susana Cabrera-Mariz, Cat McCluskey, and Corbin Scholz
FRID aY , 4:15-5:30 p.m.
South Hall Lower, Room B
Organic seed is the foundation of resilient, regionally adapted food systems. This session will feature short presentations from Seed Savers Exchange and Organic Seed Alliance highlighting the importance of organic seed saving and stewardship in the face of climate change, consolidation in the seed industry, and evolving organic standards. These presentations set the stage for a facilitated seed swap, giving participants the opportunity to put these principles into practice by sharing, exchanging, and stewarding organic seed.
Workshop: Cover Crops & Winter Grazing: Research and Reality
With Sabrina Florentino
FRID aY , 4:15-5:30 p.m.
South Hall Lower, Room C
Grazing skill development focuses heavily on optimizing growing season forage use. Often we overlook the other four to six months of the year when our perennial forage has slowed down or stopped production. Yet the key to raising profitable ruminants often lies in the ability to reduce winter feed costs.
This session will explore the available research on cover crops and winter grazing while sharing practical insights. Bring your grazing experiences to the table and join the discussion as we seek to fine tune our cold season forage and ruminant management.
Featured Speaker: Navigating Stress, Challenges, and Uncertainty
With Ryan Erisman
FRID aY , 4:15-5:30 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room D
The most powerful tools for navigating stress, challenges, and uncertainty on our farms come from what we put in our heads, not what we put in our sheds. Organic farming isn’t for the faint of heart. Add the growing uncertainties in weather, markets, and so many other emerging issues and the challenges multiply. While change and uncertainty are hard, this session introduces concepts from nature and neuroscience that help us reduce our stress, navigate challenges with more creativity, and become more successful organic farmers.
Come away with a new set of tools for successfully navigating change and uncertainty through the challenges and transitions in organic farming and life.
Roundtable:
Farm to School & Institutions
With Cathryn Herlihey
FRID aY , 4:15-5:30 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room E
Selling to schools, early care sites, food banks, and other institutions can open doors to steady, high-volume markets—but the unique culinary needs and purchasing contexts of institutions present real and perceived barriers to this opportunity. Pull up a chair and join fellow producers and supply chain partners for a conversation about what these markets look like lately. Share your successes and challenges or simply listen in to learn what opportunities might fit your farm or food business— this is a chance to connect, ask questions, and hear from others about Farm to Institution markets.
Panel: Diversifying Your Farm Income Facilitated by Andy Larson with panelists John Beaton, Tommy Stauffer, Jackie Gennett, Joleen Baker
FRID aY , 4:15-5:30 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room F
Diversification can strengthen farm resilience, stabilize cash flow, and open new opportunities. In this panel, farmers and industry professionals will share real-world experiences adding and managing diversified income streams. From value-added products and direct marketing to agritourism, custom work, and off-farm partnerships. Panelists will discuss what motivated their decisions, startup considerations, labor, and time tradeoffs.
e V ening A cti V ities
Evening Q & A: How We Survive and Thrive in These Times
With Stephanie Luce and Austin Frerick
FRID aY , 6:30-7:30 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room D
Farmers and communities show that strength grows when we grow together. Join Stephanie Luce, author of Practical Radicals: Seven Strategies to Change the World, and Austin Frerick, author of Barons, for an evening Q&A exploring paths forward. Drawing on their work examining power, policy, and people, the conversation will highlight this year’s conference theme, Abundance Grows in Solidarity. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions at registration; the evening will begin with a moderated discussion, followed by audience questions.
Beginning Farmer Mixer
With Renewing the Countryside and fellow beginning farmers
FRID aY , 7-8 p.m.
La Crosse Distilling Co., 129 Vine Street
Join Renewing the Countryside and fellow beginning farmers (less than ten years in the field) for a casual evening mixer at La Crosse Distilling! Kick back, make new connections, and unwind after the day. Drinks and food available for purchase.
After Hours Social
Open to all conference attendees
FRID aY , 8-10 p.m.
La Crosse Distilling Co., 129 Vine Street
After evening events wrap up at the Conference Center, head over to La Crosse Distilling Co. to join fellow conference attendees for a relaxed after-hours social. Drinks and food available for purchase.





Vegetable Growers Toolkit

8:00 a.m. Registration Open (8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.) Exhibit Hall Open 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
8:15 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
8:45 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
9:15 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
9:45 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
11:15 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
11:45 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
12:15 p.m.
12:30 p.m.
12:45 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
1:15 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
1:45 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
2:15 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
2:45 p.m.
3:00 p.m.

Hands-On Workshop: Build a Home for Songbirds, Build Pest Control for Your Farm
Hands-On Workshop: From Soil to Strategy: Practical Soil Sampling & Using Your Results
Hands-On Workshop: Tree-Fruit Pruning
(11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
Hands-On Workshop: Food is Medicine — Spice Blends for Healing

Workshop: The Organic Vegetable Growers Virtual Toolkit for Pest & Disease Management
See session details and descriptions on following pages.
Featured Speaker: Zach Ducheneaux — Investing in Organic Roundtable: Organic Fruit Varieties
Workshop: Running Your Pasture Pigs Like a Stocker Enterprise
Featured Speaker: Austin Frerick — Solutions to Consolidation
Closing Session: Featured Speaker: Luke Zahm — Everybody Eats — This Is How We Feed Ourselves
Panel: Reclaiming the Farmer Identity; Off-Farm Jobs, Work Life Balance, and What It Means To Be a Farmer Roundtable: Reduced Tillage in Vegetables
AF ternoon A cti V ities

closing session
Featured Speaker: Luke Zahm — Everybody Eats — This Is How We Feed Ourselves With Luke Zahm. Chef., Owner, and Television Host for PBS’s Wisconsin Foodie s Aturd Ay , 1:30-3:00 p.m. South Hall Upper, Room D Luke Zahm is dedicated to uplifting the farmers and food producers of the Upper Midwest — whether as a chef putting food in front of people or sharing stories on his Wisconsin Foodie program that fly in the face of the supposed homogenization of Midwestern identity. In this closing talk, he’ll reflect on the power of food to break down barriers and create connections.

Prize d r A wing
Everyone loves a prize!
Our conference will wrap up by 3:00 p.m. with a prize drawing. 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, where you can find a list of prize items, and the Acres Bookstore in the Exhibit Hall.
lu K e z AHM
s A turd A y — sc H edule descri P tions
session 4
Hands-On Workshop: Build a Home for Songbirds, Build Pest Control for Your Farm
With Shelly Connor, Courtney Tchida, and Hannah Bernhardt
s Aturd Ay , 9-10:15 a.m.
South Hall Lower, Room A
Songbirds are more than just beautiful to see and hear, they can also play a vital role in sustainable pest management. In this interactive session, we’ll learn how farmers are successfully using nest boxes to attract beneficial birds that are valuable pest control allies. You will hear directly from a farmer who has seen real, on-theground benefits — from fewer pests to a healthier, more balanced farm ecosystem.
We’ll roll up our sleeves to build a nest box. This hands-on activity will guide
you through assembling a nest box, and if you’d like to bring one home to install on your farm, they’ll be available for $20 each. Whether you’re new to habitat practices or already experimenting with conservation strategies, you’ll leave inspired with practical tools and knowledge to bring beneficial birds onto your farm.
Workshop: From Soil to Strategy: Practical Soil Sampling & Using Your Results
With Levi Page
s Aturd Ay , 9-10:15 a.m.
South Hall Lower, Room B
Healthy soils are the foundation of successful organic farming, but the value of soil testing depends entirely on how the sample is collected and how the results are used. This interactive

workshop will walk growers through why soil sampling matters, how to collect samples that truly represent their fields, and how to use soil test data to guide management decisions.
Goals :
• Understand why proper soil sampling is critical for nutrient management
• Identify sampling methods that best fit organic and diversified farming systems
• Recognize common sampling mistakes that lead to misleading soil test results
• Understand what key soil test values mean in practical terms (pH, OM, P, K, Ca, Mg)
• Feel more confident using soil test data to make organic fertility and amendment decisions.

Workshop: The Organic Vegetable Growers Virtual Toolkit for Pest & Disease Management
With Ariana Abbrescia
s Aturd Ay , 9-10:15 a.m.
South Hall Lower, Room C
Ready to level up your pest and disease management this growing season? Join us for a hands-on workshop packed with practical online tools and helpful resources to identify, monitor, and manage vegetable pests and diseases. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just digging into organic vegetable production, this session has a shiny new gadget for you.
- Not sure what you’re looking at in the field? Discover online resources & diagnostic services through UWMadison to help identify your pest or pathogen.
- Want to stay on top of pest and disease risk? Learn how to use interactive online tools to monitor and
forecast vegetable pest and disease risk throughout the growing season.
- How do you manage your pest organically?
Explore current and upcoming online guides for strategies to manage and prevent pests and diseases in vegetables. Bring a phone or laptop to follow along with each step-by-step tutorial.
Featured Speaker: Investing in Organic With Zach Ducheneaux
s Aturd Ay , 9-10:15 a.m.
South Hall Lower, Room D
Zach will highlight solutions based on a long term approach, both from a policy perspective as well as his current efforts to revolutionize finance to increase producer opportunity and improve and rebuild rural economies.
Roundtable: Organic Fruit Varieties
With Madeline Wimmer and Chris McGuire
s Aturd Ay , 9-10:15 a.m.
South Hall Lower, Room E
Join the Organic Fruit Growers Association and fellow growers for a discussion of the best fruit varieties for organic growers. Share your experiences with different varieties and learn from other growers. In small groups, we’ll discuss varieties of specific fruit crops, including apples, grapes, strawberries, pears, blueberries, and emerging fruit crops.

s A turd A y — sc H edule descri P tions
session 5A
Featured Speaker: Solutions to Consolidation
With Austin Frerick
s Aturd Ay , 10:30-11:45 a.m.
South Hall Upper, Room D
We know there’s a concentration crisis in the American food system. Addressing it may be one of the few bipartisan things we can agree on right now. The question is--what do we do about it? Agriculture policy expert Austin Frerick explores actions that can be taken locally and nationally to restore competition to these markets. Please come with your ideas too!
Workshop: Running Your Pasture Pigs
Like a Stocker Enterprise
With Ethan Heelein
s Aturd Ay , 10:30-11:45 a.m.
South Hall Lower, Room C
Getting into pasture pigs can sound daunting. In this workshop Ethan Heelein, livestock manager at Alden Hills Organic Farms, will focus on running pigs like a beef stocker enterprise. From a 40-pound feeder pig to finished product, we will cover infrastructure, pasture movement, reducing input costs, and increasing weight gain.
Panel: Reclaiming the Farmer Identity; Off-Farm Jobs, Work Life Balance, and What it Means to be a Farmer
Facilitated by Trish Clarkweiss with panelists Erik Heimark and Corbin Scholz
s Aturd Ay , 10:30-11:45 a.m.
South Hall Upper, Room F
A panel of farmers share their journeys in agriculture and discuss the dynamics of farmer identity: the highs and the lows, times of success and balance, times of burnout and breakdown.
They’ll discuss decision making around farming full-time, taking off-farm jobs, and sometimes doing both.
As farmers, we have all experienced the push and pull of the demands of farming and the questions that surface: Is this working? Is this worth it? How can I make an effort to take care of myself as I take care of the land? If I take a step back from farming am I still a farmer? Join us in this space to listen, explore, question, and share.
session 5 b
Hands-On Workshop: Tree-Fruit Pruning
With David Sliwa, Madeline Wimmer, Rami Aburomia, and Ben McAvoy
s Aturd Ay , 11-12:15 a.m.
South Hall Lower, Room A
Join the Organic Fruit Growers Association (OFGA) and instructors

Madeline Wimmer, Ben McAvoy and Laura Mortinsen for a hands-on introduction to pruning perennial fruits. We’ll open with a brief presentation on the theory, practice, and tools of pruning. Then you will have a chance to visit experienced fruit growers one by one as they show how to interpret the history and future fruiting potential of branches, demonstrate where and how to make pruning cuts, and display their favorite pruning tools. Leave with the confidence and knowledge to prune a diversity of fruiting crops!
Hands-On Workshop: Food is Medicine- Spice Blends for Healing
With Luke and Linda Black Elk
s Aturd Ay , 11-12:15 a.m.
South Hall Upper, Room B
Join Luke and Linda Black Elk for a discussion of local edible and medicinal plants and the many ways we can sustainably harvest to incorporate these gifts into our everyday lives. The
Organic Specialists
Black Elks are food sovereignty activists and teachers of traditional plant uses, gardening, food preservation, and foraging. They will have a selection of delicious herbs available for making your own Healing Spice Blend to take home!
Roundtable: Reduced Tillage in Vegetables
With Rue Genger
s Aturd Ay , 11-12:15 a.m.
South Hall Upper, Room E
Less tillage means healthier soil with more soil life, better water infiltration, and less erosion. Finding ways to reduce tillage in a complex vegetable cropping plan can be challenging, especially in the Midwest’s short growing season. Join this roundtable to share your successes, obstacles, and questions about reducing tillage and building soil health. The roundtable will be facilitated by growers and researchers experienced with
Cashton Farm Supply, Ltd. CFS Specialties, INC
Full Range of Fertilizers for Organic Use
Composted Poultry Manure, Feather Meal, Chilean Nitrate, Pelletized Phosphates
Potassium Sulfate and K-Mag,
S04 Supercal Gypsum, Trace Minerals, and Humates
Purple Cow Organics LiquiLife, QLF Terra Fed Mollasses based Liquid Carbon, and Nature’s Source Liquid Plant Food
Full Range of Farm Seeds From Albert Lea Seed / Blue River Organic
Exceptional Organic and Non-GMO Corn, Soybean, and Alfalfa Seeds
Pasture and Hay Grasses, and Pasture and Hay Mixes
Cover Crop Seeds
Sorghum, Millet, and other Warm Season Forages for Summer Production





reduced tillage systems for vegetable production in fields and high tunnels.
closing session
Featured Speaker: Luke Zahm — Everybody Eats — This Is How We Feed Ourselves
With Luke Zahm
S aTURD aY , 1:30-3 p.m.
South Hall Upper, Room D
Luke Zahm is dedicated to uplifting the farmers and food producers of the Upper Midwest — whether as a chef putting food in front of people or sharing stories on his Wisconsin Foodie program that fly in the face of the supposed homogenization of Midwestern identity. In this closing talk, he’ll reflect on the power of food to break down barriers and create connections.











s P onsors & e x H ibitors
EXHIBIT H all DIRECTORY
Look for our bee icon highlighting our 2026 conference sponsors! We are so grateful for our sponsors and exhibitors who help make this conference possible!

Marbleseed Booth (By Check-in)
Education, resources, and practical advice to help farmers grow; specialists to answer questions about organic practices and certification.
Visit the Marbleseed booth to learn more about our upcoming programs, subscribe to the Organic Broadcaster, and customize your own button! info@marbleseed.org www.marbleseed.org
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 www.acresusa.com
Albert Lea Seed House (Booth 65)
Albert Lea Seed is an independent company specializing in organic and non-GMO seed, including corn, soybeans, small grains, cover crops, and forages.
800-352-5247
seedhouse@alseed.com www.alseed.com
American Farmland Trust (Booth 28)
Our work is to save the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land. 815-748-1538
midwest@farmland.org www.farmland.org
BCS
America (Booth 81)
Designed and built in Italy, BCS Two-Wheel Tractors power dozens of front and rear-mount PTO-driven attachments. Handlebars rotate 180º in seconds.
800-543-1040
info@bcsamerica.com www.bcsamerica.com
Bio Bahia Brasil Fertilizantes (Booth 79)
Bio Bahia Brasil Fertilizantes provides the agricultural market with the best organic fertilizer technology in the world.
+55 (77) 9 9961-3294
contato@biobahiabrasil.com.br www.biobahiabrasil.com.br
Bioline Agrosciences (Booth 30)
Bioline Agrosciences is a Californiabased producer of beneficial insects, helping greenhouse and field growers reduce chemicals and control pests. 820-465-7094
vanderson@biolineagrosciences.com www.biolineagrosciencesna.com/ technical-sales-specialist/
Blue Farm Chips (No Booth)
Locally owned, organically grown tortilla chips produced and distributed by Randy and Judy Hughes. 907-317-6426
nico@bluefarmchips.com www.bluefarmchips.com
Bonde Workwear (Booth 48)
Small-batch, Minnesota-made women’s work pants. Thoughtfully designed to be practical, functional, comfortable, and stylish.
605-351-1914
contact@bondeworkwear.com www.bondeworkwear.com
Carbon Nurture (Booth 83)
Top of the line biodegradable plastic mulch, offers high performance in the field with predictable degrading times and extended planting window.
608-905-4812
Jkincade@CarbonNurture.com www.carbonnurture.com
Cashton Farm Supply LTD (Booth 3 & 4)
We are an organic feed mill specializing in organic poultry feed. We also offer a line of fertilizers for organic use.
608-654-5123
organic@cfspecial.com www.cfspecial.com
Center for Agriculture and Food Systems (CAFS) (Booth 49)
CAFS is a research center at Vermont Law and Graduate School that publishes resources on food and agricultural law and policy.
802-831-1000
cafs@vermontlaw.edu cafs.vermontlaw.edu
Center for Rural Affairs (Booth 56)
Unapologetically rural. We stand up for rural America—the small family farmer and rancher, new business owner, and rural communities.
402-687-2100
info@cfra.org www.cfra.org
Compeer Financial (Booth 8 & 9)
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 www.compeer.com
Contact BioSolutions (Booth 70)
Soil Friendly Bioherbicide.
712-441-3911
h.vlieger@contactbiosolutions.com www.firehawkbioherbicide.com
Co-op Partners Warehouse (Booth 86 & 87)
Co-op Partners Warehouse is a certified-organic wholesale distributor of organic produce and local foods to over 400 customers across the Midwest.
651-644-7000
orders@cpw.coop | www.cpw.coop
Cowsmo (Booth 61)
Make and sell the finest organic compost and potting soils in the Midwest for the last 25 years.
608-626-2571
jrosenow@mwt.net www.cowsmocompost.com
CT Greenhouse (Booth 91)
CT Greenhouse is a farmer-owned manufacturer of commercial greenhouses and high tunnels, built for durability, simple installation, and real farm conditions.
860-341-8707
info@ctgreenhouse.com www.ctgreenhouse.com
Cutler Fence LLC (Booth 21)
Supplies and installs livestock fence and water systems.
715-305-5670
rcutler@tznet.com
designCraft Advertising (No Booth)
We create advertising campaigns and marketing materials that are socially just and beneficial to consumers for independent businesses and nonprofits.
608-251-1809
conscience@designcraftadvertising.com www.designcraftadvertising.com

Driftless Folk School/Thoreau College (Booth 43)
The Driftless Folk School is a grassroots educational organization offering workshops and events for adults and families on homesteading and folk arts. 608-284-8524
registrar@driftlessfolkschool.org www.driftlessfolkschool.org
Environmental Working Group (Booth 74)
To empower you with breakthrough research to make informed choices and live a healthy life in a healthy environment.
a.rabine@ewg.rog www.ewg.org

Experimental Farm Network (Booth 94)
Offers a wide variety of seeds from over 70 different small-scale seed growers, with a focus on genetic diversity and regional adaptation.
612-834-7502
dusty.hinz@alumni.augsburg.edu store.experimentalfarmnetwork.org
FairShare CSA Coalition (No Booth)
We build resilient food communities by investing in farmers and empowering eaters. We envision thriving farms, vibrant communities, and fresh food for all!
608-226-0300
info@csacoalition.org www.csacoalition.org
Family Farm Defenders (Booth 42)
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 www.familyfarmers.org
Farm Aid (Booth 45)
Supporting and advocating for farmers since 1985.
608-260-0900
caitlin@farmaid.org www.farmaid.org/resources
Farmer Veteran Coalition (Booth 84)
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 Wisconsin (Booth 75)
A non-profit, non-partisan organization existing to share information and advance opportunities in renewable energy for rural America.
steve@farmtopower.org farmtopower.org
Flame Engineering, Inc. (Booth 59)
Manufacture of propane powered handheld torches, pushcarts, and tractor mounted flaming equipment for all those weed emergencies. All made in the USA.
785-222-2873
darren@flameengineering.com www.flameengineering.com
Food Finance Institute (Booth 16)
Helping food and farm businesses thrive at every stage through financeforward training, coaching, and consulting.
608-890-0780
www.foodfinanceinstitute.org
General Mills (No Booth)
Partners with Rodale Institute and Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to provide eligible farmers with free technical assistance. rodaleinstitute.org/general-mills
Glacier Valley Enterprises (Booth 62)
We sell fruit and vegetable packaging, tools, and signage for growers.
608-356-2244
sales@glacierv.com www.glaciervalleyenterprise.com
Global Organic Alliance, Inc. (Booth 71)
GOA is an NOP accredited certification agency for all scopes, Crop, Livestock, Handler and Wild Crop.
937-593-1232
goaorg@goaorg.com www.goa-online.org
Good Agriculture (Booth 85)
Good Agriculture helps farmers with the business side of things: from bookkeeping and tax filing to finding funding opportunities and marketing.
470-318-3097
reba@goodagriculture.com www.goodagriculture.com
Good Roots (Booth 92)
We are a professional services firm helping farmers and food entrepreneurs grow strong foundations in finance, marketing, and management. 267-606-0391 info@growgoodroots.com www.growgoodroots.com
Grassworks (Booth 93)
Provides leadership and education to farmers and consumers for the advancement of managed grass-based agriculture. 224-875-0049 info@grassworks.org www.grassworks.org
Green Cover (Booth 12)
Green Cover is family-owned and operated. We grow, clean, mix, and deliver cover crop seed directly to agricultural producers. 402-469-6784 info@greencover.com www.greencover.com
Green Lands Blue Waters (Booth 95)
Supporting multi-functional agricultural systems that integrate perennial plants and Continuous Living Cover in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. 612-625-3709
glbw@umn.edu greenlandsbluewaters.org
GreenGold Gardens (Booth 78)
We’re an organic farm located in Wausau, WI. We specialize in culturally relevant produce and garlic. 715-212-5704 yinglo2020@gmail.com www.3Gorganic.com
GrownBy (Booth 57)
Cooperatively Farmer-Owned e-commerce platform. We support all sales channels: CSAs, Online, Wholesale, and In-Person. Plus accept SNAP Online!
952-201-4227
eric@farmgenerations.coop coop.grownby.com
High Mowing Organic Seeds (Booth 31)
100% Certified Organic and Non-GMO Vegetable, Herb, Flower, and Cover Crop Seeds
866-735-4454
questions@highmowingseeds.com www.highmowingseeds.com
Johnny’s Selected Seeds (Booth 39)
Johnny’s Selected Seeds helps farmers, families, and communities to feed one another by providing superior seeds, tools, information, and service.
763-353-2063
djokela@johnnyseeds.com www.johnnyseeds.com
Kreher Family Farms/Kreher Enterprises, LLC (Booth 10)
Producers of organic fertilizers.
716-759-6802
jameypayne@krehereggs.net krehereggs.com/compost-fertilizer
La Crosse Distilling Co. (Booth 90
La Crosse Wisconsin’s first distillery, producing handcrafted spirits using top quality ingredients from family farmers.
608-881-8800
lacrossedistilling.co
Good ideas shouldn’t stop at
Lakewinds Food Co-op (No Booth Lakewinds is a community-owned grocery store with a passion for local, sustainably raised food.
952-473-0292 marketing@lakewinds.com www.lakewinds.coop
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (Booth 88 & 89)
Michael Fields Ag Institute: a nonprofit focused on advancing soil health and farm resilience through research, education, and policy since 1984.
262-642-3303 hello@michaelfields.org www.michaelfields.org
At the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF), we know that farmers learn best from other farmers. We help collect what’s working on organic farms and make it easier to share, so practical ideas don’t stay stuck in one field or one season.
National Organic Farmer Survey
A farmer-focused survey to share your challenges, priorities, and what’s helping your operation succeed. Your input directly informs farmer tools, resources, and advocacy.
Scan code using your phone or tablet’s camera to take the survey before March 1st. Enter to win farm giveaways like Muck Boots and FELCO pruners (optional).
Explore the Organic Research Hub
A searchable, free collection of organic farming knowledge—organized to help farmers troubleshoot real production challenges. What you’ll find: Plain-language summaries of organic farming research projects. Factsheets, webinars, videos, and online tools. An Organic Extension Directory to connect with experts near you.
www.ofrf.org/organicsurvey hub.ofrf.org
www.ofrf.org
s P onsors & ex H ibitors
Midwest Laboratories (Booth 11)
Midwest Laboratories delivers trusted soil and plant testing, helping producers and growers make confident fertility and stewardship decisions.
402-334-7770
contactus@midwestlabs.com www.midwestlabs.com
Minnesota Crop Improvement Association (MCIA) (Booth 53)
MCIA is an NOP-accredited certification agency, serving producers, handlers, brokers, and importers, with a focus on customer service.
855-213-4461
mncia@mncia.org www.mncia.org/services-programs/ certification-services/
Minnesota Department of Agriculture (Booth 54)
Learn how to keep your tools and equipment from spreading plant diseases and learn about new and emerging insects and diseases that harm your plants.
888-545-6684
reportapest@state.mn.us www.mda.state.mn.us
MOSA Certified Organic (Booth 37 & 38)
MOSA Certified Organic is a non profit, USDA accredited organic certification agency. We certify farms, processors, handlers, and retail establishments.
844-637-2526
mosa@mosaorganic.org www.mosaorganic.org

Mother Earth News (Booth 1)
The long-running sustainable-lifestyle magazine Mother Earth News provides wide-ranging, expert coverage of organic foods, renewable energy, and more.
785-274-4453
jwilder@ogdenpubs.com www.motherearthnews.com
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) (Booth 69)
NSAC is an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture and food systems.
312-687-6484
sfunk@sustainableagriculture.net www.sustainableagriculture.net


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



National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) (Booth 46)
For 50 years, NCAT has connected land stewards with the tools, training, and trusted guidance they need to grow resilient farms and stronger communities.
800-275-6228
www.ncat.org
Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin (NRF) (Booth 73)
NRF protects Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife by providing funding, leading partnerships, and connecting all people with nature.
608-637-7080
info@wisconservation.org www.wisconservation.org
Nature’s International Certification Services (NICS) (Booth 34)
Founded in 2005, NICS is a dedicated organic certification agency, offering comprehensive assistance to organic and transitioning producers.
608-637-7080
nics.inbox@ecocert.com www.naturesinternational.com/nics/ home
Nifty
Hoops LLC (Booth 5 & 6)
Nifty Hoops are laser-precise, built to last high tunnels manufactured in Michigan. Delivered or installed anywhere in the US.
734-845-0079
jessica.alexa@niftyhoops.com www.niftyhoops.com

Niman Ranch (Booth 33)
Niman Ranch is a community of 600 independent family farmers and ranchers raising hogs, cattle, and sheep traditionally, humanely, and sustainably. 712-789-0712
ronm@nimanranch.com nimanranch.com
North Circle Seeds (Booth 50)
Seed supplier committed to creating an ecologically diverse, equitable, and inclusive food system.
218-850-0412
zachary@northcircleseeds.com www.northcircleseeds.com


North Central SARE (Booth 17)
Offers grants and education for producers, scientists, educators, institutions, and organizations exploring sustainable agriculture in the Midwest. ncrsare@umn.edu northcentral.sare.org
Northcentral Technical College (Booth 96)
Northcentral Technical CollegeAgriculture Center of Excellence. Relevant programs: Garden to Market Technical Diploma, Agronomy Associate Degree.
715-803-1340
breitenfeldtj@ntc.edu https://www.ntc.edu/academicstraining/programs/all/technicaldiploma/garden-market-specialist
OCIA International (Booth 40)
OCIA International is one of the world’s oldest, largest, and most trusted organic certification agencies.
402-477-2323 abrewster@ocia.org www.ocia.org
Ocooch Mountain Elderberries LLC (Booth 72)
Our rotary destemmer is the most time and labor efficient machine on the market. Two people can destem 250500 lbs./hour of clean whole berries.
608-634-3840 omelderberry@gmail.com
OEFFA Certification (Booth 68)
Organic certification, technical assistance, and education on organic farming practices and profitability since 1981.
614-421-2022 oeffa@oeffa.org grow.oeffa.org
Organic Farmers Association (Booth 41)
Organic Farmers Association provides a strong and unified national voice for domestic certified organic producers.
202-643-5363 info@organicfarmersassociation.org www.organicfarmersassociation.org




Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) (Booth 66)
OFRF works to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems through organic research, education, and federal policies.
831-426-6606 office@ofrf.org www.ofrf.org
Organic Fruit Growers Association (Booth 15)
OFGA connects individuals, businesses, and researchers to improve production and marketing of organic fruit and represent the interests of growers ofgacoordinator@gmail.com organicfruitgrowers.org
Organic Grain Resource and Information Network OGRAIN (Booth 25 & 26)
The Organic Grain Resource and Information Network (OGRAIN), led by Dr. Erin Silva at UW-Madison, provides support for organic grain growers.
608-262-4592
kelly.debbink@wisc.edu www.ograin.cals.wisc.edu
Organic Seed Alliance (Booth 19)
Organic Seed Alliance puts the power of seed into the hands of growers. Our work promotes an abundant and diverse supply of organic seed.
608-662-4422 admin@seedalliance.org www.seedalliance.org
Organic Valley — CROPP Cooperative (No Booth)
Farmer-owned organic cooperative offering certified organic dairy, egg, and produce products.
202-643-5363
contact.us@organicvalley.coop www.organicvalley.coop
People’s Food Co-Op
Community-owned natural food store in La Crosse, Wiss. and Rochester, MN promoting local farmers and producers and fresh, healthy, sustainable food.
608-784-5798
www.pfclacrosse@pfc.coop www.pfc.coop
Plant Products (Booth 47)
Delivering value-added, focused technical support and consumable goods to the specialty horticulture industries in Canada and USA.
248-661-4378
www.plantproducts.com/us-en
Practical Farmers of Iowa (Booth 44)
Practical Farmers of Iowa’s mission is equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities, with farmerled investigation and info sharing.
515-232-5661
info@practicalfarmers.org www.practicalfarmers.org
Quick Organics (Booth 2)
Simplify organic certification with Quick Organics—everything you need to manage OSPs, records, activities, and documents in one place.
970-698-8371
hello@quickorganics.com www.quickorganics.com
The Real Organic Project (Booth 27
Real Organic Project’s no-cost add-on certification distinguishes farms that grow crops in healthy soils and raise livestock on diverse pastures.
734-216-3113
trish@realorganicproject.org www.realorganicproject.org
Regenerative Agriculture Alliance (Booth 77)
A regenerative industry alliance for thriving businesses, people, and planet.
507-664-1088
info@regenagalliance.org www.regenagalliance.org
Renewing the Countryside (Booth 51 & 52)
Working for a more just, vibrant, and sustainable rural America.
507-291-3663 info@rtcinfo.org www.renewingthecountryside.org
Rooted Farmers (Booth 29)
Rooted Farmers is a one-stop software solution to sell your products, grow your buyer network, manage inventory and orders, and track analytics. reachout@rootedfarmers.com www.rootedfarmers.com
Savanna Institute (Booth 32)
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry adoption in the Midwest.
608-448-6432 info@savannainstitute.org www.savannainstitute.org
Sea-90 Ocean Minerals (Booth 35/36)
The First Step in Regenerative Agriculture — Sea-90 Ocean Minerals harnesses the power of ocean vitality to support soil, plant, and animal health. 770-361-6092 hello@sea-90.com www.sea-90.com
Seed Savers Exchange (Booth 55)
Seed Savers Exchange stewards America’s culturally diverse and endangered garden and food crop legacy for present and future generations.
563-382-5990 events@seedsavers.org www.seedsavers.org
Sno Pac (Booth 7)
Growers and processors of organic vegetables and fruits since 1943.
507-725-5281 snopac@snopac.com www.snopac.com
s P onsors & ex H ibitors
SureSource Commodities (Booth 58)
Provides a better experience–built on trust, high standards, and fairness–for growers and buyers of organic food and feed ingredients.
226-546-3088
colin@suresourceorganics.com www.suresourcecommodities.com
Tend (Booth 63 & 64)
Simplify every aspect of your farm management—crop planning, task management, sales, accounting, and inventory — all powered by AI in one platform.
831-854-7502
hello@tend.com www.tend.com
Tilmor (Booth 22/23/24)
Full range of seeding, cultivation, and harvesting equipment from trusted brands like Thiessen and Terrateck for Market and Specialty Crop growers.
330-985-0002 info@tilmor.com www.tilmor.com
Triple Crown Organic BBQ Sauces (Booth 18)
From MN-based Acme Organics, the highest-ranked organic BBQ sauces at the American Royal, with U.S. and international distribution.
612-314-6918
sales@acmeorganics.us www.triplecrownbbqsauce.com



University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (Booth 25 & 26)
CIAS was created to build sustainable agriculture and food systems research programs that respond to farmer and citizen needs.
608-265-5501
frankie.anderson@wisc.edu cias.wisc.edu
Valmetal (Booth 60)
We offer a complete line of innovative and automated feeding, manure, and wastewater systems to meet the A-to-Z needs of farms of all sizes.
819 395-4282
info@valmetal.com www.valmetal.com









































Wild Farm Alliance (Booth 82
Advancing biodiversity on farms through habitat, education, and tools that help growers work with nature for resilient, sustainable agriculture. 831-761-8408
info@wildfarmalliance.org www.wildfarmalliance.org
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) (Booth 67)
Our mission is to grow the economy by promoting quality food, healthy plants and animals, sound use of land and water resources, and a fair marketplace. datcpdadgrants@wisconsin.gov https://datcp.wi.gov/pages/homepage. aspx
Wisconsin Farm Service Agency (Booth 76)
Provides farmers with a strong safety net through farm commodity, loss coverage, conservation, disaster, and farm load programs.
608-662-4422
katie.detra@usda.gov fsa.usda.gov
Wisconsin Farmers Union (Booth 13 & 14)
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 www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com

Wonderstate Coffee (No Booth)
Our passion for exceptional coffee is matched by our passion and unwavering dedication to our community of farmers and farmer cooperatives.
hello@wonderstate.com www.wonderstate.com
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (Booth 80)
The Xerces Society provides resources and technical support for creating onfarm habitat that supports pollinators and other beneficial insects.
503-232-6639 www.xerces.org

Meet t H e MA rbleseed te AM THE “WORKER BEES” BEHIND THE CONFERENCE
collecti
V e e FF ort
Abundance grows in solidarity — and the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference is built through collective effort to bring diversified farmers, educators, and advocates together for learning, connection, and community.
directors
l ori stern
Executive Director
lori.stern@marbleseed.org 888-906-6737, ext. 702
A lex A ndri A b AK er Development & Communications Director alexandria.baker@marbleseed.org 888-906-6737, ext. 700
sA r AH bro A d F oot
Operations Director sarah.broadfoot@marbleseed.org 888-906-6737, ext. 706
A l PA gosw AM i
Program Director
alpa@marbleseed.org 888-906-6737, ext. 727
to M MA nley
Climate & Conservation Director thomas.manley@marbleseed.org 888-906-6737, ext. 704
t H e MA rbleseed te AM
This conference is made possible by the dedicated Marbleseed staff who contribute their time, skills, and energy. From year-round planning to on-the-ground coordination, our team works behind the scenes to organize workshops, coordinate speakers, and ensure a smooth, welcoming experience for everyone who attends. If you see someone wearing a yellow “Staff” ribbon, be sure to thank them for making the 37th Annual Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference a success!
Volunteers
During the conference the Marbleseed team is supported by a committed group of volunteers who help bring every detail together. From logistics and programming to registration and tech support, their work makes this gathering possible. We’re grateful for the folks who’ve stepped up to volunteer this year! If you see someone wearing a green “Volunteer” ribbon, thank them for their committment to this conference.
con F erence te AM
rA c H el wood ”The Queen Bee” Conference & Partnerships Manager rachel.wood@marbleseed.org 888-906-6737, ext. 701
t Ay FAt K e
Farmer Education Manager tay.fatke@marbleseed.org 888-906-6737, ext. 724
J enni F er new
Communications & Policy Manager
jennifer.new@marbleseed.org 888-906-6737, Ext. 703
eM ily b e Aton
Communications Specialist emily.beaton@marbleseed.org 888-906-6737, Ext. 723
s AM gutierrez
Operations & Events Coordinator sam.gutierrez@marbleseed.org 888-906-6737, ext. 726
so PH i A cle V l A nd
Administrative Coordinator sophia.cleveland@marbleseed.org 888-906-6737, ext. 708
s o F i A c A r A cci
Farmer Education Specialist sofia.caracci@marbleseed.org 888-906-6737, ext. 721
M ercedes t A lV itie
Climate & Conservation Manager mercedes.talvitie@marbleseed.org 888-906-6737, ext. 7076
sA r A M ooney
Conservation Outreach Specialist sara.mooney@marbleseed.org 888-906-6737, ext. 716
V ictori A ostenso
Farmer Network Manager
victoria.ostenso@marbleseed.org 888-906-6737, ext. 722










CONFERENCE T a KE a W a YS
CONFERENCE T a KE a W a YS

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our 2026 con F erence s P onsors
TH a NK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF ma R B l ESEED !
b l A zing s t A r

s un F lower







g er A niu M







AM eric A n FA r M l A nd trust
bioline A grosciences
ct green H ouse
designcr AF t A d V ertising
FA irs HA re cs A co A lition good roots










gr A sswor K s green co V er
H ig H M owing org A nic seeds
Kre H er’s FA r M Fres H e ggs , llc
M idwest l A bor Atories
Peo P le’s Food c o- oP
dA isy
