FARMER-LED. ROOTED IN ORGANIC.
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2023 CONFERENCE GUIDE AND DIRECTORY OF SPONSORS, EXHIBITORS, AND PRESENTERS
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FARMER-LED. ROOTED IN ORGANIC.
2023 CONFERENCE GUIDE AND DIRECTORY OF SPONSORS, EXHIBITORS, AND PRESENTERS
Welcome to the 34th Annual Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference! It is great to be together again during a time of great momentum for organic farming and farmers. Ask us about new or expanded programs we will be initiating this year for climate smart commodities, small meat processing, local food purchasing, and support for farmer transition to organic! There is so much to celebrate in a growing community of farmers stewarding the land and caring for their farmhoods.
Since we were together last, we have changed our name. I hope that for those that have been with us for so many of the past years, this time together will still feel familiar. Our team has been listening to and meeting with farmers across the community to identify the workshops and roundtables you will find on the schedule. Each session includes content relevant to a variety of operations and for the range of expertise we have in attendance.
This year’s keynote presentations will be in conjunction with lunch. We have done this to have more folks at these sessions while allowing for more time on the agenda for content and intentional networking. Austin Frerick will be with us on Friday to talk about consolidation in our food system and how we can build a more farmer-centered, localized and just system going forward. On Saturday Anna Jones-Crabtree and Doug Crabtree of Vilicus Farms will talk about conservation practices and a community supported stewardship initiative they launched.
We have intentionally created time and space for the all-important conversations and networking that happens in hallways and with exhibitors. Check out the community conversations on Friday afternoon that focus on those cross-cutting topics so important to our livelihood as farmers. This year’s time in the exhibit hall will also include a stage with content, office hours, and the Research Forum. Check out the schedule in the stage area and come down for hearty snacks and a happy hour on Thursday and Friday afternoons, or any time in between!
As we continue to ‘lean in’ to farmer-led content, we are closing the conference with a mini-facilitated Open Space. We are excited to bring this process to the annual gathering as a way to address the most relevant and pressing content to the wisdom in the room. In this ultimate networking session, we will have the opportunity to be both teachers and learners.
A gentle reminder that for many of us, COVID still represents a real threat to our own health or that of those in our immediate circle. We want to create a community that is compassionate and respectful of the choices we each make to be comfortable in a public gathering. Masks are not required, but they are welcome.
IF YOU NEED HELP AT MARBLESEED 2023, look for a Marbleseed team member or volunteer with yellow and green ribbons on our badges, or visit the HELP DESK in the North Hall Lobby. Thank you for gathering at Marbleseed 2023 to learn and recharge for the next season of farming!
To a healthy, happy, and abundant 2023!
Lori Stern, Executive Director, MarbleseedCOVER PHOTO
MARBLESEED CONFERENCE APP
Schedule workshops and activities. Mark must-see exhibitors. Connect with other attendees. Post about your #Marbleseed2023 experience!
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Blue Farm, Janesville, WI
Photo Taken by Nicodemas Nimmo, Full Spectrum Photography
Winner of the 2023 Photo Contest
yOuR CALENDARS FOR MARBLESEED 2024 , FEBRuARy 22-24!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.
Coat racks are in the North Hall lobby and South Hall Upper Level. Follow the signs.
Use the free app to plan your day, see schedule updates, connect with people, and post photos to the social feed. Just search your app store for “Marbleseed.”
Need help with the app? See the Help Desk in North Hall lobby.
Use #Marbleseed2023 or talk to us @marbleseedorg. We’ll post photos on Facebook and Instagram @marbleseedorg! REFRESH Find snack stations on the map on page 46. Fill your own water bottle or get a pre-washed Marbleseed Conference glass mug with lid for $5 in the Marbleseed Bookstore or at the Help Desk in North Hall. It’s a great souvenir of your Marbleseed 2023 experience!
Find snack stations on the map on page 46. Fill your own water bottle or get a pre-washed Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference glass mug with lid in the Bookstore or at the Help Desk in North Hall. It’s a great souvenir of your Marbleseed 2023 experience!
Help us reduce landfill trash by using the recycling and compost bins. Signs posted above each bin list items accepted.
Get your Marbleseed Conference T-shirt (just $25) before they sell out! These made-in-the-USA, 100% organic cotton shirts are sold in the Marbleseed x ACRES Bookstore in North Hall.
Colors correspond to the map sections in the center of this book.
SOUTH HALL LOWER: A, B, C, D Down the stairs from Check-In
SOUTH HALL UPPER: E, F Up the stairs from Check-In
NORTH HALL UPPER: G, H, I, J, K Through Concourse or Arena Exhibit Hall
NORTH HALL LOWER Through Concourse or Arena Exhibit Hal
• rich in beneficial soil microbiology
• Slow release : more nutrition delivered with less runoff or leeching
• contains ALL the micro-macro nutrients
• most researched & trialed organic with 800+ studies since 1980
7:00
Friday, Session I - 8:30 a.m.
Improving High Tunnel Soils with Cover Crops | Room B
Creative Land Access for Beginning Farmers | Room C
One Year Corn, One Year Rye with Clover a Soil Regenerative System | Room E
Crop Insurance for Conservation-Minded Operations | Room F
Get Loud: Speaking Up for Change | Room G
Practical On-Farm Pollinator Habitat Establishment | Room H
Biosecurity for Pastured Poultry Producers | Room I
Managed Grazing 101 | Room J
Taming the Workload / Agile Management Systems for Small Farms | Room K
Friday, Session II - 10:30 a.m.
The Organic and Livestock Poultry Standards | Room B Building Community Food Webs | Room E
Panel: Next Level Graziers | Room F
5 Legal Best Practices for Every Farm Business | Room G
Economics of Perennial Fruit Crops | Room H
Weed Management for Organic Field Crops 101 | Room I
Strategies for Developing a More Robust Rotation | Room J
Panel: Vegetable Market Analysis | Room K
Friday, Session III 2:30 p.m.
I ntroduction to Growing Pears | Room B
| Increasing Food Access: Federal Nutrition Benefits with Markets & Farmers
Hall Party: Snacks & Cash Bar
Organic Conversation | Cooperatives: A Business Model for the Solidarity Economy
Conversation | Land Access Networking
Conversation | Outlook for Organic: Challenges, Opportunities, and Continual Improvement
Conversation | Shaping the 2023 Farm Bill Together
p.m. Seed Swap
Meet the Researchers
Mobile Infrastructure for Rotational Grazing and Fencing | Room C
Reducing Tillage in Organic Vegetable Production | Room E
What Do We Do About Consolidation? |Room F
Choosing the Right Equipment for Your Farm | Room G
Tips and Tales to Start and Stay in the Mushroom Business | Room H
Going Solar on Your Farm: Producing Renewable Solar Energy for Profit and Sustainability | Room I
Organic Transition 101 | Room J
Effective Management of Livestock in Organic Row Crops | Room K
Saturday Keynote: The Concentration Crisis in America’s Food System
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Meeting | Student Networking for Sustainable Ag
Saturday, Session I - 8:30 a.m.
Organic Farming & Climate Risk: Assessing & Understanding the Insurable Risks of Organic Production | Room B
Soil Nutrient Management 101 | Room C
NOP Program Update and Focus on TOPP | Room E Pastured Pigs for Beginners | Room F
Perennials on Cut Flower Farms | Room G
Recordkeeping for Dairy Producers | Room H
In Their Own Words - What Farm Employees Value in a Work Experience | Room I
Doubling Down on Diversity & Creating an Economy Based in Abundance, Care and Reciprocity | Room J
Traditional Tribal Growing Practices for Integrated Pest Management | Room K
Saturday, Session II - 10:30 a.m.
Panel: Poultry Production Models | Room B
FSMA Updates from the Field: Decomplicating Food Safety to Protect Your Farm and Customers | Room C
Panel: Against the Grain - Niche Grain Production | Room E
Organic Management of Canada Thistle | Room F
Ask A Vet | Room G
Organic Apples 101 | Room H
An Abundance of Broccoli(ni) Trials: 2022 Results from Across the Upper Midwest | Room I
Funding Your Farm with Little to No Debt - Grants and Creative Fundraising Strategies for Farmers | Room J
Farming and Quality of Life: Two Perspectives | Room K
Saturday, Session III 2:30 p.m.
Growing in a Deep Winter Greenhouse | Room B
The Homestead Dairy Cow | Room C
Maximizing Nitrogen Fixation from Legumes | Room E
Farm Forestry - Finding Value in Your Woods | Room F
FRIDAY | 1 P.M. | DINING HALL
Austin Frerick, Yale University
Providing an overview of the current consolidation crisis in America’s food system, Austin Frerick will use examples of barons in the food system to illustrate how consolidation hurts family farmers, workers, and communities. Focusing in particular on a dairy baron and a hog baron, he will also use other examples from his upcoming book, tentatively entitled “Barons,” to illustrate this point. How do we bring balance back into our food system? Learn more about solutions to our concentration crisis during Austin’s keynote address.
SATURDAY | 1 P.M. | DINING HALL
Doug Crabtree and Anna Jones-Crabtree, Vilicus Farms
Unprecedented challenges from climate change, political & social disharmony, coupled with economic disparity threaten the very existence of our farms, society and species. Nature shows us that diversity is key to resilience, health and permanence. Vilicus Farms is following her lead by doubling down on diversity in crops, animals, enterprises and community. Anna and Doug will share their efforts to build a resilient farm organism striving to model radical stewardship at significant scale, and our aspirations to re-imagine of an economy based in abundance, care and reciprocity.
CROP INSURANCE FOR CONSERVATION-MINDED OPERATIONS
Friday 8:30 a.m. - Room F
TAMING THE WORKLOAD / AGILE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR SMALL FARMS
Friday 8:30 a.m. - Room K
5 LEGAL BEST PRACTICES FOR EVERY FARM BUSINESS
Friday 10:30 a.m. - Room G
CHOOSING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR FARM
Friday 2:30 p.m. - Room G
IN THEIR OWN WORDS - WHAT FARM EMPLOYEES VALUE IN A WORK EXPERIENCE
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - Room I
ORGANIC FARMING & CLIMATE RISK: ASSESSING & UNDERSTANDING THE INSURABLE RISKS OF ORGANIC PRODUCTION
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - Room B
FUNDING YOUR FARM WITH LITTLE TO NO DEBT - GRANTS AND CREATIVE FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES FOR FARMERS
Saturday 10:30 a.m. - Room J
IMPROVING HIGH TUNNEL SOILS WITH COVER CROPS
Friday 8:30 a.m. - Room B
ONE YEAR CORN, ONE YEAR RYE WITH CLOVER A SOIL REGENERATIVE SYSTEM
Friday 8:30 a.m. - Room E
PRACTICAL ON-FARM POLLINATOR HABITAT ESTABLISHMENT
Friday 8:30 a.m. - Room H
GOING SOLAR ON YOUR FARM: PRODUCING RENEWABLE SOLAR ENERGY FOR PROFIT AND SUSTAINABILITY
Friday 2:30 p.m. - Room I
REDUCING TILLAGE IN ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
Friday 2:30 p.m. - Room E
SOIL NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT 101
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - Room C
MAXIMIZING NITROGEN FIXATION FROM LEGUMES
Saturday 2:30 p.m. - Room E
ON FARM FORESTRY - FINDING VALUE IN YOUR WOODS
Saturday 2:30 p.m. - Room F
ONE YEAR CORN, ONE YEAR RYE WITH CLOVER A SOIL REGENERATIVE SYSTEM
Friday 8:30 a.m. - Room E
STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING A MORE ROBUST ROTATION
Friday 10:30 a.m. - Room J
WEED MANAGEMENT FOR ORGANIC FIELD CROPS 101
Friday 10:30 a.m. - Room I
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF LIVESTOCK IN ORGANIC ROW CROPS
Friday 2:30 p.m. - Room K
ORGANIC TRANSITION 101
Friday 2:30 p.m. - Room J
DOUBLING DOWN ON DIVERSITY & CREATING AN ECONOMY BASED IN ABUNDANCE, CARE AND RECIPROCITY
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - Room J
TRADITIONAL TRIBAL GROWING PRACTICES AND THE INTERSECTION WITH THE ORGANIC FARMING COMMUNITY
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - Room K
ORGANIC MANAGEMENT OF CANADA THISTLE
Saturday 10:30 a.m. - Room F
PANEL: AGAINST THE GRAIN - NICHE GRAIN PRODUCTION
Saturday 10:30 a.m. - Room E
CREATIVE LAND ACCESS FOR BEGINNING FARMERS
Friday 8:30 a.m. - Room C
GET LOUD: SPEAKING UP FOR CHANGE
Friday 8:30 a.m. - Room G
BUILDING COMMUNITY FOOD WEBS
Friday 10:30 a.m. - Room C
RECLAIMING ANCESTRAL KNOWLEDGE, DISMANTLING STRUCTURAL RACISM
Friday 10:30 a.m. - Room E
WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT CONSOLIDATION?
Friday 2:30 p.m. - Room F
TRADITIONAL TRIBAL GROWING PRACTICES AND THE INTERSECTION WITH THE ORGANIC FARMING COMMUNITY
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - Room K
NOP PROGRAM UPDATE AND FOCUS ON TRANSITION TO ORGANIC PARTNERSHIP (TOPP)
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - Room E
FARMING AND QUALITY OF LIFE: TWO PERSPECTIVES
Saturday 10:30 a.m. - Room K
THE HOMESTEAD DAIRY COW
Saturday 2:30 p.m. - Room C
BIOSECURITY FOR PASTURED POULTRY PRODUCERS
Friday 8:30 a.m. - Room I
MANAGED GRAZING 101
Friday 8:30 a.m. - Room J
PANEL: NEXT LEVEL GRAZIERS
Friday 10:30 a.m. - Room F
THE ORGANIC AND LIVESTOCK POULTRY STANDARDS
Friday 10:30 a.m. - Room B
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF LIVESTOCK IN ORGANIC ROW CROPS
Friday 2:30 p.m. - Room K
MOBILE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ROTATIONAL GRAZING AND FENCING
Friday 2:30 p.m. - Room C
PASTURED PIGS FOR BEGINNERS
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - Room F
RECORDKEEPING FOR DAIRY PRODUCERS
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - Room H
ASK A VET
Saturday 10:30 a.m. - Room G
PANEL: POULTRY PRODUCTION MODELS
Saturday 10:30 a.m. - Room B
BEGINNING FARMER
(Learn more on page 25. )
SARE FARMER FORUM
(Learn more on page 22. )
ORGANIC RESEARCH FORUM
(Learn more on page 23. )
IMPROVING HIGH TUNNEL SOILS WITH COVER CROPS
Friday 8:30 a.m. - Room B
ECONOMICS OF PERENNIAL FRUIT CROPS
Friday 10:30 a.m. - Room H
PANEL: VEGETABLE MARKET ANALYSIS
Friday 10:30 a.m. - Room K
INTRODUCTION TO GROWING PEARS
Friday 2:30 p.m. - Room B
REDUCING TILLAGE IN ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
Friday 2:30 p.m. - Room E
TIPS AND TALES TO START AND STAY IN THE MUSHROOM BUSINESS
Friday 2:30 p.m. - Room H
PERENNIALS ON CUT FLOWER FARMS
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - Room G
AN ABUNDANCE OF BROCCOLI(NI) TRIALS: 2022 RESULTS FROM ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST
Saturday 10:30 a.m. - Room I
FSMA UPDATES FROM THE FIELD: DECOMPLICATING FOOD SAFETY TO PROTECT YOUR FARM AND CUSTOMERS
Saturday 10:30 a.m. - Room C
ORGANIC APPLES 101
Saturday 10:30 a.m. - Room H
GROWING IN A DEEP WINTER GREENHOUSE
Saturday 2:30 p.m. - Room B
8:30 a.m. - Room I
With recent outbreaks of Avian Influenza, keeping poultry flocks healthy has become an important topic for anyone who has chickens, turkeys, ducks or other fowl. This session will outline general poultry health as well as some easy steps that poultry producers or even backyard chicken owners can take to ensure that their flocks stay healthy and happy. In addition, this session will provide ideas on who to contact, and how to get diagnostic help if a flock is sick.
Kevin Ellis is a Conservation Specialist with Hennepin County, Minnesota. In that role he helps residents implement a variety of projects that help to defend soil and water resources.
8:30 a.m. - Room C
Join experienced Farmland Access Navigators to learn about the current challenges and solutions of land tenure. They will share land access stories and dive into creative solutions to land acquisition. Whether you’ve identified land or have just begun your search, they will equip you to stride more confidently into your farmland access journey and provide a deeper understanding of the Farmland Access Hub, a consortium of partners that provides transitioning farmers with support and resources to succeed.
Bonnie Warndahl is a Farmland Access Navigator, directly supporting beginning farmers in their quest for land tenure and lives in Colfax, Wisconsin. Brett is co-founder and the Creative Director at Renewing the Countryside (RTC). Katie operates Prairie Smoke Gardens in St. Paul and is a Land Access Navigator with RTC. Moses Momanyi is founder and president of Kilimo, a nonprofit farm incubator and mentor program, and brought together growers to start AGAPA-African Growers and Producers Alliance in 2021.
8:30 a.m. - Room G
Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) believes in the power of the grassroots to change the problematic systems surrounding us. Join WFU staff to learn about the intersection of sharing your story and building community power around the issues that matter to you. WFU will be bringing experience in relational organizing and story crafting to help you develop tactics and messages that move your cause forward.
Lauren Langworthy is the Director of Special Projects at Wisconsin Farmers Union and raises grass-fed lamb and beef at Blue Ox Farm. Danielle Endvick is the Communications Director for Wisconsin Farmers Union and raises beef cattle and a pair of rambunctious boys on her family’s Runamuck Ranch in northwestern Wisconsin.
8:30 a.m. - Room B
High tunnels are an increasingly popular approach to extend the vegetable cropping season in cold climates. However, soil and nutrient management in organic high tunnels can be challenging. We will explore the concept of ecological nutrient management in high tunnel environments, with special attention paid to cover crops. Research-based information will be provided on cover crop species selection, nutrient contribution, challenges and benefits, and management tips and tricks for those wishing to diversify their high tunnel rotations with cover crops.
Julie Grossman is a soil scientist and a faculty member in the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota. Hannah Walsh is a graduate student in the Department of Soil, Water and Climate at the University of Minnesota.
8:30 a.m. - Room F
When deciding to implement a new conservation practice, it’s important to make sure your risk management strategies align. This presentation will provide an overview of how crop insurance interacts with various conservation practices and management types including organic, cover crops, multi-cropping, and more. Content will include cover crop guidelines, organic price elections, insuring with contract prices, new relay cropping provisions, double cropping coverage, Whole Farm Revenue Protection, and Micro Farm.
Kate Hansen is a policy associate with the Center for Rural Affairs. Megan Vaith is the founder of Northbourne Organic Crop Insurance, LLC.
8:30 a.m. - Room J
Grazing curious? Join Hannah Bernhardt from Medicine Creek Farm and Morgan LaSalle of ForageScape Farm to learn the basic principles of good pasture management and hear their experiences with multispecies grazing of cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry. Learn practical tips to get started and how to find the resources and funding to begin heading down your own perennial pasture path.
Hannah Bernhardt is the owner/operator of Medicine Creek Farm in NE Minnesota. Morgan LaSalle is from ForageScape Farm.
8:30 a.m. - Room E
A few challenges with organic farming include weed control, providing enough nitrogen, and excess tillage. Learn what Otter Creek Organic farm has done to address these issues. We have been following this system for several years and have managed to lower input costs, radically improve soils, increase yields and reduce tillage with only two workers farming 1500 organic acres in a 45-mile circle with small fields. This session will outline Otter Creek Organic farm’s methods and economics.
Gary Zimmer is a regenerative farmer and consultant. He also is the founder of Midwest Bio Ag and has authored three books and authored many articles on Biological Farming.
8:30 a.m. - Room H
On-farm pollinator habitat has many benefits, but deciding how and where to add that habitat can be daunting. This workshop will help you determine which habitat projects -insectary strips, pollinatorfriendly cover crops, native wildflower meadows, hedgerows, native pastures-make the most sense for your goals, resource concerns, space, capacity, equipment, weed pressure, and other factors. You will also learn about planting methods, design, and organic weed control options.
Joan Olson has a 33-acre certified organic CSA vegetable farm in Minnesota. Jim Morrison operates Sapsucker Farm in Mora, Minnesota. Sarah Foltz Jordan leads the Xerces Society’s habitat restoration efforts in the Great Lakes Region.
8:30 a.m. - Room K
While there are many “how-to” resources on small scale farming, there are few on the concepts of work(load) management. After years of frustration Joel began to research methods used in various other industries and over time synthesized a simple yet flexible analog system that keeps his complex farm on track through any situation. In this session Joel will detail the underlying concepts and detail the tools and techniques they use to tame their workload and accomplish more while working less.
Joel Barr is the owner/operator of Abraham’s Table Farm, an organic CSA farm producing vegetables and raising livestock.
10:30 a.m. - Room G
We will show you the what, why, and how around legal fundamentals like liability, business structures, and government regulations for worker and product safety to build your farm’s legal resilience. You’ll walk away knowing why these 5 points are essential and most importantly, how to take action on those points in a way that is consistent with your values and resources. We provide valuable resources to help you apply the law’s best practices to your situation.
Rachel Armstrong is the founder and Executive Director of Farm Commons, a non-profit providing legal resources for farmers.
10:30 a.m. - Room C
Organic farms can be potent community builders. By pursuing healthy farming practices, we create new fertility and lower environmental costs, reducing financial flows away from rural communities. Yet farming is a fragile occupation unless community members support farm families. That includes buying or bartering for food. This workshop will focus on how community food efforts have effectively woven webs that connect farmers and eaters. Ken Meter is one of the most experienced food system analysts in the U.S., integrating market analysis, business development, systems thinking, and social concerns and author of the book, “Building Community Food Webs.”
Food systems analyst, Ken Meter, integrates market analysis, business development, systems thinking, and social concerns. Meter holds 50 years of experience in inner-city and rural community capacity building, and is author of “Building Community Food Webs”. Kristy Lynn Allen’s work as a community organizer and an advocate for organic agriculture is informed by her experiences as a beekeeper and social entrepreneur. Amy Bacigalupo leads the Food Systems and Farm Beginnings teams at Land Stewardship Project and is co-owner of Kalliroe Orchard.
10:30 a.m. - Room K
It is always something. Markets change. One day home-delivered produce boxes are cutting into CSA sales; the next, a pandemic shuts down restaurants, colleges, and farmers markets. In this workshop, a panel of fresh market farmers will share how they keep their finger on the pulse to evaluate customer’s needs, expectations, and perceived competition, and their plans for 2023.
Laura Frerichs co-owns and operates Loon Organics, a diversified certified organic vegetable farm in Hutchinson, MN. Becca Carlson Rudebusch is from Seeds Farm. is a 20-acre certified organic and GAP farm in Northfield MN. Liz Graznak is a full-time FarmHer and business owner of Happy Hollow Farm located outside of Jamestown, Missouri. Atina Diffley is long-time organic farmer-trainer and author of Wholesale Success and Direct Market Success.
10:30 a.m. - Room F
Hear from a panel of experienced grazing practitioners about how they manage their pastures and the tricks and tips that took their grazing to the “next level.” This discussion will be moderated by Angie Sullivan, the Apprenticeship Director from the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, and will look at both beef and dairy operations.
Joe Tomandl co-owns and operates a seasonal grass-based dairy in north central Wisconsin. Jason Cavadini, Grazing Outreach Specialist for UW Extension. Jason also owns and operates a direct-market grass-fed beef farm near Stratford with his wife, Jocelyn, and their five children. Angie Sullivan has 20 years of experience in sustainable agriculture and is currently with the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program. Mat Boerson is a diversified organic grazier and grower from Green Lake in East Central Wisconsin. Cheyenne Christianson and his family have been dairy graziers since 1994 at Grazing Acres in Chetek, Wisconsin.
10:30 a.m. - Room H
Perennial fruit crops are expensive to establish but may not deliver an economic return for many years. Will these long-lived plantings help you achieve your personal and financial goals? Join us to look at detailed financial data from actual fruit farms in our region. To help you project the returns from your own organic fruit plantings, we will discuss costs of establishment and maintenance, yields, sales, and common pitfalls in financial planning.
Chris and his wife Juli have operated Two Onion Farm in Belmont, southwestern Wisconsin, since 2003. Thaddeus McCamant is transitioning from an instructor/consultant for the state of Minnesota to an orchard manager in Montana.
10:30 a.m. - Room J
Longer and more diverse crop rotations can improve soil health, reduce weed pressure, help with pest and disease management and boost biodiversity. But how does one develop a rotation best suited to their farm? And how do you find a market for all these crops? This session will take a look at principles and scenarios for building robust rotations that work in the Upper Midwest, as well as established and novel approaches for marketing the whole rotation.
Margaret Smith, PhD, is an agronomist for Albert Lea Seed. She also manages a 600-acre organic grain, forage and livestock farm near Hampton, Iowa with her husband.
Mike Schulist, of National Farmers Organization, oversees the organic grain department of NFO called NF Organics.
10:30 a.m. - Room E
Join 2022 Marbleseed Changemaker Awardee Urban Grower’s Collective for a discussion about their programs and how they are affecting change.
Malcolm Evans is the Director of Farms, Xavier Colon is the Farm Educator and Paige Tobin is the Farm Administrative Coordinator for Urban Grower’s Collective.
10:30 a.m. - Room B
For more than a decade the organic community has worked to incorporate more detailed requirements for organic animal welfare in the organic rules. This new rule could require some producers to significantly change their organic livestock management. This workshop will discuss details of a recent proposed regulation, areas where many public commenters suggested further improvements, and review of the various requirements for additional humane certifications.
Harriet Behar has been an organic agriculture educator (UW Madison, MOSES) and an organic inspector for the last 40 years.
101
10:30 a.m. - Room I
New to field crop production or transitioning to organic management? Effective organic weed management requires more than just equipment. Joel Gruver of Western Illinois University will identify systematic strategies for successfully disrupting weed life cycles, timely interventions through cultivation, and rotation scenarios to give your crop a competitive advantage.
Joel Gruver, PhD, is the Associate Professor of Soil Science and Sustainable Ag, Allison Farm at Western Illinois University.
2:30 p.m. - Room G
Tired of doing everything the hard way? Looking to increase efficiency and save yourself from a lifetime of back pain and sore muscles? Maybe just thinking about upgrading from your old Allis to something made this century? Choosing the right equipment is not always easy or straightforward but there is a path to success! This workshop will take you from buying your first used tractor or implement on marketplace to purchasing your dream machine straight from the dealer.
Wyatt Parks owns and operates W.T. Farms, a direct market beef, hay, and custom farming operating, alongside his wife Tessa.
2:30 p.m. - Room B
Pears can be among the choicest of tree fruits when grown to perfection. Growing a really good pear starts with selecting among the best of the old and new varieties; training and pruning these varieties which typically have very strong vertical growth; and addressing the vexing question of when to harvest the fruit which usually needs to be picked when mature and ripened off the tree. Come and join this conversation.
David Sliwa and his wife Perry-O operate a fruit farm with a special interest in pears, on a ridge top near Decorah, Iowa.
2:30 p.m. - Room K
Many of the problems we face in agriculture today are the result of disconnecting the animals and plants that together provide our food. This workshop focuses on strategies for reconnecting livestock with our cropping systems to improve soil health, cycle fertility and nutrients, reduce purchased inputs and labor, and improve the overall farm system.
Kathleen Delate, Ph.D., is a professor of both horticulture and agronomy at Iowa State University, where she is responsible for research, extension, and teaching in organic agriculture. Francis Thicke is an organic dairy farmer from Iowa, the 2012 MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year, and is on the Real Organic Project Executive Board.
2:30 p.m. - Room C
Join Randy Cutler of Cutler Fence and a panel of experienced graziers as they share the what and how of mobile solutions for grazing needs and pasture health. They will look at options for managing and caring for your livestock with portable fencing, movable minerals, mobile shade, and all the tools and equipment you may need as you make your paddock moves.
Brad Ketchum works on behalf of Gallagher North America based out of Kansas City, Missouri. Mat Boerson is a diversified organic grazier and grower from Green Lake in East Central Wisconsin. Paul & Marisa Maggio own and operate Starry Nights Farm, located in Wheatland, Wisconsin. Randy Cutler farms and is owner of Cutler Fence. He has been in the livestock installation and supply fencing business since 2004.
2:30 p.m. - Room I
Farmers use solar energy to produce food and fiber. Now with solar arrays it is possible to add renewable electricity to your farm’s production. This workshop will cover the basics of solar technology, the economics of solar, grants and incentives available to go solar, and soliciting and reviewing bids from solar installers. Minnesota dairy grazier Art Thicke will share his experience with going solar and expanding his solar array over time.
Bobby King is the Minnesota State Director for Solar United Neighbors (SUN). Art and Jean Thicke farm Enchanted Meadows, located in the hills north of La Crescent, Minnesota. Francis Blake farms Blake Organic Farm. Nicole Rakobisch works for Organic Valley.
2:30 p.m. - Room J
Thinking about transitioning to organic? Hear from organic certifiers about steps to take, and resources to help you along the way.
Kristen Adams is the Certification Service Director at MOSA Certified Organic. Her work with the National Organic Program (NOP) is rooted in her hand-on experience on her family’s diversified dairy farm in the Coulee Region of Southwestern Wisconsin, 12 years as herdswomen, and previous work for a national dairy cooperative in organic food production systems.
2:30 p.m. - Room E
Reducing tillage has a host of benefits for soil health, and low tillage systems can be more resilient to drought, flooding, and extreme weather events. Are you low-till curious, or all-in on no-till? Join us to hear farmers describe their on-farm systems and researchers share outcomes from on-farm trials, and then contribute to an open discussion on obstacles and opportunities for reducing tillage in organic vegetable production.
Claire Strader is the Organic Vegetable Educator for FairShare CSA Coalition and Extension Dane County. Rue Genger works in the Urban and Regional Food Systems group at the University of WisconsinMadison. Dylan Bruce farms Circadian Organics with his wife, Skye. They grow small scale vegetable and prairie seed contracts for several regional and national companies, cut flowers, and produce for a 100 member CSA. Liz Dwyer operates Dancing the Land Farm with her husband, Curtis.
2:30 p.m. - Room H
Mushroom cultivation is relatively new to the small-farm scene and emerging technologies, equipment and methods keep the grower challenged to meet demand and stay economically strong. Learn from four veteran family business owners/growers about cultivation trends; from how-tos for various mushroom farm models, to things you will want to know if you are going to start and stay in the mushroom business.
Joe and Mary Ellen operate Field and Forest Products, a mushroom spawn company, started in 1983. Aimee and Jeremy McAdams run Northwood Mushrooms (aka Cherry Tree House Mushrooms), a farm northeast of the Twin Cities.
2:30 p.m. - Room F
Friday Keynote Austin Frerick will explore questions on how to structure competitive agriculture markets, the best ways to achieve the desired structure, and what can be done at the state and local levels. We will dive into a discussion on consolidation in the food system and how consolidation impacts our community. This conversation will act as an opportunity to brainstorm ways to address these issues from a policy perspective at the local, state, and federal level.
Austin is the Deputy Director of the Thurman Arnold Project at Yale University, an initiative that brings together faculty, students, and scholars from Yale Law School, the Yale School of Management, and other institutions to collaborate on research related to competition policy and antitrust enforcement.
8:30 a.m. - Room J
What does it take to double down on diversity in crops, animals, enterprises and community in order to build farms that thrive in the face of adversity? Farming on a planet with an unstable climate means we cannot use the past to predict the future. Join Saturday Keynote speakers Anna Jones-Crabtree & Doug Crabtree for this workshop that will explore ways to implement solutions that equitably share the risk and reward of implementing radical stewardship and creating an economy based in abundance, care, and reciprocity.
Doug and his wife Anna own and operate Vilicus Farms, a 12,500-acre certified organic dry-land farm growing 12 to 15 grain, pulse, broadleaf and oilseed crops near the Canadian border in Hill County, Montana.
8:30 a.m. - Room F
Thinking of getting into pastured pigs? Dayna Burtness of Nettle Valley Farm will introduce the basics of finishing pigs on pasture, including fencing, food/water/shelter options, finding feeder pigs, and more. This workshop will be geared towards folks who currently do not have pigs or those who may raise small numbers but are looking to scale up a bit.
Dayna Burtness and husband Nick Nguyen run Nettle Valley Farm in Spring Grove, Minnesota. They finish about 75-80 pigs each year on pasture.
8:30 a.m. - Room G
8:30 a.m. - Room I
Hired labor is crucial to the success of many diversified vegetable farms. Yet farm owners struggle to attract and retain employees, and many of those employees struggle to build a sustainable career for themselves in this industry. In this session, we will dig into what employees value in a work experience, key challenges they face, and retention factors. Our discussion is grounded in data collected from nearly 200 farmworkers across the country between 2019 and 2022, as well as co-presenters’ first-hand experience as farm employees.
Sarah Janes Ugoretz manages the Organic Vegetable Farm Manager Apprenticeship-a program registered with the state of Wisconsin and sponsored by FairShare CSA Coalition. Abby Benson is the field production coordinator at Featherstone Farm, a certified organic vegetable farm in Rushford, Minnesota. Magdalen Ng works for Turnip Rock Farm in Clear Lake, Wisconsin.
Growing perennial flowers and shrubs is a fantastic way to add diversity and to extend the growing season for a cut flower farm. We will discuss some of our favorite perennial flower and foliage crops to grow in Zone 4, as well as considerations for planting, profitability, and maintenance of perennial plants.
Maggie Sheehan has operated Turtle Creek Flowers outside of Prairie Farm, Wisconsin since 2016.
8:30 a.m. - Room H
This workshop will explore how to keep records that help prepare you for your annual organic inspection, remain in compliance, and work for your operation.
Mary Capehart is the Inspection Manager at MOSA in Viroqua, Wisconsin. Kristen Adams is the Certification Service Director at MOSA Certified Organic.
8:30 a.m. - Room B
The long-term trends of insurable losses have been increasing and may further increase because of changing and disruptive weather and climate. Can organic farmers better assess their weather-related and market insurable risks in the face of climate disruption? This practical workshop will explore in a case-study format two available on-line tools that can help producers better understand the causes of insurable losses and explore the cost of purchasing crop insurance products to provide some protection against future losses.
Jeff Schahczenski is an Agricultural and Natural Resource Economist with the National Center for Appropriate Technology.
8:30 a.m. - Room C
Learn about soil testing and nutrient management principles in organic production systems. Topics will include soil testing and its interpretation, crop rotations, nutrient cycling, manure, compost, and fertilizer use. This session will be ideally suited for beginning organic farmers and experienced producers who want more in-depth understanding of nutrient management principles on their farms. Cut through all the hype and get down to the basics of what will work on your organic farm.
Glen Borgerding with Ag Resource Consulting has over 30 years of experience working as an independent crop consultant across the upper Midwest.
8:30 a.m. - Room K
This workshop will cover the basics of intercropping corn and squash at different scales of production and under varying approaches, including minimal-to-no-till planting into invasive grasses such as reed canary and quack grass. We will also address some of the sensitivities in the intersection of Indigenous agriculture and the broader organic farming community.
Dan Cornelius is with the University of Wisconsin-Extension
8:30 a.m. - Room E
David Glasgow, Associate Deputy Administrator of the National Organic Program, will provide an update on all that is happening at the NOP, including priorities moving forward. He will be joined by Allison Walent, Midwest TOPP Regional Center Program Director, and other TOPP partners for a dive into the unprecedented USDA support for transitioning and existing organic farmers and ranchers through the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). Do not miss this opportunity to learn how we work together to secure the future of organic.
David Glasgow is the Deputy Director for the USDA National Organic Program.
10:30 a.m. - Room I
Join us for updates on a variety of broccoli trials, conducted in partnership with farmers and gardeners across the upper Midwest. This session will highlight variety trials including: screening for black rot and Alternaria tolerance, late-season broccoli performance in clover living mulches, an update on Swede Midge monitoring, and a discussion about broccolini as an alternative to broccoli. Come prepared to share your own experiences and walk away with new techniques and cultivars to use on your farm in 2023.
Natalie is an Extension Educator at the University of Minnesota, working with vegetable crops and local foods throughout the state. Dr. Kristine Lang is a South Dakota State University Assistant Professor and Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist based in Brookings, South Dakota. Anna Racer runs Waxwing Farm in Minnesota with her husband Pete. ASK
10:30 a.m. - Room G
Ever wished you could just corner your veterinarian and ask them all those burning questions you have regarding the well-being of all your livestock? Well, here is your chance! This facilitated Q&A will feature Dr. Sarah Slaby of Dr. Sarah’s Essentials and Dr. Tom Roskos. We all have questions about how to best care for the critters on our farms in an organic and holistic manner, and this is a unique opportunity to learn from the experience of these caring professionals.
Tom Roskovs is a practicing veterinarian from west-central Wisconsin with 39 years of experience and is well-versed in organic methods and products. His emphasis has been cattle, sheep, and goats. Sarah Slaby, DVM is a practicing large animal veterinarian, focusing on a holistic, organic approach and resides and practices in Arcadia, Wisconsin. with her family.
10:30 a.m. - Room C
Food safety may seem complicated or scary, but it does not need to be. Join this session for important updates to the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and hear from a certified organic farm that has had a FSMA inspection, discuss how to build a culture of food safety and how to meet organic certification and PSR requirements. Leave with an understanding of practical food safety steps to ensure your fruits and vegetables are safe and in compliance with this law.
Annalisa Hultberg is a statewide Educator in Food Safety at the University of Minnesota Extension where she coordinates the OnFarm GAPs Education Program. Becca Carlson Rudebusch is part of Seeds Farm, a 20-acre certified organic and GAP farm in Northfield, Minnesota.
10:30 a.m. - Room J
There are a variety of ways to incorporate money into your farm besides the sales of your products. We will share several ways to fund your farm while minimizing or avoiding the stress of debt and loans. Fresher Together Farms has raised over $250,000 in funding in their first three seasons and will be sharing strategies from not only their farm, but also other regional farmers who use grants and other debt free resources as a regular presence in their farm’s viability.
Fresh Roberson is a chef, activist, healer, and farmer. They put all of that together when founding Fresher Together, a black and LGBTQ+ owned collaborative food and farming project for healing, economic development, training, and retreat in the south side of Chicago.
10:30 a.m. - Room K
This workshop will provide two different perspectives: one from a vegetables farmer who ultimately decided to leave farming and one from a Dairy farmer making adjustments to stay in farming. They will discuss in detail the quality-of-life changes both have implemented over the years and the effect they have had on themselves, their families, and farms.
Ariel Pressman is the Director of Certification with Real Organic Project and former vegetable farmer. Thelma Heidel-Baker is the co-owner and operator of Bossie Cow Farm in Wisconsin.
10:30 a.m. - Room H
Want to grow organic apples? This session will address both the business of apples and the basics of growing certified organic apples in the Midwest. Topics include choosing your market, site selection, variety selection, pest, disease, and nutrient tactics and more. The focus will be on resources and decision tools. Co-presented by Rachel Henderson of Mary Dirty Face Farm and Tom Rosenfeld of Earth First Farms.
Rachel and her husband Anton Ptak own and operate Mary Dirty Face Farm, a certified organic, mixed-fruit orchard. Tom Rosenfeld owns and operates Earth First Farms in Michigan, located close to Chicago.
10:30 a.m. - Room F
If you are dealing with this perennial weed in your fields, you know what a stalwart adversary it can be. With its ability to spread by seed and from vegetative buds in the root system, it can be a challenge to manage once established. Joel Gruver of Western Illinois University and 2022 Farmer of the Year Dave Campbell will examine the biology, vulnerable stages of development, and share their experience with management strategies.
Joel Gruver, PhD, is the Associate Professor of Soil Science and Sustainable Ag, Allison Farm at Western Illinois University. Dave Campbell is the longtime owner of Lily Lake Organics, a USDA and also Real Organic certified farm in Northern Illinois.
10:30 a.m. - Room E
Niche grains can be fun and interesting to grow. Join an agronomist along with a panel of growers who will give you tips on how to plant, harvest and store. Learn tricks and caveats for planting oats, buckwheat, rye, millet, white wheat, soybeans, and corn.
Noreen Thomas and her husband have been certified-organic producers, farming 1,200 acres of grains, feed and beans for domestic as well as foreign markets for 25 years. Matt Leavitt is the organic agronomist at Albert Lea Seeds. Craig Tomera has been the Identity Preserved Crop Specialist for Grain Millers since 2011. He has worked in the areas of agronomy, seed production and food grade specialty production for the last 44 years.
10:30 a.m. - Room B
Jody Padgham, long time organic poultry farmer and editor of Raising Poultry on Pasture: Ten Years of Success, will moderate a panel of farmers using paddock shift, chicken tractors, and day ranging models. Hear why they use their system, how it works for them, and bring lots of questions!
Jody Padgham has been raising small flocks of organic pastured broilers for over 20 years and was the coordinator of the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association (APPPA) for ten years. Michael Gutschenritter and his family own and manage Three Brothers Farm in southeastern Wisconsin. He has spent the past five years focused on developing systems that make farm life more enjoyable and profitable. Nick Westby owns OrgaNick Pastures, the first certified humane pastureraised organic egg company in Wisconsin. Heather Flashinski operates Farm Sweet Farm, a 230-acre, grass-based family-farm located northeast of Eau Claire raising grass-fed beef, pastured chicken, and free-range eggs.
2:30 p.m. - Room B
Deep Winter Greenhouses (DWGs) allow farmers to grow cold tolerant, low light crops all winter in cold northern climates with minimal reliance on external heat sources, expanding the possibilities of what can be grown in the upper Midwest. In this session, we will discuss various considerations and strategies in the design and construction of a DWG, and some of the resources available. DWG grower Brooke Knisley will share her growing experiences, observations, and advice on maximizing the utilization of these unique structures.
Greg Schweser directs the statewide Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems program for the UMN Extension’s RSDPs. Daniel Handeen is a Research Fellow at the Center for Sustainable Building Research. Brooke Knisley co-owns and operates Alternative Roots Farm.
2:30 p.m. - Room F
Farm woodlots have the potential to add economic, environmental, and social value to your agricultural operation. This workshop will provide an overview of the planning, people, and programs that can help your woods reach their potential. The workshop will also touch on some economic opportunities, tax considerations, conservation priorities, and lifestyle benefits found in the farm woods.
Tony Johnson is an extension natural resources educator focused on forestry outreach for private woodland owners in Wisconsin.
2:30 p.m. - Room C
2:30 p.m. - Room E
Nitrogen is critical for plant’s growth and development. Most plants take up nitrogen from the soil, but the legume family of plants can derive nitrogen directly from the air. How can you ensure you are getting as much nitrogen as possible from your legumes? We will give an overview of biological nitrogen fixation and legume inoculation. We will also show you how to calculate pounds of nitrogen you are getting from your legumes and discuss promising options for winter annual legumes in the Midwest.
Rebecca Fudge is a PhD student in the Plant and Microbial Biology program at the University of Minnesota.
Safe, wholesome, grass produced raw milk is the rocket fuel that powers the whole homestead. Shawn and Beth Dougherty, authors of The Independent Farmstead (Chelsea Green Press), take you through selecting, buying, and caring for a homestead dairy cow. Explore the basics of grazing, fencing, hand-milking and milk handling, affordable shelter, breeding, and calf care, as well as all the amazing uses for milk on the homestead.
Shawn and Beth Dougherty farm 27-acres, raising mostly livestock, since 1980s and are the authors of “The Homestead Dairy Cow.”
The following Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) for Certified Crop Advisors have been approved through the Certified Crop Advisor Program. If you are eligible for CEU credits, please use the sign-in sheets located at the entrance of the workshop rooms.
This badge denotes an NCR-SARE Farmer Forum track workshop.
The North Central Region-Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Farmers Forum is a traveling annual event giving farmers, ranchers, researchers and others the chance to share information about sustainable agriculture practices with a national audience.
These presentations focus on research, demonstration, and education projects that promote profitable practices that are good for the environment and community. The projects highlighted in these presentations and the Farmers Forum are funded by grants from NCR-SARE, a USDA funded program that supports and promotes sustainable farming and ranching by offering competitive grants and educational opportunities.
For more information about NCR-SARE, see: www.northcentral.sare. org or contact NCR-SARE by email: ncrsare@umn.edu, or phone 612626-3113.
Look for the SARE Farmer Forum badge next to the workshop description on pages 10-20.
Friday 2:30 - 4 p.m. - Room C
Rue Genger and Panel
Project Abstract: Farmer-led learning and on-farm research into cover crop-based reduced tillage will build resilience to extreme rainfall for diversified vegetable production.
Saturday 8:30-10 a.m. - Room K
Dan Cornelius
Project Abstract: Applying traditional Native American growing practices for improved crop productivity, increased ecological diversity, and decreased labor and nutrient inputs.
Saturday 10:30-12 p.m. - Room I
Michael Gutschenritter and Panel
Project Abstract: I will design and build a sliding electric fence system for pastured poultry in order to significantly reduce labor. The fence system will attach to portable poultry coops that are moved under tractor power. This will eliminate the labor-intensive chore of moving heavy poultry netting by hand.
AGAINST THE GRAIN: NICHE GRAIN PRODUCTION
Saturday 10:30-12 p.m. - Room E
Noreen Thomas and Panel
Project Abstract: Marketing Small Grains Direct is a team effort (or alliance of an assortment of farmers) to share resources, contacts, and marketing as a whole to capture direct sales to consumers, while developing a network of farmers/businesses to strengthen regional small grain production.
MAXIMIZING NITROGEN FIXATION FROM LEGUMES
Saturday 2:30-4 p.m. - Room E
Rebecca Fudge
Project Abstract: This project will identify rhizobia strains best suited to maximize nitrogen fixation in new cold-hardy ecotypes of hairy vetch in the cold temperatures of the upper Midwest.
ROUNDTABLE: A PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR GROWING PEACHES IN COLD CLIMATES
Saturday 8-8:45 a.m. - Blue Room
Dan Shield
Project Abstract: This system protects peach trees from sun scald and extreme cold, will induce early and heavy fruiting using organic practices and low energy inputs.
This badge denotes an Organic Research Forum track workshop.
The Organic Research Forum showcases research studies on organic farming practices and brings together researchers and farmers to discuss goals and future research needs. The Organic Research Forum is a project of Marbleseed.
Advisory Committee:
Brad Heins, University of Minnesota
Esther Shekinah, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
Kathleen Delate, Iowa State University
Rue Genger, University of Wisconsin-Madison
William Tracy, University of Wisconsin-Madison
The Organic Research Forum includes workshops where researchers and the organic farmers involved present the findings and implications of recent work.
IMPROVING HIGH TUNNELS WITH COVER CROPS
Friday, 8:30 a.m. - Room B
Julie Grossman, Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota; Hannah Walsh, Graduate Student, Department of Soil, Water and Climate at the University of Minnesota
AN ABUNDANCE OF BROCCOLI(NI) TRIALS: 2022 RESULTS FROM ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST
Saturday, 10:30 a.m. - Room I
Natalie Hoidal, Vegetable Extension Educator at the University of Minnesota; Dr. Kristine Lang, Assistant Professor and Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist, South Dakota State University; Anna Racer, Waxwing Farm.
New this year—People’s Choice Award!
Vote on your favorite poster by Friday at 7 p.m.
presenter
JUTE MALLOW AND SPIDER WISP YIELD RESPONSE TO COMPOSTED MANURE APPLICATION IN MINNESOTA
Jessica Barbosa Oliveira
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
IMPROVING HIGH TUNNEL SOILS WITH COVER CROPS
Ava McCune
University of Minnesota
BALANCING POLLINATION SUCCESS AND POLLINATOR HEALTH IN ORGANIC CUCURBIT CROPS
Alexis Gauger
University of Kentucky
GROWTH AND BENEFIT OF INTERSEEDED COVER CROP MIXTURES COMPARED TO SINGLE SPECIES IN ORGANIC CORN PRODUCTION
Claire Benning*, Matthew Ruark, Erin Silva
University of Wisconsin-Madison
ONLINE DISEASE MANAGEMENT RESOURCES FOR ORGANIC VEGETABLE GROWERS
Ariana Abbrescia*, Amanda Gevens, Russel Groves
University of Wisconsin-Madison
ASSESSING CLOVER COVER CROPS AS A LIVING MULCH IN ORGANIC WINTER SQUASH PRODUCTION
Alexis Barnes
South Dakota State University
EFFECT OF NO-TILL ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS ON SOIL PROPERTIES IN IOWA
Linda Sturm-Flores, Jean Bertrand Contina*, and Reza Keshavarz Afshar
The Rodale Institute
USE OF COVER CROPS IN NO-TILL ORGANIC SYSTEM TO ENHANCE DRY BEANS PRODUCTION IN IOWA
Jean Bertrand Contina, Léa Vereecke*, and Reza Keshavarz Afshar
The Rodale Institute
ASSESSING THE INFLUENCE OF ROOT EXUDATE COMPOSITION ON SOIL MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES AND FUNCTIONS IN ORGANIC VEGETABLE CULTIVAR DEVELOPMENT
Hannah Anderson*, Erin Silva, Julie Dawson, Phil Simon, Zac Freedman
University of Wisconsin-Madison
EVALUATION OF SEEDING METHODS AND TIMING OF COVER CROPS INTERSEEDED INTO ORGANIC CORN
Emily Evans*, Axel Garcia y Garcia, Ryan Batalden
University of Minnesota, Southwest Research and Outreach Center
FARM RESEARCH AND RESILIENCE: CONFIRMING THE PRESENCE OF SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA, DROSOPHILA SUZUKII (MATSUMURA), AT THE SHARING OUR ROOTS FARM
Antonio Alba-Meraz
Sharing Our Roots Farm
COST AND BENEFITS OF INTEGRATING POULTRY INTO VEGETABLE ROTATIONS: THE ROLE OF POULTRY DENSITY
Viktor Halmos
University of Kentucky
DRIVERS AND DETERRENTS OF SMALL GRAIN PRODUCTION IN THE UPPER MIDWEST
Lauren Asprooth
University of California, Davis
CAN WILLOW BARK OR DULL-IT PROVIDE PAIN RELIEF IN DISBUDDED DAIRY CALVES UNDER ORGANIC MANAGEMENT?
Madison Bacon*, Marcia Endres, Bradley Heins
University of Minnesota
ORGANIC TRIAL OF OPEN POLLINATED SWEET CORN VARIETIES
Lexie Wilson
University of Wisconsin-Madison
CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY OF DISEASE PREVENTION PRACTICES AND THE VETERINARIAN’S ROLE ON SMALL-SCALE ORGANIC/ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY OPERATIONS IN THE U.S.
Kate Stenerodon
Iowa State University, Center for Food Security and Public Health
2020-2021 ORGANIC FARM FINANCIAL BENCHMARKING IN THE UPPER MIDWEST Nurfadila Khairunnisa
University of Minnesota
PLANTER CONFIGURATION OPTIMIZES SOYBEAN EMERGENCE AND YIELD IN REDUCED TILLAGE ORGANIC SOYBEANS
Ben Brockmueller*, Jessica Drewry, Léa Vereecke, Brian Luck, and Erin Silva University Affiliation
EVALUATION OF NOVEL MARKERS FOR SEPTORIA LEAF SPOT RESISTANCE IN TOMATO
Ambar Carvallo
University of Wisconsin-Madison
AGRIVOLTAICS SITE EFFECTS ON FORAGE AND GRAIN BIOMASS AND NUTRITIVE VALUE
Sabrina Portner*, Bradley Heins
University of Minnesota
HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF CALVES RAISED INDIVIDUALLY, IN GROUPS, OR WITH THEIR DAMS
B. Gonçalves da Costa*, K. Sharpe, M. Endres, B. Heins
University of Minnesota
This badge denotes workshops ideal for Beginning Farmers.
Beginning farmers—those who’ve been farming 10 years or less—have a unique set of needs when it comes to farming. From learning how to run a business, to accessing land and financing, to learning production skills, and the list goes on. Marbleseed provides programs, support, and resources for these farmers.
NEW FARMER MIXER
Friday, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Join National Young Farmers Coalition and Renewing the Countryside at Pearl Street Brewing to connect with other beginning farmers.
NEW FARMER U
Join Marbleseed and Wisconsin Farmers Union March 31-April 1, 2023, for a retreat to boost your farm business skills! New Farmer U covers farm financial and business management for intermediate and beginning farmers—those with 3-6 years of farming experience—or anyone who’s ready to plan for future success. Visit newfarmeru.org for updates!
In this year-long program, newer farmers are paired 1-to-1 with a more experienced grower in order to move their farm forward, focusing on a specific production, business, or quality of life aspect of their farm. The Marbleseed Farmer-to-Farmer Mentorship Program connects farmers and facilitates education to empower strong, resilient organic communities throughout our region. Applicants must have been operating their farm business for at least one year. Applications open in August 2023. Learn more at marbleseed.org/programs/farmer-to-farmer-mentorship
These workshops are ideal for beginning farmers. Full descriptions are available on pages 10-20.
Friday 8:30 a.m. - Room C
MANAGED GRAZING 101
Friday 8:30 a.m. - Room J
5 LEGAL BEST PRACTICES FOR EVERY FARM BUSINESS
Friday 10:30 a.m. - Room G
WEED MANAGEMENT FOR ORGANIC FIELD CROPS 101
Friday 10:30 a.m. - Room I
CHOOSING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR FARM
Friday 2:30 p.m. - Room G
INTRODUCTION TO GROWING PEARS
Friday 2:30 p.m. - Room B
PASTURED PIGS FOR BEGINNERS
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - Room F
SOIL NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT 101
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - Room C
FUNDING YOUR FARM WITH LITTLE TO NO DEBT - GRANTS AND CREATIVE FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES FOR FARMERS
Saturday 10:30 a.m. - Room J
ORGANIC APPLES 101
Saturday 10:30 a.m. - Room H
David Abazs
Northeast RSDP & Round River Farm, Finland, MN abazs@round-river.com
Kristen Adams MOSA, Viroqua, WI kadams@mosaorganic.org
Graham Adsit Long Winter Farm, Cambridge, WI graham.adsit@gmail.com
Erika Allen Urban Growers Collective, Chicago, IL Info@urbangrowerscollective.org
Kristy Lynn Allen St. Croix Valley Food Alliance/ Beez Kneez, Grantsburg, WI kristy@thebeezkneezdelivery.com
Peter Allen Mastodon Valley Farm, Viola, WI mastodonvalleyfarm@gmail.com
Rachel Armstrong Farm Commons, Duluth, MN rachel@farmcommons.org
Amy Bacigalupo Land Stewardship Project, Montevideo, MN amyb@landstewardshipproject. org
Joel Barr Abrahams Table Farm, Sandstone, MN abrahamstablefarm@gmail.com
Harriet Behar Sweet Springs Farm, Gays Mills, WI harriet.organic@gmail.com
Abby Benson Featherstone Farm, Rushford, MN abby@featherstonefarm.com
Hannah Bernhardt Medicine Creek Farm, Finlayson, MN hannah@medicinecreekfarm.com
Francis Blake Blake Organic Farms, Waukon, IA francis.blakeorganicfarms@gmail. com
Mat Boerson Boerson Farm, Ripon, WI mat@boersonfarm.com
Glen Borgerding Ag Resource Consulting, Inc., Albany, MN glenbarc@albanytel.com
Rachel Bouressa Bouressa Family Farm, Stevens Point, WI conference@grassworks.org
Josh Bryceson Turnip Rock Farm, Clear Lake, WI Turniprock@gmail.com
Dayna Burtness Nettle Valley Farm LLC, Spring Grove, MN dayna.burtness@gmail.com
Dave Campbell
Lily Lake Organic Farm, Maple Park, IL lilylakeof@aol.com
Mary Capehart MOSA, Viroqua, WI mcapehart@mosaorganic.org
Cheyenne Christianson Grazing Acres, Chetek, WI ckfarm71@gmail.com
Doug Crabtree Vilicus Farms, Havre, MT doug@vilicusfarms.com
Xavier Colon Urban Grower’s Collective, Chicago, IL Info@urbangrowerscollective.org
Dan Cornelius University of Wisconsin Law School, Madison, WI daniel.cornelius@wisc.edu
Randell Cutler Cutler Fence LLC, Milladore, WI rcutler@tznet.com
Kathleen Delate Iowa State Organic Ag Program, Ames, IA kdelate@iastate.edu
Paul Dietmann Compeer Financial, Prairie du Sac, WI paul.dietmann@compeer.com
Atina Diffley Organic Farming Works LLC, Farmington, MN atina@organicfarmingworks.com
Shawn Dougherty
The Sow’s Ear Farm, Toronto, OH shawnandbeth@att.net
Beth Dougherty
The Sow’s Ear Farm, Toronto, OH shawnandbeth@att.net
Liz Dwyer Dancing the Land Farm, Clearwater, MN dancingtheland@gmail.com
Cody Egan Driftless Seed Co, Mabel, MN egan.cody@gmail.com
Kevin Ellis Hennipen County, Minneapolis, MN kevin.ellis@hennepin.us
Danielle Endvick Wisconsin Farmers Union, Holcombe, WI dendvick@wisconsinfarmersunion.com
Steve Etka National Organic Coalition, Alexandria, VA steveetka@gmail.com
Malcom Evans Urban Grower’s Collective, Chicago, IL Info@urbangrowerscollective.org
Heather Flashinski
Farm Sweet Farm LLC, Cadott, WI mhflash@farmsweetfarm.com
Sarah Foltz Jordan Xerces Society, Duluth, MN Sarah.foltz@xerces.org
Laura Frerichs
Loon Organic Farm, Hutchinson, MN loonorganics@hotmail.com
Austin Frerick Yale University, New York City, NY arfrerick@gmail.com
Clint Freund Cultivating The Commons, LLC, Amery, WI clint.freund@gmail.com
Rebecca Fudge University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN fudge016@umn.edu
Rue Genger UW-Madison Horticulture, Madison, WI rkgenger@wisc.edu
Amanda Gevens UW-Madison, Madison, WI gevens@wisc.edu
Liz Graznak Happy Hollow Farm, Jamestown, MO lizgraznak@happyhollowfarm-mo.com
Julie Grossman University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN jgross@umn.edu
Joel Gruver Western Illinois University, Malcomb, IL j-gruver@wiu.edu
Michael Gutschenritter Three Brothers Farm LLC, Oconomowoc, WI 3brothersfarm@gmail.com
Daniel Handeen UMN Center for Sustainable Building Research, Minneapolis, MN hande020@umn.edu
Kate Hansen Center for Rural Affairs, Nevada, IA kateh@cfra.org
Thelma Heidel-Baker Bossie Cow Farm, Random Lake, WI thelma@bossiecowfarm.com
Rachel Henderson Mary Dirty Face Farm, Menomonie, WI rachel.henderson@marbleseed. org
Natalie Hoidal UMN Extension, Hastings, MN hoida016@umn.edu
Whilden Hughes Blue Farm, janesville, WI whildenvi@gmail.com
Annalisa Hultberg University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN hultb006@umn.edu
Sarah Janes Ugoretz FairShare CSA Coalition, Fitchburg, WI sarah@csacoalition.org
Anthony Johnson UW-Madison Extension, Waupun, WI anthony.johnson@wisc.edu
Anna Jones-Crabtree Vilicus Farms, Havre, MT anna@vilicusfarms.com
Brad Ketchum Gallagher North America, Riverside, MO brad.ketchum@gallagher.com
Bobby King Solar United Neighbors, Minneapolis, MN bking@solarunitedneighbors.org
Brooke Knisley Alternative Roots Farm, Madelia, MN info@alternativerootsfarm.com
Mary Kozak Field and Forest Products, Peshtigo, WI mek@fieldforest.net
Joe Krawczyk Field and Forest Products, Peshtigo, WI jhk@fieldforest.net
Margaret L Krome Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, Madison, WI mkrome@sbcglobal.net
Katie Kubovcik Prairie Smoke Gardens, Saint Paul, MN katiekub0908@gmail.com
Kristine Lang South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD kristine.lang@sdstate.edu
Lauren Langworthy Wisconsin Farmers Union, Chippewa Falls, WI llangworthy@wisconsinfarmersunion.com
Morgan LaSalle ForageScape Farm, Onamia, MN foragescape@gmail.com
Eric Lee-Mader Xerces Society, Port Townsend, WA eric.mader@xerces.org
Alan Lewis Natural Grocers, Boulder, CO alewis@naturalgrocers.com
Paul Maggio Starry Nights Farm, Burlington, WI info@starrynightsfarm.com
Kelly Maynard UW Center for Cooperatives, Madison, WI kelly.maynard@wisc.edu
Aimee McAdams
Northwood Mushrooms, Clayton, WI aimee.mcadams@yahoo.com
Jeremy McAdams
Northwood Mushrooms, Clayton, WI legate3@yahoo.com
Thaddeus McCamant
Forbidden Fruit Orchard, Frazee, MN thaddeusmccamant@gmail.com
Christopher McGuire Two Onion Farm, Belmont, WI twoonionfarm@gmail.com
Kate Mendenhall Organic Farmers Association, Spirit Lake, IA kate@organicfarmersassociation. org
Ken Meter Crossroads Resource Center, Minneapolis, MN kmeter@crcworks.org
Moses Momanyi Kilimo MN, Cambridge, MN moses.b.o.m@gmail.com
Jim Morrison Sapsucker Farms/Yellow Belly Cidery, Mora, MN farmers@sapsuckerfarms.com
Magdalen Ng Turnip Rock Farm, Clear Lake, WI ng.magdalen@gmail.com
Brett Olson Renewing the Countryside, Zumbro Falls, MN brett@rtcinfo.org
Joan Olson Prairie Drifter Farm, Litchfield, MN prairiedrifterfarm@gmail.com
Jody Padgham
Renewing the Countryside, Boyd, WI jody.padgham@gmail.com
Wyatt Parks W.T. Farms, Nerstrand, MN wtfarmsmn@gmail.com
Jason Pennycook Johnson Tractor, Janesville, WI jasonp@johnsontractor.com
Ariel Pressman Real Organic Project, Minneapolis, MN ariel@realorganicproject.org
Hannah Quigley National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Richmond, VA hquigley@sustainableagriculture. net
Anna Racer Waxwing Farm Webster, MN anna.racer@gmail.com
Fresh Roberson Fresher Together, Chicago, IL cheffreshroberson@gmail.com
Nicole Rakobitsch Organic Valley, La Farge, WI nicole.rakobitsch@organicvalley. com
Tom Rosenfeld Earth First Farms, Berrien Center, MI tom@earthfirstfarms.com
Tom Roskos Doc Tom Roskos, Arcadia, WI doctomroskos@gmail.com
Rebecca Rudebusch Seeds Farm LLC, Northfield, MN seedsfarm@gmail.com
Mike Schulist NF Organics, Custer, WI mschulist@nfo.org
Jeff Schahczenski National Center for Appropriate Technology, Butte, MT jeffs@ncat.org
Margaret Smith Albert Lea Seed House, Albert Lea, MN margaret@alseed.com
Greg Schweser University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, Minneapolis, MN schwe233@umn.edu
Maggie Sheehan Turtle Creek Flowers msheehan227@gmail.com
Sarah Slaby DVM Dr. Sarah’s Essentials LLC, Arcadia, WI drsarahsessentials@gmail.com
David Sliwa Plum Ridge Farm, Decorah, IA ddsliwa@gmail.com
Claire Strader UW Extension and FairShare, Madison, WI claire@csacoalition.org
Angie Sullivan Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, Madison, WI angie@dga-national.org
James (Sandy) Syburg White Oak Farm, Oconomowoc, WI sandy.syburg@whiteoakfarmorganics.com
Art Thicke Enchanted Meadows, La Crescent, MN ajthicke@acegroup.cc
Francis Thicke
Radiance Dairy, Fairfield, IA fthicke@iowatelecom.net
Noreen Thomas Doubting Thomas Farm, Moorhead, MN noreen.jo.thomas@gmail.com
Stephen Thomforde Stantec Consulting Environmental Services, Duluth, MN
Stephen.Thomforde@Stantec. com
Paige Tobin Urban Grower’s Collective, Chicago, IL Info@urbangrowerscollective.org
Joe Tomandl Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, Medford, WI joe@dga-national.org
Craig Tomera Grain Millers, Inc.,Eden Prairie, MN joe@dga-national.org
Maia Usher-Rasmussen Young Farmers Coalition, Decorah, IA maia@youngfarmers.org
Megan Vaith
Northbourne Organic Crop Insurance, LLC, Scotland, SD northbournecropins@goldenwest. net
Allison Walent
Midwest Transitioning to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) Regional Center, Westby, WI awalent@mosaorganic.org
Hannah Walsh University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN norwi019@umn.edu
Bonnie Warndahl
Renewing the Countryside and Marbleseed, Colfax, WI bonnie.warndahl@marbleseed. org
Nick Westby Organick Pastures, Rio, WI nick@organickpastures.com
Gary Zimmer Rye Revival, Avoca, WI garyfzimmer@icloud.com
Greg Zwald White Pine Berry Farm, Hammond, WI whitepineberry@hotmail.com
Andrew Zwald White Pine Berry Farm, Hammond, WI whitepineberry@hotmail.com
FARMER EDUCATOR’S COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
Friday, 10:30-Noon - Orange Room
Farmer educators convene to discuss best practices in farmer education. professionals involved in educating farmers to explore developing a community of practice.
BOOK SIGNING WITH GARY ZIMMER
Friday, 2:15 – 3 p.m. - Bookstore
Gary Zimmer will be signing copies of his book The Biological Farmer
BOOK SIGNING WITH KEN METER
Friday, 6:30-7 p.m. - Bookstore
Ken Meter will be signing copies of his book Building Community Food Webs
NEW FARMER MIXER
Friday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Pearl Street Brewing
Join National Young Farmers Coalition and Renewing the Countryside at Pearl Street Brewing to connect with other beginning farmers.
QUEERS IN THE FIELD SOCIAL
Friday, 7 p.m - Pearl Street Brewing
LGBTQ+ farmers and friends are invited to network at this annual social.
SHABBAT SOCIAL
Friday, 7-8:30 p.m. - Orange Room
Join the Jewish Farmer Network team for a Shabbat dinner with your Marbleseed friends. Together we will engage in rituals new and old, while exploring the ways our tradition elevates food and builds community.
GRAFTING WORKSHOP AND SCIONWOOD EXCHANGE
Friday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Room B
The Organic Fruit Growers Association (OFGA) and Savannah Institute host this grafting workshop and Scionwood exchange. Open to all fruit growers!
SOIL HEALTH FOCUS GROUP
Saturday, 9-10 a.m. - Orange Room
What does soil health mean to you? Make your voice heard as a participant in a focus group discussion on farmer perceptions of soil health in Wisconsin, organized by the Soil Health, Agroecology, & Liberation Lab (SHALL). All participants will be paid $25 for this 1-hour meeting, which will include opportunities to share ideas and learn from others.
BOOK
Saturday, 10:15-11 a.m. - Bookstore
The Doughertys will be signing copies of their book, The Independent Farmstead
STUDENT NETWORKING FOR SUSTAINABLE AG
Saturday, 2:30-3:30 p.m. - Orange Room
College students from any school are welcome at this meeting hosted by students from University of Wisconsin- Madison.
Voluntary, no-cost on-site evaluations of on-farm food safety practices. On-location field days, workshops and demonstrations. Educational programming and opportunities for local lunches at Wisconsin elementary schools. Translated events and resources for underserved populations.
Suggestions for native plantings and other beekeeper management strategies.
Free, confidential services for farmers, including financial consulting, transition planning, mediation, and mental health resources.
On Friday from 4:30 - 6 p.m. join one of four moderated panel discussions on topics that are front of mind for the whole organic community. Engage with fellow farmers, policy experts, and law makers to discuss the upcoming Farm Bill, The Future Direction of Organics, Land Access, and the promise of cooperative business models.
Room J
Calling all retiring and incoming farmers! Join Renewing the Countryside and individuals who have successfully completed nonfamily farm transitions for an interactive discussion. This is a great opportunity for both incoming and outgoing farmers to connect, network, and talk through potential logistics and creative methods of executing a farm transition with the support and guidance of other experienced farmers and professionals.
Room H
Austin Frerick, Yale University
Lauren Langworthy, Director of Special Projects, Wisconsin Farmer’s Union
Ken Meter, President, Crossroads Resource Center
Kelly Maynard, Cooperative Development Specialist, UW Center for Cooperatives
Josh Bryceson, Turnip Rock Farm
Generations of farmers have depended on cooperatives as an essential tool to support their livelihoods and their communities. Do co-ops support a fairer food system? Can they offer alternative solutions to corporate consolidation? Join this conversation to hear about the key role that cooperatives can play in re-developing community-centered food and farming systems. Panelists will provide examples of different cooperative efforts from around the country. They will also explore the challenges and opportunities of farmer-led cooperative models.
Room K
Moderator: Lori Stern
Francis Thicke, Radiance Dairy
David Glasgow, USDA National Organic Program
Alan Lewis, Natural Grocers
Adam Warthesen, Director of Government & Industry Affairs at CROPP Cooperative
Doug Crabtree, Vilicus Farm
There are a number of reasons to be enthusiastic about the future of Organic as we work our way through this time of unprecedented support form the USDA, ever growing consumer demand for many organic products, and long-awaited rules updates. We also know we face some challenges and potential threats to the label that denotes for many of us a movement as much as it does an industry sector. Join us as we explore what lies ahead and how we can continue to improve and protect the label that is at the foundation of our work.
Room I
Margaret Krome, Policy Program Director, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
Kate Mendenhall, Organic Farmers Association
Steve Etka, Policy Director, National Organic Coalition
Hannah Quigley, Policy Specialist, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
Maia Usher-Rasmussen, National Young Farmers Coalition
The process is underway to develop the 2023 Farm Bill, and now is the time for the organic community to move our priorities forward together. Join this panel discussion as we identify our shared objectives, discuss the process and how we can engage it, and what all of us can do to help ensure that this next Farm Bill supports the kind of farming that supports people and planet. Margaret Krome, Policy Director at the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, will moderate a panel that includes policy experts from NOC, OFA, NSAC, and the National Young Farmers Coalition.
Now in it’s 14th year, the Marbleseed In Her Boots project has been providing resources, training, networking and collaboration opportunities for the women who are transforming our food system.
Questions or ideas for In Her Boots? Contact Lori Stern, Marbleseed Executive Director, lori.stern@marbleseed.org.
All In Her Boots meetings will be held in the Red Room.
Friday, 8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
Join us to network and be in community with women who who value and implement conservation practices on their land and the professionals who help them achieve their stewardship dreams. Join in to share stories and struggles, learn how to increase your network, and learn how a professionally prepared Conservation Plan (provided for free through WiWiC) can create both a roadmap AND opportunities for funding. Let us know what you would like to learn more about in regards to conservation and soil health!
Friday, 10 - 10:45 a.m.
Join us for an informal gathering to meet other woman-identified farmers from your state, region, and maybe even your hometown. Women new to farming and the Marbleseed Conference: come and connect!
Friday, 11 - 11:45 a.m.
Women continue to face challenges when seeking land and capital for farming enterprises, compounded by the intersections of race, ethnicity and recent immigrant status. Come and hear about some unique approaches that some women in our community have taken to overcome the barriers in accessing land and seeking funding.
Saturday, 8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
The Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC) Team answers questions and provides one-on-one support to help women landowners and farmers navigate conservation planning and costshare funding programs for increasing stewardship practices on their land.
Saturday, 10 - 10:45 a.m.
Come and hear the story of three women farmers that took on the right to sell non-hazardous food items made at home. Coming from their second legal victory in four years, their efforts also catalyzed the Wisconsin Cottage Food Association, which represents people who make homemade foods for sale in the state. Cottage food laws create additional revenue streams for farms to extend their season and diversify their revenue streams.
Saturday, 11 - 11:45 a.m.
Sojourner Truth’s speech in 1863 revealed the lack of inclusivity in the suffrage movement. Fast forward to the early 1970’s and tee shirts that declared “I am the Lesbian Menace” worn at rallies for equal rights for women in a movement that wanted to make the queer community invisible. Come join a conversation that is still central to creating women-centered spaces that value and include us all.
Even the most inclusive planning process cannot anticipate future needs or a shifting present. On Saturday, February 25, 2:20 - 6 p.m., in the final few hours of this year’s conference, we will ensure that we are able to bring collective knowledge and diverse perspectives to the theme of “Farm Viability” within the context of our current reality. What did this year’s workshops, round tables or conversations leave you curious about? Is there more you want to learn about food or farming as you get ready to leave La Crosse and head home? This special group event gives us the opportunity to discuss what we need to have thriving, human scale farms that are healthy for people and the planet.
Come ready and willing to engage with what you are passionate about, and we can promise it will be addressed during this invigorating session of sessions. Gather with farmer peers, in a process designed for exchanging knowledge. You will discover others who care deeply and share an excitement to learn more about topics you bring to the table. Meaningful new relationships will be forged along the way.
Designed to ensure that what matters to you is on the agenda, this portion of the Conference further activates the Marbleseed commitment to remaining farmer centered, providing useful and impactful opportunities for farmers to contribute their expertise, to teach as well as to learn. In this space our Marbleseed community will come together, co-create and discuss the content of most relevance to every participant and to our growing community. We have worked to ensure that all production types and farm operations will be represented. Expect to encounter a mix of our collective past experiences, present realities and future potentials. Be prepared to be surprised! For this participatory session to work best we ask that participants be able to commit to arriving at the start and staying to the end of the session. The results of this collective learning will be available after the conference as a ‘Book of Proceedings’ to keep the learning and curiosity alive throughout the year.
About our facilitator:
Owen Hablutzel is a group-facilitator, consultant and educator working internationally, since 2007, with farmers, ranchers and diverse regenerative, land-focused groups, aiming to amplify land health and invigorate connections of people with each other and the agro-ecosystems they steward.
Join Ag and Agency professionals to get your questions answered 1:1. All Office Hours will be held in the Purple Room off of the exhibit hall.
Friday , 9 - 10 a.m.
Join USDA RMA (Risk Management Agency) staff to get your questions answered about crop insurance and learn about new insurance options for your type of farm.
Friday, 10 - 11 a.m.
Talk shop with staff from Ecocert, MOSA, NICS, and Real Organic Project to learn more about certification, or just ask about an allowable input!
Friday, 11 a.m. - noon
Staff from Xerces Society will answer questions about pollinator habitat on your farm.
Friday, 2 - 3 p.m.
Jason Pennycook from Johnson Tractor will field your questions about precision field crop farming.
Friday, 2-3 p.m.
Are you confused about federal resources and need help finding the right fit for you? Our farmer team of trained connectors offer their personal expertise and advice to support those new to these agricultural programs.
Friday, 3 - 4 p.m.
Visit with NRCS staff and organic conservation specialists to discuss conservation practices for your organic farm.
Saturday, 8 - 9 a.m.
Organic Valley vets will be available to answer your questions.
Saturday, 9 - 10 a.m.
Get answers about the produce safety rule, or best practices on your farm.
Saturday, 10-11 a.m.
Bring your lending and financing questions to Compeer staff.
Saturday, 11 a.m. - noon
Join MOSA and Marbleseed staff to learn more about transitioning to organic, as well as new resources and programs available to help transitioning farmers.
Saturday, 11 a.m. - noon
Glen Borgeding will answer your questions about soil testing- why, when, and what to do with your test results.
We Buy Organic & Conventional Non-GMO:
• Oats
• Corn
• Wheat
• Barley
• Lentils
• Soybeans
• Flax
• Rye
Grain Millers is a privately held, family-owned company. We depend on direct farmer relationships and offer farm gate pricing and contracted grower production. We also offer a Sustainable Grower Program – our Crop Science Team is here to help you with any agronomy questions you may have so you can get the best return on your production.
A true partner is defined by those they support. That’s why at Compeer Financial we’re defined by you — your hopes for the future as well as what you need today. As a local member-owned cooperative, our clients help shape the direction we go and how we serve them. And as agriculture continues to evolve, so will we, together. So whether you need an experienced lender, a trusted advisor or a friend you can count on, we’re ready.
DEFINE YOUR SUCCESS WITH US COMPEER.COM/YOU OR CALL (844) 426-6733
Paul Dietmann, Sr. Lending Specialist (608) 963-7763 | Paul.Dietmann@compeer.com
Sai Thao, Sr. Lending Specialist (612) 597-4086 | Sai.Thao@compeer.com
Sit in on a 45-minute discussion about a farming topic dear to you. The roundtables take place throughout the day, giving you the chance to ask questions and share your insights.
9 - 9:45 a.m. - Yellow Room
Tom Manley, Marbleseed
What is possible in terms of creating a replicable model of producerowned processing infrastructure? What are the barriers? What real impact is the lack of infrastructure having on your farm? This roundtable style discussion will engage grazers and livestock producers to explore existing models, possible ownership structures, and the desired benefits to farmers who might participate. Let’s design something awesome together!
10 - 10:45 a.m. - Yellow Room
Joe Krawczyk & Mary Ellen Kozak, Field & Forest Products
Alma Jorgenson, Lake Superior Community Health Center
Having a relationship can be challenging, and when you add in owning and running a farm into the mix, tensions can get high. This roundtable holds space to discuss the challenges that arise when working with someone you love. We will discuss creative solutions as a group. There is power in knowing that others are going through similar situations and have made it through stronger.
11 - 11:45 a.m. - Yellow Room
Derek Franklin, Iowa State University
What types of wildlife habitat are on your farm and why? How does wildlife habitat affect your land management decisions? Join other farmers to discuss this topic and learn about how others are managing wildlife habitat.
CROP INSURANCE FOR ORGANIC OPERATIONS
2:15 - 3 p.m. - Yellow Room
Kate Hansen, Center for Rural Affairs
Megan Vaith, Northbourne Crop Insurance; USDA Risk Management Agency
Jeff Schahczenski, NCAT
Join insurance professionals to discuss crop insurance for all types of organic farms. Share your stories and get some answers. Live Spanish translation will be available.
2:15 - 3 p.m. - Red Room
Hosted by Midwest GRIT (Grains Resource and Immersive Training) facilitators Dr. Nicole Tautges, Christine Johnson, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute; Alyssa Hartman and Dr. Keith Williams, Artisan Grain Collaborative
Culinary grains production can increase profits but offers a host of challenges distinct from other farming types, including equipment needs, post-harvest storage, and new markets. Join a conversation that is accessible and friendly to growers new to culinary grains introducing “need-to-knows” for getting started growing grains for culinary markets. Beginning farmers are encouraged to attend!
3:15 - 4 p.m. - Yellow Room
Sarah Janes Ugoretz, FairShare CSA Coalition
Magdalen Ng, Turnip Rock Farm
Jesse Schaffer, The Land Connection
A recent national survey conducted by FairShare CSA Coalition found that 4 things matter a lot to employees working on diversified vegetable farms: compensation, communication, work environment, and opportunities for growth. Through this roundtable discussion, we invite farm employees to come together, connect with their peers, and engage with these survey findings, and talk about the resources you’d like to see coming out of this work.
3:15 - 4 p.m. - Red Room
Amy Crone, Marketlink
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This roundtable will be an open discussion about what challenges farmers and markets face in accepting federal nutrition benefits as well as opportunities to use technology to address them. We welcome those who are curious about how to accept these benefits, those who have implemented technology solutions, and those who are experienced with expansion of food access at their farmers market and/or farm.
8 - 8:45 a.m. - Yellow Room
Dan Shield, Stone Creek Farm
Are you growing peaches or want to try? Join Dan Shield to discuss what he has learned and share your insights about which cultivars are working, soil amendments and foliar spray, summer tree training, understanding cooling hours, preparing for and getting through winter, harvest, sales and more.
9 - 9:45 a.m. - Yellow Room
Gather with poultry producers to discuss what breeds you’re raising and why- both layers and meat birds- where you’re getting your chicks or pullets, and all things poultry!
10-10:45 a.m. - Yellow Room
Andrea Klahn, AgrAbility of Wisconsin
Bring your best tips for assistive technology (AT) for organic farming. AgrAbility of Wisconsin specializes in resources for farmers with physical limitations and disabilities, but the AT we recommend is valuable for ALL farmers looking to take care of their bodies while working the land. Everything from mirrors in your tractor to knee pads can help lessen stress on the body and make work more fun. Come and share and hear our top 10 AT suggestions.
11 - 11:45 a.m. - Yellow Room
Vicki Morrone, Organic Outreach Specialist, Michigan State University
Beginning and experienced farmers! Join a facilitated discussion to share your experiences using cover crops to transition your soil to organic, to resuscitate dead soil, and provide needed next season’s crop nutrients via cover crop mixes. Facilitated by researchers and farmers.
Come watch something new and interesting, revisit an old favorite, or just enjoy a break from the action.
Friday
9 - 10:30 a.m. Up on the Mountain
10:45 - 11:15 a.m. The Lambs are Born in the Snow
11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. The Soul of a Farmer
2 - 4:15 p.m. Brix Cider Short Films and Q&A
4:30 - 5 p.m. Legacy Regenerated
Saturday
9 - 9:40 a.m Hasta La Raíz & A Wild Idea
10 - 10:30 a.m. The Soul of a Farmer
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Up on the Mountain
Inside the American West’s wild mushroom harvest. Refugees, immigrants and locals migrate year-round to harvest wild mushrooms in the American west. Working on foot in public forests, it's an accessible path to self-employment. Despite sustainably supplying the world's restaurants, the workers are frequently denied access to public lands. This fascinating verité doc exposes the inequities of natural resources policies, and the resourcefulness of the disenfranchised.
Shot in winter in a difficult-to-reach mountainous region in north-western Iran, the film depicts the lives of nomadic shepherds who are believed to be descendants of the ancient Kadusian people. Mehranfar focuses a family’s daily life, determined by the care of the animals.
This film follows Patty Gentry, a former chef, as she battles to earn a living on her three-acre Early Girl Farm on Long Island. Isabella Rossellini, from whom Patty rents her land tells us, “Patty is the Picasso of vegetables!” The 35-minute documentary upends the romance of farm-to-table. Buying fresh produce directly from farmers markets and at farm stands is wonderful. But the farmer’s life is a constant struggle. We watch Patty work her butt off (with her small, mostly female team) seven days a week, growing the vegetables her top chef clients' treasure. Patty’s passion is to constantly improve her soil, increase her yield of organic vegetables, and just as urgently scramble to stay afloat. Roger Sherman's films have won two Academy Award nominations, an Emmy, a Peabody, and a James Beard Award.
The Brix Project is a 3-year USDA-funded media and outreach collaboration between Brix Cider, UW-Madison, and Black Krim Creative. The project contains a collection of short films, a guest chef series, and community events that all focus on the topic of the farm-to-table movement and how it is defined. Brix Cider sources 90% of their
products regionally or locally creating consistent outlets for the farmers and producers in southwest Wisconsin. Through narrative-based short films, the Brix Project shares the stories of the relationships that Brix Cider owners, Matt and Marie Rabion have with the farms from which they source. Join Jonnah Perkins: Brix Project Creative Director, Jules Reynolds, PhD: Community Outreach and Evaluation, and Michael Dolan: Farmer at Seven Seeds Farm for a Q&A after the screenings.
In 1865, Patrick Brown’s great-grandfather escaped slavery on Oakley Grove Plantation in Warren County, North Carolina. After the war, he worked as a sharecropper on another plantation and started what would become a fourth-generation farm. Today, Patrick is committed to regenerative farming practices so his century-old farm can stay in the family for at least another 100 years—and he’s leading with industrial hemp. Follow Patrick’s journey of stewardship, hard work and his powerful vision to subvert Oakley Grove’s sinister legacy.
Hispanic people make up the majority of US farmworkers, yet only 4% of farm owners are Hispanic. Javier Zamora immigrated to the US from Mexico when he was a young man, worked in restaurants and bought a house for his family. When he lost the house and his job during the housing crisis, he decided to complete his high school diploma and go back to his farming roots. But at 43 years old, the prospect of owning his own farm seemed out of reach. With the support of his family, community and a farmer advocacy organization called ALBA, Zamora set out to defy the odds.
A Wild Idea shares a day in the life on the ranch and the ethos that informs every aspect of their work, how our Wild Idea Work Boots are crafted in Portugal by fifth-generation cobblers and how everyone involved in the process is motivated to leave things a little better than they found them.
Film screening hosts:
Gretta Wing Miller from Madison-based Downtown Dailies/Blue Studio creates documentary/advocacy videos for socially and environmentally conscious clients.
Film screenings sponsored by: Wisconsin Farmers Union.
Marbleseed 2023 attendees can present their name badge at the distillery all weekend for 10 percent off!
5 p.m. - 8 p.m. - North Hall Lower
Join us for a party in the Exhibit Hall and meet friends old and new. Enjoy snacks, music, and a cash bar.
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Patagonia Workwear Booth
Celebrate the 2023 Farmers of the Year and Changemaker at a happy hour hosted in their honor with Patagonia Workwear.
4 p.m. - 7 p.m. - North Hall Lower
Join us for a party in the Exhibit Hall and meet friends old and new. Enjoy snacks, music, and a cash bar.
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Patagonia Workwear Booth
Join Patagonia Workwear for a happy hour and hemp conversation following the screening of Patagonia’s film, Legacy Regenerated, playing in the Film Room at 4:30 pm.
5 p.m. - 7 p.m. - North
Bring your seeds and join us for a seeed swap hosted by Seed Savers, with Driftless Seed Company, and Experimental Farm Network. Participants are strongly encouraged to come with something to swap, but all are welcome. Bring your favorite organic, open-pollinated seeds, your friends, and a bag or container to carry your seeds home in.
6:30 p.m. - 11 p.m. - Pearl Street Brewery
Join us for locally brewed beer, live music and drink specials for conference attendees. The New Farmer Mixer and Queers in the Field will also gather Friday evening at Pearl Street Brewery.
7 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. - Concordia Ballroom
Midwinter Folk Dance with the Fred Slough Band, Betsy, Neil, and caller Sue Hulsether. Families are encouraged to attend! No experience required.
Marcia L. Eiynck is the founder of Beargrease Botanicals, a naturopathic store that sells medicine made with foraged plants and herbs.
Marcia is honored and humbled to be named the Marbleseed 2023 Changemaker of the Year. In her words, “A person gets used to being the “hippie” in the family (for me, this nickname is also an honor), and you don’t realize that people are noticing you. For my business, Beargrease Botanicals, this means more visibility and education.”
Beargrease Botanicals was founded with the philosophy that food is medicine and what we eat matters. Marcia has always been conscious of what she and her family are
putting into their bodies. Born and raised on a family farm, Marcia carried that tradition over when raising her own children. Marcia also raised meat, eggs, and vegetables to provide for her family.
In 2020, Marcia started Beargrease Botanicals with only a few teas and one tincture that she sold to her own people on the Grand Portage Reservation. The next year she branched out and sold in Grand Marais to visitors from outside the area as well as some locals who stopped by too. By the summer of 2022, Marcia was selling at the American Indian Community Housing Organization’s Indigenous Food and Art Market. Marcia says that teaching is a part of her culture. She believes that “people shouldn’t have to pay to learn how to be good stewards of the land and take care of their health . . . medicine, whether it is our native natural teachings or modern-day pills, is meant to be short term. There are underlying medical conditions that can be addressed, first with the help of medicine, and after that, it has to be life changes.”
Currently, Marcia is settling into her role as Agricultural Division Director for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. It’s an important and demanding role that she has been working toward for so many years. But more importantly, it is work that she loves, respects, and has a passion for.
“A person gets used to being the “hippie” in the fAmily (for me, this nicknAme is Also An honor), And you don’t reAlize thAt people Are noticing you. for my business, beArgreAse botAnicAls, this meAns more visibility And educAtion.”
When approaching the work of wild-harvesting plants for medicine, Marcia says that “some things to remember when out in the deep wilderness are: go with an open mind and heart, go without worry or bad thoughts, put asemaa [tobacco] down and ask the plants’ permission to harvest, talk to the plants, talk to your ancestors, and leave plenty for our animal relatives.”
Saturday, 12:30 pm
Harold and Ross Wilken own and operate Janie’s Farm Organics, a multi-generational family farm using the latest technology to raise hybrid and heritage food-grade grains. They serve large and small food companies, as well as many brewers and distillers, with their certified organic corn, soybeans, wheat, rye, oats, buckwheat, and other grains.
To Harold, the Farmer of the Year award “is a full-circle moment. The people we met and what we learned at the MOSES (now Marbleseed) conference made it possible for us to start a successful organic farming operation and a multigenerational farming operation.” According to Harold, people are often told not to come back to the farm
because there isn’t room for them, “but organic farming provides the opportunity to bring in a new generation of farmers.”
As 4th and 5th generation farmers on the fertile land of Iroquois County, IL, they are continuing their family’s tradition of caring for the soil and growing good food for their community. Harold explains, “I remember the way my grandparents farmed—without the use of pesticides, and with a focus on nurturing strong soil health. I continue in their footsteps, using hand and machine cultivation instead of herbicides, and seek to leave the soil deeper, richer, and healthier than I found it.”
“orgAnic fArming provides the opportunity to bring in A neW generAtion of fArmers.”
The farming philosophy at Janie’s Farm is to restore the life and health of the soil through crop rotation and cover cropping. These practices add nutrients to the soil, sequester carbon, increase water absorption, prevent soil erosion, and can suppress weeds, insect pests, and soil-borne plant diseases. Additionally, they provide jobs, on the farm and in their mill, that help keep their rural community healthy—economically, environmentally, and socially. For Ross, his “favorite aspect of organic farming is the community of farmers it has brought together, where we can share ideas and collaborate on how to tackle the challenges. We are truly in the trenches together.”
Ross and Harold’s sister business, Janie’s Mill, is an extension of the farm that sprung up one day as Harold was watching tons of his organic wheat flow into a semi before traveling many miles away from Janie’s Farm for processing. It took years of research and planning before they began stone-grinding grains from Janie’s Farm in the spring of 2017. The father and son duo worked with bakers to get their input and feedback, and by fall, they were milling consistent, high-quality flours that earned kudos from both home and professional bakers. They have been milling those flours and adding more to meet bakers’ specific needs ever since. Janie’s Farm and Mill is named after Harold and his wife Sandy’s daughter Janie who passed away in 2001 at the age of 15.
For Harold, “there were many things over the years that inspired me to transition to organic, one of which was so that his son Ross, “would never have to handle another pound of herbicide or insecticide, and because “[he] didn’t like to witness the downward trend our soil was on.”
Breakfast and lunch are included with full-day registration. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day for all conference attendees.
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,” so people with severe food allergies may want to secure alternative meal options.
Hard boiled eggs, whole fruit, granola, dairy and soy yogurt, hot oatmeal with toppings
BREAk FOOD
Corn chips, salsa, corn relish, granola bars, assorted beverages
THuRSDAy LuNCH
Roasted turkey breast with butternut squash, leek, and sage stuffing topped with apple cider gravy; roasted potatoes; vegetable medley
VEGAN: Roasted beets with quinoa, candied walnuts, onions, and Swiss chard with a balsamic glaze
FRIDAy LuNCH
Penne pasta with Italian sausage and ground beef tomato sauce; baked chicken primavera; garlic breadsticks; Italian salad
VEGAN: Bolognese with fusilli
SATuRDAy LuNCH
Chili with fixings; cornbread; tortilla chips with corn salsa; brats and hot dogs; soycutash salad
VEGAN: Beet chili and hot dogs
Thanks to these folks for donating the good stuff for our meals!
Annie’s Organics
Blue Farm
Ciranda
Co-op Partners Warehouse
Driftless Organics
Equal Exchange
Four Elements Herbal
Gourmet’s Delight Mushroom
Farm
Igl Farms
Maple Valley
Meadowlark Organics
Mountain Rose Herbs
Muir Glen
Nature’s Path
Natural Grocers
Once Again Nut Butters
Organic Prairie
Organic Valley
Peace Coffee
People’s Food Co-op
Singing Dog Vanilla
SnoPac
Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Located through the skyway in the Radisson.
To ensure that other conference attendees can hear the presenters, please make sure your children are quiet and supervised during workshops. If they need attention, please leave the workshop room.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ages 12-17 (drop in)
The staff of Farmers Union’s Kamp Kenwood leads educational activities in our Teen Space.
Nursing moms have a quiet room behind the Arena Exhibit Hall. See the map on page 46.
Several restrooms are designated as gender neutral. See the map on page 46.
See staff at Check-In if you need help.
A great crew of volunteers helps make the Marbleseed Conference run smoothly. If you need help navigating the conference center, just look for someone wearing a green “volunteer” ribbon or yellow “staff” ribbon—we’re happy to help you find your way!
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. Contribute to a scholarship at marbleseed.org/ donate.
The City of La Crosse has made free parking available in several nearby ramps and lots. View these parking locations on the map in the conference app or get a print copy at the Help Desk.
Explore La Crosse has arranged with many area hotels to shuttle guests to and from the Marbleseed Conference. See the schedule in the conference app or pick up a schedule at the Help Desk.
To access Wi-Fi in the La Crosse Center: Network: Marbleseed Password: organic
This year, audio recordings are included with your registration and will be available by April.
Marbleseed is committed to environmentally sound practices for this conference. Recycling stations are located throughout the conference center. We contract with Hilltopper Refuse and Recycling to ensure our recyclables stay out of the incinerator/landfill.
Please help us maintain this environmental commitment by placing waste in the appropriate containers.
Go zero-waste: this year we’re offering conference attendees reusable bamboo utensils for their meals. Pick them up at Check-In. We also provide drinking water to fill your own reusable container or our washed-&-ready conference commemorative glass mugs—available in the Marbleseed x ACRES Bookstore and at the Help Desk in the North Hall.
The Marbleseed Conference App is another way we’re working to reduce the amount of paper and printing we must do for this event. You can find the app in your phone’s app store. Just search for Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference.
We’re the organization formerly known as the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES). For over thirty years, we’ve been working in community with regenerative and organic farmers across the Midwest. Now we’re continuing that work and leveraging our social capital to grow the region’s organic farming movement. Our name has changed, but our work remains the same: farmer-led and rooted in organic.
Marbleseed is committed to maximizing an organic, regenerative farming ecosystem across the Midwest to provide right-livelihoods for human scale farmers, food justice for eaters, and environmental protection. This is our 34th Organic Farming Conference, and while planning the conference is a big part of what we do, we are busy throughout the year with a variety of programs related to our mission.
Our programs are shaped and often led by farmers who know best what they need for information and resilience.
A new and collectively launched social network and organizing platform for production and farmer affinity groups. Check out the features and make connections with farmers across the Midwest at the Marbleseed booth or visit agsolidaritynetwork.com to learn more!
Farmer and rural mental health services are a critical need, particularly in the last two years of social distancing. This project trains farmers to be supportive peers.
We have an amazing group of farmers ready to answer your questions about production and farm business. Get answers to your questions about farming and organic rules by calling the Organic Answer Line at 888-906-6737 or online at marbleseed.org/ resources.
This year-long program pairs experienced and new organic farmers to encourage successful organic farms.
Farmer-led circles where farmers connect to define challenges, share knowledge, and identify solutions to the most pressing needs of their communities. Production-focused groups meet quarterly online and in-person.
These on-farm events showcase what works, giving farmers ideas to put in practice on their own farms.
This project, in collaboration with Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, acknowledges that 35% of all producers are women, many of whom have been and still are underserved by conservation funding and support agencies. This project works with women conservation coaches to change that.
GRASSROOTS
Marbleseed is a represented member in both the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and the National Organic Coalition. We are working with these organizations to amplify the voices of organic farmers in the Midwest and support farmers in organizing in advance of the 2023 Farm Bill.
This annual educational retreat covers farm financial and business management for intermediate beginning farmers or anyone who is ready to plan for future success. Stay up to date at www.newfarmeru.org.
A partnership between Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Marbleseed, Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative, and Wisconsin Farmers Union to strengthen local and regional food systems.
Finding quality, affordable land is challenging. Wisconsin Farmland Access Navigators are trained to guide beginning farmers through the process of finding property and securing land tenure. The Wisconsin Land Access Hub is a group of professionals that assist in land acquisition and are aware of the challenges and needs of beginning farmer land seekers.
With a focus on advanced beginning farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers, this program is enhancing mentorship and support, creating a holistic approach to building a more just system of agriculture and agricultural funding.
WEBSITE
Find information about organic farming practices and organic certification at marbleseed.org. The Farming by Topic section has how-to articles and related resources.
FEARLESS FARM FINANCES
This resource book is packed with instructions, tips, and tools for setting up and managing a farm’s financial system. Get it in the Marbleseed Conference Bookstore or online. The free Fearless Farm Finances course teaches you how to master your farm’s finances!
GUIDEBOOK FOR ORGANIC CERTIFICATION
A 32-page guide to organic certification and production.
ORGANIC BROADCASTER NEWSPAPER
This quarterly newspaper provides practical information and news about organic farming to more than 15,000 readers. We offer it without charge to farmers.
ORGANIC FACT SHEETS
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 fact sheets, workbooks, guidebooks, and more.
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patagonia.com/workwear
Exhibitor Presentation
Stage
Purple Room
Snack Table
Research Poster Gallery
Acres x mArbleseed bookstore (conference t-shirts & mugs)
up to north hAll & lobby
Marbleseed
Visit the Exhibit Hall to find businesses and organizations that can support the goals of your farm. Rotating presentations on the Exhibitor Presentation Stage give an opportunity to learn more about products and services available. Exhibit hall presentation schedules available onsite.
Acres U.S.A. (BOOKSTORE)
Connects farmers, ranchers, and growers with modern economical and ecological farming methods through magazine, books, websites, and events PO Box 1690, Greeley, CO 80632 800-355-5313 info@acresusa.com https://www.acresusa.com
Ag Resource, Inc (122)
Independent ag consulting company and soil testing laboratory specializing in organic fertility programs and weed management for organic farms 35268 State Highway 34, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 218-847-9351 dgbari@tekstar.com www.agresourceincmn.com
AgrAbility of Wisconsin (304)
Since 1991, AgrAbility of Wisconsin has been promoting success in agriculture for farmers with disabilities and their families.
460 Henry Mall, Madison, WI 53706 608-262-9336 aharguth@wisc.edu
https://agrability.bse.wisc.edu/ Agri Life LLC (813)
Uses symbiosis of plants & beneficial microbes for targeted use in seed, soil, and root growth. 2207 Concord Pike # 523, Wilmington, DE 19803 855-527-7508 karthik@agrilifeusa.com www.agrilifeusa.com
Agricultural Flaming Innovations (130/131) Flame weeding equipment for weed and pest control: increased safety, increased energy efficiency, and higher quality treatments.
8221 S 63rd St, Lincoln, NE 68516 402-326-8086 info@agflame.com www.agflame.com
AgriEnergy Solutions, LLC (804) Offers a full line of biological/organic fertilizers & pest control products for crop production. 717 S Main St, Princeton, IL 61356 815-915-8088 info@agrienergysolutions.com www.agrienergysolutions.com
Albert Lea Seed (701/714)
Organic & non-GMO farm seed—corn, soybeans, alfalfa, cover crops, small grains, forage—from locally-owned & independent company since 1923. 1414 W Main St., Albert Lea, MN 56007 800-370-7979 denise@alseed.com www.alseed.com
All Energy Solar (502)
Easy and affordable solar for homeowners & businesses. 1264 Energy Lane, Saint Paul, MN 55108 800-620-3370
info@allenergysolar.com
https://www.allenergysolar.com/
All of Us Research Program - UW Madison 750 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705 608-347-9391
slbath@wisc.edu
www.allofus.wisc.edu
All Star Trading (133)
Buys and sells organic & non-GMO crops; competitive pricing, personal service, current market info. 1750 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173
Mail@allstartrading.com Allstartrading.com
BCS America LLC (802)
Premier two-wheel tractors with attachments for seedbed preparation, mowing, and snow clearing. 14151 Fir Street, Oregon City, OR 97045 800-543-1040
info@bcsamerica.com
https://www.bcsamerica.com
BioFlora (912)
Trusted brand for organic and sustainable solutions for agriculture for over 40 years. 4050 S Sarival, Goodyear, AZ 85338 602-932-1522
kselman@globalorganicsgroup.com
Blue Farm
Locally owned, organically grown tortilla chips produced and distributed by Randy and Judy. Hughes 1510 S River Rd, Janesville, WI 53546 608-756-3567 bluefarmchips.com
Bushman Organic Farms (505)
Buyer and seller of organic grains, meal, and oil. 1047 202nd Ave, Fort Atkinson, IA 52144 563-534-7300
nicole@bushmanorganics.com www.bushmanorganics.com
Cashton Farm Supply (606/607)
Quality ag products made with organic & non-GMO grains: feed, fertilizer, soybean meal and oil processing; organic-approved & Non-GMO Project Verified.
300 State Highway 27, Cashton, WI 54619 608-654-5123 organic@cfspecial.com cfspecial.com
Center for Agrarian Learning at McHenry County College (613)
Programs for current and aspiring farmers in farm business viability and entrepreneurial agriculture. McHenry County College, 8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012 815-479-7618 sdoyel@mchenry.edu www.mchenry.edu/cal
Ciranda
Supplies the natural products industry with organic, non-GMO, and fair-trade ingredients. Clients include manufacturers and consumer brands in the food, beverage, nutritional, and personal care markets.
708 2nd St, Hudson, WI 54016
888-329-3577 | 715-386-1737 sales@ciranda.com
ciranda.com
Civil Eats
Civil Eats is a daily news source for critical thought about the American food system. https://civileats.com
Compeer Financial (109/110)
Member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving rural communities with loans, leases, and other financial services in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
2600 Jenny Wren Trail, Sun Prairie, WI 53590 844-426-6733
paul.dietmann@compeer.com compeer.com/emergingmarkets
Co-Op Partners Warehouse
Wholesale distributor of organic produce, dairy, and grocery for retail stores and restaurants in the Upper Midwest.
744 Vandalia Street, St. Paul, MN 55114 651-644-7000 orders@cpw.coop www.cpw.coop
Copperhead Ag (139/140)
Copperhead Ag offers innovative products for planting & harvest, helping farmers with control, success, & yields since 2008.
Copperhead Ag, 45802 254th St, Humboldt, SD 57035 855-876-7440
sales@copperheadag.com
https://copperheadag.com
Cowsmo (703)
Making and supplying the finest organic compost and potting soils for over 30 years. S1843 County Rd U, Cochrane, WI 54622 608-626-2571
jrosenow@mwt.net
www.cowsmocompost.com
Crop Fertility Services (704) Pelletized chicken manure, organic farm equipment, finding high performance seed, and building farming systems that work.
2566 Rockwood Ave SW, Cokato, MN 55321 612-309-7522
ron@cropfertilityservices.com
https://www.cropfertilityservices.com/
Cutler Fence LLC (602)
We supply materials, consulting, and installation of livestock fence and portable water systems for graziers. 2670 County Rd N, Milladore, WI 54454 715-305-5670
rcutler@tznet.com
Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (302) Accredited apprenticeships created by and for farmers to address industry challenges. 247606 Gad Rd, Medford, WI 54451 715-553-0364
angie@dga-national.org
https://www.dga-national.org
Dr. Pauls Lab & Dr. Sarah’s Essentials (713) Organically approved tinctures, salves, and botanicals for livestock. 9559 County Rd Y, Mazomanie, WI 53560 608-370-7638
drpaulslabllc@gmail.com
www.drpaulslab.net
Dr. Bronner’s Socially & environmentally responsible products of the highest quality, with profits dedicated to help make a better world place. PO Box 1958, Vista, CA 92085 844-937-2551 info@drbronner.com drbronner.com
Dramm Corporation (202/203)
Family run company focused on producing high quality tools and fertilizers to aid in growers’ success for over 80 years.
PO Box 1960, Manitowoc, WI 54220 920-684-0227
jellis@dramm.com
http://www.dramm.com
Earth & Turf Products (212)
Compact compost spreaders and top dressers for your lawn or business.
1867 Kirkwood Pike, Kirkwood, PA 17536 717-368-4058
johnb@earthandturf.com
https://earthandturf.com/
Ecocert USA (406)
Certifies organic products in 130 countries; also provides fair trade certification, ecological management training, and carbon and reforestation standards.
2498 Perry Crossing Way, Ste 210, Plainfield, IN 46168 888-337-8246 info.ecocertusa@ecocert.com http://www.ecocertusa.com
eOrganic (7)
Free online resource offering information on organic farming and research that is compliant with organic regulations.
Dept of Horticulture, Oregon State University, 2750 SW Campus Way, Corvallis, OR 97331 541-737-3483
alice.formiga@oregonstate.edu
https://eorganic.org/
Extension Risk Management Education (ERME) (206) Funds educational projects that directly benefit agricultural producers through a competitive application process.
308A Filley Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583 402-472-2757 sheila.johnson@unl.edu http://extensionrme.org
F.W. Cobs Company, Inc. (113/114)
Purchases organic grains for delivery or FOB farm; Midwest elevator locations in Stewart (MN) and Saint Ansgar and Council Bluffs (IA). PO Box 30, St Albans Bay, VT 05481 888-531-4888 info@fwcobs.com fwcobs.com
FairShare CSA Coalition (412)
Connects farmers and eaters through CSA for access to locally produced, organic food from small family farms. 211 S Paterson St #280, Madison, WI 53703 608-226-0300 info@csacoalition.org csacoalition.org
Family Farm Defenders (404) Supports sustainable agriculture, farm worker rights, animal welfare, consumer safety, fair trade, & food sovereignty. PO Box 1772, Madison, WI 53701 608-260-0900 familyfarmdefenders@yahoo.com www.familyfarmers.org
Farm Aid (4)
Helping farmers connect with resources, including experts in farm advocacy, technical assistance, business and finance, counseling, and hotline support. 501 Cambridge St #3, Cambridge, MA 02114
1-800-FARM-AID
farmhelp@farmaid.org
https://www.farmaid.org/our-work/ resources-for-farmers/
Farm Power Implements (134)
USA distributor for Einbock, Falc, and Meneguzzo. Organic weed control is our specialty.
14213 Washington St, Woodstock, IL 60098 815-308-5740
Ljohnson@farmpower.us
https://www.farmpowerimplements.com/
Farmer Veteran Coalition of Wisconsin (FVC-WI) (303) Resources & support for Veterans, families, & associates interested in farming. Learn how you can become a member for free by saying “At Ease.” 405 County Rd NN, Wilson, WI 54027 608-960-8291
jkoch7777@yahoo.com
fvcwisconsin.org
Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (803) Represents small sustainable farms in addressing legal constraints on direct consumer sales, through legal representation, education, and policy work. 8116 Arlington Blvd #263, Falls Church, VA 22042 703-208-3276(FARM)
info@farmtoconsumer.org
https://www.farmtoconsumer.org/
Flame Engineering, Inc. (504) Flaming equipment for row crops, vegetable beds, orchards, & sanitizing poultry houses. PO Box 577, La Crosse, KS 67548 800-255-2469 darren@flameengineering.com www.FlameEngineering.com
Forrest Keeling Nursery (611)
Native plants, trees, shrubs, and perennials produced using Forrest Keeling’s patented Root Production Method (RPM) growing process.
88 Forrest Keeling Ln, Elsberry, MO 63343 800-356-2401 info@fknursery.com https://fknursery.com/
Foundation Direct Seeds, LLC (106/107)
Providing quality organic and non-GMO corn, alfalfa, and grasses for over 25 years. Steve and Scott Mohr, owners. 634 13th Ave, North Onalaska, WI 54650 608-780-5460 | 608-769-2764 smohr5@charter.net www.foundationorganicseed.com
Four Elements Organic Herbals (118) Handmade herbal body products & teas. 111 East Walnut St, North Freedom, WI 53951 608-522-4492 www.fourelementsherbals.com
Full Sircle Products (310)
Helps farmers support the plant to reach its maximum potential as nature intended. We build cutting edge recommendations for soil-applied or foliar-based programs for the plant and soil needs.
313 E Van Buren St, Garnavillo, IA 52049 314-843-1433 | 563-451-5005 info.fullsircle@gmail.com
Four Elements Organic Herbals (118) Handmade herbal body products & teas. 111 East Walnut St, North Freedom, WI 53951 608-522-4492 www.fourelementsherbals.com
Gallagher North America (602) 5005 NW 41st St, Riverside, MO 64150 800-531-5908 am.gallagher.com
General Mills
Committed to doing good in the world, both as a company and through our portfolio of brands, partnering with farmers in our supply chains and in key sourcing regions to advance organic and regenerative agriculture. 800-248-7310 generalmills.com
Germain’s Seed Technology (914/901)
Value-added seed technology solutions for the seed industry and the growers.
8333 Swanston Ln, Gilroy, CA 95020 669-305-2043 sdavis@germains.com https://germains.com/us/
Grain Millers, Inc. (301/314)
Purchaser and supplier of organic oats, corn, soybeans, flax, and many other small grains to produce organic food ingredients and products that you will find on your grocery store shelves.
10400 Viking Dr, Ste 301, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 800-232-6287 www.grainmillers.com
GrassWorks, Inc. (100)
Grassroots organization providing education to farmers and consumers for the advancement of managed grassbased agriculture.
E17995 Western Rd, Hillsboro, WI 54634 608-475-3361 director@grassworks.org grassworks.org
Great Harvest Organics (305)
Grows and markets certified organic F1 Hybrid single-cross seed corn seed, soybeans, and soft red winter wheat.
6803 E 276th St, Atlanta, IN 46031 800-937-2325
dave.ross@beckshybrids.com www.beckshybrids.com
Great Western Sales/Organic Gem (608/609) Organic Gem® is the purest organic fish fertilizer on the market today.
PO Box 1788, Land O Lakes, FL 34639 877-323-3003 info@greatwesternsales.com www.greatwesternsales.com
Henke Buffalo (308/309)
Henke Buffalo high residue cultivator and roller mills and Apache Palco equipment designed specifically for efficient and profitable cattle handling and feeding. PO Box 2047, Norfolk, NE 68702 402-371-1400
dale@apacheequipment.com
www.apacheequipment.com
High Island Organics (102) Family-owned producer of organic fertilizer made from dried chicken manure.
28243 505th Ave, Winthrop, MN 55396 507-614-7060
adam@highislandorganics.com highislandorganics.com
High Mowing Organic Seeds (808)
Independently owned, farm-based seed company proudly serving organic growers. 76 Quarry Rd, Wolcott, VT 05680 866-735-4454
tradeshows@highmowingseeds.com
https://www.highmowingseeds.com/
Intertribal Agriculture Council (105) Conducts programming designed to further the goal of improving Indian Agriculture, promoting the Indian use of Indian resources and contracts with federal agencies to maximize resources for tribal members. PO Box 139, Des Moines, IA 50301 515-608-8622 | 515-412-4802 info@iowaorganic.org http://www.iowaorganic.org
Iowa Organic Association + Midwest Organic Pork Conference (213)
Advancing organic through education, research, promotion, and market development and policy. PO Box 139, Des Moines, IA 50301 515-412-4802 info@iowaorganic.org http://www.iowaorganic.org
Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT, PBC (108) Organic farmland finance company that provides farmer-friendly leases and mortgages to the next generation of organic farmer. 708 Church St, Ste 234, Evanston, IL 60201 847-859-6645 info@iroquoisvalleyfarms.com www.iroquoisvalley.com
Janie’s Farm Organics & Janie’s Mill (Farmers of the Year) (8) We grow many varieties of organic grains on Janie’s Farm and stone-mill them at Janie’s Mill. 854 E. 2300 N Danforth, IL 60930 815-644-4032
info@janiesmill.com
https://www.janiesfarm.com/
Jewish Farmer Network (9)
Mobilizes Jewish agricultural wisdom to build a more just and regenerative food system for all. www.jewishfarmernetwork.org
Johnny’s Selected Seeds (306/307)
Mail order and online supplier of vegetable, flower, and herb seeds along with tools and supplies. 955 Benton Ave, Winslow, ME 49013 207-660-4337
djokela@johnnyseeds.com www.johnnyseeds.com
Johnson Tractor (115)
A nine-store dealership with stores in Wisconsin and Illinois, carrying Case IH, New Holland, Kubota, Kinze, and more.
1110 N US Hwy 14, Janesville, WI 53546 815-739-3562
jasonp@johnsontractor.com
https://www.johnsontractor.com
Kongskilde Industries (402)
Gentle high-performance solutions for conveying, drying, cleaning, and storage of crops.
1802 Industrial Park Dr, Normal, IL 61761 309-452-3300
alg@kongskilde-industries.com www.kongskilde-industries.com
Kreher Family Farms (902)
OMRI-certified composted layer manure and dry, granular fertilizer blends to improve soil and optimize growing conditions.
5411 Davison Rd, Clarence, NY 14031 716-759-6802 | 585-545-5445
contactus@krehereggs.com
www.krehereggs.com
Kuhn North America (910)
KUHN offers a wide range of innovative equipment for hay, forage, livestock, crop production, and more. 1501 W 7th Ave, Brodhead, WI 53520
www.kuhn.com
Kult-Kress LLC (913)
Cultivation solutions, for vineyard, vegetable, grain, and specialty crops. PO Box 485, New Holland, PA 17557 717-298-8030
michael.smith@kult-kress.com
kult-kress.com
La Crosse Distilling Co.
La Crosse Wisconsin’s first distillery, providing handcrafted spirits using top quality ingredients from family farmers.
129 Vine St, La Crosse, WI 54601 608-881-8800
info@lacrossedistilling.co
www.lacrossedistilling.co
Lake Superior Community Health Center (410) Provides comprehensive, integrated, and cost-effective medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare to all, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. We strive to improve health and well-being for individuals, families, and communities.
4325 Grand Ave, Duluth, MN 55807 218-722-1497
https://lschc.org/
Lakewinds Food Co-op (807)
Community-owned grocery store promoting sustainable agriculture and local makers.
6321 Bury Dr, Ste 21, Eden Prairie, MN 55346 952-512-2137 jenniferd@lakewinds.com Lakewinds.com
Land Stewardship Project (211)
Membership organization working to enhance the health of the land, foster thriving farms, and create prosperous and just communities.
821 E 35th St, Minneapolis, MN 55407 612-722-6377 | 507-523-3366 info@landstewardshipproject.org www.landstewardshipproject.org
Local Food Marketplace, Inc. (101)
Provides software and services for local food hubs: online farmers markets, buying clubs, and more. Eugene, OR 541-579-3195 stefanie@localfoodmarketplace.com https://home.localfoodmarketplace.com
Mad Capital (506/507)
Easy-to-access financing for farmers at all stages of their regenerative organic journey. 728 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302 312-914-1578 howdy@madcapital.com www.madcapital.com
Marbleseed (M1)
Education, resources, and practical advice to help farmers grow; specialists to answer questions about organic practices and certification. PO Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767 715-778-5775 info@marbleseed.org marbleseed.org
MarketLink (911)
Assists farmers and markets with accepting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps) and electronic payments. PO Box 9080, Alexandria, VA 22304 443-212-8084 info@marketlink.org https://www.marketlink.org/
Maya America (806)
Manufacturer of corn and sunflower headers, backed with a 3-year warranty. 4622 390th St, Emmetsburg, IA 50536 jonathon@mayaamerica.com https://www.mayaamerica.com
MCIA-Minnesota Crop Improvement Association (129) USDA NOP-accredited certification agency, serving organic producers, handlers, and processors in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. 1900 Hendon Ave, St Paul, MN 55108 612-625-7766 | 855-213-4461 michelle.menken@mncia.org https://www.mncia.org/services-programs/ organic-services/
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (127/128)
Addressing the challenges of soil fertility, water quality, climate resilience, food security, and farm success through research, education, and policy. N8030 Townline Rd, PO Box 990, East Troy, WI 53120 262-642-3303
web@michaelfields.org
https://michaelfields.org/
Midwest Laboratories (511)
Industry leader in analytical testing with a 45-year history of accurate, defensible agricultural analysis. 13611 B St, Omaha, NE 68144 402-334-7770 contactus@midwestlabs.com midwestlabs.com
Minnesota Farmers Union (116/117)
Works to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through legislation, cooperation, and education.
305 Roselawn Ave E, Ste 200, St. Paul, MN 55117 651-639-1223 claudine@mfu.org www.mfu.org
MOSA Certified Organic (601/614)
USDA accredited, nonprofit organic certification agency based in Viroqua, WI. We certify organic processors, distributors, retailers, and restaurants.
122 West Jefferson St, Viroqua, WI 54665 844-637-2526 mosa@mosaorganic.org mosaorganic.org
Mythic Farm LLC
Family-owned organic seed potato farm with a mission to grow good potatoes and share the stories they hold. 4628 County Rd FF, Blue Mounds, WI 53517 608-212-7816 jesse@mythicfarm
National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) (1) Helping people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources.
3040 Continental Dr, Butte, MT 59701 406-494-4572 4info@ncat.org
https://www.ncat.org/
Nature Safe Fertilizers (313)
Organic fertilizer products that enhance efficiency, reduce risk of nutrient loss, and reduce environmental impact while improving soil health; a brand of Darling Ingredients.
4221 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KN 41076 800-743-7413 | 402-727-4318 MRiehle@darlingii.com naturesafe.com
Natures Grown Organics (503)
High-quality USDA certified organic feeds and custom mixes; custom storage.
203 Swiggum St, Westby, WI 54667 608-634-7309
info@naturesgrownorganics.com
http://www.naturesgrownorganics.com/
Nature’s International Certification Services (406) Accredited USDA organic certification agency and part of the Ecocert Group, focused on sustainability and excellence in organic certification.
224 E State Highway 56, Viroqua, WI 54665 608-637-7080
nics@naturesinternational.com www.naturesinternational.com
New Age Farming LLC (508)
Organic soil health building products that use beneficial microbes (specifically Mycorrhizal Fungi).
4112 154th Ave SE, Durbin, ND 58059 701-261-1651
newagefarm@outlook.com
www.farmfungi.com
Nifty Hoops (137)
Working to radically re-localize food systems through hoophouse designing, manufacturing, and installation. 170 Aprill Dr, Ste D, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-845-0079 | 734-845-2772
info@niftyhoops.com
www.niftyhoops.com
Nofence (812)
Nofence is a virtual fencing solution for livestock that enables farmers to manage pastures and herds from their smartphones.
Evjevegen 8, BATNFJORDSØRA, Norway, 6631 650-514-6711 sales.us@nofence.no nofence.no/en
North Circle Seeds (604)
Organic seeds with a commitment to creating an ecologically diverse, equitable, and inclusive food system. 26253 485th St, Vergas, MN 56587 631-807-5163
zacharypaige@gmail.com
www.northcircleseeds.com
Northbourne Organic Crop Insurance, LLC (907)
Helps farmers seeking expert advice in private and supplemental insurance products for transitional, organic, and conventional crops. 591 Main St, Scotland, SD 57059 605-660-9527
info@northbournecropins.com NorthbourneCropIns.com
OGRAIN (Organic Grain Resource and Information Network at UW Madison) (408/409)
Educational support for organic grain production in the Upper Midwest, connecting farmers with experienced growers, researchers, and industry experts. 1630 Linden Dr, Madison, WI 53706 608-262-4592 hrfrancis@wisc.edu
https://ograin.cals.wisc.edu/
Ohio Earth Food (712)
Delivers seed-starting soils, fertilizers, and disease and insect controls in organics right to your farm. 612 Enterprise Dr, Hillsboro, WI 54634 608-489-3600
aaron.sommers@ohioearthfood.com ohioearthfood.com
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) (2) Organic certification, technical assistance, and education on organic farming practices and profitability since 1981. 41 Croswell Rd, Columbus, OH 43214 614-262-2022
organic@oeffa.org
https://certification.oeffa.org/
OMRI (the Organic Materials Review Institute) (710) Provides independent review of fertilizers, pest controls, livestock health care products, and other inputs intended for use in certified organic production, handling, and processing, PO Box 11558, Eugene, OR 97440 541-343-7600
marketing@omri.org
OMRI.org
Organic Crop Improvement Association, Int. (OCIA) (512) 35 years of providing organic certification to producers and processors across the globe. Visit our booth to receive $200 off your first year’s certification fee. 1340 N Cotner Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68505 402-477-2323 info@ocia.org
www.ocia.org
Organic Farmers Agency for Relationship Marketing (OFARM) (208/209)
Keeps organic producers on the cutting edge of the most current market information available.
PO Box 133, Aldrich, MN 56434 785-337-2442 ofarm.2005@gmail.com www.ofarm.org
Organic Farmers Association (805)
Provides a strong and unified national voice for domestic certified organic producers. PO Box 709, Spirit Lake, IA 51360 202-643-5363 info@organicfarmersassociation.org www.organicfarmersassociation.org
Organic Prairie (501/514)
Full line of organic beef, pork, chicken, and turkey from the Organic Valley cooperative of family farmers. One Organic Way, La Farge, WI 54639 608-625-3359 holly.mahan@organicvalley.coop organicprairie.coop
Organic Valley-CROPP Cooperative (501/514)
Farmer-owned organic cooperative offering certified organic dairy, egg, and produce products. One Organic Way, La Farge, WI 54639 608-625-3449 | 608-479-1379 holly.mahan@organicvalley.coop organicvalley.coop
Osborne Quality Seeds
Supplying growers of all sizes across the United States and Canada with high quality vegetable, herb, and flower seed for over 35 years (Spanish language catalog and Spanish speaking customer service available).
2428 Old Highway 99 S Rd, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 800-845-9113 info@osborneseed.com https://www.osborneseed.com/
Ozark Organics LLC (513)
Dedicated organic feed mill. 34 Kelly Rd, Buffalo, MT 65622 417-345-4300 ozarkorganicrandy@gmail.com
Patagonia Workwear (Next to Bookstore)
We make timeless, durable work gear for the folks who bust ass on the daily to leave our home planet better than they found it. By choosing industrial hemp, we’ve found a way to make tough yet comfortable work gear out of a fiber that requires little to no irrigation to grow and can restore nutrients to topsoil.
259 W Santa Clara St, Ventura, CA 93001 Damien.Etchaubard@patagonia.com https://www.patagonia.com/
Peace Coffee
100% Fair Trade, organic, shade-grown coffee, bike-delivered locally and by biodiesel van. 2801 21st Ave S, Ste 130, Minneapolis, MN 55407 612-870-3440 peacecoffee.com
Pearl Street Brewery
Crafting great beers, house-made wines and hard ciders since 1999.
1401 St Andrew St, La Crosse, WI 54603 608-784-4832
pearlstreetbrewery.com/
People’s Food Coop Community-owned natural food store with locations in La Crosse, WI and Rochester, MN, promoting local farmers and producers through an emphasis on fresh, healthy, sustainable food. 315 5th Ave S, La Crosse, WI 54601 608-784-5798
pfclacrosse@pfc.coop www.pfc.coop
Plant Products - A member of Biobest Group (811) Distributor of fertilizers, synthetic, and biological pesticides, Biobest® biological controls, substrates, seeds, and more to US and Canadian markets. 8468 Ronda Dr, Canton, MI 48187 248 661-4378 michigan.orders@plantproducts.com www.plantproducts.com
Practical Farmers of Iowa (405) Practical Farmers of Iowa’s mission is equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities. 1615 Golden Aspen Dr, Ste 101, Ames, IA 50010 515-232-5661 info@practicalfarmers.org https://practicalfarmers.org/
Quality Roasting LLC (707)
5th generation family-owned and managed business with over 36 US locations offering grain elevators, cleaning equipment, and drying capabilities. 2514 Marken Rd, Valders, WI 54245 902-775-8279 Qualityroasting.com
Real Organic Project (702) Nonprofit organization created by organic farmers that provides an add-on organic certification. 82 Wilson Rd, East Thetford, VT 05043 413-687-2255 ariel@realorganicproject.org realorganicproject.org
Redmond Minerals, Inc. (104)
Natural mined sea minerals for livestock and soil use. PO Box 219, Redmond, UT 84652 866-735-7258
aarone@redmondminerals.com http://www.redmondagriculture.com
Regenerative Agriculture Alliance (103) Ecosystem of people and organizations committed to regenerative agriculture. 301 Division St S, Ste 3, Northfield, MN 55057 507-664-1088
info@regenagalliance.org www.regenagalliance.org
Renewing the Countryside (3)
Champions and supports rural communities, farmers, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, and activists who renew the countryside through innovative solutions. 312 Center St E, Hammond, MN 55991 507-291-3663
info@rtcinfo.org
https://www.renewingthecountryside.org/
River Hills Harvest (207)
Provider of all things Elderberry from cuttings, education, equipment, market, and elderberry products. 19010 S Mackie Ln, Hartsburg, MO 65039 5739993034
info@riverhillsharvest.com www.riverhillsharvest.com
Riverside Feeds, LLC (705)
Revitalizes industry byproducts into livestock feed by recycling organic and non-GMO grain materials for family farmers.
300 Forest St, Riceville, IA 50466 641-985-2494
riversidefeeds@gmail.com
www.riversidefeeds.net
Rodale Institute (708)
Nonprofit dedicated to advancing regenerative organic agriculture through research, education, outreach, and advocating for policies that support farmers. 3706 St Peters Rd, Marion, IA 52302
midwest@rodaleinstitute.org
https://rodaleinstitute.org/about/facilities-and-campuses/regional-resource-centers/ midwest-organic-center/
Row Shaver Systems, LLC (906)
Stop weed seed production with a system that clears weeds between crop rows and removes weed flowers and seed pods.
184 NE 10 Rd, Great Bend, KS 67530 buttonfarms@cox.net
https://www.rowshaver.com
Royal Lee Organics (205)
Sells the Lee Household Flour Mill and organic whole grains such as wheat berries, buckwheat, oats, and quinoa.
1000 W Royal Lee Dr, Palmyra, WI 53156 leeengineering@standardprocess.com
https://www.organicsbylee.com/
Rye Revival (124)
Expanding education, research, and enjoyment of ecologically produced rye for human, animal, and agricultural purposes and to advance health, equity, and culture.
info@ryerevival.org
https://www.ryerevival.org/
S&D Sales (603)
Lilliston row crop cultivator parts, sales, and service. 24185 45th Ave, Cadott, WI 54727 (715) 289-4866 sdroehrborn@gmail.com
Savanna Institute (5)
Promotes agroforestry in the Midwest through research, education, and outreach, supporting the growth of diverse, perennial agroecosystems. 2453 Atwood Ave, Ste 209, Madison, WI 53704 608-448-6432
info@savannainstitute.org
https://www.savannainstitute.org/
Schafer Fisheries (311)
2112 Sandridge Road, Thomson, IL 61285 815-589-3368
Fish@shaferfish.com
https://schaferfish.com/
Scoular (125/126)
Marketing organic grain and ingredients, including corn, soybeans, small grains, and meals, since 1995. 13660 California St, PO Box 542047, Omaha, NE 68154 612-851-3705
organicgrain@scoular.com www.scoular.com
Sea-90 Ocean Minerals (903)
Natural ocean minerals, or sea solids, contain a comprehensive macro and trace element nutrient profile to improve the health and vitality of soil, plants, and animals.
PO Box 682075, Marietta, GA 30068 770-361-6092 | 770-361-7003 info@seaagri.com www.sea-90.com
Seed Savers Exchange (709)
Conserving and promoting America’s culturally diverse garden and food crop heritage through education and a network of gardeners, farmers, and seed savers who collect, conserve, and share heirloom seeds. 3094 N Winn Rd, Decorah, IA 52101 563-382-5990 customerservice@seedsavers.org
www.seedsavers.org
Shade Haven LLC (135)
Manufacturer of mobile shade structures, designed and marketed for grazing livestock operations worldwide. 1201 N Main St, Ste 25, Viroqua, WI 54665 608-216-2948 info@shadehaven.net www.shadehaven.net
Shining Hills Farm and Gardens
Organic cut flower farming for 28 years, selling to florists and landscaper designers in the Twin Cities. A Master Floral Designer installing beautiful local, organic flowers for weddings, corporate events, and more. PO Box 182, Viroqua, WI 54665 608-632-0750 flowerman1111@yahoo.com
Sno Pac Foods, Inc. (204)
Growers and processors of organic vegetables and fruits since 1943.
521 Enterprise Dr, Caledonia, MN 55921 507-725-5281
ryan@snopac.com
www.snopac.com
Solar Connection Inc. (809) 6254 34th Avenue NW, Ste A, Rochester, MN 55901 Info@solarconnectioninc.com
https://solarconnectioninc.com/
State Farm Insurance (810)
The State Farm® mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams.
One State Farm Plaza, Bloomington, IL 61710 jordan.jeffers.fn02@statefarm.com https://www.statefarm.com
Stonebridge Ltd. (132) Purchaser and supplier of food/feed grade non-GMO/organic soybeans, corn, and seed to foreign and domestic markets.
3411 Midway Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 319-277-4277
luke@stonebridgeltd.org
www.stonebridgeltd.org
Sunrise Foods International, Inc. (801/814) Sourcing high-quality organic feed and food grade grains with fast, reliable, and efficient transportation of grain across the US and Canada.
302 Main St, Pender, NE 68047 833-657-5790
usgrains@sunrisefoods.com www.sunrisefoods.com
SureSource Commodities (904)
Provides a better experience, built on trust, high standards, and fairness, for growers and buyers of organic and non-GMO food and ingredients.
4427 Vanderwal Dr, Petrolia, ON, CA, N0N 1R0 1-866-697-5960
info@suresourcecommodities.com http://www.suresourcecommodities.com
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) (210)
Advancing sustainable innovation to American agriculture through competitive grants and educational opportunities.
1390 Eckles Ave, Ste 120, Saint Paul, MN 55101
Suståne Natural Fertilizer, Inc. (401/414)
Granular slow release and new water-soluble powder liquid fertilizer products for the professional organic grower and home gardener, based on 30 years of applied research.
310 Holiday Ave E, Cannon Falls, MN 55009 507-263-3003
help@sustane.com sustane.com
Sutton Ag Enterprises (605)
Precision agricultural equipment and bird control products.
1044 Harkins Rd, Salinas, CA 93901 831-422-9693
joseph@suttonag.com
www.suttonag.com
TerraMax (610)
Through scientifically developed technologies we create and produce unique natural products that enhance productivity and benefit producers, consumers, and our environment.
3650 Dodd Rd, Eagan, MN 55123 joshua.doerr@terramaxag.com www.terramaxag.com
The Andersons, Inc. (123)
Offers a robust organic portfolio, including nutrients, crop insurance, grain marketing, and transition consulting.
1947 Briarfield Blvd, Maumee, OH 43537 (419) 891-6451 andersonsorganics.com
The Cornucopia Institute (403)
Nonprofit provider of educational resources to family farmers, consumers, and other stakeholders in the good food movement.
PO Box 826, Viroqua, WI 54665 608-637-8278 morrell@cornucopia.org www.cornucopia.org
The Food Group - Big River Farms (411)
Education in organic agriculture for farmers who have historically been underrepresented in farm ownership. 14220 Ostlund Trl N, Ste B, Marine On St. Croix, MN 55047 651-433-3676 bigriverfarms@thefoodgroupmn.org www.thefoodgroupmn.org
The Land Connection (407)
Agricultural nonprofit organization offering training, resources, and support to farmers, food businesses, and eaters.
206 N Randolph St, Ste 400, Champaign, IL 61820 217-840-2128 crystal@thelandconnection.org https://www.thelandconnection.org
The Organic & Non-GMO Report (612)
Publications focused on health & environmental risks of GMO foods and The Non-GMO Sourcebook, the world’s only “farm to fork” directory of non-GMO seeds, grains, ingredients, feed, and food products. PO Box 436, Fairfield, IA 52556 641-209-3426 | 800-854-0586
ken@non-gmoreport.com
https://non-gmoreport.com/
Think Regeneration (905)
Accelerates change for a healthy world and rural communities by providing leadership training and workforce development tools for regenerative farmers. 23843 Kings Dr, Colona, IL 61241 970-389-5218 ryan@think-regen.com
https://www.ThinkRegeneration.com
Tilth Soil (706)
Manufacturer of living composts and soils made from recycled food waste and expertly blended with select organic horticultural ingredients.
2701 Saint Clair Ave NE, Cleveland, OH 44114 216-800-4651
info@tilthsoil.com
https://www.tilthsoil.com/
Treffler-Man@Machine BV (136)
Exclusive importer of Treffler precision tools and new generation weeders, cultivators, and mills. Molenstraat 4, Gripskerke, Zeeland, Netherlands, 4364 AA
515-971-9707 | +31 6 444 28391 treffler@manatmachine.com organicmachinery.net
USDA Farm Service Agency (USDA Booth)
Provides farmers with a strong safety net through farm commodity, loss coverage, conservation, disaster, and farm loan programs.
8030 Excelsior Dr, Ste 100, Madison, WI 53717 608-662-4422 usda.fsa.gov
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA Booth) Works one-on-one with farmers to provide technical expertise and financial assistance to make conservation work on private lands.
8030 Excelsior Dr, Ste 200, Madison, WI 53717 608-662-4422 www.nrcs.usda.gov/wi
USDA AMS Market News (USDA Booth) Provides unbiased, timely price and volume information to farmers, ranchers, and businesses around the globe and industry reports on wholesale, retail, and shipping data.
1400 Independence Ave SW, Stop 0244, Washington, DC 20250 katherine.looft@usda.gov
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA Booth) 1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20250 800-727-9540 nass@nass.usda.gov www.nass.usda.gov
USDA National Organic Program (USDA Booth) Develops standards for organic agricultural products, oversees use of the USDA Organic Seal, and ensures organic integrity from farm to table.
1400 Independence Ave SW, Ste 2642-S, Washington, DC 20250 202-720-3252
NOP.Guidance@usda.gov https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/ programs-offices/national-organic-program
USDA Risk Management Agency (USDA Booth) Provides crop insurance to farmers and ranchers and helps producers manage business risks through effective, market-based risk management solutions. 1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20250 866-632-9999
rma.media.requests@rma.usda.gov www.rma.usda.gov
UW Organic Collaborative at UW-Madison (408/409) Faculty, staff, and partners committed to increasing the health and resilience of the organic industry through world-class research, academic opportunity, and impactful outreach.
1630 Linden Dr, Madison, WI 53706 agurda@wisc.edu https://uworganic.wisc.edu/
UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (408/409)
Breaking new ground in research and education for profitable farms and businesses, resilient landscapes, and healthy communities 1535 Observatory Dr, Madison, WI 53706 608-262-5200
jhendric@wisc.edu www.cias.wisc.edu
Valmetal Inc. (908)
Manufactures farm equipment to mechanize and automate the chore of feeding dairy animals. 230, Boulevard Industriel, Saint-Germain-de-Grantham, Quebec, CA, J0C 1K0 819-395-4282 info@valmetal.com
www.valmetal
Vermont Compost Company
Makers of living soil—composts and compost-based potting soil and soil amendments for organic use. 1996 Main St, Montpelier, VT 05601 802-223-6049
info@vermontcompost.com vermontcompost.com
Viroqua Biodynamic Group (510)
Education and training in using Biodynamic methods. PO Box 14, Viroqua, WI 54665 608-637-2079 biodynamics.com
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) (201/214)
Assures the safety and quality of food, efficient use of ag resources, healthy animals and plants, and the vitality of Wisconsin agriculture and commerce. 703 County G, Pelican Lake, WI 54463 608-224-4511 krystal.martin@wisconsin.gov https://datcp.wi.gov
Welter Seed and Honey Company (111/112)
Family-owned company offering organic farm seed, including alfalfa, clover, corn, soybeans, peas, grasses, small grains, and cover crops. 17724 Hwy 136, Onslow, IA 52321 800-470-3325 info@welterseed.com welterseed.com
Whole Foods Co-op
A thriving consumer-owned cooperative that supports, invests, and partners to create a healthy community. 610 E 4th St, Duluth, MN 55805 218-728-0884
mstrack@wholefoods.coop https://wholefoods.coop/
Willsie Equipment (138)
Fruit and vegetable equipment manufacturers for planting, harvesting, washing, and processing. 9516 Northville Rd, RR #1, Thedford, Ontario, CA, N0M 2N0 sales@willsie.com www.willsie.com
Wisconsin Conservation Voters (413)
Engaging voters to protect Wisconsin’s environment through policy advancement that invests in clean energy, protects drinking water, and expands access to the ballot box.
133 S Butler St, Ste 320, Madison, WI 53703 608-661-0845
casey@conservationvoters.org www.conservationvoters.org
Wisconsin Farmers Union (116/117)
Enhances the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities, and all people through educational opportunities, cooperative endeavors, and civic engagement. 117 W Spring St, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 715-723-5561 info@wisconsinfarmersunion.com wisconsinfarmersunion.com
WWOOF-USA (509)
Part of a worldwide effort to link visitors with organic farmers and build a global community conscious of ecological farming practices.
PO Box 3744, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403 415-621-3276 info@wwoofusa.org wwoofusa.org
Xerces Society (6)
Science-based nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.
628 NE Broadway, Ste 200, Portland, OR 97232 503-232-6639 www.xerces.org
Zurn/Garford USA (312) https://garford.com/
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