The demand for organic products continues to grow, with U.S. sales surpassing $63 billion in 2021, according to the Organic Trade Association. What this opportunity can mean for grain farmers will be the focus of an upcoming conference offered by UW-Madison’s Organic Grain Resources and Information Network, also known as OGRAIN.
The 2023 OGRAIN Organic Grain Winter Conference will be Jan. 27-28 on the UW-Madison campus. The event, which is designed to support new, transitioning and experienced organic grain farmers in the Upper Midwest, will feature expert producers, researchers, and industry representatives from across the organic grain system. Participants will learn what it takes to be successful and profitable in organic grain production, and they will have ample opportunities to network with other farmers, certifiers, support organizations, and marketers.
“For those interested in organic grain production in the Upper Midwest, convening at the OGRAIN conference at UW-Madison is a high point during our long winter months,” says Hannah Francis, an OGRAIN program outreach specialist in the Department of Plant Pathology. “It’s an educational feast enjoyed with other passionate farmers, experts, and advocates, and this year we’ve built in even more time for networking and visiting exhibitors.”
The conference will provide attendees practical information about how to refine their production and marketing approaches, with a focus on weed management, fertility management, equipment, and market trends. As in past years, the conference will feature an exhibit hall where attendees can network with businesses and organizations relevant to organic grain operations. For the second year, sessions focused on food-grade grain production and processing will be offered through a partnership with the Artisan Grain Collaborative, providing resources for farmers to enter this expanding sector of the regional organic grain market.
“Diversifying a grain, dairy or livestock system to include an organic component makes sense from both a financial and land management perspective,” says OGRAIN program leader Erin Silva, the Clif Bar Endowed Chair in Organic Agriculture and Outreach and extension organic agriculture specialist in the UW-Madison Department of Plant Pathology. “The practices that are part of an organic grain system – diversifying the crops grown, using cover crops, integrating livestock – align with the practices that we know contribute to regenerative agricultural systems that build soil health and allow for the reduction of inputs. Even if a farm only transitions some of their acres to organic, these benefits can still be seen.”
On the evening of Jan. 26, there will be an optional pre-conference forum where farmers can discuss their experiences with regenerative organic grain production. The format will focus on interactive, farmer-to-farmer sharing of experiences and ideas. Registration for this event is limited, so attendees are encouraged to sign up soon.
Register and learn more: https://ograin.cals.wisc.edu/2023-ograin-winter-conference/
Contact Hannah Francis at [email protected] or (608) 262-4592 with any questions.
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