OGRAIN Summer 2019 Field Events

 

These events are cosponsored by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service   mosesorganic.org

 

June 12, 2019 Wednesday,10:00 AM-3:00 PM

Promoting soil health and fertility on organic farms with small grain/legume rotations and approved organic inputs 

$10.00, lunch provided. Registration requested   ograin.cals.wisc.edu/events

Mapleton Community Center – Township of Oconomowoc

N87 W35493 Mapleton Road, Oconomowoc, WI 53066

Join Sandy Syburg of Purple Cow Organics, Gary Zimmer of Midwestern Bio Ag and others as we explore use of crop rotations with legumes, manure and other organic-approved fertility inputs to improve soil fertility and crop yields within organic production systems.  We will review a variety of field experiments illustrating differing fertility management techniques and products.  Learn how attention to soil health using organic methods can build soil while mitigating the negative effects of tillage, resulting in long-term resiliency as well as good crop yields. An OGRAIN event.

June 25, 2019 Tuesday, 12:30-4 PM

Growing and milling small grains for home and artisan bread makers

FREE, registration requested   ograin.cals.wisc.edu/events

Janie’s Farm, 854 E2300 North, Danforth, IL

and the Mill at Janie’s Farm 405 N 2^nd Street Ashkum, IL 60911

Join us for a tour of one of central Illinois’ leading organic grain farms. Harold and Ross Wilken farm over 2400 acres of certified organic grain crops. Integrating a wide range of crops from small grains like wheat, oats, rye, emmer, einkorn, kernza, and buckwheat to popcorn, black turtle beans, soybeans, field corn and alfalfa, their farm is a paragon of diverse crop rotations. At the field day Harold will share some of his secrets for successfully growing food grade small grains. The tour will continue 10 miles up the road at The Mill at Janie’s Farm, a certified organic milling operation owned and operated by the farm. Miller Jill Brockman will showcase the facility and explore what bakers are looking for to create delicious local breads and confections. The tour will wrap-up with a tasting of artisan breads made with flour directly from the mill. An OGRAIN event, cohosted by The Land Connection.

June 30, 2019 Sunday, 10:30 AM-3:30 PM 

From Grain to Plate

Free, Lunch provided. Preregistration requested by June 15 by sending an email to [email protected].
Meadowlark Organics, 3036 Ridgevue Rd, Ridgeway, WI
Growing small grains like wheat, rye, barley and oats can help farmers prevent nutrient run off and protect water quality- but the “grain chain” is a complex network of growers, processors, bakers, chefs and consumers. How can farmers add these crops to their rotation and access the food grade market? Can eating more of these locally grown foods help change the agricultural landscape for the better? And how do we make these healthful foods accessible to all? We invite farmers and consumers alike to come explore these issued and discover ways to get involved in our burgeoning grain economy. For questions please contact Margaret Krome, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, 608-628-2503 or Halee Wepking at Meadowlark Organics, 608-636-6794.  Organized by Uplands Watershed Group, co-sponsored by OGRAIN.

 

 

July 10, 2019 Wednesday, 1-4:30 PM

Growing crops for distilling

FREE, registration requested   ograin.cals.wisc.edu/events

McHugh Farms, N6245 County Road XX Onalaska, WI 54650

Patrick McHugh farms 150 acres of organic row crops and small grains with more acres in transition.  In his second year of growing specialty rye and corn for La Crosse Distilling Company, Patrick will discuss his organic growing techniques, crop rotation and fertility management. A representative of La Crosse Distilling Company will explain the types of grains needed by artisan distillers (vodka, gin, brandy, whisky). An OGRAIN event.

 

August 14-15, 2019, Wednesday and Thursday, all day

Organic Agronomy Training Series – Presented by the OATS collaborative- $85

Radisson Hotel, La Crosse WI 200 Second Street South La Crosse, WI 54601

A science-based education program for agronomists, technical service providers, extension staff, agency personnel, consultants, educators and farmers to increase understanding of organic production systems and USDA-NOP regulatory compliance. This two-day event will include presentations, interactive discussion and an organic farm, providing practical information on organic practices. While farmers are welcome, this event is geared towards organic educators and consultants. Information and registration information: https://organicagronomy.com This series is generously supported by Pipeline Foods, Clif Bar and the Organic Trade Association’s Organic Grains Council.

 

August 29, Thursday, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM Organic agriculture research field day

FREE, lunch will be provided.  Registration requested by Aug 26   ograin.cals.wisc.edu/events

University of Wisconsin Arlington Agricultural Research Station, N695 Hopkins Rd, Arlington, WI 53911

This field day will highlight organic research conducted at the University of Wisconsin, including optimizing equipment and production practices for organic no-till production, interceding cover crops into corn, soybeans and cereal grains, the impact of organic management on soil microbial communities, and weed management for organic hemp production.

 

September 18, 2019, All Day Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day

$20 includes breakfast, lunch and root beer floats!

Gwenyn Hill Organic Farm and Gardens, W294 N 130 Bryn Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188

Learn the principles and tools for precise mechanical weed control from farmers and industry experts for both crop and vegetable growers.  Discussion of soil health in conjunction with low impact cultivation will be the focus. A wide array of companies will showcase unique and practical implements for tillage, planting and cultivation.  A full day of in-field demonstrations along with many exhibit booths will provide information on the various special attributes of each implement, as well as how best to mount and adjust them for best effect. Cosponsored by OGRAIN.

 

For more information on these events, including registration, visit ograin.cals.wisc.edu/events. For questions about any of these events, please contact Harriet Behar, OGRAIN Outreach Specialist, 608-872-2164 [email protected].

OGRAIN is a project of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and funded by the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant 2017-70017-26856.OGRAIN summer 2019 field daysOGRAIN summer 2019 field days