An upcoming organic farming conference will assist growers thinking about transitioning to organic farming and those that are newly certified organic farmers. This one-day conference planned by a team of University of Nebraska researchers, extension personnel, and local farmers will focus on how growers can improve soil fertility, manage weeds, and develop resilient crop rotations for organic grain farms. Panel discussions with organic producers are included in the program.

The conference workshop will take place from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead, Nebraska, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. 

“Organic farming is a fast-growing sector of agriculture, but becoming a certified organic operation requires careful planning, recordkeeping and changes in management,” University of Nebraska Statewide Soil Health Extension Educator Katja Koehler-Cole said. “With this event, we want to shed some light on what it takes to become a certified organic farm. We are hoping this event will help to build connections and community among newer and more experienced farmers as well as ag professionals and researchers.”

The program includes:

• Weed control in organic grain systems — Stevan Knezevic, UNL professor of agronomy and horticulture.
• What you need to know about the organic certification process — Karlin Warner, OneCert.
• Panel with organic farmers.
• Manure as a fertilizer in organic grain systems — Amy Schmidt, UNL professor, animal manure management.
• Organic no-till — Noah Wendt and Caleb Akin, Iowa farmers.

There will also be opportunities to interact and network with those directly involved in organic grain farming, as well as visit with vendors.

The program will conclude with a speakers panel with the opportunity to interact with those directly involved in organic grain farming.

There is no fee to attend, but please pre-register by Sunday, Nov. 5 to ensure resource materials are available and for meal planning purposes. Seating is limited. Registration and more information available online.

Please direct questions to Katja Koehler-Cole at (402) 624-8041

Sponsored by Nebraska Extension and the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service - National Organic Program - Transition to Organic Partnership Program.

Register now