For decades, farmers working with healthy soil have known something is different about their food — more flavor, better animal health, crops that seem more resilient. But translating that intuition into something measurable, communicable, and commercially valuable has remained out of reach.
This panel brings together leading researchers and experienced farmers to close that gap. Drawing on emerging science around soil biology and nutrient density measurement, the conversation will focus on what farmers can actually observe, track, and share — and what that means for the future of quality-focused agriculture. Whether you are just beginning to think about nutrient density or already measuring it, this session is designed to give you practical insight and language to take back to your farm and your buyers.
<h4>Presenters:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Andrew Smith &#8211; Chief Science Officer, Rodale Institute</li>
<li>Anne Bikle &#8211; Biologist, Author &#8220;What Your Food Ate&#8221;</li>
<li>Brita Lundberg &#8211; 4th Generation Farmer &amp; Communications Manager, Lundberg Family Farms</li>
<li>Lael Gerhart &#8211; Engagement Leader, Frog Hollow Farm</li>
</ul>
This event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

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National

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Northeast/Mid-Atlantic

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Midwest

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Northwest

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Plains

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Southeast

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West/Southwest

Nutrient Dense Food Webinar

Nutrient Dense Food: What Farmers Are Measuring and How They’re Selling It

Every week you can connect with MOA staff, Dr. Swati Shrestha, and farmers across the state to discuss the topics that matter most to you.
Bring your questions and we will help connect you with the resources that truly help you succeed.
The virtual door is open &#8211; no need to stay the whole time or even to show up on time. Just join us when you can between noon and 2pm every Wednesday.

Farmer Office Hours (Missouri)

Your farm has a story worth telling. This workshop will help you tell it well.
This session is designed to help organic farmers tell their farm story clearly, confidently, and in their own voice so they can connect with buyers and consumers, grow their business, and help others understand what organic is and why they should buy organic.
Here’s what to expect:
<ul>
<li>Articulate why you farm organically, and how to say it in a way that sticks</li>
<li>Share why buying local and domestic organic matters and how to make that case to your buyers and consumers</li>
<li>Learn how to shape your story for the audience in front of you, whether that’s a farmers market customer, a retail or wholesale buyer, or someone you just met</li>
</ul>
The Story Labs are designed and facilitated by the Organic Farmers Association and Modern Species, a creative agency focused on helping farmers, ingredient suppliers, manufacturers, brands, retailers, certifiers, and associations tell clear and compelling stories so buyers and consumers make better choices.
Webinar Panelists:
<ul>
<li>Gage Mitchell – Founder &amp; CEO of Modern Species</li>
<li>Madison Letizia – Communications Manager, Organic Farmers Association</li>
</ul>

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How to Tell Your Farm’s Story to Access Organic Markets

Learn about mechanical tools and techniques that farms of all sizes can use to manage weeds on their farm. Attendees will participate in hands-on field demos on many types of weeding tools, test weeding tools, learn from host farmers about weeding tools, and meet other vegetable farmers from around the state.
Lunch and light refreshments will be provided.

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Field Day: Mechanical Weeding on an Organic Farm in the Twin Cities (Minnesota)

<h3><a href="https://go.iastate.edu/2H1KQP">Film on the Farm &#8211; Farming While Black at Lillyland Farm</a></h3>
Join Iowa State University for a powerful film screening followed by a panel discussion with Black farmers, exploring urban agriculture, land access, local food systems, and the lived experiences of socially disadvantaged farmers. Enjoy a free, nourishing meal made with local ingredients, featuring superfood: lenga lenga!

Film on the Farm: Farming While Black (Iowa)

What resources report on organic pricing and what are the gaps in this data?
Public price and sales reports have helped level the playing field between buyers and sellers of all sizes. As agricultural information becomes increasingly privatized and markets more concentrated, that public data is more important than ever for a fair, stable organic sector. Join researcher Katie Butterfield (UC Davis), as she shares findings from her new peer-reviewed article, Improving USDA’s Public Price and Volume Data for an Equitable Organic Food Value Chain, along with the broader work behind it.
Here’s what to expect:
– Where to access organic pricing data as a farmer.
– What the research found: interviews and surveys with organic producers, processors, distributors, and retailers about how price and volume data can better serve them.
– Why access matters: many farmers don’t have the resources to purchase private data sources, and improving public data access, especially smaller markets, is one of the clearest ways to close that gap.
This session is for transitioning and organic farmers, buyers, supply chain actors, researchers, and advocates who want to understand what’s happening to organic acreage and pricing transparency and how better data can support a more equitable organic value chain.

Vibrant Selection: Colorful Produce at Local Market for Health-Conscious Buyers

Organic Pricing Data: Where to Find It and What New Research Reveals about Access

Join IOA and Seed Savers Exchange for a free field day at their amazing farm focused on preserving genetically diverse vegetable and food crop seeds!
The field day will include a farm tour focused on the amazing work being done by Seed Savers Exchange and how they are working to preserve vegetable and food crop seeds for generations to come. You will have a change to learn more about the seed saving process, the history of Seed Savers Exchange, and the exciting work that is moving this organization and farm forward.

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Field Day: The Importance of Seed Saving at Seed Savers Exchange (Iowa)

Join us at <a class="" href="https://gwenynhillfarm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-dc-tag="dc.Link" data-dc-enhance="true">Gwenyn Hill Farm</a> for in-the-field, hands-on education, and peer-to-peer connection. Meet up with your farming friends for a full-day of diversified organic learning!
There will be morning and afternoon sessions on a wide range of topics, including fruit and vegetable production, marketing, and farmer self-care. Lunch will be available for purchase between sessions from Marty’s Itty Bitty BBQ, featuring produce from the farm. Farmer wellness is woven throughout the day led by Laura Fredrickson-Gosewisch and Ellen Petrick, with grounding during the welcome and optional consultations and guided practices over lunch and in the evening.
Then stick around for an evening of dinner from more local food and drinks, demos, farm tours, and live music from the <a class="" href="https://beth-kille.mailchimpsites.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-dc-tag="dc.Link" data-dc-enhance="true">Beth Kille Band</a> ! The evening portion is open to the public – a chance for eaters and buyers to learn more about diversified organic farming.

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Field Day: A Diversified Organic Showcase at Gwenyn Hill Farm (Wisconsin)

2026 Homesteader Farm Tour Series powered by Black Soil KY
Black Soil KY&#8217;s signature farm tours connect urban-based families and guests with rural, small- to midsize farmers and landowners through agritourism activities, hands-on demonstrations, education, and outreach.
In partnership with Midwest TOPP, join us for a tour of Majestic Greens Farm located in Warren County, Kentucky, on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Majestic Greens Farm is a 13-acre regenerative family farm in Oakland, KY, growing health, beauty, and vibrant community through food and flowers.
Majestic Greens will host participants and share about their robust, diversified specialty crop farming operation. Majestic Greens will display how they thrive in “shoulder seasons,” showing how they gain market access when many farms have slower yields.
Additionally, the Majestic Greens team will teach participants about logistics, aggregation, distribution, and expansion as they grow their operation intuitively each season.

Field Day: Black Soil KY 2026 Homesteader Farm Tour Series (Kentucky)

Please join Iowa County Uplands Watershed Group, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, and OGRAIN to hear insights from the first year of virtual fence trialing at Seven Seeds Organic Farm. Michael Dolan will lead us on a field walk and discussion on the good, the bad, and how their farm plans to utilize this technology and perennial pastureland in the future.

Field Day: Virtual Fencing: Year One Takeaways (Wisconsin)

What you can expect at this awesome event: 
At the morning Expo/trade show you’ll see weeding tools and speak with company reps from manufacturers in the US, Europe, and Japan; connect with suppliers and buyers; and meet the farmers in attendance from all over the region. At the morning education sessions you’ll learn from experienced farmers and experts.
At noon, the field day will break for lunch – an opportunity to network, or continue looking at trade show equipment and speaking with exhibitors. In the afternoon farmers follow the tractors out to the demonstration fields, where corn, beets, and brassicas have been planted especially for the demonstrations. The field demos are the heart of this event, and MANY cultivation tools of all scales for row crops and vegetables will be demonstrated by company reps. Everything from camera-guided, to autonomous robots, to belly-mounted cultivators and cultivating tractors will be demonstrated in the field and explained by manufacturers. Participants are split into small groups for quality demo. These demonstrations will show how the machines should be mounted and properly adjusted according to crop and soil conditions, and will help farmers visualize how the implements can work on their own farms.
This event is perfect for farmers and ag advisors who want to: see a particular weeding tool before buying it, learn how to adjust cultivators, see what is new in cultivation, and learn from other farmers.

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Field Day: 2026 Midwest Mechanical Weed Control (Michigan)

Rodale Institute’s Markets team is convening a Rye Working Group focused on developing diverse markets for organic rye.
Several significant rye initiatives already exist. Rather than duplicate them, our intention is to uplift the work already underway, increase shared learning, identify new opportunities, and explore strategies that require more coordination than any one organization can achieve alone. Rodale is convening and facilitating this group to support moving this work forward together.
While this working group focuses on rye, we recognize it is part of addressing a larger systemic need to build markets for the winter grains that make up healthy organic cropping rotations.
This working group intends to bring together growers, processors, millers, distillers, brand buyers, breeders, and researchers from across the rye supply system to coordinate efforts, share market intelligence, and find concrete ways to grow demand for organic rye.
We will be hosting two introductory meetings (September 14 and September 28) where we will share:
– Introductions and a chance to hear what everyone’s already working on
– The working group’s purpose and scope
– Systemic challenges and opportunities for rye markets
In Session 3 (October 5), we will get to work on collective action.
Conveners: 
Will Glazik, Rodale Institute
Bridget Gilmore, Rodale Institute
Rachel Kastner, reNourish Studio
Lauren Tucker, reNourish Studio

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Rye Working Group – Session 1

In the spring of 1999, Robin Verson, a first-generation farmer, started work on her new 60-acre farm in Metcalfe County. Decades later, Robin and her family have grown Hill and Hollow Farm to 200+ acres of certified organic fields and pastures, a flock of heritage-breed wool sheep, barns and high tunnels. The farm is dedicated to nourishing their community through organic food, local fiber products and on-farm education and events. 
Through the highs and lows of tending the land, growing a family, building community and educating others, the Hill and Hollow family has maintained its commitment to organic certification and the Community Supported Agriculture model.
Join this OAK Farmer Field Day to explore this story of longevity and resilience in organic farming as Robin shares her fields, pastures, barns, tunnels, and systems for food and fiber production.

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Field Day: The Long Game — 25 Years of Organic CSA (Kentucky)

Perry-O and David Sliwa have been growing pears since the mid-1990s near Decorah, Iowa. They started at Meadow Farm, then moved in 2016 to Plum Ridge Fruit Farm. Join the Sliwas at this field day to see pear tree variety trials and take part in discussion about selecting pear varieties. You&#8217;ll learn about fire blight-resistant pears and classic varieties, a pear germplasm repository and collector favorites. The Sliwas will also discuss how they manage their orchard floor, focusing on enhancing the soil food web and emphasizing the role of mycorrhizal fungi.
Perry-O and David also have a small vineyard. We&#8217;ll cap off the field day with Madeline Wimmer, who will talk about vine training systems and grape varieties, alongside general vineyard management.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">See &amp; Discuss</h2>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Pear variety trials and selection</li>
<li>Orchard floor management and soil health</li>
<li>Vineyard management</li>
</ul>

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Field Day: Plum Ridge Fruit Farm’s Favorite Pear Varieties: Results of an Ongoing Variety Trial and More (Iowa)

The Arkansas Grown TOPP End‑of‑Year Wrap‑Up Event brings together farmers, mentors, partners, and supporters to celebrate a year of growth, collaboration, and organic innovation across the state. This gathering highlights the progress made through the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), showcases producer success stories, and offers a space to reflect on lessons learned while looking ahead to new opportunities. 
Participants will enjoy an engaging mix of updates, interactive discussions, and community‑building moments that honor the hard work happening on farms, in fields, and within local food systems. Whether you’re a transitioning producer, a seasoned organic grower, or a partner organization helping strengthen Arkansas agriculture, this event is a chance to connect, recharge, and celebrate the shared commitment to expanding organic production in Arkansas. Stay tuned for more details!

Arkansas Grown TOPP End-of-Year Wrap Up Event

This annual event is hosted by Purdue Extension for local farmers, agricultural producers, and agribusiness professionals to explore cutting-edge agronomic research and technology.
Contact: Chris Lake cclake@purdue.edu or check details via the <a href="https://ag.purdue.edu/department/arge/PACs/field-day-events.html">Purdue College of Agriculture PACs</a> page.

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Field Day: NE Purdue Agricultural Center (Indiana)

Join the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food as we share success and challenges from the Arkansas Transition to Organic Partnership (TOPP) project and discuss how we shape the future of organics in Arkansas.
Event Highlights
<ul>
<li>Farmer Mentorship Stories</li>
<li>Research Findings</li>
<li>Resources and Emerging Activities</li>
<li>Growing Organic Arkansas</li>
</ul>
Registration is free but we request registration.

Growing Organic in Arkansas: TOPP and Beyond

The upcoming Arkansas Organic Conference is scheduled for September 8, 2026, at the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
This event is organized via the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) and the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food (CAFF).

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Arkansas Organic Conference

Join Michigan&#8217;s TOPP Technicians Alex, Kim and Sam for monthly drop-in office hours to chat all things organic farming. Some of the topics we may cover include:
<ul>
<li>organic production techniques&#8211;cultivation, crop rotation, variety selection, integrated pest management, etc 
input sourcing&#8211;where to source NOP-approved inputs</li>
<li>cost-share opportunities&#8211;certification cost share, NRCS EQIP organic practices</li>
<li>record-keeping options&#8211;templates, software, spreadsheets, etc. 
marketing&#8211;how to identify and connect with organic markets</li>
<li>choosing an organic certifier 
understanding the certification process 
and more!</li>
</ul>
This will be a recurring, monthly 1-hour Zoom session open to drop-in. No registration necessary. Sessions will be held the 1st Wednesday of the month from 12-1pm. We hope this can help support you on your organic journey, and even foster cross-pollination among organic farmers for skill-sharing.
This session is open to ALL organic, transitioning or curious producers, not just TOPP participants.ZOOM Link: https://msu.zoom.us/j/94407160761 
Passcode:TOPP
DON&#8217;T FORGET &#8211; the MI TOPP website has a wealth of resources and information for organic and transitioning farmers, including recordings of all our past webinar series.

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Organic Farming Q+A Drop-in Office Hours (Michigan)

Explore and learn about USDA certified organic herb and vegetable production with a focus on soil and ecological health. Farmers Julie and Jason at <a href="https://www.banfordroadfarm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Banford Road Farm</a> are laser-focused on building and sustaining soil health, and organize their work in order to maintain ecological balance across the entire two acres of field and high tunnel vegetable production, and eight acres of woods.

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Field Day: Organic Production at Banford Road Farm (Illinois)

The Purdue SIPAC (Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center) Grazing 102 Workshop is an intensive, multi-day educational program designed to teach livestock producers how to implement and optimize profitable management-intensive grazing systems. Held in Dubois, Indiana, it combines classroom instruction with hands-on pasture walks and field tours.
<a href="https://ag.purdue.edu/department/arge/PACs/sipac/index.html">Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center </a>

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Purdue Grazing 102 Workshop (Indiana)

This field day will highlight fertilizers from several local vendors. The day will include application demonstrations, side-by-side growth comparisons, and a cost breakdown. We will also discuss how the Illinois Watershed ruling impacts farmers in the local area.
This field day is free, but you are strongly encouraged to register.

Field Day: Organic Fertilizer (Arkansas)

Join IOA and O&#8217;Connell Organic Acres for a free field day at their diversified organic row-crop and organic livestock farm! 
The field day will include a pasture and field tour discussing the benefits and challenges of integrating organic row-crops and organic livestock on one farm. Beyond raising the crops and livestock the O&#8217;Connell family also direct markets their organic farm products to consumers. There will be plenty of time for questions about organic certification, having organic certified meats processed for retail sales, farming with multiple generations, and so much more.

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Field Day: A Diversified Direct Market Meat Business with Organic Row Crops (Iowa)

The Perennial Farm Ecosystem Conference is a free, full-day learning event focused on regenerative agriculture strategies for orchard and vineyard systems. Hosted by the Grand Traverse Conservation District in partnership with the MSU Northwest Horticultural Research Station, this conference will help growers explore what “regenerative” means in the context of perennial crop production.
Participants will gain practical insights into improving soil health, increasing on-farm biodiversity, supporting pollinator habitat, and implementing low-disturbance management practices that strengthen long-term resilience in orchard and vineyard ecosystems. The program will feature experienced speakers, applied research perspectives, and actionable strategies designed specifically for perennial crop managers in the Great Lakes region.
Featured Presenters &amp; Topics: 
-Joel Williams (Keynote): Plant Nutrition and Foliar Applications in Perennial Crops 
-Mark Mazzola: Manipulating the soil/rhizosphere microbiology in establishing a new orchard. 
-Chuck Schembre: Regenerative Orchard Floor Management 
-Larry Phelan: Connection between organic matter/soil community and crop resistance &amp; resilience to insects and disease 
-Carrie Fitzpatrick: GAP/PRIMUS and Regenerative Agriculture and more!

Perennial Farm Ecosystem Conference (Michigan)

Save the Date for this full-day event cohosted by the University of Kentucky’s Center for Crop Diversification (UK CCD) and highlighting Appropriate Technologies in Specialty Crop Production.
Details coming soon!

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Field Day: Greenhouse Propagation, Seeding, and Planting (Kentucky)

Rosmann Family Farms is a 700-acre certified organic farm that supports three generations of the Rosmann family with a mixture of corn, soybeans, popcorn, small grains, forages and pasture as well as cattle, hogs and chickens. Across decades, the Rosmanns have established a patchwork of 47 different fields throughout their whole farm. They are strong proponents of contour farming, ridge-till and producing compost to fertilize their fields.
The Rosmanns care deeply about continuing their legacy of stewardship, advocating for practices and policies that support healthy farms and landscapes. Ron Rosmann will share a few words about his new book “A Practical Farmer’s Journey: A History of Community, Stewardship and Resilience” before the family leads a tour of the farm and practices that inspired the publication.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">See &amp; Discuss</h2>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Continuing sustainable farming practices across generations</li>
<li>Weed control and ridge-till strategies using a ridge-till planter, first-time cultivator and second-time ridging cultivator</li>
<li>Recycling nutrients through compost and crop rotation</li>
<li>Marketing organic beef and pork</li>
<li>A policy panel pertaining to farm support programs and opportunities</li>
</ul>

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Field Day: A Practical Farm Family’s Journey: Sustaining a Legacy of Stewardship (Iowa)

The transition to organic farming can be an intimidating process. Join Century Organic Farm as they share their journey as well as what they’re seeing from their Devyatka Buckwheat research project. Join NPSAS, OCIA MN, SARE, and Century Organic Farm at their field day in Clarksfield, MN on August 20. The passionate team at Century Organic Farm will also talk about how they got into their other value-added ag endeavors providing service in equipment, seed, lime spreading and other organic farming services.
Join us for insightful information on soil health, equipment, and hear about what works and what hasn’t for this devoted organic team.

Field Day: Organic Farming Strategies for Transition and Maintenance (Minnesota)

Struggling to make organic row crops pencil out? Tired of heavy tillage and still fighting weeds? Wondering how diversification can benefit your farm without adding more land?
Join The Land Connection, Paul Hoffman, and <a href="https://www.thelandconnection.org/ideafarmnetwork/">IDEA Farm Network</a> at <a href="https://www.hoffmanorganicfarm.com/">Hoffman Organic Farm</a> for a full-day field walk designed for farmers ready to move beyond the standard corn-soybean rotation. We’ll showcase four working systems on a real organic farm that tackle organic production’s toughest hurdles: weed control, soil health, profitability, and making the transition years pay.
See these four systems that work harder on every acre:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Sunflowers double-cropped after wheat</li>
<li>Winter squash interplanted in corn solar corridors</li>
<li>No-till organic soybeans in crimped cereal rye</li>
<li>Harvesting red clover seed from transition ground</li>
</ul>
Experience these innovative organic cropping systems firsthand. Learn about the specialized equipment needed for this operation, hear economic comparisons vs. conventional rotations &amp; leave inspired to adopt one of these systems on your own farm.

Field Day: Innovative Organic Cropping Systems (Illinois)

<span class="yADgie" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">This annual event provides agricultural producers, land managers, and crop advisers with hands-on educational sessions, crop research updates, and networking opportunities.
<ul>
<li>Morning Registration &amp; Exhibits</li>
<li>Guided Field Tours: Expert-led presentations focusing on weed control, soil fertility, sensor technology, and regional crop performance.</li>
<li>Sponsored Lunch:</li>
<li>Twilight Program</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://ag.purdue.edu/department/arge/PACs/ppac/index.html">Pinney Purdue Agricultural Center</a>

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Field Day: Pinney Purdue Agricultural Center (Indiana)

Organic Seed Alliance and University of Minnesota will bring together organic farmers, researchers, and businesses to learn from each other, connect on a personal level, and identify opportunities to advance the regional organic seed system in the Midwest.
On Wednesday Aug 19th, join at the University of Minnesota Farm at the Arb for a community building and organic market development session that brings together organic plant breeders, organic farmers, and retailers. There will be a brief presentation from Organic Seed Alliance on the state of organic seed and specific issues that impact the Midwestern seed system. Take advantage of networking opportunities, in addition to a guided tour of the Farm at the Arb and a complimentary dinner of pizza, salad, lemonade, and dessert bars.
On Thursday Aug 20th, join us at the University of Minnesota Cargill Building for a workshop session for growers to learn about regionally adapted crop varieties bred for organic systems. Attendees will learn about emerging specialty crop varieties that thrive on Midwest organic farms, directly from the breeders and seed farmers stewarding these varieties, with emphasis on culturally meaningful crops. We will visit the U-Minnesota student organic farm and learn about the Community Plant Breeding Team. The afternoon will feature a range of &#8220;&#8221;lightning talk&#8221;&#8221; presentations from plant breeders, seed producers, researchers, and other key industry stakeholders. Breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost to attendees.

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Midwest Organic Seed Summit (Minnesota)

<div>Have you felt like there should be a better way to keep organic records? Or does drafting your first OSP feel daunting?</div>
<div></div>
<div>Join MW TOPP for a free webinar to learn about a tool we&#8217;ve supported that can help farmers with their organic recordkeeping and writing their Organic Systems Plan (OSP).</div>
<div></div>
<div>The tool is called <a href="https://www.organicassistant.app/start-osp?utm_source=mosa&amp;utm_medium=webinar&amp;utm_campaign=aug2026_webinar">OrganicAssistant</a> and allows you to easily log organic records from your phone and draft your first OSP from the scattered files on your computer.</div>
<div></div>
<div>We&#8217;ll provide an overview of the tool and farmer experiences, then leave time for your questions.</div>
<div></div>
<div>Luke Freeman, formerly with the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food (CAFF), developed Organic Assistant in collaboration with organic farmers throughout the Midwest. He will give an overview of how to use the tool and organic farmers, Liz Graznak of Happy Hollow Farm (MO) and Brenden Sinclair of Snuggle Bug Farm (AR), will share how they use OrganicAssistant&#8217;s recordkeeping feature to log records from the field and how their multilingual farm crews participate in the farm&#8217;s recordkeeping.</div>
<div></div>
<div>
Register <a href="https://forms.gle/XZBjFTnQiX3eQCpH6">HERE</a> and we&#8217;ll email you the webinar link once you&#8217;re signed up.
</div>

OrganicAssistant

Webinar: Streamline your OSP and Organic Recordkeeping with OrganicAssistant

This field day will feature tours and talks about the latest research in organic grains and forages, including methods for reducing tillage in corn and soybeans, using biocontrol agents to manage white mold in soybean, and an on-farm research project studying soil health in organic grain systems. Organic systems research on ecological intensification practices (i.e. adding cover crops, reducing tillage, and integrating livestock) will also be shared.
This event is free and includes lunch, but please register in advance to help us plan!

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Field Day: UW Organic Research Station (Wisconsin)

Join the Michigan Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) team for a field day in Emmet and Charlevoix Counties, as we highlight both a certified organic farm and a regenerative farm with an integrated incubator farm. You’ll learn about how each farm started and modeled their business plan to both highlight and incorporate members of their local communities. You’ll learn about the different and similar practices found on an organic vs. regenerative farm, as well as how different generations are approaching farming. We will provide opportunities to learn about on-farm markets, incubator farms, grazing, hoop houses, B-Corp labor standards, soil health, composting, and more! We will finish the day with a panel discussion, and incorporate farm tours throughout the event.
This event is being organized by Michigan TOPP in partnership with the Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference (presented by Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology).

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Field Day: Farming for People, Purpose, and Profit (Michigan)

Do you grow and sell small and alternative grains? Looking to find new business partners to buy U.S. grown feed-grade ingredients?
Join the Organic Trade Association and our partners for our Virtual Buyer-Seller Mixer on August 13, 2026 as a part of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).
What is a Virtual Buyer-Seller Mixer: An online event for organic buyers and sellers &#8211; think online speed dating to support expansion of the U.S. organic supply chain! Participants&#8217; schedules will be created to connect sellers and buyers based on registration information and scheduling availability. For this buyer-seller mixer, we&#8217;re focused on organic and transitional small and alternative grains.
What do we mean by SMALL and ALTERNATIVE GRAINS? We&#8217;re targeting businesses buying or selling grains like oats, barley, rye, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, millet, sorghum, rice, and others.
Who Can Register: Any business (buyers) sourcing U.S.-grown small and alternative grains, and any farmer/producer of U.S.-grown organic or transitional small and alternative grains (sellers).  

Why: Support the domestic supply chain by sourcing small and alternative grains from domestic producers to meet your business needs in 2026 and beyond!
How: <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YDF8S7C">Register here</a>. Our team of experts will craft a custom schedule for each registrant. Complete schedules will be shared with registrants by July 31, 2026.
Register by July 30. Space is limited &#8211; sign up today!
REGISTER NOW: <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YDF8S7C">https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YDF8S7C</a>
This mixer is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

Virtual Buyer-Seller Mixer for Small & Alternative Grains

Calling all farmers and stakeholders who live in the Midwest region! Join us for an in-depth discussion of an updated “Advancing Regional Organic Markets: A Farmer’s Toolkit”, a resource designed to strengthen regional organic economies. This toolkit provides farmers and stakeholders with data, insights, and opportunity analysis to help expand regional production of high-demand organic crops, reduce reliance on imports, and increase economic opportunities for U.S. farmers. During this Advisor Call, we’ll discuss the Toolkit’s improvements since it was first launched in December 2025 and explore how to use the toolkit to identify key market opportunities in the Midwest region, support resilient supply chains rooted in local identity, and foster stronger connections between producers, processors, and buyers.
This event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

A gravel cow lane with a dairy barn and two silos and storm clouds at sunset in the summer.

Advisor Call Advancing Regional Organic Markets: A Farmer’s Toolkit (Midwest)

Join the Michigan Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) for a special West Michigan learning day focused on Farm to Institution markets. You’ll see farm to school marketing options, a farm managed by Trinity Hospital and a food hub for farm to institution sales and two farms north of town. Spend the day learning how organic and transitioning farmers can strengthen business management, access new market channels, and connect with institutions, schools, and community‑based buyers—all while touring innovative farms and food organizations across West Michigan.

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Farm Tour: Explore Farm-to-Institution Markets (Michigan)

Calling all farmers and stakeholders who live in the United States! Join us for an in-depth discussion of an updated “Advancing Regional Organic Markets: A Farmer’s Toolkit”, a resource designed to strengthen regional organic economies. This toolkit provides farmers and stakeholders with data, insights, and opportunity analysis to help expand regional production of high-demand organic crops, reduce reliance on imports, and increase economic opportunities for U.S. farmers. During this Advisor Call, we’ll discuss the Toolkit’s improvements since it was first launched in December 2025 and explore how to use the toolkit to identify key national market opportunities, support resilient supply chains rooted in local identity, and foster stronger connections between producers, processors, and buyers.
This event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

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Advisor Call Advancing Regional Organic Markets: A Farmer’s Toolkit (National)

Join IOA and Bridgewater Farm for a free field day at their 40-acre organic fruit and vegetable for a farm tour and a discussion of the organic certification best practices and how they are able to market their organic certified fruits and produce. 
The field day will include a tour of Bridgewater farm and plenty of time for questions and answers about their organic practices and experiences. There will also be a discussion about the benefits of transitioning to organic certification for the farm: what markets it opened up, consumer response, best practices for maintaining certification records, and more!

Field Day: Organic Certification Best Practices and Marketing Organic Vegetables (Iowa)

9:00 -12:00 
No Till, No Spray, No Weeds: Alternative weed control for today and the future
<ul>
<li>Join us for field tours of no-till research trials. Hear results from 10 years of roller crimping and see this year’s plots. Get an update on the state of herbicide resistance and what this could mean for future weed management. See a demonstration of Greenfield Robotics’ new interrow mowing robot.</li>
</ul>
12:00-1:00: LUNCH
1:00 &#8211; 3:00 
Experiences in Organic: An introduction to organic field crop production and certification
<ul>
<li>Are you just getting into organic production or curious about what that would look like? Join us for a farmer panel and organic certification introduction. This casual session will provide a brief introduction and a chance for Q&amp;A and discussion around this topic.</li>
</ul>

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Field Day: No Till, No Spray, No Weeds & Experiences in Organic (Wisconsin)

Sylvatica Forest Farm is a hub for educating the local and regional community on the importance of forest farming, herbalism and land stewardship within a long-term conservation mindset. The Rockcastle County land is stewarded by Joana Amorim and Michael Beck, who use permaculture and agroforestry practices to provide mushrooms, herbal products, fresh food and ecosystem services to their community. Through an online store, herbal CSA, tree nursery and hands-on workshops, Joana and Michael extend their knowledge and ecological practices to customers and neighbors.
In this OAK Field Day, visit <a href="https://directory.oak-ky.org/farm/sylvatica-forest-farm/">Sylvatica Forest Farm</a>’s orchards featuring alley cropping systems, earthworks and swales, forest farming, diverse perennial plantings and a gradual transition to silvopasture. Tour the MushRoom Indoor Cultivation space to hear of Sylvatica’s transition to organic certification and engage in an indoor mushroom cultivation demonstration. Learn how Michael and Joana use one of their two high tunnels and several garden spaces for a collaborative community food-growing effort.

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Field Day: Agroforestry, Regenerative Organics, and Community Food Resilience (Kentucky)

Explore Berrien County agriculture with a visit to three outstanding farms—each offering a unique window into organic growing, regenerative practices, and ways to welcome the public onto farms. This is great opportunity for farmers to learn from other farmers shaping Southwest Michigan’s food system
Spend a summer day exploring the heart of Berrien County agriculture with a visit to three outstanding farms—each offering a unique window into organic growing, regenerative practices, and ways to welcome the public onto farms.
10:00–11:15 AM | Tower Hill Farm 
11:45 AM–1:45 PM | Lunch and a Tour at Flatwater Farms 
2:15–3:30 PM | Granor Farm
Why join this tour? 
✔ See organic and regenerative practices in action 
✔ Connect with Michigan&#8217;s Transition to Organic Partnership Program team

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Farm Tour: Organic Value-Added and Agritourism Farms (Michigan)

This interactive session digs into how farmers evaluate the return on investment of organic certification—financially, culturally, and in their markets. We’ll explore how producers think through the costs of certification compared to building trust “organically,” through transparency, consistency, and community relationships.
Through research insights, real‑world farmer stories, and a facilitated panel conversation, participants will gain a richer understanding of:
<ul>
<li>The financial calculus to guide farmers&#8217; organic certification decisions</li>
<li>How scale and market type shape decision‑making</li>
<li>The role of relationships and community trust</li>
<li>Why some producers pursue certification while others rely on marketing &#8216;organically&#8217;</li>
</ul>

Webinar: How Producers Weigh the Cost–Benefit of Organic Certification

Join OFARM for a day packed with valuable education, the latest organic industry insights, and networking with fellow organic farmers.
Meet grain marketers who can take your product from the Bin to the Bank.
Hosted by OFARM in partnership with Midwest TOPP, this event will deliver practical, farm-ready information you can immediately apply to your operation.

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OFARM Organic Grain Producers Regional Meeting (Minnesota)

Join OGRAIN, Artisan Grain Collaborative, The Land Connection, IDEA Farm Network, Mad Agriculture, and Rodale Institute for this unique field day tailored for both farmers and distillers to learn in the field and at the distillery. We’ll spend the morning touring organic fields and seeing a small grain cleaning demonstration with Will and Dallas Glazik at Cow Creek Organic Farm. We’ll transition inside for lunch featuring a grain chain panel and delicious, local food from Maize. The afternoon will include a Silver Tree Spirits distillery tour, a buyer-seller mixer, grain quality discussion, and an optional educational spirit tasting, offering participants a hands-on opportunity to understand how environment influences flavor outcomes in distilled products. Have lingering questions or want to spend more time enjoying this great group of folks? Stick around the distillery to keep the conversation going.
This event is for organic farmers, those who are curious about organic production or the distilling market, organic grain buyers, and grain product makers. Come out to explore and network across the grain chain. This event will be held at Cow Creek Organic Farm, Silver Tree Spirits, and The Cadillac event space. Stay tuned for more details!
This event is free and includes lunch, but please register in advance to help us plan!

Field Day: Organic Seeds to Spirits (Illinois)

Join OGRAIN, Artisan Grain Collaborative, The Land Connection, IDEA Farm Network, Mad Agriculture, and Rodale Institute for this unique field day from 10:00 am – 4:30 pm tailored for both farmers and distillers to learn in the field and at the distillery. Dallas and Will Glazik will lead us as we tour organic fields and discuss proper food‑grade grain handling at Cow Creek Organic Farm. We’ll transition to Silver Tree Spirits for lunch featuring a farmer &amp; distiller panel followed by organic buyer/seller networking time.
The afternoon will include a distillery tour, a grain‑quality discussion, and an optional off‑flavor spirit tasting, offering participants a hands‑on opportunity to understand how grain quality influences flavor outcomes in distilled products. Have lingering questions or want to spend more time enjoying this great group of folks? Stick around the distillery to keep the conversation going. This event is for organic farmers, those transitioning, and those who are curious about organic production, and organic buyers. Come out to explore and network across the grain chain.

Organic Seed to Spirit Field Day

Organic Seed to Spirit Field Day + Buyer/Seller Mixer

Join fellow farm educators and ag professionals for this TOPP webinar on how research, outreach, and education can better center farmer knowledge. We’ll begin with a series of quick, highly practical lightning talks from five educators explaining how they elevate farmer wisdom through webinars, field days, working groups, research collaboration, and mentorship.
The second half of the session will feature interactive discussions and breakout conversations, giving participants space to share their own approaches and identify realistic, actionable strategies for strengthening farmer‑centered education in their work.

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Webinar: Research & Education that Centers Farmer Knowledge

You’ve transitioned to organic—or you’re considering it. What comes next?
Presented by Rodale Institute and the Organic Trade Association as part of the National Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), this webinar is designed for farmers thinking beyond certification. Transitioning to organic is one step; building a viable business around it is another.
Danielle and Steven of TendWell Farm will share how they approached that challenge. Danielle will walk through how they developed a brand, identified market opportunities, and explored value-added products and alternative revenue streams for their diversified vegetable system. She’ll also discuss a key but often under-addressed reality: while organic can command a price premium, capturing that value depends on clear positioning and a thoughtful market strategy.
This session is a practical conversation with farmers who have navigated these decisions. Come prepared to listen, ask questions, and consider how their experience might apply to your own operation.
This event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

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Building a Market for Organic Vegetable Systems: Lessons from a Successful Transition

The Purdue Turf and Landscape Field Day is an annual one-day event with the objective of providing professional turf and landscape managers exposure and educational opportunities with the latest research and technical resources. Field Day features research tours, talks on current topics, and a tradeshow with over 40 exhibitors displaying equipment, turf, and landscape products.
The lineup for landscapers and arborists can’t be missed this year! In addition to morning and afternoon presentations, there is a trade show and a catered lunch that is included with your registration.
The morning sessions for landscapers and arborists include:
<ul>
<li>Mushrooms and Conks: Threats to Tree Structural Integrity – John Bonkowski</li>
<li>Scales Uncovered: Scouting and Diagnosis – Andrew Johnston</li>
<li>Feeding the Soil First: How Amendments Affect Soil Health – Mine van der Berg</li>
<li>What Went Wrong? Identifying Landscape Plant Problems – Kyle Daniel</li>
<li>Tree Tips &amp; Tricks: Simple Solutions to Improve My Trees – Ben McCallister</li>
<li>Keeping Your Equipment on the Deck of the Trailer –</li>
<li>Fred Whitford &amp; Ben Royal 
OISC Update – Aaron Kreider</li>
</ul>
Afternoon workshops will provide in-depth training on topics of interest to Green Industry Professionals:
<ul>
<li>Saving Money with Weed Control: What to Do and What Not to Do – Aaron Patton</li>
<li>The Sharp Edge: A Comprehensive Guide to Chainsaw Care – Ben McCallister</li>
<li>Invasive Plant ID and Removal – Lenny Farlee</li>
</ul>

2023 Turf Science Field Day

Field Day: Purdue Turf and Landscape (Indiana)

Central Iowa farmers Caleb Akin and Noah Wendt began farming together through their partnership, A &amp; W Farms, in 2006. They began transitioning acres to organic in 2015, drawn by the higher prices of organic crops. As they have continued to transition more of their acres, Caleb and Noah have come to appreciate opportunities to grow niche crops and decrease reliance on external inputs.
As markets have become available, Noah and Caleb have been able to grow crops beyond corn and soybeans, such as oats, sunflowers and Kernza. They also use cover crops and limit tillage whenever possible. Come to their field day to see their Kernza, a perennial grain crop, in its second season of growth. You’ll also see sunflowers growing for oil production and food-grade oats nearing or at harvest stage.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">See &amp; Discuss</h2>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Kernza as a means of reducing tillage in organic fields</li>
<li>Baling straw to make the most of a grain crop</li>
<li>Challenges with marketing diverse crops</li>
<li>Fitting sunflowers into a crop rotation</li>
<li>The benefits of a 24-row camera-guided cultivator, and how to time its use</li>
</ul>

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Field Day: Organic Kernza, Sunflowers and Oats: Seeking Financial and Agronomic Sustainability (Iowa)

Dig in to Washtenaw County’s organic and sustainable agriculture with guided tours at three farms—each offering a distinctive look at seed stewardship, diversified production, ecological farming practices, and farmer‑led community engagement.
9:00–11:00 AM | Raindance Farm (Whitmore Lake) 
11:30 AM–2:15 PM | Nature and Nurture Farm (Dexter) 
11:30–12:15 PM: Lunch provided 
12:15–2:15 PM: Farm tour 
3:00–5:00 PM | Pott Farms (Willis)
Why join this tour? 
✔ Learn directly from sustainable and organic farmers in Washtenaw County 
✔ See organic and regenerative farming methods in action 
✔ Network with Michigan’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) team 
✔ Enjoy a full day of farm walks, learning, and delicious local food

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Farm Tours: Growing seeds, flowers, and more! (Michigan)

Join Purdue Extension for the annual Fruit and Vegetable Field Day on July 16, 2026, at the Meigs Horticulture Research Farm in Lafayette, featuring educational sessions on cutting-edge research, including high tunnel production systems, pollinator management, soil health strategies, and innovative weed and pest control methods, among others. This event offers fruit and vegetable growers a valuable opportunity to learn about the latest Purdue research, network with fellow producers, and discover practical solutions to enhance their operations. Register now to take advantage of this comprehensive learning experience.

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Field Day: Purdue Fruit and Vegetable (Indiana)

This webinar equips farm educators and agricultural professionals with a clear, real‑world understanding of how organic certification works on urban farms such as Earthworks. Learn about certification requirements, practices, records, inspection processes, and the challenges specific to urban production.
We will also explore when certification does or doesn’t make sense for urban growers and share lessons from urban farmer mentees who have navigated the process—from motivations to barriers to unexpected benefits.

Earthworks

Webinar: Organic Certification for Urban Farms

Dale Raasch started Bridgewater Farm in 2007 and obtained his organic certification in 2013. Today, he runs the largest organic certified farm in Iowa with 25 acres of vegetables. During this field day, Dale will show attendees how he has been able to extend his growing season and develop year-round income with 12 high tunnels, some of which are heated. We&#8217;ll hear how he&#8217;s working to grow more produce without increasing acres. Finally, Dale will share how he manages the wholesale side of his business and has worked with schools to access K-12 markets.

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Field Day: High Tunnels and Wholesale Organic Vegetables at Bridgewater Farm (Iowa)

<h3 class="std-text">Building truly healthy soils can unlock tremendous symbiotic benefits from the relationship between plants and microbes, including highly nutrient-dense produce, carbon sequestration, water retention, and resilience in the face of stress, extreme weather, and pest and disease pressure. The use of compost extracts, compost teas, and other low-cost amendments to inoculate soils with beneficial microbes is a growing soil health practice with incredible potential. Backed by fascinating emerging science and proven through remarkable in-field results, these practices can be done at any scale and in any context, from backyard gardens to large commercial pastures, orchards, and vineyards.</h3>
<h3 class="std-text">This webinar series will explore the science behind the workings of soil microbes, and why microbial inoculants are so effective in plant and soil health; describe and / or demonstrate practical, low-cost methods of creating quality composts and extracts; and share case studies and success stories of farmers using microbial inoculants on their farms.</h3>

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Webinar: Building a Biological Powerhouse in Your Soil–Infusing Your Soil and Plants with Beneficial Microbes

Organic value does not stop at the farm gate. It is created and captured through the markets we build the relationships we nurture and the stories we tell from soil to shelf.
This virtual webinar explores how farmers, food makers, and organic entrepreneurs can move beyond selling raw commodities to intentionally design value added products and market pathways that reward organic practices. 
Through real world case studies and practical examples, we will examine how successful organic businesses have transformed crops into brands’ brands into categories and products into resilient value chains.
Participants will learn how today’s conscious consumers make buying decisions where value is gained or lost along the organic supply chain and how small shifts in product format function audience or narrative can unlock new markets. Whether you are selling at farmers markets working with regional distributors pitching retailers or building a direct-to-consumer presence this session will help you see your organic product not just as food but as part of a larger market system you can shape.
This event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

From Farm to Brand Webinar

From Farm to Brand: Adding Value to Organics

Join the Missouri Organic Association for the 3rd Annual Organics in the Ozarks, a one-day event designed to support organic and regenerative agriculture through farmer-focused education, networking, and practical tools for success.
In 2026, we plan on bringing you in depth information focused on row crop and organic grain markets for one tract as well as poultry productions for layers and meatbirds in another tract.

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Field Day: Organics in the Ozarks (Missouri)

Join Iowa State Urban Ag Program at Lillyland Farm for a field day celebrating the connection between urban farming, pollinator habitat, and community food systems. Learn how pollinator-friendly practices support healthy ecosystems and help grow food for people in Des Moines. This event is free, and all are welcome!

Field Day: Urban Farming for Pollinators and People (Iowa)

Join IOA and the Nees Family at their farm for a free field day covering their multi-generational organic row-crop farm outside Early, IA. 
The field day will include a tour of their organic crop fields, organic specific equipment, and a discussion on new practices that they are considering or trying on a small scale at their farm. The morning field and farm tour will provide a great opportunity to ask questions and learn about what other organic producers are having success with. Whether you are currently farming organically, or interested in learning more about transitioning to organic, this will be a great field day to attended.

Field Day: Organic Row Crop Equipment & Management (Iowa)

One of the hardest parts about selling organic grain is getting bids from multiple buyers in your area. But it’s worth the effort! Since there is likely to be a price spread between buyers. And sometimes it’s as much as 10% or more. This webinar will explore basic steps in finding and reaching out to organic grain buyers in your area. It will also discuss what to do once you get a merchandiser/buyer on the phone, in terms of discovering what crops they buy, what volumes, when they make new contracts, and, most importantly, price discovery. We will also roleplay a phone call between an organic grain farmer and an organic grain buyer.
This event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

7-9-2026 Organic Grain Selling Webinar

Organic Grain Selling: Roleplaying to Help You Connect and Do Business with New Buyers

Ryan Tiefenthaler grew up helping on his family’s row crop and hog farm near Carroll, Iowa. After college, he returned to the farm to help his dad and started a custom application business for area farms. When an opportunity to raise fish fell through in 2016, Ryan quickly pivoted his plans for the large facility he had purchased and started cleaning seed instead.
Over the past decade, Ryan has grown his operation to meet the interest and demand of his partners and customers. Now with an array of conditioning equipment for both organic and conventional seed, he has been able to step away from custom application and focus fully on cleaning seed from his own farm and from others. Come tour Ryan&#8217;s facility to get a close look at the steps for processing high-quality seed.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">See &amp; Discuss</h2>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Starting and growing a small-grain seed business</li>
<li>Organic and conventional seed cleaning strategies</li>
<li>Procedures for seed testing</li>
<li>Equipment for storing, processing and bagging seed</li>
<li>The seed processing facility</li>
</ul>

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Field Day: Ventures With Seed–Building a Seed Conditioning Business (Iowa)

Grain is often not consumed in the same area where it is produced, and individual farmers are rarely able to fill five rail cars at a time. Aggregation and logistics play a huge role in the value chain of organic grains. Join us for this webinar to hear from Matt Nidlinger of Wenger Group and Brian Williams of LaBudde on how organic grains are moving around the country and what farmers can do to add value to their operations.
This event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

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Organic Grain Aggregation and Transportation – Adding Value by Understanding Logistics

Pollinator habitat restoration, honeybee conservation and sustainable weed management are essential tools for building thriving ecosystems and successful farm operations. Join OAK at the Kentucky State University’s Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm for a hands-on farm tour to:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
Explore practical strategies to support pollinators and manage weeds in organic cut flower production, including a walk through the Farm’s flower plots and a demonstration of weed management practices.
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
Learn how to integrate honeybees into the landscape, comparing various hive materials and using the nuances of hive spacing and positioning for maximum colony health.
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
Investigate the &#8220;why&#8221; and &#8220;how&#8221; of establishing native pollinator habitats by turning underutilized corners of a farm or yard into thriving biodiversity hubs that support crops year-round.
</li>
</ul>
Registration for this collaborative Field Day is required, $5 for OAK Members; $10 for non-Members.

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Field Day: Blooms, Bees and Biodiversity for Thriving Farms (Kentucky)

The Rodale Institute Midwest Organic Center&#8217;s annual field day includes the opportunity to interact one-on-one with staff and team of Organic Consultants and learn about our research and demonstration projects focused on organic agriculture and tailored for farmers in the Midwest.
This event is ideal for researchers, students, educators and all farmers, whether you are interested in learning more about organic farming, have an interest in consulting services to transition to organic, or are currently a Midwest organic farmer.
Attendance is free, but registration is required. Food trucks will be available to purchase lunch during the event.

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Field Day: The Rodale Institute Midwest Organic Center (Iowa)

Join Iowa State Urban Ag Program at Camp Cultivate for a field day celebrating local foods and sustainable gardening at Easterseals Camp Sunnyside. This urban garden, managed by the ISU Polk County Master Gardener Program, is designed to be a living classroom where gardeners learn and grow together. See the exciting progress made over the past year, explore current and upcoming projects, and discover how this unique partnership between a community garden and Easterseals Camp Sunnyside is growing food and community in Des Moines.

Camp Cultivate Field Day

Field Day: Celebrate Local Foods at Camp Cultivate (Iowa)

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Field Day: Soil Health and Diversified Systems at Blue Gate Farm (Iowa)

Bob and Sara Pearson grow organic corn, soybeans and oats on their farm in Kossuth County, Iowa. Sara started off with an organic vegetable farm in 2008 but gradually switched her focus to row crops as family rental acres became available. By 2015, Bob and Sara decided to fully focus their energy on transitioning their acres to organic row crops, choosing organic for its financial and environmental benefits.
Now operating on 420 acres, Sara and Bob have learned a great deal through years of organic transition and challenging weather years. Through it all, their crops show resilience in the face of poor weather conditions and bad pest and weed years. Come see how they are working with nature to build soil, retain water, support beneficial insects and improve nutrient cycling.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">See &amp; Discuss</h2>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Cropping strategies for organic transition</li>
<li>Cost-share opportunities for organic and transitional acres</li>
<li>Disease management for organic corn, soy and small grains during wet years</li>
<li>Use and timing of cultivators and tine weeders for effective weed control</li>
<li>Prairie strips and cover crops to attract beneficial insects and capture water</li>
</ul>

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Field Day: Overcoming Challenges and Finding Opportunities for Growth on an Organic Farm (Iowa)

Join us for Committed to Organic: Soil Health, Pest Management, and Longevity, a free learning event designed for organic farmers at all stages. Hear from leading experts including soil scientist Dr. Sean Stokes of the Rodale Institute, weed and pest scientist Erin Silva of the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, and experienced farmer David Bachhuber of Lovefood Farm.
Together, they’ll share practical insights on building healthy soils, managing weeds organically, and creating resilient farm systems for the long term.
Lunch is on us—come ready to learn, connect, and grow!

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Field Day: Committed To Organic–Soil Health, Pest Management, and Longevity (Illinois)

Join Marbleseed and the Organic Fruit Growers Association at James Lake Farms in Three Lakes, Wisconsin for the Organic Cranberry Field Day. We will visit two cranberry marshes operated by John Stauer of James Lake Farms that will showcase cranberry bed marsh construction and layout, water movement and usage, management of land on a cranberry marsh and organic fertility and pest control.
John will speak about how we transitioned an existing marsh to organic as well as the pollinator habitat he has added to benefit organic cranberry production.
This is a free event and lunch will be provided.
Schedule of events:
<ul>
<li>9:30 – 9:45  Registration &amp; Refreshments</li>
<li>9:45 – 10:30  Cranberry Culture Presentation</li>
<li>10:30 – 12:15  James Lake Marsh Tour &amp; Pollinator Planting Tour</li>
<li>12:15 – 1:15  Lunch</li>
<li>1:15 – 1:30  Travel to Thunder Lake Marsh</li>
<li>1:30-2:30  Thunder Lake Marsh Tour</li>
<li>2:30 – 3:30  Transition to Organic Producer Panel</li>
</ul>

Certification and Compliance

Farm Business and Market Access

Mentorship and Research Materials

Pest, Weed, and Disease Management

Soil Health and Inputs

Events

Regional Partners