Are you thinking about transitioning to organic farming or are a newly certified organic farmer? Please mark your calendar for this one-day conference hosted by UNL Extension. Come, learn, and mingle with other growers, vendors, and educators. This event is free and includes a free lunch. All are welcome to attend.

This conference will assist growers thinking about transitioning to organic farming and those that are newly certified organic farmers. Theone-day conference will focus on the certification process, crop management, and marketing for organic grain farms. Panel discussions with organic producers are included in the program. 

Plan to attend on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead, Nebraska from 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. 

University of Nebraska Statewide Soil Health Extension Educator, Katja Koehler-Cole says, “Interest in organic farming is growing. Successful implementation involves careful planning, thorough recordkeeping, and certification. Through this event, we aim to provide helpful information on the process of attaining organic farm certification. We hope that this gathering will foster connections and community among both novice and veteran farmers, alongside agricultural professionals and researchers.” 

There is no fee to attend, but please preregister by 11/25 for meal planning purposes and to ensure resource materials are available.  Seating is limited.  

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

Final Schedule Below...

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.  Registration, coffee, and vendor exhibits open

9:00 – 9:10 a.m.  Welcome - Katja Koehler-Cole, Nebraska Extension

9:15 – 10:00 a.m.  Organic certification - Karlin Warner, OneCert

10:00 – 10:15 a.m. - Break

10:15 – 11:00 a.m. - No-tilling organic corn into living alfalfa - Ben Miller, Clear Frontier

11:00 a.m. – noon - Organic production: Nebraska growers’ perspectives, Panel featuring Nebraska farmers

12:00 – 1.15 p.m. - Lunch and vendor session - Enjoy local food!

1:15 – 1:55 p.m. - Group discussions – Select one...

Stronger together: The benefits of cooperative organic grain marketing – Steve Boyda, Ed Reznicek, Justin Raikes, Central Plains Organic Farmers

No-till agronomic management – Ben Miller, Léa Vereecke, Clear Frontier

Help NRCS and FSA help you! – speaker Harriet Behar, Organic Farmers Association

Meet and Greet Buyers: Roundtable to market organic and transition grains – moderated by Ben Lehman, Rodale Institute

2:00 – 2.40 p.m. - Group discussions – Select one...

Stronger together: The benefits of cooperative organic grain marketing – Steve Boyda, Ed Reznicek, Justin Raikes, Central Plains Organic Farmers

No-till agronomic management – Ben Miller, Léa Vereecke, Clear Frontier

Help NRCS and FSA help you! – speaker Harriet Behar, Organic Farmers Association

Meet and Greet Buyers: Roundtable to market organic and transition grains – moderated by Ben Lehman, Rodale Institute

2:45 – 3:00 p.m. - Evaluation and closing

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. - Time for networking, vendor exhibits, coffee

Would you like to be an exhibitor at the conference? Please click on the link below to reserve your table by November 25.https://cvent.me/x9WaRG

We have sent an email containing a personalized registration link.