Organic Vegetable Production Conference

Organic Vegetable Production Conference

January 25 & 26, 2024 | Online Everywhere

February 2 & 3, 2024  Ι In Person, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI

This producer-initiated conference is designed for advanced growers and attracts participants from throughout the Midwest and beyond.  Participants who register by January 6 will receive a conference packet with handouts and swag through the mail BEFORE the online sessions.  Those who register after January 6 may receive the packet before or AFTER the online sessions.  Online session are on Zoom.

Esta conferencia respaldada por productores se basa en el intercambio de habilidades de agricultor a agricultor, tiene su sede en el Medio Oeste estadounidense, y ahora incluye a agricultores de todo el condado. Llame a Alexis Salazar al 608-224-3704 para obtener asistencia con la traducción en español.

Qhov kev tuaj koom kawm uake es yog cov neeg tsim qoob loo-yog cov pib es siv cov tswv teb tej yam lawv paub kom lawv sib qhia, qhov chaw nov nyob rau ib cheeb tsam ntawm Midwest, thiab tam sim muaj cov tswv qoob loo los koom es nyob thoob plaws hauv cov zos county. Hu rau Chiang Rai Lor ntawm 608-709-0177 rau kev pab rau npe ua lus Hmoob.

“A great community of farmers! It was so encouraging to hear about people’s successes and struggles.” – Maria Duits, Stockbridge-Munsee Community, WI

“The amount of knowledge shared at this conference is amazing.” – Devon Wilson – Sunlight Gardens, MI

“This is the best conference I’ve ever been to. Farmer presentations are always top notch and packed full of detailed information. Panel discussions with three farmers of varying sizes makes each topic useful for any grower.” – Sarah Leong, Squashington Farm, WI

“I attended the virtual conference to network and join in community with other vegetable farmers in the Midwest and beyond. I enjoyed the jovial atmosphere, knowledgeable speakers and hosts, and gained useful insights that I will take with me into my next growing season.”  – Morgan Snedden – Fox at the Fork, IL

“This is without a doubt the most helpful information I have found from a conference. The presenters knew every detail they discussed and came ready to showcase their farms and systems. I loved having photos to go along with the information to bring the ideas to life.” – Olivia Kingery – Pileated Farms, MI

Sessions / Sesiones / Program cov Lus Qhia

Asian Greens
Michelle Nowak, Franklinton Farms, OH
Lucy Garrison & Chaw Chang, Stick and Stone Farm, NY
Peppers
Jack Manix, Walker Farm, VT
Kat Becker, Cattail Organics, WI

Vegetable sessions provide detailed production information, from variety selection to postharvest handling, are specific to a variety of scales, and enhanced by photos from the field. Participants will receive a handout detailing each presenter’s systems, including germination techniques and crop spacing to equipment, disease and pest control, and so much more.

High Tunnel Pest Management with Beneficials

Beneficial insects can be a good way to limit the time spent applying pesticides. When used the right way they can even be more effective than pesticides at controlling pests in many situations. This session will cover beneficial insects in both the greenhouse and field setting.

Pam Morin, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, ME

Jon Ault, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, ME

Fertilizer Injectors in the Hoophouse

Hoophouses can be intensely profitable, but growing in a protected culture also presents unique problems. Some organic farmers use fertilizer injectors to feed their hoophouse plants through drip irrigation for maximum productivity. Others are injecting citric acid to counteract high soil pH, which is often a problem given the hard water in the Midwest. How does a fertilizer injector work? How should it be used and maintained? What kind of materials are commonly used in organic hoophouses? And how do farmers decide the rate of material to apply? Come learn some answers to those questions.

Trevor Hardy, Bookdale Farm Supplies, NH

Social XLV – Winter Cover Crops in High Tunnels

High tunnels have clear benefits, but their intensive use and the fact that they’re often hotter and drier than an open field can create challenges for farmers – from soil structure degradation to salt accumulation and more. This discussion will explore winter cover cropping rotations as one solution to reduce soil degradation potential and will share practical suggestions for species selection, planting and termination times, and possible pitfalls to consider before implementation.

Hosted by Hannah Walsh, University of Minnesota, MN

Social XLV – Uncrackable Problems, Transformational Solutions

There always seems to be that one, persistent problem that plagues the farm from year to year until – shazam! A stroke of genius solves the problem and makes life a little bit easier. Bring some of your highly creative or super straightforward solutions to the stubborn challenges on your farms and share with your peers.

Hosted by Beth Knorr, FairShare, WI

Click image to see a larger version of the schedule

Asparagus
Dr. Phil Yang, Yang’s Produce, WI
Robyn Calvey, Park Ridge Organics, WI
Steve Pincus, Tipi Produce, WI
Garlic
Rodrido Cala, Cala Farm, WI
Jordan Clasen, Grade A Gardens, IA
Nate Lada, Green Things Collective, MI
Peppers
Dana Jokela, Sogn Valley Farm, MN
Nate Lada, Green Things Collective, MI
Kurt Bench, Shared Legacy Farms, OH
Potatoes
Allissa Stutte, Mino Bimaadiziiwin Farm, WI
Jason Grimm, Grimm Family Farm, IA

Jesse Perkins, Mythic Farm, WI

Vegetable sessions provide detailed production information, from variety selection to postharvest handling, are specific to a variety of scales, and enhanced by photos from the field. Participants will receive a handout detailing each presenter’s systems, including germination techniques and crop spacing to equipment, disease and pest control, and so much more.

Navigating Today’s Farm Labor Challenges

Hired labor can deeply impact both daily operations and long-term farm success. Three experienced farmers will speak openly on how they are operating within a difficult labor and market landscape, what is going well, and where the greatest challenges are.

Beth Kazmar, Tipi Produce, WI

David Bachhuber, Lovefood Farm, WI

Abby Benson, Featherstone Farm, MN

Seed Saving and Production

Seed saving has implications for food security and agricultural biodiversity. This session will explore how farmers can incorporate seed production into their farm and business models and get specific about the logistics and equipment involved in doing this work. Bring your own experiences and your questions for a lively discussion.

Dylan Bruce, Circadian Organics, WI

Cody Egan, Driftless Seeds, MN

Crop Rotations in the Field

Designing AND following a crop rotation plan on a diversified vegetable farm can feel like doing an impossible jigsaw puzzle. This session will feature perspectives on goals and systems to effectively manage the dynamic complexity of this challenging topic. Speakers will focus on what is working for them (and what hasn’t!), how their rotations have changed over time, and how cover crops fit into the picture.

Janaki Fisher-Merritt, Food Farm, MN

Kurt Bench, Shared Legacy Farms, OH

Valuing Workers for Retention and Sustainability

Formal practices and informal actions can help farm owners create a work environment that employees choose to return to year after year. In this session, two experienced farmers will share what is, and isn’t, working for them – from formal compensation and benefits packages, to organizational structures, farm lunches, Friday afternoons off – and so much more. In this hit-or-miss labor environment, you’ll come away from this session with ideas and actions that you can control.

Heather Anderson, Green Wagon Farm, MI

Brian Bates, Bear Creek Organic Farm, MI

Composting and Soil Fertility

The health of your soil directly impacts the health of your produce. Join two farmers with different soil types as they talk about and share how their composting and fertility practices have changed over time.

Tenzin Botsford, Red Door Family Farm, WI

Tony Whitefeather, Whitefeather Organics, WI

Keeping the Fun in Farming

Farms are businesses, and business must grow, regardless of crummies in tummies you know. But all work and no play is no fun at all! Do you have a fun side project or ritual that you use to feed your inner child? Connect with fellow farmers as we all share how we continue to keep the fun in Farming. Because you can’t spell “funarming” without fun!

Farmer to Farmer Round Tables

  • HMoob (Hmong) Grower Roundtable
  • Vegetable varieties
  • Effective organic pesticides & biological control strategies
  • Irrigation systems
  • Creative labor management systems
  • Navigating plastic use on the farm
  • Concrete strategies to support farmer mental health and wellbeing
  • Game Changers: your favorite farm hacks
  • Building Weed Management Skills

Registration

Early Bird by December 15Regular by January 24
Full Conference = $150Full Conference = $200
Virtual Only = $50Virtual Only = $75
In Person Only = $125In Person Only = $175
In Person Friday Only = $75In Person Friday Only = $100
In Person Saturday Only = $75In Person Saturday Only = $100

Conference packets with handouts and swag will be snail mailed to all VIRTUAL attendees.

  • Register by January 6 to receive the conference packet BEFORE the VIRTUAL event.
  • Those who register after January 6 may receive the packet before or AFTER the VIRTUAL conference.

Recordings

  • All virtual sessions will be recorded and available to everyone who registers for the virtual event, whether or not they attend the session in real time.
  • None of the in person session will be recorded.

Lodging

Clarion Suites Attached to Alliant Energy Center, 608-284-1234. Click the link to automatically apply the group rate to your reservation. Or call and identify yourself as part of the “Organic Vegetable Conference 2024.” The discounted group rate is $120 plus taxes. Rate includes hot breakfast in the morning, free parking, and airport or downtown shuttle.
Home Stay Connect with others offering or requesting a homestay in the Madison area on our Facebook Event page.
Sheraton  706 John Nolen Drive – Across from the Alliant Energy Center, 800-325-3535
Holiday Inn Express 601 John Nolen Drive – Across from the Alliant Energy Center, 608-709-5050
Home2 Suites by Hilton2153 Rimrock Road – Behind the Alliant Energy Center, 608-949-9650

Scholarships / Becas / Nyiaj Pab

Hay becas de inscripción disponibles para productores inmigrantes y de comunidades cuyas raza y etnia tienen poca representación. La asignación de becas es por orden de llegada. La beca para la conferencia completa es de $160.

Con una beca, la tarifa de inscripción para los productores es:  Conferencia completa = $40

¡Inscríbase para obtener una beca!

Thov rau npe tsis pub dhau Lub Ib Hlis Ntuj Tim 13.

Muaj Nyiaj Pab Them Nqi Rau Npe rau cov neeg cog zaub uas khiav teb chaws thiab cov neeg cog zaub uas los hauv ib pawg uas txawv haiv thiab haiv neeg tsawg uas tsis muaj neeg sawv cev txaus uas raws qhov leej twg xub tuaj, leej twg xub tau. Nyiaj pab rau tag nrho ob hnub sib tham yog $160.

Nrog qhov nyiaj pab, tus nqi rau npe rau cov neeg cog zaub yog:  Tag Nrho Ob Hnub Sib Tham = $40

Rau npe thov nyiaj pab ntawm no!

Registration Scholarships are available for immigrant growers and growers from historically underrepresented communities (Native American, Black, Latinx, Hmong, etc.) on a first come, first serve basis. Full conference scholarship is $160.  If you are unsure if you qualify for a scholarship contact sarah@csacoalition.org.

With a scholarship, the registration fee for growers is:  Full Conference = $40

Click to register with a scholarship!

Register > Enter Promo Code > 2024VegScholarship

Language Access / Acceso a Idiomas / Kev Siv Lus

  • Llame a Alexis Salazar al 608-224-3704 para obtener asistencia con la traducción en español.
  • Llame a Chiang Rai Lor al 608-226-0300 para obtener asistencia con la traducción en miao.
  • Habrá interpretación simultánea en miao y español para quienes lo necesiten.
  • Nuestro compromiso es promover la agricultura orgánica entre las minorías y las familias de inmigrantes. Puede inscribir a un invitado adicional de la familia para que asista a la conferencia de manera gratuita.

La University of Wisconsin-Extension proporciona acción afirmativa e igualdad de oportunidades en educación, programas y empleo para todas las personas calificadas, sin tener en cuenta la raza, color, género, credo, discapacidad, religión, origen nacional, ascendencia, edad, orientación sexual, gravidez, estado civil o de paternidad, historial de detención o condena, o estado de veterano de guerra.

  • Hu rau Chiang Rai Lor ntawm 608-226-0300 rau kev pab rau npe ua lus HMoob.
  • Hu rau Alexis Salazar ntawm 608-224-3704 rau kev pab rau npe ua lus Mev.
  • Muaj kev txhais lus tib lub sij hawm ua lus Hmoob thiab lus Mev, yog xav tau.
  • Peb muaj kev ruaj siab los txhawb kev cog zaub uas tsis siv chiv ntawm cov neeg tsawg thiab cov neeg khiav teb chaws. Koj rau npe tau rau ib tug neeg hauv tsev neeg ntxiv tuaj koom lub rooj sib tham dawb.

Lub Tsev Kawm Ntawv Qib Siab (University of Wisconsin-Extension) pab rau tsoom fwv kev pom zoo thiab ncaj ncees nyob rau kev kawm ntaub ntawv, kev pab cuam thiab kev ua hauj lwm rau tag nrho cov neeg tsim nyog ua tau tsis tas hais yog haiv neeg twg, xim tawv nqaij twg, poj niam txiv neej, kev ntseeg, cov neeg puas cev xws li tes taw, kev ntseeg ntuj, kev tuaj txawv teb chaws tuaj, kev poj koob yawm txwv, hnub nyoog, kev xaiv ntawm kev daj dee, kev xeeb tub, kev muaj txij nkawm los yog ua niam txiv, kev rau txhom los yog muaj txim raug kaw los yog ua qub tub rog.

Testimonials

“This conference allows me to connect with farmers across the U.S. who are of a similar goal and mindset, and brings invaluable information to a single source.” – Allison Stawara – Partridge Creek Farm, MI

“This is consistently the best vegetable production conference I attend year after year.” – Kellie Zahn, Stockbridge-Munsee Community

“I come to this conference with questions that are answered by the time I leave.  This is now how I look forward to starting the season.” – Meg Kelly, High Meadow Farm

“The handouts alone are worth the cost of the conference. Side by side comparisons of farms of different sizes/contexts with VERY comprehensive prompts/questions.”  – Evan Barry, Down River Farm

“This conference has the technical details that other organic conferences sometimes lack.” – Sam Knapp, Root Cellar Farm

“As a somewhat seasoned farmer, but new to farming in the Midwest, this conference was beyond valuable for setting me up for success and connecting me to a knowledgeable community of growers!”  – Deb Moses, Cliffbrake Farm

“The worst thing about this conference is that all the sessions are so good it makes it really hard to choose!” – Liz Graznak, Happy Hollow Farm

“I love this conference because it fills the ‘pro-level’ niche.”   – Katie Bishop, PrairiErth Farm

Co-Hosts

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION AND OUTREACH

Sponsors/Exhibitors

High Mowing Organic Seeds
Ohio Earth Food 
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