By Scout Nelson
An upcoming organic grain production conference on December 2 will support growers who are considering a transition to organic farming as well as those who are newly certified.
The one-day event will focus on essential topics such as organic certification, crop management, and marketing strategies designed specifically for organic grain production. Panel discussions and group sessions will provide opportunities to learn from experienced organic producers.
The conference will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead, Nebraska. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., allowing attendees time to visit with exhibitors and settle in before the program begins.
University of Nebraska Statewide Soil Health Extension Educator Katja Koehler-Cole emphasized the increasing interest in organic production, saying, “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.”
The program will open with a welcome message, followed by a presentation from Karlin Warner of OneCert on the organic certification process. Additional topics include no-till organic corn production using a living mulch system and a producer panel featuring insights from those who have transitioned into long-term organic systems.
Participants will have opportunities to join group discussions covering topics such as co-ops in the organic sector, no-till agronomic management, NRCS and FSA assistance programs, and marketing organic grains. Topics will be repeated, so participants may select two sessions of interest.
Networking time, vendor exhibits, and informal discussion opportunities will take place throughout the day, including a session at the end of the event.
There is no cost to attend, though preregistration by November 25 is required for meal planning and materials. Registration and additional details are available at the event website. Organizers encourage early sign-up due to limited seating.
The event is sponsored by Nebraska Extension and the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service under the National Organic Program’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program.
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Categories: Nebraska, Business, Education