In This Issue
• Organic Grain Conference in Champaign is February 9-10
• On(line) Wisconsin: Farmer Learning Service Starts Wednesday
• Save the Date for Illinois’ Soil Health Week
A Robert Frost-y Morning
Greeting the week with a little Monday morning snow. It’s the second straight day with a little Alberta Clipper applying some frosting to our cake.
Though the commuters in traffic on Lake Shore Drive below me might disagree, this is a rather pleasant snow, falling gently and without drama. It’s in contrast to our typical snowfall in recent years, which comes in riding a noisy gale but drops barely enough snow to cover the ground. As poet Robert Frost wrote, “the sweep of easy wind and downy flake.”
If it has to snow, it might as well be pretty. I could linger staring out the window for hours. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.
If Your Interest In Good Grain Is Rising
The increasing acreage devoted to “good grain” by region farmers, and the rising interest among consumers who want to buy that grain and the products made from it, are among the most profound food system developments in the decade since I moved to Chicago and became professionally engaged in promoting such positive changes.
The Organic Grain Conference & Trade Show, coming up February 9 and 10 in Champaign, is primarily aimed at farmers and would be of great value to current or hopeful producers who are thinking about joining the better-for-people-and-the-planet grain movement. It might also be of interest to others who want to learn more about what makes good grain good.
Harold Wilken, the awesome founder/owner of Janie’s Farm in Danforth and Janie’s Mill in Ashkum (both in east-central Illinois), will deliver the keynote address. Click the button below the following release from the conference organizers to learn more and to register.
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The Organic Grain Conference & Trade Show (OGC) will return to the I Hotel and Conference Center at 1900 S 1st St. in Champaign, IL, on February 9 and 10, 2022. The OGC is the premier event in Illinois for grain farmers interested in learning more about organic farming, conservation practices, transitioning, and much more.
The event kicks off on February 9 with a half day of workshops to explore the organic certification process, crop rotations for organics, and no-till organic. The first day will wrap up with a mixer featuring beverages distilled from local grains.
Day 2, Thursday, February 10, will feature a wide range of content examining:
small grains,
livestock integration,
tillage practices,
market trends,
risk identification,
wide-row corn,
profitable conservation,
and more!
Leading Illinois organic farmer, Harold Wilken of Janie’s Mill and Janie’s Farm, will deliver the keynote address discussing his vision for regeneration, and how that vision extends far beyond the soil.
Day 2 will offer plenty of opportunity to engage directly with peers, consultants, researchers, and industry professionals. Stop by one of our consulting rooms to:
troubleshoot your organic issues,
learn about conservation programs,
or discuss financial support options.
Join a round table discussion to share your input on the 2023 Farm Bill or talk about challenges in land tenure. Visit the Trade Show to chat with nearly 20 industry exhibitors.
Early bird registration for the conference runs through January 26, with 1-day registration starting at $65 and a 2-day conference package starting at $110. Snacks will be provided throughout Day 1. Lunch and a light breakfast are included on Day2.
Learn more and register online at https://thelandconnection.org/event/ogc2022/
More Farmer Online Learning Opportunities
Aren’t Big Ten Conference schools awesome? Last week I posted online farmer learning opportunities presented free online events provided by the Extension units of Michigan State University (my alma mater) and University of Illinois. Today it’s University of Wisconsin’s turn.
This series of monthly online programs, which starts this Wednesday (January 26), is co-presented by UW’s OGRAIN, the Organic Agronomy Training Service, and the American Society of Agronomy. This programs deal with very specific farming issues; the June 29 session is literally down in the weeds.
Click the button below the following release for more information and to register.
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The Organic Agronomy Training Service (OATS), the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s OGRAIN, and the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) have launched two new opportunities for organic advisors and ag professionals to connect and learn from each other. These are perfect for anyone who works with organic and transitional farmers.
The Organic Advisor Call Series are free, monthly Zoom discussions and Q&As with farmers and experts focused on all aspects of organic grain farming. The first two calls will be held on:
January 26, 8-9am Central Time - “Transition to Organic, Relay Cropping, and Leadership in Organics” with Ben Adolph of Merge Organics in Fairhaven, IL
February 23, 8-9am Central Time - “Diversity in Crop Rotations and Importance of Organic Agriculture to Rural Communities” with Charlie Johnson, an organic farmer in Madison, WI
March 23, 8-9am Central Time - “Fertility Management, Manure and Nitrogen Crediting in Organic Production” with James Schroepfer, an organic farmer in Belgrade, MN
June 29, 8-9am Central Time - “Managing Weeds with Organic Crop Rotations and Technology” with guest TBD
July 27, 8-9am Central Time - “Cover Crops, Inter-seeding, and 60-inch corn in Organic Management” with guest TBD
August 24, 8-9am Central Time - “Reduced Tillage in Organic Systems: No Till Soybeans into Cereal Rye” with guest TBD
Save the Dates for Soil Health Week
Save the dates of March 7-11 for Soil Health Week, an initiative of Illinois Stewardship Alliance’s Soil Health Farmer Caucus. The highlight will be the Soil Health Summit on March 9, designated as Soil Health Day.
Building and reviving the health and vitality of our soils is the foundation of sustainable/organic/regenerative farming, amid abundant scientific evidence of the connections between good soil, good food and good health. Soil Health Week is being designed to engage the interest of eaters of all kinds, as well as those who are engaged fulltime in agriculture and food systems.
Local Food Forum will provide program updates as they become available. Illinois Stewardship Alliance shared the following release.
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In 2022, the Alliance’s Soil Health Farmer Caucus will work with state lawmakers to introduce a resolution that creates a day and week to celebrate one of Illinois’ most valuable resources: its soil.
Illinois Soil Health Day and Week Resolution will create a celebration falling on the second full week of March, and Wednesday of that week will be Soil Health Day.
Throughout the week, we will bring together farmers and eaters, organizations, state leaders, legislators, and other partners to virtually celebrate with a variety of presentations and resources.
Each day features different voices in the food and farm system presenting on a range of topics that focus on how powerful and important the soil beneath our feet is to Illinois.
We are especially excited for Soil Health Day (March 9) as we will bring back the Soil Health Summit! Back in 2019, the Alliance worked with partners across the state to host a Summit, which aimed to promote and explore how organizing and policy can enhance soil health and stewardship of our vital resources. Though we planned for the Summit to be an annual event, COVID had other plans. This year, the Summit is making a strong virtual comeback.
Stay tuned for more details!