Iowa Organic Conference to Feature One-on-One
Mentoring
Focus on helping
farmers interested in transitioning to organic
AMES, Iowa—The 15th annual Iowa Organic
Conference will give farmers who are interested in transitioning to an organic
operation the opportunity to meet individually with experts in the field. The
conference will be held Nov. 22-23 at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, as a
joint effort between Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the UI
Office of Sustainability.
Farmers will have the chance to participate in
farmer-to-mentor round tables with organic producers and those experienced with
organic certification. In addition, event
speakers will provide advice on organic grain crops, vegetable production,
fruit cultivation and certification how-to tips.
“The U.S. market for organic products reached $39.1 billion
in 2014 and the demand for organic grains and produce continues to exceed
supply,” said Kathleen Delate, ISU Extension and Outreach organic agriculture
specialist and professor in horticulture and agronomy. “Growers everywhere are
encouraged to consider the potential for organic production.”
A local foods expo will
kick off the conference on Sunday, Nov. 22, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the UI Memorial
Union. On Monday, the keynote speakers are Klaas and
Mary-Howell Martens, who grow and market over 10 varieties of organic grains
and have received numerous commendations for their biodiverse organic farm (http://www.lakevieworganicgrain.com/meet.html) in upstate New York.
The conference lunch on Monday afternoon highlights local
and organic produce, meats, and dairy products assembled into a gourmet meal by
UI award-winning executive chef, Barry Greenberg, and his team.
Organic producers and experts from across the country will
share tips about organic production, weed management, livestock production and
methods to enhance organic operations. Over 50 exhibitors, including organic
seed sellers, local food system non-profits and government offices working with
transitioning and certified organic farmers, will be on site to meet with
producers. Growers are encouraged to bring their grain samples to the grain
buyer exhibitors.
Conference information and directions to the event are available
online at http://sustainability.uiowa.edu/2015-iowa-organic-conference.
To register, access https://www.signmeup.com/108970. For additional information, contact Delate at kdelate@iastate.edu.
Additional conference partners are the Leopold Center for
Sustainable Agriculture, New Pioneer Food Co-op, Organic Valley and Practical
Farmers of Iowa.
Related links:
Sustainable Vegetable Production Lab
Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Practical Farmers of Iowa
Related publications:
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
“Fundamentals of Organic
Agriculture,” PM 1880
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Extension Store, Cover crops in Vegetable Production Systems
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