January 14, 2019
Purdue Extension hosting Indiana’s only organic grain farmer conference
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Registration is open for Purdue Extension’s 2019 Indiana Organic Grain Farmer Meeting. This year’s event has expanded from its annual meeting to a two-day conference and is Indiana’s only conference on organic grain farming.
The conference will be held March 6-7 at the Beck Agricultural Center, 4550 U.S. 52 W., West Lafayette. Purdue Extension is hosting the event in conjunction with Jasper County Soil and Water Conservation District and IDEA Farm Network.
“We don’t have opportunities like this in Indiana,” said Michael O’Donnell, event organizer. “The meeting emphasizes farmer-to-farmer learning, providing a platform for farmers to share their experiences in presentations and panel discussion. Representatives from industry will attend, and there will be plenty of opportunities for networking.”
The conference will be a full-day workshop with a focus on how farmers can transition into organic grain production. Presentations and farmer panels will cover organic certification, the National Organic Program, fundamentals of organic grain production, strategies for transitioning, and organic grain budgets and markets.
The second day offers a more advanced look at organic grain farming practices. Topics include weed management, fertility management, livestock integration, soil health and food-grade grain production, handling, and storage techniques.
Registration for the event is open. The cost of the conference is $80 to attend both days, $40 to attend the session on March 6 and $50 to attend the session on March 7. The second day of the conference also offers opportunities for sponsors and exhibitors. For more information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/AMpCXw.
Writer: Emma Ea Ambrose, 765-494-2406, eeambros@purdue.edu
Source: Michael O’Donnell, 765-284-8414, modonnel@purdue.edu
Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu
