|
Events 20th Annual Organic Farming Conference (held in La Crosse, Wisconsin along with Organic University) Yes! I want to hear about the latest MOSES events & resources. Please add me to your mailing list!  2009 OFC Sponsors  
|
Register Online for the 2009 OU | Download a Registration Form The Organic University (OU) brings you an in-depth look at a variety of issues relevant to successful organic production, marketing and organic farm management. Small classes are designed to encourage discussion relevant to your particular situation. All courses included an organic breakfast, lunch, breaks and a resource book. The OU began in 2001 with six courses dealing with transitioning to organic, organic transplant production, soil management, organic market gardening, organic livestock production, and an introduction to organic farming. A total of 19 courses have been offered over the five year history of the OU. Read more about the OU and its HISTORY! The OU will be offered Feb. 26, 2009 in conjunction with the 20th Annual Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, WI. 2009 OU COURSES 1) GETTING STARTED WITH AN ORGANIC FARMPeople enter organic farming for many reason;; returning to the family farm after a career, newly graduated from school, farming on family land or starting out on their own. Deciding on what type of farming operation takes some thought: Are you good with equipment? Animals? How much capital can you invest before receiving payback? Farming organically adds more considerations, such as methods of soil building, planning outdoor access for livestock, and planning to meet market requirements. Join Amy Bacigalupo of the Land Stewardship Project and Paul Dietmann of the WI Department of AG's Farm Center to explore options and the numerous resources available to beginning farmers. 2) ADVANCED ORGANIC DAIRY HEALTH MANAGEMENT Join two veterinarians who have been working with organic dairy producers for many years for a stimulating day of discussion centered on dairy animal health management. Paul Dettloff, DVM and Richard (Doc) Holliday, DVM will start with a review of the basics of promoting health. They will move into an advanced discussion on the use of herbal and homeopathic remedies, as well as the use of acupressure and physical manipulation and evaluation. Organic dairy health is rooted in good animal management and this course will provide the tools to improve your operation, although we cannot guarantee that you will learn to produce all heifer calves! 3) HONEYBEES AND NATIVE POLLINATORS Enhance your farm's environment to promote healthy habitat and forage for struggling pollinators as well as understand how these insects interact with your farm's production capabilities. Beekeeping basics will be discussed, with special emphasis on long-term solutions for healthy hives without the use of toxic chemicals and antibiotics. Ross Conrad, author of Natural Beekeeping, will give an overview of genetics and breeding, hive equipment and manipulation, as well as mite and disease control. Eric Mader, National Pollinator Outreach Coordinator with the Xerces Society, will discuss farm and land management practices as well as government support programs for pollinator habitat enhancement. 4) ORGANIC AGRICULTURE AND BIODYNAMIC METHODS Biodynamic farming is organic farming which views the farm as a whole organism while recognizing its place in the greater environment, from the local region to our entire planet. Use of specific mineral and herbal "preparations" enhance the vitality of the farm, in a fashion similar to homeopathic remedies used for human and animal health maintenance. Jim Fullmer, executive director of Demeter and Stellar Certification Services and a long time biodynamic farmer, as well as Janet Gamble, farm and food director at the Michael Fields Institute, will team up to present biodynamic farm basics and offer tips that any farmer can use to bring their farm's production to a new level. 5) GRAZING THE ORGANIC WAY Pasture is mandated for organic ruminant systems. Taking the next step to managed grazing should not only increase your profitability but also has numerous other benefits. Join experienced Wisconsin beef grazer Jim Munsch, also a county grazing educator, and experienced Minnesota dairy grazer Art Thicke for a dynamic session on getting the most out of your organic grazing system. Jim and Art will share views of each of their farms, as well as discuss economics, pasture composition, timing of rotations and other grazing concepts. This will be an advanced session planned for those who have already dabbled in rotational grazing, but even beginners will walk away with a lot of good ideas and resources. 6) ADVANCED TREE FRUIT PRODUCTION Growing perennial crops such as fruit trees offers unique production challenges, especially for organic orchardists. Soil building and enhancement of a diverse environment, both challenges in an orchard, will be the focus of this session. Understanding the factors that encourage insect breeding and feeding is important in the management of insect problems and aids the producer in the effective and timely use of traps, pheromone disrupters and organically approved spray materials. Our panel of experienced organic orchardists, George Bird, professor in the Department of Entomology from Michigan State University, Steve Ela, from Colorado, and Jim Koan from Michigan will bring many ideas for discussion. 7) SUCCESSFULLY GROWING SMALL GRAINS AND FORAGES High quality small grains and forages are the heart of organic farm production, both for their soil building aspects and their place in a healthy livestock ration. Producers Klaas and Mary-Howell Martens, of upstate New York, and Carmen Fernholz, of western Minnesota, will bring their extensive experience and years of experimentation and work with other organic farmers and Universities to help you understand the seeds, rotations, equipment and systems you need to grow these crops, which are in strong demand for both livestock and human food. Whether you are a cash grain farmer or are growing crops to feed to your own livestock, this session will give you the tools you need to increase yields and quality. 8) COVER CROPS AND TILLAGE IN AN ORGANIC SYSTEM Join Jeff Moyer, of the Rodale Institute in Pennsylvania, and Tom Miller, dairy farmer from Columbus, WI, for a review of various cover crop and tillage options used by successful organic farmers to produce good yields while continually improving soil fertility and structure. Jeff, as longtime Rodale farm manager, has been a pioneer in organic no-till farming. Tom and his family have been using this system successfully in Wisconsin for 3+ years, and with researchers have tested a variety of methods to produce nice organic crops with a minimum of both tillage and weed pressure. Green manures and effective tillage in a conventional organic system will also be discussed, giving you the options you need to manage all of your fields effectively. 9) ENHANCING SOIL BIOLOGICAL LIFE Join Gary Zimmer of Otter Creek Organic Dairy and Midwestern Bio-Ag, and Joel Gruver, professor of soil science at Western Illinois University, for a stimulating discussion on soil improvement. Enhancement of soil biological life and balance of nutrients in the soil is the basis for long term production that provides for both good yields and continual improvement of soil structure. Long time organic farmers as well as newcomers will find this session useful. Even marginal land can be modified to produce good crops using the knowledge that you will gain in this course. If you are bringing CRP or fallow land into production it will be invaluable in helping you be a successful organic producer. 10) HOOP HOUSES AND SEASON EXTENSION Hoop Houses of various types and costs have been used effectively for many years, producing greens and other high-demand crops both during the main season and our long winter. Our three speakers, John Biernbaum of Michigan State University, Bill Warner and Judy Hageman of Snug Haven Farm in Wisconsin have numerous seasons of experience growing a wide variety crops. Seed variety selection, soil preparation and fertility improvement, crop rotation, harvest, hoop house maintenance and many "tricks-of-the-trade" will be discussed to aid you in setting up your own extended season production for many years to come. Return to TOP |
 |
