With the uncertainty of global markets and trade, farmers seek to strengthen demand for their crops and value-added products.
This year, UW-Madison’s Organic Agriculture Field Days will focus on resilience and diversification. Farmers and researchers will share their ideas for reducing costs and increasing revenue by thinking strategically about inputs and labor. Topics also explore optimizing plant health through soil health, integrating livestock and agroforestry, growing specialty and high-quality grains, and developing local business relationships.
The Organic Grain Resource and Information Network will host the five field days at various sites in Wisconsin and Illinois. Field days will highlight innovative management practices and novel crops at working organic farms and research stations. These events aim to appeal to certified organic farmers, farmers who are interested in exploring partial or full transitions to certified organic production, and farmers who are interested in cover crops, soil health, and diversified crops and markets.
Despite inflationary pressures, sales of organic products exceeded $71 billion in 2024, and growth is steady at a four percent rate, indicating ongoing strong demand and premium prices.
“We continue to see organic farmers and processors striving to meet consumer demand for healthy foods produced with regenerative methods,” says OGRAIN program leader Erin Silva, professor and extension specialist in UW–Madison’s Department of Plant Pathology, and Clif Bar Endowed Chair in Organic Agriculture and Outreach. “Our field day attendees will be eager to hear directly from farmers about how they’ve created successful organic operations, and they’ll learn about the technology and science that is taking organic production to the next level.”
See more details: https://ograin.cals.wisc.edu/ograin-events-2025-field-days/
Organic Cereals Field Walk
June 25, 4-7 p.m.
West Madison Agricultural Research Station
Join an informal field walk to learn more about field trials, breeding projects, and other research. Crops include hard and soft winter wheat, winter naked barley, spring naked oats, and Kernza. Presenting organizations include the Extension Emerging Crops Accelerator, Seed to Kitchen Collaborative, Cereals Breeding Program, Picasso Research Group, Artisan Grain Collaborative, and OGRAIN.
Organic Grains to Glass Field Day
July 17, 1-7:30 p.m.
La Crosse Distilling Co. and McHugh Farms
Marbleseed and OGRAIN will join Patrick McHugh for a tour of his organic farm’s diverse gardens, grains, livestock, and large composting system. Attendees will learn about their growing practices, and the journey from field to distillery at La Crosse Distilling Co. Cap off the day with a social hour at the distillery to see this full circle system in action.
Organic Grain Soil Health, Testing, and an Introduction to Agroforestry
August 19, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Otter Creek Organic Farm at Twin Crix
Join Gary Zimmer, Patrick Michaels, and Sandy Syburg as they discuss cover cropping for nitrogen and testing to make informed soil health decisions. They’ll also talk about the work of the Rye Revival organization. Attendees will tour the organic grain farm and get an introduction to the farm’s expanding agroforestry enterprise.
UW Organic Agriculture Research Field Day
August 26, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Arlington Agricultural Research Station
This field day will feature tours and talks about the latest in organic systems research. Attendees will learn about reduced-tillage corn and soybeans, no-till dry beans, advances in food-grade grains, emerging crops, biocontrol agents to manage white mold in soybeans, and on-farm soil health research.
Farmer – Distiller Grain Connections
August 27, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Cow Creek Organic Farm and Silver Tree Spirits
Dallas and Will Glazik will lead attendees through Cow Creek Organic Farm’s organic fields and discuss proper food-grade grain handling. The day will end with a distillery tour, grain quality talk, farmer-distiller social event, and optional tasting at Silver Tree Spirits.
